Cheapest Reliable 7.62x51 EBR? + Some questions...

[Regolith]

So, anyone know what the cheapest reliable 7.62x51/308 mag fed semi auto is?

I'm looking into getting a rifle in 7.62x51 (one that can fire .308 safely would be nice, but not necessary). However, the main entry's into this category, the FN FAL and the M1A are a bit expensive. Anyone know anything cheaper?

I was thinking maybe an AR-10 might be cheaper, but I'd prefer to build it from a parts kit. Can you get stripped AR-10 lowers? I know you can get AR-15 lowers, but I haven't seen any AR-10 lowers/parts kits.

Also, are there any other options?

Accuracy would be nice, but not essential. I was thinking of buying a Savage 10 or 11 in .308 with some good glass for longer distance, rather than trying to get one rifle to do everything.

Anyway, this is just some basic research. I won't be buying anything for several months yet, as I need to save up.

 

[MRIman]

For a MBR in 7.62x51,I've got a Cetme as well as a converted
Saiga 308. Love the cheap price of G-3 mags to feed the Cetme,
but have to say the Saiga is a better shooting weapon.
They can be had now for the $360-$380 area,and are in stock
at most places. Some say the 16" is a fine shooter,but I like
my 22" one.
Good luck on your choices.

MRI

 

[rangerruck]

Saiga; accurate , cheap, reliable, eats everything. what more could you ask for?

 

[rangerruck]

Oh yeah, I have two.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Saiga. Hands down the best option if "cheap" is high on your list of priorities. If you want more of an EBR look, you can always have one converted to a traditional AK configuration. A converted Saiga will run you $650-700, which is still a lot less than a decent FAL or M1A.

 

[GunTech]

I don't see how you can beat the Saiga in the cost category, and they seem to have a good reputation. Even the 'sniper' version is under $600 with scope.

 

[Frightener 88]

do the saigas damamge brass? or are they left in pretty good shape so you can reload?

 

[JWarren]

Adding another vote for the Saiga 308. I've had an HK-91, FAL, and now the Saiga. It does everything I need it to do.

Since Guntech tossed in a pic, here is another pic of a "Sniper" version.




-- John

 

[gunnie]

??????????

john,

looks like a valdada optic, is it a BDC for 147gr 7.62x51?

also, how does it print @ 300?

am interested in these, considering purchase.

gunnie

 

[MRIman]

Well,if you guys are doing pic's!!!
Saiga before the conversion:

Saiga after less then 2 hours work:

She no longer looks like the last pic. She is now set up in a Romie lam. RPK
stock set. Still working on the bipod for her.

MRI

 

[armoredman]

How expensive are Saiga mags? I am thinking of upgrading from an SKS to a Saiga, since I will never be able to afford an FAL.

 

[gunnie]

????

john,

looks like a valdadda optic? is it BDC'd for 7.62x51 ball? will the combloc mount go back {close} to zero if removed? how does it print @ 300?

am considering a purchase of one.

thanx in advance,
gunnie

 

[MRIman]

How expensive are Saiga mags? I am thinking of upgrading from an SKS to a Saiga, since I will never be able to afford an FAL.
__________________


You can find Saiga 8 rd mags for 30-35 each. They are made into 10rd
mags in 3 min. FBMG 20 rd mags cost a tad more.

MRI

 

[JWarren]

john,

looks like a valdada optic, is it a BDC for 147gr 7.62x51?

also, how does it print @ 300?

am interested in these, considering purchase.

gunnie

Gunnie,

It is the valdada optic that has BDC for 147 gr. 7.62x51. It does, indeed go back to zero after removal.

While I haven't shot too much at 300+ yards (our land is very wooded and long ranges are difficult to find on it.) I've done a little just to see.

In 3 shot groups, my worst 300 yard group was 5 inches diameter. My best was just over 2.0 inches.

Just for comparision, I can expect 1-1.5 inch groups at 100 yards.


I've been very busy with work and with a home restoration project for the last 6 months, so shooting has been VERY light. In a couple weeks, my father and I will be clearing our deer plots for planting. One of these plots has the capability to shoot a 500 yard shot. When we have it clear, I am planning to field test at 100, 300, 400, and 500 yards. I'll post pictures of targets when I get the chance to get out there.

How expensive are Saiga mags?

$45 dollars for 20 rounders from FBMG. Not terribly cheap, but not out of line for a quality M1A magazine or for AR-10 magazines.


-- John

 

[mp510]

New, I've seen .308 Saigas for $325.

 

[Avenger29]

do the saigas damage brass? or are they left in pretty good shape so you can reload?

I recall hearing that the Saiga dents brass pretty good (a trait that seems to be common to most if not all AK variants- they are made to extract/eject the brass reliably)

 

[JWarren]

My brass gets a small dent, but nothing that could not be reloaded. It is NOWHERE near what the HK-91 I used to have would do to brass. However, the HK was more considerate by hiding evidence of its brass destruction by throwing it about 50 feet to my front-right so that it would never be seen again.


-- John

 

[General Geoff]

I agree, Saiga .308 is what you're aiming for.

 

[Quiet]

I agree with the preivous posters in recommending the Saiga-308. It is the cheapest reliable semi-auto .308 rifle currently on the market.

Price wise it comes in at about one-third to everything else that is currently available on the market.


If you want to build your own, you can obtain FAL/G3/AR10 type recievers.
But, you'll end up spending 2-3 times more than what you would have spent getting a Saiga-308 & accessories.

 

[Regolith]

Thanks guys. I had no idea that the Saiga .308 even existed. I'll definitely look into that. I was a little iffy on it until I saw that 20 round magazines could be had, though.

 

[General Geoff]

They can be had, yes, but they ain't cheap.

 

[JamesM]

Something to consider

Saiga rifle: 375
10 mags:450
conversion: 300
Total: 1125

DSA STG58: 900
10 mags: 70
Total: 970

These a re rough numbers but I would rather spend my money on the gun and not the mags. If you don’t do the conversion on the saiga it would be less expensive but then it also really wouldn’t be in the same category as the FAL (cool factor).

 

[Regolith]

What's does the conversion do? If it doesn't really increase the accuracy or reliability of the gun, then I probably won't do it.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

It puts a pistol grip on it.

 

[KadicDeshi]

It puts a pistol grip on it.

Not to mention it changes the trigger pull substantially on the .308. The unconverted trigger on the .308 is more of an up and back pull than straight back. I really didn't care for it on my 16".

Also, replacing the trigger group with US made parts helps you toward 922(r) compliance. You might consider doing a search on 922(r) if you want to use 20rd mags. There's more than one train of thought concerning legalities and it would probably be best if you knew what you were getting into beforehand.

HTH,
Barrett