Saiga 762X39 or .308?
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Victor1Echo
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308 all the way. 39 is lousy ammo. some people claim their saigas are as accurate as M1s.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I have owned several of each, both unconverted and converted back to AK form. I vastly prefer the 7.62x39 version.
It's more fun to shoot due to the lower recoil, ammo is a lot less expensive, it's got enough power for both social purposes and hunting deer/hog inside of 250yards (yes, I've done it, a lot), and most importantly - after conversion back to AK form (which costs less than $100 if you shop carefully) you can use $14 ComBloc 30rd magazines instead of $50 plastic mags.
It's more fun to shoot due to the lower recoil, ammo is a lot less expensive, it's got enough power for both social purposes and hunting deer/hog inside of 250yards (yes, I've done it, a lot), and most importantly - after conversion back to AK form (which costs less than $100 if you shop carefully) you can use $14 ComBloc 30rd magazines instead of $50 plastic mags.
I have both (and some other saigas). Unless you are wealthy to the point that you really don't care one bit about the cost of ammo or mags I would go with the 7.62x39.
Ammo is cheaper. Mags are much cheaper.
For me the difference in recoil is not really an issue at all. My wallet will want me to stop shooting a long long long time before my shoulder will. If anything I kind of like the bigger boom of the .308.
That is me though. The answer for you likely depends on how you want to use the gun and other subjective factors.
Ammo is cheaper. Mags are much cheaper.
For me the difference in recoil is not really an issue at all. My wallet will want me to stop shooting a long long long time before my shoulder will. If anything I kind of like the bigger boom of the .308.
That is me though. The answer for you likely depends on how you want to use the gun and other subjective factors.
wally
Member
Not to mention its corrosive. I shoot lots of it, but its a factor, as I can't always clean my guns immediately, so the 5.45 get left at home these times.
The .308 is a little easier to convert if you are planning to, but if you want to shoot a lot, the 7.62x39 is the way to go for both ammo and magazine costs.
Wolf 7.62x39 was $200/1000 at todays gun show, the Korean AK mags are easy to fine for $10, sometimes you can still find Bulgarian at this price, but $15 is more common for them. The cheapest .308 was Brown Bear at $190/500. You are doing good to find a Surefire Saiga .308 mag for $35.
--wally.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I also refuse to own a gun for which there is no indiginous source of supply. Until I can get 5.45 bullets and brass and dies, or at least US-made ammo, I'm sticking to 5.56, 308, and 7.62x39 Saigas.
I also refuse to own a gun for which there is no indiginous source of supply. Until I can get 5.45 bullets and brass and dies, or at least US-made ammo, I'm sticking to 5.56, 308, and 7.62x39 Saigas
I agree. All those seeking out 5.45 guns because of the cheap ammo may find themselves with expensive tomato stakes if that ammo source dries up.
Would the recoil of the .308 ruin the fun?
The 308 is a much more versitile round but if you're looking for a fun gun get the 7.62x39 or 223 Saiga.
I agree. All those seeking out 5.45 guns because of the cheap ammo may find themselves with expensive tomato stakes if that ammo source dries up.
Would the recoil of the .308 ruin the fun?
The 308 is a much more versitile round but if you're looking for a fun gun get the 7.62x39 or 223 Saiga.
Col. Plink
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If there's one thing I've learned hanging out here in the last 6mos., it's "find a caliber you like and you're likely to find the ammo you need."
I took a roundabout way to the milsurp calibers I really like because I started at 'which rifle ammo is cheapest right now so I can secure a supply?'
I've found if you know what you want, with enough dilligent digging around here and similar sites, you'll find a great deal on surplus ammo for your needs. I didn't know how to do it so I went 7.62x39 because Barnaul was cheap at Academy. A little more homework and I could have found the surplus supplies I use now and had price AND accessibility. I recently made a deal for .308 surplus better than why I went w/762x39 in the first place.
Work those deal boards, find that surplus ammo and go shooting!
I took a roundabout way to the milsurp calibers I really like because I started at 'which rifle ammo is cheapest right now so I can secure a supply?'
I've found if you know what you want, with enough dilligent digging around here and similar sites, you'll find a great deal on surplus ammo for your needs. I didn't know how to do it so I went 7.62x39 because Barnaul was cheap at Academy. A little more homework and I could have found the surplus supplies I use now and had price AND accessibility. I recently made a deal for .308 surplus better than why I went w/762x39 in the first place.
Work those deal boards, find that surplus ammo and go shooting!
Publius1688
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If your heart is set on .308, get a CETME.
Col. Plink
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Recently took on a Saiga308, ver.21 with the thumbhole stock & non-sporter configuration. All I have to do is what I would have done: drop in a better trigger group and hook up those ol' mags full o' big ol' bullets!
The obvious answer for me is 308. I have converted one and so I am biased, but.... How many AK's do you see out there in 308? Converting a 308 is a much better investment. No need to convert a 7.62X39, there are plenty of rifles on the market in that caliber.
Now for the real kicker: The converted Saiga 308 is also unique because of the heavy barrel. This 308 is a real hunting rifle where 7.62X39 is marginal in velocity and power. Recoil is comparable to a 22-250 or 243. Not an issue. I guess lastly for me is the fact that I know the 308 will get the job done regardless of what level of body armor its deployed against.
Now for the real kicker: The converted Saiga 308 is also unique because of the heavy barrel. This 308 is a real hunting rifle where 7.62X39 is marginal in velocity and power. Recoil is comparable to a 22-250 or 243. Not an issue. I guess lastly for me is the fact that I know the 308 will get the job done regardless of what level of body armor its deployed against.
BMW2
Member
I had on in .308 for a while and the recoil wasn't bad, not a lot more than my x39 but it was a 22in barrel, so it was a little heavier.
Don't speak on things you don't know!!!
It is $120 a tin right now. I don't care if the web site isn't updated
for you.
I clean all my centerfire arms after shooting so corrosive ammo is
a non-issue.
If one buys cheap,and stacks deep,you never have to worry about
supply of a given caliber.
rbernie
Contributing Member
That's what I thought, last year.
I don't think that I can buy enough 5.45 to last me my lifetime, and I'm not trusting the current batch o' CongressCritters to NOT try to muck with the importation of cheap Russian ammo somewhere down the road.
The nice thing about 7.62x39 (or 308 or 223) is that I can get the chambering in a number of platforms. For example, I have owned ARs, AKs, and bolt guns, all chambered in 7.62x39....
Col. Plink
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Heck, you can get 308 chambered in a pump gun (which is awesome). Better yet, there's eight years' production of 'em that are C&R right now!
I'm wondering just how many might be lingering in those forgotten-about nooks and crannies where fantastic rifles that are only 50 years old are wanting new homes!
More importantly, there really are a ton of old hunting rifles coming into C&R status that are chambered in 308 on some of the most revered platforms made.
I'm wondering just how many might be lingering in those forgotten-about nooks and crannies where fantastic rifles that are only 50 years old are wanting new homes!
More importantly, there really are a ton of old hunting rifles coming into C&R status that are chambered in 308 on some of the most revered platforms made.
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7.62X39 and .308 are both great cartridges. If you want to shoot at longer ranges and the cost of ammo is no object then get the .308. If you tend to put your targets up at the 100 yard position or you need to buy inexpensive ammo, go for the X39.
Are you telling me the price on the website is not the actual selling price? If I try to order right now it gives a price of 160 If so that is good news. Unless the ammo fairy flies it my home there are shipping charges to factor in.
Maybe you can buy it for less but via there website I'm not sure how I can. Any tips?
rangerruck
Member
No, the 308, in a saiga, with it's nice recoil system, is nothing to worry about;
ammo cost is.
ammo cost is.
Cost? Then reload
I prefer the 7.62 x 39. However, if you want the 308 and ammo cost is your worry, you can take up reloading. I did. It's a fun hobby and it lets you shoot fancy rounds relatively cheaply.
BTW, 308 ammo is really expensive. Close to a buck a round for good stuff. So do think about reloading before you take than plunge.
I prefer the 7.62 x 39. However, if you want the 308 and ammo cost is your worry, you can take up reloading. I did. It's a fun hobby and it lets you shoot fancy rounds relatively cheaply.
BTW, 308 ammo is really expensive. Close to a buck a round for good stuff. So do think about reloading before you take than plunge.
24kshooter
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The 308 if you can afford the ammo - the 16" has the mid wt. barrel and 3 lug bolt as used by the RPK's. The bolt contributes to the outstanding accuracy for a relatively inexpensive rifle. Recoil is a bit more than an M1A. You can buy a rifle and several thousand rounds of ammo fot the price of a SOCOM. Mag prices are the only drawback I see.
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