Saiga Rifle .223 vs 7.62 - Quick Question?

[telli97]

Hi Guys. I was just @ GAT GUNS here in IL at lunch with a buddy of mine so we could drool over some new guns (as usual) and my buddy is looking for a AK style rifle and he liked the Saiga model they had stocked. I think the price was under $300. The one they had in stock was a 7.62 calibar. He wants this gun simply for plinking, etc , nothing else. I was wondering is ammo cheaper for a .223 or 7.62? I've seen the bulk remington ammo UMC-yellow box a lot at Gander Mountain, however never seen a lot fo 7.62 ammo. If you had a choice just for plinking, etc, would you go .223 or 7.62 and why.

Thanks and BTW - To all whom answered my previous post in the General Handgun section - THANKS AGAIN...

JP
Telli97

 

[aka108]

Russian ammo used to be less expensive than their 223 but now it's running very close in cost. More high quality factory ammo available in 223. My experience with Saigas is that the 223 is the more accurate of the two. Neither of the two are, nor any AK, good target rifles but great for general plinking and scaring the bejeezus out of coyotes.

 

[beerslurpy]

Saigas are definitely above average for accuracy as AKs go. The 223 should be minute of coyote out to 200 and the 7.62 should be minute of deer out to the same range.

No ammo is cheap right now. 223 is consistently OK in price. AK fluctuates between dirt cheap and 223 price.

 

[rangerruck]

even though 762 is up, it will proly allways be a little cheaper than 223. however , I have both of these in the 16 in bbl configuration, and they are both accurate, with the 223 being moa.

 

[Correia]

I'm having a sale on .223 Saigas right now for $245.

 

[rbernie]

What is the magazine situation for Saige 223 rifles vs. 7,62x39. I know that it's relatively trivial to get AK magazines to work in the 7.62x39 (opening doors to a world of plentiful and inexpensive 30-round mags) - what's out there for 223?

 

[Correia]

Same procedure, but convert it to East German Weiger mags, or Bulgarian poly waffles from K-Var.

 

[rbernie]

What the approximate cost of a dozen or so AK 223 mags?

 

[phoglund]

How simple is it to do the conversion for the Saiga 7.62X39 to standard AK mags? I have a 16" bbl 7.62X51 Saiga and think it's a great rifle. I'd like the X39 if I could use Standard AK mags.

(Yes, I've ordered the 20rnd mags for the X51)

 

[Correia]

Check K-Var for Bulgy waffle prices. I'm not sure off the top of my head.

Detailed instructions for how to convert are over on www.saiga12.com's forums.

 

[EvisceratorSrB]

Though everyone complains about price for x39's, I still believe in general the prices are a little lower than bulk .223 prices.

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_83

1000 rds for x39's and .223's in bulk packs ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You'll find the x39's at 149.99 and the .223 is close to 190.00. I'd definitely go with the x39, though I am biased and feel it's the best medium caliber on the market for plinking.

 

[MD_Willington]

From what I've seen online the newer .223 Saiga is very easy to convert to AK..

Check out the forum here: http://www.saiga-12.com/

It was a toss up today for me Saiga .223 or S&W5906... got the 5906... Maybe santi clause will bring me the Saiga

 

[rangerruck]

the 308 mags are really a non convert issue. You need to either find and buy the high caps, i think correia may have a handle on those, or go to some acutions sites and see whats out there, (very expensive if you find the factory ones) or take the ones with your 308 saiga, and get them to hold 10 instead of 8. It can be done, i did it.

 

[Malodorousroadkill]

The big key for getting the saiga's to take AK mags is the installation of a bullet guide into the reciever, requiring some drilling and tapping of some really tough metal. However, after that a lil filing on the catch and on some AK mags you're golden.

 

[phoglund]

The installation of the bullet guide sounds doable...but where does one get a bullet guide? Is this the sort of thing one has to fabricate themselves? Thanks for the advise.

 

[sw9f]

Look on the saiga forum. I don't remember his name, but there is someone on there who sells the bullet guide. I think he even includes a drill bit. You could also make one yourself.

 

[rbernie]

but where does one get a bullet guide?

K-Var.

 

[phoglund]

Thanks RBernie! I really like my Saiga 7.62X51 and would love to add a 7.62X39 but wanted to be able to use AK Magazines. Since I don't really like the geometry of the original AK and the quality of the Saiga is top notch in my book this will be a great way to get the functionality of the AK with a geometry I prefer.

 

[rangerruck]

hmm.... a toughie. the 223 is very accurate in this gun, and you can use a wide variety of grain weights in it. But the 762 is fairly accurate as well, and the rounds are cheaper. the 223 will also proly be a little cleaner, too. I got them both for 250 each, and I would get them both if i were you as well.