Saiga .308 vs Springfield M1A scout.

[californa]

I have a hard choice ahead of me. Spend my years allowence on a M1A scout $1400 or get a saiga .308 $569 and buy another gun too. I have $1400 till next year. I have done some homework on the M1A and I'm very pleased but the price is what is holding me back. I want a fun semi auto shooter to take the range and the mountains and maybe hunting. I have a saiga ak and I love the reliablitiy but the accuracy of the round is questionable ( 7.62x39). How accurate is the saiga .308 at distance like 400 to 500 yard?
Would would you get? Cost of operation on the M1A?

[schneiderguy]

I haven't shot either so you should probably disregard my opinion, but I would get the M1A. I think the M14/M1A in a wooden stock is one of the nicest looking rifles ever made and I plan to get one someday

[MrPlink]

between the two I would generally favor the AK, but I generally favor the AK no matter what.

However, given you already have something in a AK action, this might be a good reason to diversify into a different platform!

Saiga308 should still be combat accurate out to 400 or 500 yards, no problem, but def not a "target" rifle.

M1A platform can def be made very accurate, but on top of the rifle being more expensive to begin with, all the parts can get REALLY expensive as well.


Lets not forget ammo prices too! You can expect to spend AT LEAST double of what you have on feeding your AK, and thats for crappy plinking ammo.

Either is a great choice and should suit your purposes just fine, its really up to you.

[grommit666]

You'll find fanboys for both sides. The M1A is definitely the more accurate of the two (about 1 moa). But the saiga 308 is supposed to be pretty good as long as you use lighter ammo (in the 3 moa range). Magazines are expensive for the saiga, I'm not sure about the M1A on that front. The saiga is almost certainly more reliable. If you plan to convert the saiga, that will add more cost. Ultimately, it's your money though and you'll have to decide what is a priority.

[californa]

Thanks mrplink "combat accurate" was the term I was looking for. schneiderguy the wood stock was the one I want too. It's a good looking rifle.

[ankyle62]

Saiga all the way, and 1400 seems like the very low end of M1As and 569 seems like the high end of Saigas.

Buy Saiga,
Spend left overs on ammo
Enjoy

Buy Saiga in 223 and enjoy extra savings on ammo

[zfields]

m1a.

[bob7122]

saiga .308 and you have enough to get a nice rifle or pistol.

then next year get the socom 16 or M1A

[NorCalK9.com]

I want a m1a but I do have a saiga 308 and its accuracy is pretty damn decent. Its not a tac driver but a 16in barrelled saiga will get you out to 500-600 yards on a body shot. Go on the saiga forum alot of info on there in the 308 section. Just google saiga forum.

[Blade]

Get the Saiga 308 and spend the rest on a nice bolt action 308 for hunting rifle and ammo. This way you have the best of both worlds AND have money for ammo. The M1A is more of a collectors/range rifle, its rather heavy for hiking the hills. Saiga for <200 and Rem/Savage 308 >200 yards. Get the M1A when you have more money to burn, you'll have more fun with 2 very good rifles vs 1 great rifle.

[bob7122]

Get the Saiga 308 and spend the rest on a nice bolt action 308 for hunting rifle and ammo. This way you have the best of both worlds AND have money for ammo. The M1A is more of a collectors/range rifle, its rather heavy for hiking the hills. Saiga for <200 and Rem/Savage 308 >200 yards. Get the M1A when you have more money to burn, you'll have more fun with 2 very good rifles vs 1 great rifle.

i like this idea.

[NorCalK9.com]

Get the Saiga 308 and spend the rest on a nice bolt action 308 for hunting rifle and ammo. This way you have the best of both worlds AND have money for ammo. The M1A is more of a collectors/range rifle, its rather heavy for hiking the hills. Saiga for <200 and Rem/Savage 308 >200 yards. Get the M1A when you have more money to burn, you'll have more fun with 2 very good rifles vs 1 great rifle.

Lol a saiga 308 will reach alot further than 200 yards. Like I said go on the saiga forum theres dudes pushing the 20+ inch barrel 800-900 yards and 16in barrel 500-600.

[chead]

If you aren't on target at 200+ yards with a Saiga .308, you need to re-evaluate.

[BigBoyPinoy]

Get the Saiga 308 and spend the rest on a nice bolt action 308 for hunting rifle and ammo. This way you have the best of both worlds AND have money for ammo. The M1A is more of a collectors/range rifle, its rather heavy for hiking the hills. Saiga for <200 and Rem/Savage 308 >200 yards. Get the M1A when you have more money to burn, you'll have more fun with 2 very good rifles vs 1 great rifle.

+1

Saiga 16" version, Savage Scout $500 here in marketplace, use the rest for ammo or converting the Saiga.

[JanG]

i don't see a lot of saiga 308s in stores, heard the new importers don't have a deal for it and might take a while to get them, if ever.