Saiga 308 Coverts

[Huntolive]

Hello,

What are pros and cons of 21-22" barrel 308 converted Saiga over
16" barrel of the same? Also relative $ value$?

For a DSR I imagine the longer barrel in the natural fit.
For hog hunting and fireworks for the 4th of July, the latter...

But seriously, do tell...

 

[TJohn]

The 16 inch should handle easier, but you might eek out some more velocity with the longer barrel. I had a 16 inch version but it never grouped as well as the 7.62 or 5.45 Saiga rifles.

 

[Jackal]

The 22" will get you about 150fps more velocity. General rule of thumb with .308 is 25fps is lost per inch removed.

 

[LiveLife]

I had Saigas in .308 and .223.

From what I recall, my 16" .308 shot better than others 22" versions as shorter barrels were less affected by barrel whip/harmonics. I averaged 1.5" - 2" groups at 100 yards with cheaper commercial target ammo and good for minute of gong at 300-400 yards.

While I liked the Saiga, if I were to spend money to buy one now, I would rather build an AR10 in .308 from PSA instead.

 

[rbernie]

From what I recall, my 16" .308 shot better than others 22" versions as shorter barrels were less affected by barrel whip/harmonics.

That was my experience as well.

 

[M1key]

My 22 inch is an easy 500yd plate spanker with irons. Even my wife can do it.

The 16 not so much.

M

 

[Girodin]

Back when I was really into Saiga rifles it seemed that the general conventional wisdom was that the 16" barreled guns were in general more accurate. The theory being the shorter barrel was stiffer. Some folks were cutting their longer barrels to 18", what they thought the sweet spot was.

As stated above the 16" gun is handier, but it does have more muzzle blast, and less velocity. For the way I use mine I prefer the 16" gun but think it benefits from adding a muzzle device. This is not used the same way I'd use a 6.5 creedmore bolt gun where a couple hundred FPS is a big deal and warrants hauling around a 24" barrel.

You will hear people try and say that with 16" 308 gun you might as well just have a 7.62x39. Having shot both over a chronograph side by side and having otherwise used both I think that is nonsense.

 

[desidog]

If you want covert, definitely the shorter barrel....until you fire it and the muzzle flash will give you away. If you're talking coNvert, the longer barrel makes for weird balance without moving the trigger forward to restore the ergonomics.

I posted this a couple years ago on here; but originally sent it to a friend who wondered why i wasn't at his cocktail party punctually at 6pm...



It doesn't hurt to double up on ear protection. I think the 16" handles much better than a longer barrel, and mine weights about half of what my M1A Loaded weighs, so it's much nicer to carry around.

 

[mshootnit]

My 16s were usually more accurate than the 21.5". IMO the 16" Saiga is one of the best semi AK ever brought in.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks!