AK ammunition

[leadchucker]

I'm going to be buying a Saiga rifle in the coming months, and I'm trying to decide between the 7.62 and the 5.45. I think I would prefer the 7.62, as a more general purpose round, but I'm also interested in cheap shooting, and readily available, preferably surplus, ammo.

I see plenty of surplus 5.45 ammo, priced right, but I don't see a lot of surplus 7.62 any more. Brown Bear seems to be the most common cheap 7.62 stuff.

What's your preference, as far as ammo quality, price and availability?

 

[Wishoot]

I bought a bunch of surplus 7.62 from AIM and The Armory for less than $200 per case (1260 rounds I believe) several months ago. It's corrosive, but I don't mind cleaning my Saiga after a day at the range.

It's very good ammo and has never failed to go boom.

I've also bought Herter's from Cabela's in bulk and it's worked just fine.

So far, my Saiga has digested everything I feed it.

 

[okiewita40]

I have an SKS. I use silver bear 125gr softpoints. Cheap enough to plink with. Also good to hunt with. Plus I don't have to worry about a lauqer or polymer build up in the chamber.

Sportsmans guide has pretty decent prices as does CTD. Pick your place on the internet and buy in bulk.

 

[danweasel]

I have a 7.62 and wish I had the 5.45.

For my money, 5.45 is much better for defense and for fun. Easier to find good deals on it too although 7.62 isn't too hard. I bought my last load from Cabela's (Hertgers) but I don't recall the price. 7.62 is better for general purpose, I guess since it is similar to 30-30 ie: a good hunting round. Although I suppose 5.45 would be fine if it came down to it.

30rd mags of 7.62 are HEAVY.

 

[A_Matthew]

If all you want to do is have fun plinking without breaking the bank, then I'd go with the 5.45x39. But if you're going to do any hunting etc., then I prefer the 7.62x39.

As for ammo, I just bought 1,120 rounds of 7.62 on stripper clips at a gun show for $260 out the door. I think it's some kind of Yugoslavian surplus stuff. That comes out to $.23 a round. Not bad, but you can get it cheaper from places like Ammoman. The other stuff I really like is Herters. Right now it's on sale at Cabelas for 3.79 a box. It shoots good, haven't had any problems with it yet.

 

[wnycollector]

I have both several rifles in both 7.62x39 and 5.45x39. I go through a LOT of 5.45 (1K rounds last month!) but not so much 7.62. They are both fun to shoot but if you want to shoot a a lot of centerfire rounds for NOT a lot of $$$, 5.45 is the way to go.

 

[Trent]

5.45x39 is a great cartridge! The ammo and mags are much lighter, and it really does some wicked stuff on the terminal end of things. The Soviets were pretty bright when they designed that ammo, setting the center of gravity towards the rear of the bullet. Causes it to tumble on impact, and (normally) will break apart and create two separate wound tracks on entry.

One problem though is it destabilizes somewhat quickly - I've had rounds enter targets sideways before at 250 and 300 yards. Note, I still HIT the targets; just the bullets weren't pointed nose-forward anymore!

 

[Double Vision]

I can't comment on the 5.45, but my 7.62 x 39 Saiga is lots of fun.
I've tried several brands of ammo and the Saiga has no problems with any of them. Some seem to shoot better than others.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[mortablunt]

I'm admittedly a heavier caliber fanboy, so I yell for 7.62>5.45. However, the 5.45 is a pretty dang good round and it's rather cheap too. Either way, a Saiga is always a great choice.

 

[Matthew Courtney]

The really cheap 5.45 ammo is corrosive. The non-corrosive 5.45 is priced similarly to cheap 7.62 x 39.