Take your average SKS, AK and Saiga Sporter rifle, and which tends to be most accurate? I was just reading that the SKS tends to be more accurate than an AK in another thread, but what about the Saiga? Aren't they supposedly better machined than the other 2? I'm just speaking out cuz i'm curious. thanks!
Accurate SKS, AK, Saiga
- Thread starter dscottw88
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Frightener 88
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I have an SKS and AK. I am personally better with the AK. both are good weapons. but i havnt seen any noticeable difforence. but im also not shooting from a bench.
RockyMtnTactical
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Saigas are about as accurate as they get in the AK platform, but yes in general, the SKS will be more accurate than your standard AK.
Other things can factor in as well, such as the brand and type of ammo, etc...
Other things can factor in as well, such as the brand and type of ammo, etc...
Baron357
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My milled AK is very accurate up there with AR's and better then SKS and Saigas, but if you rule out "good" AKs then the SKS and Saiga are better. Between the SKS and the Saiga I think it depends on your own skills.
SnakeEater
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If you want the most accurate AK made, get a VEPR.
I have very little experience with the SKS, so I can't comment on it.
In AKs, it is my opinion that the iron sights are the greatest liability to accuracy. They aren't all that great. I plan to put Mojo peep sights on both my underfolder Vector and Romanian "G" to see how they do. For the purpose these two rifles are for, they still do the job-- about 2-ish MOA. However, I should point out that I have rarely (if ever) shot my 7.62x39 AK's at 100 yards. My usual range on 7.62x39 AKs is between 35 and 65 yards-- just because of where I tend to shoot them. I haven't really made much of an attempt to "target" shoot with them either. If I bench rest them, it is usually over the hood of my jeep.
I have 8X PSOP optics on my Saiga 308 and am very pleased with the accuracy of the rifle. On a good day, I am doing 1 MOA with the rifle. My worst day is 1.5 MOA-- not bad for a AK Platform and it is on par with any other MBR platform I've used. I've actually made some attempt to accurately shoot this rifle-- since I use it as my primary deer rifle.
My groupings have been using Wolf HP 122 grain 7.62x39 and Winchester Ballistic Tip 150 grain 308.
-- John
In AKs, it is my opinion that the iron sights are the greatest liability to accuracy. They aren't all that great. I plan to put Mojo peep sights on both my underfolder Vector and Romanian "G" to see how they do. For the purpose these two rifles are for, they still do the job-- about 2-ish MOA. However, I should point out that I have rarely (if ever) shot my 7.62x39 AK's at 100 yards. My usual range on 7.62x39 AKs is between 35 and 65 yards-- just because of where I tend to shoot them. I haven't really made much of an attempt to "target" shoot with them either. If I bench rest them, it is usually over the hood of my jeep.
I have 8X PSOP optics on my Saiga 308 and am very pleased with the accuracy of the rifle. On a good day, I am doing 1 MOA with the rifle. My worst day is 1.5 MOA-- not bad for a AK Platform and it is on par with any other MBR platform I've used. I've actually made some attempt to accurately shoot this rifle-- since I use it as my primary deer rifle.
My groupings have been using Wolf HP 122 grain 7.62x39 and Winchester Ballistic Tip 150 grain 308.
-- John
rangerruck
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Saiga smokes all in the accuracy dept., simply because they make a damn fine bbl. unless you go high end inhouse made ak, or finnish ak, or vepr type, a saiga will beat all comers.
Russian SKS's are accurate, ive hit plenty of bullseyes with it at 50 yds. This coming from firing a Zastava M59/66 (Yugo SKS) which i still own and a Chinese Type 56 that I sold and they were less accurate and had rubber butt extensions to reduce recoil while the Russian one is stock. I too have fired a Russian AK at full-auto but then again it was my first time and I was firing at full auto so I can't be knowledgeable in AK accuracy but the SKS is known to be more accurate mainly because of a longer barrel. The longer the barrel, the more accurate it is.
Update: I retract the statement on barrel length. The AK and SKS are pretty much the same. Look at my other thread on SKS vs. AK for why I changed it.
Update: I retract the statement on barrel length. The AK and SKS are pretty much the same. Look at my other thread on SKS vs. AK for why I changed it.
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RockyMtnTactical
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This is not always true. Longer barrels can whip more, making them less accurate...
Don't Tread On Me
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If you ever look down the bore of a Saiga, you'll see that they have nothing in common with a typical AK and certainly not an SKS. The bores are beautiful. Smooth and uniform. I mean they really look good. The piston is hard-chromed, as per military spec, not stainless steel like most kit-imported US assembled AKs. Another factor that I like a lot.
Remember, Saiga is made in Russia by Izhmash (where Mr. Kalashnikov worked and still to this day does consultation) using modern equipment and standards. This is not a 1950's surplus rifle from the communist days, nor is it a barrel/trunion kit from some other country from years back put together in the U.S..
It is a present day production rifle of Russian origin.
The cost savings area on the Saiga is simply the finish. It is some sort of paint finish and isn't the most durable against harsh cleaning products (and sometimes mild ones like Hoppes)....forunately, this type of action never requires Hoppes to get it clean. A simple CLP patch wipe down and toothbrush will get it as clean as it needs to ever be. Bore is hard chromed, and chromed very well I might add. That you can clean with ease using any chemicals you want.
At the prices they are now ($240-$265) for a .223 or x39 ..it is still the absolute best bang for the buck out there. You get the most reliable auto-loading action ever made, made well and a good barrel in a robust rifle for under $300. Cannot go wrong.
I cannot remember a single instance ever, in person or on the web, that a person bought a Saiga rifle and regretted it. It is simply why this is true. For one, the rifle is high quality - so there are no complaints. Especially not for a sub-$300 rifle.
Trust me. Get it and you will absolutely know what we've been talking about and you will say to yourself "why did I ever even consider an SKS?" ...been there done that. Had an SKS. Yuck.
Remember, Saiga is made in Russia by Izhmash (where Mr. Kalashnikov worked and still to this day does consultation) using modern equipment and standards. This is not a 1950's surplus rifle from the communist days, nor is it a barrel/trunion kit from some other country from years back put together in the U.S..
It is a present day production rifle of Russian origin.
The cost savings area on the Saiga is simply the finish. It is some sort of paint finish and isn't the most durable against harsh cleaning products (and sometimes mild ones like Hoppes)....forunately, this type of action never requires Hoppes to get it clean. A simple CLP patch wipe down and toothbrush will get it as clean as it needs to ever be. Bore is hard chromed, and chromed very well I might add. That you can clean with ease using any chemicals you want.
At the prices they are now ($240-$265) for a .223 or x39 ..it is still the absolute best bang for the buck out there. You get the most reliable auto-loading action ever made, made well and a good barrel in a robust rifle for under $300. Cannot go wrong.
I cannot remember a single instance ever, in person or on the web, that a person bought a Saiga rifle and regretted it. It is simply why this is true. For one, the rifle is high quality - so there are no complaints. Especially not for a sub-$300 rifle.
Trust me. Get it and you will absolutely know what we've been talking about and you will say to yourself "why did I ever even consider an SKS?" ...been there done that. Had an SKS. Yuck.
Thanks tread! I actually did purchase a saiga in .223, great rifle, I just never had the opportunity to try an SKS or AK and wanted to know if the accuracy was upp to par if not better. I even converted it with a few parts and hours. Hey, whats chrome lined anyway? I use to think it meant shiny silver lol. I guess I got some learning to do. thanks!
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RockyMtnTactical
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Chrome is a metallic coating that is applied to barrels (inside the bore) and other parts on weapons and things that is resistant to corrosion, wear/friction.
Chrome lined is a reference to the barrel being lined with a coating of Chrome.
It basically increases the life of your barrel increases reliability because of the resistance to corrosion and it's "slickness" that helps in feeding and extraction.
Your Saiga has this coating inside the barrel.
Chrome lined is a reference to the barrel being lined with a coating of Chrome.
It basically increases the life of your barrel increases reliability because of the resistance to corrosion and it's "slickness" that helps in feeding and extraction.
Your Saiga has this coating inside the barrel.
SSN Vet
Member
"Chrome"
elemental Chomium allloyed with steal (which is itself an aloy of elemental Iron and Carbon).
can be "shiny silver" or "shiny black" .
elemental Chomium allloyed with steal (which is itself an aloy of elemental Iron and Carbon).
can be "shiny silver" or "shiny black" .
SaMx
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so people who have a siaga, how does it feel? I've only handled a WASR-10 ak, and honestly I thought it felt sloppy kind of rattly. something about it made me not trust it. Does the siaga feel more solid? I want a semi-auto rifle, and the siaga is at the top of the list, but I'm worried it will fell like that WASR.
Baron357
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WASR-10 are sloppy rifles and in no way compare to good AKs like Arsenals or to Saigas. If the mag situation is not a problem for you then go for the Saiga hands down.
MIL-DOT
member
" so people who have a siaga, how does it feel? "
i think they "feel" great, even before i converted mine. i put a 4x posp scope on it, and it's a super cool little toy !! i'm considering another since they're so inexpensive,'cause come '08, all bets are off !!
i think they "feel" great, even before i converted mine. i put a 4x posp scope on it, and it's a super cool little toy !! i'm considering another since they're so inexpensive,'cause come '08, all bets are off !!
chris in va
Member
Shot my new x39 16" Saiga for the first time last weekend. Frankly it feels almost exactly like my friend's Arsenal milled AK, which I have put many rounds through.
The SKS I had was a softer shooter with a somewhat different sound to it. It weighs more which helps with what recoil it does have.
I like it the way it is, in 'sporting' form. No plans to 'AK' it.
The SKS I had was a softer shooter with a somewhat different sound to it. It weighs more which helps with what recoil it does have.
I like it the way it is, in 'sporting' form. No plans to 'AK' it.
Bench-rested I can get 2-3 MOA with my SKS. If you can find an AK with better accuracy, buy it -hell, tell me about it too! The 7.62x39 round just isn't known for its accuracy.
Hand-loading the 7.62x39 just seems... silly. Of course, to each his own.
Maybe you can find some crazy target barreled AK with hand-loaded boat-tailed ammo capable of sub moa groupings. But I wouldn't bank on it.
Hand-loading the 7.62x39 just seems... silly. Of course, to each his own.
Maybe you can find some crazy target barreled AK with hand-loaded boat-tailed ammo capable of sub moa groupings. But I wouldn't bank on it.
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