Saiga .223 or .308

[2shotjoe]

range on 7.62x39 is terrible, go 308.

[Secret]

You wanted a shtf rifle go with the 223 , 223 will be more abundant and x39

[FMJBT]

Had a chance to shoot one of the shorter versions of the 308: Very nice. One of the few rifles lately that really made me want to go out and buy one immediately (I resisted the urge due to lack of funding ) Also watched another member on here (Viras) use his 308 version with a Leapers scope to make hits on an 18"x11" steel plate at 1000 yards. I was pretty stunned to hear the little "plink!" about 4 seconds after he fired It wasn't especially consistent at that range, but he did make several hits. The rifle hit very consistently at 500 yards.

[smle-man]

You wanted a shtf rifle go with the 223 , 223 will be more abundant and x39

I've owned 4 AK type rifles over the years and next to the Valmet M76 in .223this Saiga .223 is my favorite. The round shoots flatter and doesn't have the same problem of bore and projectile variation that I've seen in 7.62x39 weapons and ammo. Accuracy seems better to me than 7.62x39 AKs. I've encountered 7.62x39 ammo with bullet diameters from .308 to .310 and bore dimensions equally broad. .223 seems to be the same diameter bullet and bore the world over.

I've bought Saiga .223 mags from shooters on Calguns and have gathered 10 so far at reasonable prices.

I would have rather had the 20" barrel Saiga but this was such a deal I couldn't pass it up. The weapon is ugly in appearance but will get the job done.

[ankyle62]

I just got my .223 today, but if I were to get it again it would be in 5.45, ammo is dirt cheap.


you have 10 .223 magazines?! share the wealth, I just bought two surefire ones that they dont fit all that great, I would like to get more stock ones.

[stix213]

Make it a 12 gauge?

No, seriously I think 7.62x39 is the best choice for your only Saiga rifle. Nothing wrong with .223 or even .308.

[jeffrice6]

No love for 7.62x39?

If goin Saiga I would have to sugesst the 7.62x39!

[kmo43]

I have a saiga .223 that I converted... I love it but if I did it over i'd get 7.62 because magazines are hard to find in a saiga 223. Solar tactical has 10/30s otherwise you are getting stock 10 rounders or surefire which I had to shave down a bit to fit... Very fun rifle no matter what you choose... Ammo prices are comparable as it shoots any brand you feed it.

[Sicarius]

I would suggest the 7.62x39 also. Ammo is cheap and not hard to find. Even after the zombies come. It should be pretty easy to get ahold of. It does lack the accuracy of the 223 but it is an AK. 300 yards is plenty. Anything more you need a different rifle...
.308 would be nice but at 50 cents a shot, it adds up quick thus you might not shoot it often enough to enjoy it. If I were to get a .308, i would opt for the 20 inch barrel and put a scope on it if I were you. Just saying since it is your one and only...
Kevin

[RAMCHARGER]

I already had a AR in .223 and a SKS in x39 so I got the Saiga .308 cuz I had a bucket on old 7.62 nato from the 90's when I had a FAL and I wanted too shoot it up.
Also I needed something to take pig hunting that could use commercial non lead bullets.
This things a man's rifle!

[runway1]

range on 7.62x39 is terrible, go 308.

Huuuhh? Better check that calculator battery.

7.62/25.4 = .3 aka.308

Or....likely I'm missing something ;>)

[MrBlond]

Does the Saiga 223 also handle 5.56?

[smle-man]

Does the Saiga 223 also handle 5.56?

yes

[smle-man]

I just got my .223 today, but if I were to get it again it would be in 5.45, ammo is dirt cheap.


you have 10 .223 magazines?! share the wealth, I just bought two surefire ones that they dont fit all that great, I would like to get more stock ones.

There was a guy on the Calguns classified recently selling a bunch of .223 Saiga magazines.

[bigbob76]

Would I be better off just going for the 308?

1. In a serious social situation .308 turns cover into concealment!
2. If you like the AK style more than the sporter style it's not hard to make the .308 more appealing...

I posted some pics a while back when I was moving the fire control group. If I did it all again I would do some things differently but I am getting a smile on my face as I look at this rifle. It was the long barreled Saiga .308 originally. I had this used U.S. made walnut furniture, pistol grip etc. I actually had the matching walnut grip and broke it by being impatient. I was trimming it to fit around some extra rivets in the reinforcement plate I added.