.223 vs 7.62 x 39 AK?

[atto]

If I were to buy an AK, what would be the better choice? I'm looking for something cheap (to buy) and cheap to shoot. I'm not looking to spend over $500.

I know the 7.62 packs a wallop but starts to fall at ~150 yards, while the .223 can go out much farther than that (but lacks stopping power). But since the AK isn't meant to be the an MOA rifle, wouldn't that make the .223 kind of useless?

Also, are .223 AK's more expensive than 7.62's?

Ps. I know the official caliber is 5.56x45, I was just trying to keep typing to a minimum.

[akjunkie]

My next rifle would be a 223 AK.

No worries shooting Wolf / Russian 223.

Start stocking up commie 223 ammo by the case load.

[CK_32]

If your going ak go 308. 223 will be cheaper but half the reason aks are so popular is because they shoot that bigger more "knock down " bullet.

But I dont see the point in people buying 223 700's either but hey your money your choice.

I personally chose an ar because it shoots the 5.56 round and because over the ak's 7.62 round as soon as you are looking to fire more than one shot rapidly good luck hitting anything..
All that power dowsnt do you any good if you miss what your shooting at. my $.02

[santacruzstefan]

If I were to buy an AK, what would be the better choice? I'm looking for something cheap (to buy) and cheap to shoot. I'm not looking to spend over $500.

I know the 7.62 packs a wallop but starts to fall at ~150 yards, while the .223 can go out much farther than that (but lacks stopping power). But since the AK isn't meant to be the an MOA rifle, wouldn't that make the .223 kind of useless?

Also, are .223 AK's more expensive than 7.62's?

Ps. I know the official caliber is 5.56 x 39, I was just trying to keep typing to a minimum.

I think you mean 5.56x45, or maybe 5.45x39?

[NapaCountyShooter]

The only issue with .223 ak's is availability of magazines. I like getting firearms chambered in the original round they were meant for. If you're getting an ak, you're not getting it to be a long range tack driver. I'd go 7.62 personally.

[atto]

I think you mean 5.56x45, or maybe 5.45x39?

Sorry, that's what I meant (5.56x45). I'll correct the OP.

[sevensix2x51]

i would think that a .223 ak would use a proprietary magazine, so given that new mfr 7.62x39 and .223 (both by wolf) are the same price, i would give the nod to the 762. just to save money on mags.
if you wanted the ak74, i think that is mostly surplus, and goes cheaper than 7.62. mags are surplus as well, so the cost for the 5.45 would be less..

unless im totally missing something.

[TrailerparkTrash]

I read with interest about what to buy and what not to buy. First off, unless you're fighting in the deserts of Afghanistan (i.e. looooooong range shooting), in excess of 150 yards, a .223 vs. 7.62x39mm isn't going to make a difference when fired into a human target. Ask yourself, in an urban environment do I really need anything that works beyond 150yds???

Second, using a pointed soft point or hollow point .223/5.56 bullet, a human being bad guy isn't going to really get back up when hit in a vital area or in any area where "meat" (muscle tissue) is struck. The PSP or HP bullets out of a .223/5.56 are devistating.

Third, a 7.62x39mm FMJ bullet does outperform a .223/5.56 in hard media such as thicker walls, doors etc... Again however, for urban/home defense debates between the two calibers, the argument is irrelevant.

Get what you can afford and what's more plentiful.

Just my opinion.

[cmace22]

I chose 223 because surplus 7.63x39 rounds are mostly Bi metal and a no go for my local ranges. On top of that All my other rifles are in 223/556 and I saw no reason to buy another round. By keeping my rifles the same caliber I take one kind of ammo to the range to shoot many different rifles. If you dont have surplus 223 AK mags like I did ( although they were crap, dented, beat and needed replacement) look into the Bulgarian circle 10 mags. I had some help finding suitable replacements for my beater high caps and the Bugly's came highly recommended on many forums for being very reliable and possibly the best 223 AK mags at least polymer ones you can get. German Weiger mags were also highly recommended (steel) but they are next to impossible to find. If you already have 223 AK high caps buy one of the two I mentioned and tune your rifle to reliably feed from them, then buy as many as you legally can. Either one can be converted to 10/30's for use in BB equipped rifles or if you didnt previously own AK 223 mags. Again 223 was just a better choice for me being that I didnt want to run many different calibers in my rifles much the same that I only own 2 different caliber handguns 9mm and 45 between 5 different handguns. Simple is usually better.. Hope this helps.

High cap rebuild service

Bulgarian circle 10 30rnd mags

Bulgarian 20rnd mags

[sherm2954]

I have the Saiga 223 (converted) and an AR... I went the 223 route for the ease of having one caliber ammo for both rifles...mags are easy to get for the 223 Saiga (AK74 mags with replacemetn followers or altered followers or Galil mags all work fine, from what I read...check Dinzagarms.com)...with that said, I still have an itch to get another Saiga in 7.62...

Ammo for the 223 saiga is easy to get and cheap...wolf, brown bear, etc all feed perfectly through it...I've never had a problem...and my brass cased 223 is set aside for the AR, but can go either way...

[_Z_]

Why would you buy an AK in .223/5.56? BLAH! If you going to get an AK get it in one of the traditional flavors, 7.62 or 5.45.

If you want a .223/5.56 get an AR.

[cmace22]

Why would you buy an AK in .223/5.56? BLAH! If you going to get an AK get it in one of the traditional flavors, 7.62 or 5.45.

If you want a .223/5.56 get an AR.

I just gave 2 valid reasons in my post above. To each there own.

[_Z_]

I just gave 2 valid reasons in my post above. To each there own.

Your reason makes sense about keeping it all one caliber but most of us.. well the ak builders, don't build just one

When deciding what caliber I wanted my AR pistol, .223/5.56 was an easy choice for me.

[cmace22]

Your reason makes sense about keeping it all one caliber but most of us.. well the ak builders, don't build just one

When deciding what caliber I wanted my AR pistol, .223/5.56 was an easy choice for me.

Nor am I planning on having just one..... Guess what caliber my next one is gonna be

[dieselpower]

Here is some advice from a guy who doesn't own a single AK47. Start with the original, then explore. You must first understand whats in the box, before you think outside of it. AK47s native round is 7.62x39, Thats what you should get.