Saiga 5.45 vs 7.62x39

[kalguns]

7.62x39

[Capt Jack]

... Atlantic is selling the 5.45 for 369.99 and the 7.62 for 339.99 shipped. ....

My vote is also for the 7.62 although I doubt you can go wrong either way. Is there a sale at Atlantic? I see the 7.62s at $359?

Only asking because that would be a heck of a deal!

[Nix78]

ok , what is magnetic and nonmagnetic ammo , steal case and brass , Why do they ban it and A saiga can't take brass or something?

[69Mach1]

ok , what is magnetic and nonmagnetic ammo , steal case and brass , Why do they ban it and A saiga can't take brass or something?

"Magnetic Ammo" refers to the bullet attracting a magnet. Some manufacturers use a bi-metal or all steel jacket, and some bullets contain a steel core. An all copper jacket with lead bullet will not attract a magnet and is therefore "Range Safe". The steel/bi-metal jackets have been known to start fires. The material of the case does not matter, unless the facility doesn't allow it.

[ironhiide]

I voted 7.62, acceptable ammo is easy to find in this size.

[SJgunguy24]

7.62x39 because you don't have to clean it as much versus the corrosive surplus 5.45x39 ammo.

Thats funny, who said 7.62X39 isn't corrosive?
My rule is, if the ammo is from a Com bloc state or former Com bloc state it's corrosive. It's not too bad to clean up.
Take it from a guy who let his AK sit for 3 days and had some pretty red crystals waiting for him. I caught it before the pitting got bad. There's just a little to remind me to clean with hot soapy water.

[tenbrook]

Get an SGL-20 and be done with it!

[MissionMTMan]

I have both calibers and I prefer my 7.62 AK 47 over the AK 74. I really like the low recoil of the AK 74 but there is just something about the 7.62 that makes me want to shoot it more. I don't mind cleaning weapons but the corrosive AK 74 ammunition is kind of a pain. I forgot to clean the flash hider once and 2 days later when I was inspecting my arsenal, I found the threads were rusted! I don't like that but if you make sure and clean everything the corrosive salts come in contact to, you will be okay.

[Juicymeat]

Thats funny, who said 7.62X39 isn't corrosive?

I never said that it wasn't corrosive. I merely stated that it's not as bad as corrosive surplus 5.45, and thus, will not have to cleaned it as often.

[Rekrab]

Man, I'm glad I read this thread. After seeing the price of 7.62x39 I was heavily considering picking myself up one of those Saigas from Atlantic Firearms.

Now I'm doing the math to see how soon I can feasibly afford it! I'm also going to have to find where I can actually shoot the darn thing near Orange Coutny >.<

[sevans]

Both are the same to convert. I haven't seen the 5.45 in person, but it should need the installation of a bullet guide, the mag release latch modified, and a new FCG added, along with more US parts, to convert, just like the 7.62.

I converted my 5.45 and my 7.62 this week. The 5.45 needs a bullet guide but doesn't require any mods to the mag release unlike the 7.62. 74 mags fit perfectly as is.

[stix213]

ok , what is magnetic and nonmagnetic ammo , steal case and brass , Why do they ban it and A saiga can't take brass or something?

Magnetic means a magnet sticks to the bullet, non-magnetic means a magnet won't stick to it. The concern is that the jacketing or core of a magnetic bullet will have steel in it, which supposedly are more prone to starting a fire on impact, although all types of ammo can start a fire if you are unlucky enough. Magnetic ammo is banned at some ranges or forests because of that.

Steel case means the case the bullet and powder sit in are made of steel, which generally all the cheap Russian made ammo uses. Brass cases are typical of US made ammo sources, and brass cases are more expensive of a material than steel, so a brass cased round will generally cost more. There is no advantage to shooting either in a Saiga, the Saiga can do both, although if you reload your own you will want to save the brass cases since the steel supposedly are a no go for that (I don't reload, but that is what I have read, there is less of a reason to reload when you can shoot cheap steel cased ammo).

So basically the problem is the super inexpensive Russian ammo the Russian Saiga was actually made to shoot is the magnetic bullet steel cased stuff that you can find online for about $0.25/round, but that stuff isn't allowed at some ranges, so you get stuck buying the much more expensive often US made non-magnetic brass cased stuff that could end up costing you $0.80/round. It ain't going to be too much fun rapid firing your Saiga when each 10 round mag costs $8.00!!!

But hey, that's why I don't shoot at places that are anti-magnetic ammo. But from what I have read I'm the lucky one, even though I've never even been to a placed that asked or had a rule posted. I guess if you can, come up here to the north bay where the weather is mild, the trees aren't all cut down, and the magnetic ammo is rapid fired with the park ranger giving you a tip of the hat plus a grin. Let the cheap russian ammo flow! Where else can you hit up wine tasting and shoot an AK variant in the same afternoon? (with adequate sobering time or a designated driver of course!)

[Nix78]

good that somes that up, 0ne more question though dose an AK(nonsaiga) shoot magnetic or NON ?

[mikemaccham]

Man, I'm glad I read this thread. After seeing the price of 7.62x39 I was heavily considering picking myself up one of those Saigas from Atlantic Firearms.

Now I'm doing the math to see how soon I can feasibly afford it! I'm also going to have to find where I can actually shoot the darn thing near Orange Coutny >.<

15 N and Hodges road (by barstow) I'm in corona and it takes me as long to get to Burro Canyon, except its free and you can bring whatever you feel like blasting....just gotta stay away from the guys next to the freeway blasting the side of a hill...pretty sure its legal judging by the number of casings on the ground, last time I called BLM they said it was, anyone heard different?

[C.W.M.V.]

With 5.45 you will HAVE to clean your weapon immediately and thoroughly upon return from the range. That kills it for me right there.

My rifles are not the boss of me!

My rifle disagrees. Punched the barrel and have yet to clean anything else, no rust, just some extra carbon to tighten the tolerances.

Seriously its an AK guys, dont try to treat it like an AR. Clean it if its rusty and otherwise shoot the living **** out of it.

EDIT: and it seems most of the 5.45 rifles don't need the bullet guide. Mine didn't and it shoots just fine!