Cheap Rifle for plinker. Which would you buy?

Which one would you buy? 16 inch barrel.

  • SKS Yugo

    Votes: 43 66.2%

  • Saiga 7.62*39

    Votes: 11 16.9%

  • Saiga .308

    Votes: 4 6.2%

  • Saiga .223

    Votes: 7 10.8%
  • Total voters
    65
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orangeninja

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I would like to get a plinker that is military style. Rugged, accurate to 100 yards, very inexpensive so I won't cry if it gets some abuse and very reliable.

If there is a considerable accuracy difference between the 22 inch Saiga or the 16 .308...please chime in and let me know.
 
To all of you who voted .308....did you not read the title "Cheap Rifle for Plinker". .308 is a lot of things but CHEAP, it ain't! Price 100 rounds of 7.62 and .308 and let us know what you discover.

Do the Yugo [or two] and have fun.
 
All of the above would be good cheap, plinkers, except for the Saiga in .308. Ammo isn't as cheap as the others.

I voted for the Yugo SKS because you don't have to worry about magazines. Stripper clips are cheap and work well for a plinker (and even for a social rifle).
 
well, cheap means different things to different people. There is always a difference between 'cheap', and 'inexpensive'.

anyway, a good SKS, maybe not a Yugo, though, would be my choice for a plinker that is inexpensive to purchase, and shoot.

Right now 8MM mil surp ammo is as cheap as anything, and so are the old 98K rifles floating around.
 
I haven't shot any of the Saiga's yet, but I'm sure they're great. However, I voted for the SKS.

Reason 1: fairly accurate at ranges specified
Reason 2: weapon itself is inexpensive
Reason 3: ammo is inexpensive
Reason 4: no need to buy mags, just a few inexpensive stripper clips
Reason 5: the rifle can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'
Reason 6: accessorizing is nearly limitless, but stay away from detachable mags; Saiga's are also relatively easy to accessorize

Whatever you choose, have fun.

Frank
 
If you wat to think about expanding your choices, a Mosin-Nagant M38 or M44 can be found at Big 5 Sporting Goods stores on sale for $79! The 7.62x54R ammo is cheap. The Wolf 148gr Bi-metal stuff is around $4/box. Milsurp ammo is available for very cheap although it is corrosive and requires a really good cleaning after you fire it.

These carbines have a pretty good kick to them but they are defintely rugged and the M44 even has a bayonet.
 
For a semi auto plinker the Yugo SKS wins hands down. It is the least expensive SKS on the market at the moment. $100 or so wholesale. Ammo $70/1000 rounds

For a bolt action look at either a 8mm Mauser of some variation or a Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54. Right now Yugo Mausers can be found for about $100 & Turkish Mausers $70 or so. Right now if you pay more than $50 for any of the big 3 Mosins (M38, M44, 91/30) then you aren't looking hard enough (again wholesale prices). Ammo for these full sized rifle cartridges also runs about $0.07/round. Yes they do need a thorough cleaning when done but it isn't that big of a deal.

For well under $200 you can get a rifle & more ammo than your shoulder can stand.

Greg
 
Thanks guys...I think I'll go with a Yugo SKS. They have the screw or pinned barrel? Whats the difference?
 
I have the Saiga in .223 and the SKS. I love them both, and you can't go wrong either way. My SKS (Chinese) seems to have a more polished feel to it (I know, it's an SKS), but the Saiga is lighter and handier. The .223 sure is easy shooting, if you are planning on putting hundreds of rounds downrange at a time. Both can keep it within 3" at 100 yards.
 
Saiga in 7.62 I love mine it is so much fun to shoot. and ammo is cheap as can be. it eats anything you put in it.

come on how can you pass one of these up??
saiganice.jpg
 
That SAIGA in 7.62 looks like it has decent bluing or is it my imagination? The SAIGA shotguns I looked at had what looked like flat black spray paint. Have you done anything to the finish on that gun?
 
its not blueing its parkerizing.

the 7.62x39 is availible in two barrel lengths. one is 16 other is either 18 or 20 I forget.

I have a saiga in 223remington and will pickup another in 7.62x39. maybe nother in 308win not sure might go with different rifle for that if I do.

nice guns and you can convert them with a little work to ak pistol grip and ak stock and highcap mags though requires a number of US parts.

some people will do the conversion for money though if you want them to do everything expect to pay. if you do most the work you can save hundreds.

besides a saiga a good 22lr rifle or 17hmr is a good choice as well. 22lr way cheap ammo and super plentifull.

7.62x39 is dirt cheap and plentifull. 223reming is roughly twice the price unless you dont mind wolf which can be had for 20 rounds for around $2.00.
 
Uhhhhh

Cheap plinker should include ammo-and nothing is cheaper than .22lr. And yes, there are "military-style" .22s. If what you want is a cheap and tough centerfire, though, yeah, get an SKS.
 
I went for the yugo because it'll take stripper clips.
I've got a .308 Saiga and it's great, but the Yugos are cool and cheaper to buy and shoot.
JohnMc
 
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