Which Saiga to get?

[MikePGS]

In the next few months i would very much like to purchase a Saiga rifle. I like the reliability and the accuracy is acceptable. I intend to buy a stock one but eventually i might trick it out. The problem is, i'm having a bit of difficulty deciding what exact configuration to get. I'm going to be using it mostly just for fun (Not hunting), but would also like something to help hold the zombie hoards at bay if need be. I'm thinking that the .223 looks nice, but i was wondering what exactly the difference in velocity and or handling would be in the different barrel lengths. Also is .308 a better caliber to have in a SHTF type situation, or should the .223 be sufficient? I think i'd like to put a scope on it (eventually) and have noticed that there are some nice ones... also how much are .223 and .308 ammo cost wise? I'm not really interested in 7.62X39, but if theres a good reason to get one in this configuration than any other perhaps i will consider it. Thanks in advance.

 

[22LongRifle]

I have personally shot the 7.62 x 39 mm and the .223 in the carbine lengths. After getting use to the triggers, like with ANY different rifle, I was able to shoot well enough. The short sight radius is quick, but bulky for any longer range shooting. Recoil was nill and they handled very well.

I also shot the 308 with the longer 20"ish barrel. I think that might be a great rifle with a better set of sights, maybe even prove its own against M1As at 500 yards. I had no problem keeping every round in the 8 ring on a B-24 size target at 150 yards. I feel that I might have done better with better sights and better ammo!

IMHO, I think all the Saigas need better open sights and heavier polymer stocks and forearms. And I don't mean militarish hardware options that cause you to rebuild the weapon to make it legal. Just a nice set of regular style stocks and forearms. The ones they have on them know feels toyish. They do have a wood option, from the factory, but it adds more money.

They way SKS prices are soaring, the 7.62 x 39mm is a good option for cheap shooting. The Saigas are lighter than the surplus SKSs, but I still love the Norincos, and you don't have to remove the pigsticker or grenade launcher.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of them! well maybe the 308 with the shorter barrel. Might be too loud and the recoil stouter. But some folks like that.

Jerry

 

[yhtomit]

I got the .223 because a) I like having a NATO caliber, because I feel ( hope justifiably) confident that it will be easy to find in the medium run and b) because it's cheap. Not quite as cheap as the Russian calibers, but ... I can get (again, so far, and I hope this holds true) reloadable brass via eBay, or Wolf .223 when that's cheaper, etc.

If .308 and .223 were the same price, I'd probably have suckered myself into the .308 instead ... when I start earning real money, a .308 Saiga's on the list! (And, well, so is a 7.62 x 39, and a Saiga-12 ...)

timothy

 

[rangerruck]

I have fired the 16 in bbls only , and they are great. .223 ammo will always be cheaper than 308. I think for shtf purposes, you should allways be able to carry a max amount of ammo, therefore 223 is better, 3 times less weight than 308.
with the longer bbls, and open sites, you will proly shoot better groups, but if you scope it, then that won't matter. the longer bbls , are either 22 or 20 inches long, I think the former. that will give you another 2 to 300 fps out of them, that equates pretty good at downrange performance, and can give you another 100 to 150 yards of dead on hold, depending on how good you are.

 

[Storm]

If you do decide to trick out your Saiga the .223 will allow you more options as to furniture and higher capacity magazines. BTW, while I do find the buttstock of the Saiga to be toy-like, I find the handguard to be a quality item. They are metal lined (internal and not visible) with what I assume to be a heat shileld of sorts, or there for support.

 

[MIL-DOT]

i'm presently arranging to have a saiga shipped as we speak(just waiting for the FFL to arrive by mail, since multiple fax attempts wouldn't work AARGH!! ).
i'm definately going with 7.62x 39, mostly 'cause it's so much cheaper than .308 and 5.56,but also,in my mind.....AN ?$#!@ "real russian" AK-47 OUGHTA SHOOT AK-47 AMMO !!!
i'm also going with the 16" barrel, in part simply because it looks cooler (to me,anyway), it's more compact, and i've read that somehow the shorter barrel version is more accurate than the longer barrel, maybe a barrel-harmonics thing,i don't know.

 

[MD_Willington]

..but a Real Russian AKM101 & 102 (which is the basis of the Saiga) do shoot 5.56 NATO... ???

I spent the 4th getting my Saiga .223 to 90% converted !!

 

[wdlsguy]

"Inexpensive" 7.62x39 ammunition seems more plentiful (and a bit cheaper) than 5.56x45 ammunition right now. Might be a reason to opt for 7.62x39.

 

[MikePGS]

For some reason i'm under the impression that the 7.62X39 loses velocity faster and isn't as accurate. Am i completely crazy or is there any truth in this belief?

 

[kcmarine]

Well, I don't know about the velocity aspect of the 7.62x39mm Soviet cartridge, but I do know that the round can be accurate. The problem is most of the ammo in that chambering available is bottom of the barrel Russian stuff made with little regards to consistency as far as bullet diameter, pressures, and bullet seating. But then again, Wolf cost an average of $4.50 a box. You get what you pay for.

Handloading can produce a nice 7.62x39mm round, just like it can upgrade the performance of any cartridge.

If I were choosing a new Saiga today, and I knew that the range didn't care about bimetallic ammo, I would choose the 7.62x39mm in a carbine (in fact, that's what I have). I just think it works better for what the rifle is. It feels right to have a Russian gun in a Russian caliber.

However, if you have a range that doesn't like the bimetallic jacket on bullets, then I would choose the .223. The problem with the x39 is that most of the stuff out there is the Russian manufactured el- cheapo ammo with bimetallic jacketing. Pure- copper jackets are hard to find as far as this round goes. The .223 will be much easier to find ammo for if you have range restrictions on steel- jacketed or bimetallic projectiles.

Just my $.02.

 

[MikePGS]

Hmmm. Could anyone please give me a basic cost of ammo in each of the three different calibers? Also if someone could show me a ballistics chart for the various barrels (presuming one exists) it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SSN Vet]

7.62x39 with 16" barrel was my choice....

commie gun, commie caliber....

if I want a .22 with more pop than .22LR, I'll get an AR and go with the 5.56 NATO caliber (someday when I'm rich and hopefully not famous, that is).

I just bought x39 for $3.69/box from Midway last month.

Ballistic gelatin tests results for x39 posted in this forum looked pretty darn nasty.

Box of Truth shows x39 to go in one side and out the other when fired at an old Buick.

I found my Saiga to feel front heavy and this pushed me off the fence to do the PG conversion now and not wait.

cheap advice from an AK newby.....worth at least half of what you paid for it.