7.62x39mm VS. 5.45x39mm VS. .223

[CharlesT]

I would like to buy another plinking rifle....

I already have a WASR-10 in 7.62 and it is fun to plink with, but it has it's limitations.

I would like to start punching paper as well as plinking.

I was thinking about getting the slightly more accurate 5.45 round in another AK platform. But then it dawned on me. What better to get as a designated plinking/target rifle then the good old AR-15. This range rifle would be babied and cleaned thoroughly. I could shoot it all day and not have a sore shoulder, like I often do with the WASR.

But because of how much I love the simplicity and the familiarity of the AK platform I am having trouble saying "I am going to buy an AR-15" and sticking with it. I keep thinking "I could get another AK..."

I know how accurate and fun ARs are to shoot though. So there is no doubt in my mind that after I buy it I will love it. I don't ever have buyers remorse.

Both would be sub $1000 rifles but still pretty close to it.

Help me make the right decision.


V Ignore that quote for now.... V

 

[Auto426]

If you are looking for something that punchs a bunch of little holes in paper than go with the AR-15. AK's don't make the best bench guns out there, and your average AR is going to be more accurate than your average AK. The AR also is a much easier platform to mount optics on, and there are plenty of models out there that are specifically designed for target shooting.

 

[M1key]

Charles, just get all three...problem solved.

The 5.45 is capable (in the right rifle) of much better accuracy than you may think--how about sub 1.5 MOA? (Saiga with scope)

Then again, the AR is capable of even better than that...

...but 5.45 can be had for ~11 cents per pop.

M

 

[Sky]

Other than punching paper and Zombies or very small critters what good is the 5.45? It is a rather limited round IMO

You have the AK so you could get an AR in 7.62x39 and have ammo commonality but would not gain much in the accuracy department. It is the ammo as much as the weapon that effects the accuracy IMO....I have both.
The Ar in 5.56 out past 200 yards is where it really starts to shine. Many weights in ammo available.

I like the AK out to 100/150 yards and the SKS out further but the SKS does not have glass or a red dot on it. The AR 7.62x39 has anything I want to put on it but it is still a 200 yard max hunting rifle with heavy (154gr) soft point hunting rounds. Just thoughts.

If I already had the AK the next weapon would be the 5.56 AR for accuracy or the AR in 7.62x39 for ammo commonality.

 

[lobo9er]

AR would round out your collection better.

 

[-v-]

For punching paper, its hard to beat an AR. For punching paper, its even harder to beat a good bolt gun.

 

[6x6pinz]

OR just pick up a PSL with the optics and shoot some inexpensive 762 54r ammo. Still an AK and range to back it up. If you like bolt the Nagant are out there for real cheap.

 

[CharlesT]

Probably going to buy a Colt Match Target

 

[mortablunt]

I vote for the AK because I'm an AK guy.

 

[CharlesT]

I think Mikey got it right. I'll just start with an AR-15.

 

[JustinJ]

It's hard to compare a quality AK74, such as those from Arsenal, against a standard AR in accuracy given the lack of match grade ammo. My arsenal holds sub 2" groups with Russian suprlus 5.45(7N6) which is on par with what my Colt does with M855. There is no doubt though that an AR certainly can be accurized with far greater ease than an AK74.

 

[RichS]

which rifle to buy?, etc.

Well, looks like you dealt with it last year, getting an AR-15. Interested to know how that works out. For myself I have a couple of SKS's (both Russian) which are fine rifles, but not match stuff of course. I don't care, I only plink & such anyway. The 7.62 x 39 round was designed for war, not much else. Probably the most produced ammo in the world, which brings the price down. Way down.

For myself, I wanted something besides the sks to have fun with, but not to many commonly avaliable ammo calibers available, even in somewhat remote areas (like the Sierra Nevada), so I decided to go with something that handles the .223/5.56 NATO round, which although not quite as cheap as the russian stuff (meaning 7.62) is still a lot less expensive than other calibers I shoot (.30-30, .303 British) both of which are about $1 a round. Ouch! Reloading is a hobby in itself, and I don't go shooting nearly enough to justify it, so I just buy factory ammo.

So having an older '94 Winchester .30-30, I finally settled on the Browning
.223 BLR, one with a steel reciever. Makes a nice companion to my '94 .30-30. I also ordered a red dot sight to go with it, as being somewhat older my eyes won't focus too well at close distances... hard to get the target, front sight & rear sight to all be in line at the sametime- (glasses are no help there) and the red dot seemed like a very good replacement for iron sights. Haven't tried it yet but I'm looking forward to it!

Anyway if there's followup to your post I'd like to read it.