Saiga. What Caliber?

What caliber do you have your Saiga rifle (or shotgun) in?

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spartand003

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So I've decided that my next purchased firearm will be a Saiga rifle. But I've hit a bit of a problem. I cannot for the life of me decide what caliber to get. I've narrowed it down to either 7.62x39, .223, or 5.45x39. But I can't decide. I need the ammo to be both cheap and available. My first choice was 7.62x39 because it's the classic AK round. But I've been thinking more about .223 because I've heard rumors that it can shoot 5.56 NATO also. If this were true, surplus 5.56 is cheaper than 7.62x39 from what I've seen. And then there's 5.45x39. The reason I'd do that is the ability to easily modify AK 74 mags to work with the rifle, and the ammo isn't expensive either. So I've come to you guys. Anyone who owns one feel free to tell me your thoughts on your respective caliber. Thanks in advance. :D
 
You will be happy with any of those choices. Especially if you convert them to PG config. The 5.45 needs no mag modifications. '74 mags lock right in. I would also add a bullet guide whether you convert or not.

I own all four rifle calibers. Not too interested in the shotguns, although many folks are...

M
 
The 308 is actually both the 7.62X39 and the 308. You can load 308 brass down to X39 velocities if you choose. On the other hand the 308 is viewed by many as having "30-06 performance in a short action".
i also had an unconverted 5.45 and thats a real nice rifle for sure. Better than a mini-14.
 
Reduced load 308 = standard x39

You must handload them yourself. Good luck.

M
 
The 308 is actually both the 7.62X39 and the 308. You can load 308 brass down to X39 velocities if you choose. On the other hand the 308 is viewed by many as having "30-06 performance in a short action".
Click to expand...
First "many" folks are dead wrong...the .308Win. doesn't approach, much less match, a properly loaded modern .30-06Spd. Secondly, why on earth would you buy a longer action, heavier rifle, with less available accessories just to download it to x39 specs. Don't get me wrong it can be done, but why?...it won't even properly cycle with such loads (at least not without modification, which would then preclude the use of properly loaded .308Win.).

I voted for the 12Ga. and the 5.45x39.5mm. Those cartridges are really the only reason I see to settle for an AK action. The Saiga-12 isn't terribly practical, but is a good, solid shotgun for fun. There is a lack of good 5.45mm rifles, and ammo is, at this very moment (this will change as supply dwindles), fairly inexpensive, so that gets my vote as well. IMO there are better options for all of the other chamberings.

:)
 
It depends...

...on what you intend to do with it.

The .308 is more expensive than the others, both to buy and to feed. Plus they're a bit harder to find. But they're reported to be quite accurate and they certainly deliver more power downrange. If your goal is long-range riflery, it's the obvious choice. It's also a good choice if you're a reloader, as it doesn't do anything seriously bad to the brass...other than toss it everywhere and maybe dent it. The longer barrel versions deliver the .308's full potential, while you take a velocity hit and get a lot of noise from the short barrel version.

The .223 or 5.45x39 would be good choices for home defense. The light, fast bullets would blow-up/disintegrate where the .308 and 7.62x39 would over penetrate. Soft point bullets and ammo are available for the .223, but they'd be rather hard to find for the 5.45. If you plan to hunt with it, soft points would be useful. Also, the .223 can be reloaded. The boltface does leave an impression on the cartridge head, but it hasn't caused problems for my reloads. Domestic .223 ammo will be easy to come by long after foreign sources of 5.45x39 have dried up. However both of these cartridges will lose significant velocity in a short barrel.

7.62x39 ammo, both soft point and FMJ, will be easy to find and fairly inexpensive as well. It penetrates well, performs on a par with the .30-30, and the cartridge gives up very little velocity in a short barrel. Only bad thing about the 7.62x39 Saiga is that it was designed to intentionally bulge the case neck of a fired cartridge. This renders the cartridge un-reloadable...whether brass or steel. However, loaded steel case Russian 7.62x39 doesn't cost any more than it would to assemble a decent reload; so unless you're a reloader who likes to tinker, this is not a drawback.
 
My saiga is a 12 gauge. I bought it to have a box mag shotgun. I would recommend it, or the 7.62x39. If you want a .223, I can think of better platforms.
 
Ive got a 12 and a .410 (Old one that only takes 3in shells)
And I like them both, fully intend to get a one in 7.62x39/5.56 at some point in the future.... And do consider converting it if you havent already the converted trigger is awesome compared to the linkage setup.
 
5.45 will be your cheapest to shoot as surplus military 7N6 ammo is till available for dirt cheap but it is corrosive so will required slightly different cleaning. Be aware that if you insert 30 round ak74 mags in this gun without enough american parts installed for 922r compliance you will be in violation of federal law.
 
Either the 7.62x39 or the 223. Both have relatively inexpensive ammo available that is non corrosive. I prefer the 7.62x39. Very decent accuracy for AK type system. Mine loves Barnaul ammo, it's Russian made but I haven't seen it advertised for some time.
Glad I bought cases of the soft point stuff years ago. I've left my Saigas as they came from the box. No mods. Won't make them shoot any better so why spend the money.
 
Ok, so I guess my next question is going to be should I convert? I've been looking into the Tapco T6 stock for it, and it seems like a good alternative to a full conversion. I would prefer to keep the rifle stock if I could use this T6 stock. Anyone have any experience with it?

And for the record, I've decided on 7.62x39. Seems to be the best all around.
 
I bought and converted a Saiga AK in 7.62x39 awhile back (very easy job). It was more accurate than any WASR that I have fired, and well built. Replacing the FCG was easy, but removing the plate under the trigger guard was a PITA. There are adapters to use any AR-15 stock on an AK either as a collapsible or folding stock or as a fixed stock. There are also adapters that let you use AR-15 grips as well. I definitely recommend converting it whether you change stocks or not. Also make sure to drill and tap the front trunion for the bullet guide and after it's screwed in you'll want to test fire. Once you've ensured reliable operation with surplus mags you'll want to loctite and/or weld the bullet guide in place. They're great guns and I regret selling mine.
 
Another vote for 7.62x39 here, but I'm a fan of that round anyway.

Really, if it's only for the range, I would go with whatever's cheapest for you. 5.45 ammunition is cheap, but the magazines are a little more expensive. 7.62x39 is cheap, and I can find excellent Bulgarian mags for under $10 a piece.

If you like the different mags, there's a kit to convert .223/5.56 AK's to take AR mags. I love the AK platform, but AR mag changes really are just that much nicer.

Of course, I would go with something in a caliber I already have, and/or reload for. Cheaper in the long run, and more accurate.

If not, I would either let it pull double-duty as a hunting rifle in 7.62x39 or .308, or as HD with some relatively fragile 7.62 HP's.

EDIT: Didn't see a decision. :D I do vote on converting, though.

Reason 1: The rifle as stock wasn't bad, but the trigger felt weird and the balance was a bit off. I'm not the type to complain about it, but it just wasn't a Russian rifle like that, you know?

Reason 2: If you use magazines of more than 10 rounds, you need more American-made parts anyway, and it usually comes down to a conversion to get as many as you need. On the other hand, if you like the shotgun-style stock, there are some nice American-made wooden ones that look really nice...
 
I almost chose 308 but remembered seeing a demonstration video on how the stamped receiver flexes under the force of the mighty 308win.
certainly safe but I'm concerned accuracy will suffer
 
spartand003 said:
Ok, so I guess my next question is going to be should I convert? I've been looking into the Tapco T6 stock for it, and it seems like a good alternative to a full conversion. I would prefer to keep the rifle stock if I could use this T6 stock. Anyone have any experience with it?

And for the record, I've decided on 7.62x39. Seems to be the best all around.
Click to expand...

Good choice on the 7.62x39, the round the rifle was originally designed around.

No question, convert. Finished mine a few weeks ago, just a shade over $500 into the project, total:

saiga_converted.jpg
 
sansone said:
nice job bri
Click to expand...
Thanks, it was too much fun. I lucked out and scored the stock rifle from a guy on ARFCOM for a great deal. Dimpled receiver, no chamber step, handguard notches and threaded barrel. I think I'm going to leave the front-end alone, starts to get expensive at that point...
 
I sold a BUNCH of new saigas back when I could get them new-in-box for $200.. people were calling to have me hand-pick rifles for dimpled receivers, best trigger pull, non-canted sights, etc.
 
"I almost chose 308 but remembered seeing a demonstration video on how the stamped receiver flexes under the force of the mighty 308win. certainly safe but I'm concerned accuracy will suffer"

The receiver also flexes with 7.62 x 39 and i would imagine 5.45 and 5.56. With good factory ammo my saiga .308 shoots well under 2" no problem. Not good enough for 1000 yard head shots or bench rest competition but will work fine for just about anything else. And i suspect groups could get closer MOA with reloads and maybe a few tweeks to the gun.
 
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