Ready to start working on my Saiga 308

[Ghengisconrad]

so i have a out of the box saiga 308. I'm no gun expert by any stretch of the meaning.

Anyways, i wanna put a scope on it, I'm going to make the back-stock and handrail myself from purple-heart wood, and I'm going to do like a dragnov type thing with the back-stock.

Well, i've been kindof simulating fireing the gun with a more pistolgrip on it by dry-fireing, and with that f'd-up factory trigger, you pull up, which feels okay with the standard sporting back stock, but weird when i hold my hand lower where the pistol grip/thumbwhole would be.... so i think i might want to replace that as well.... any tips or suggestions for this noob? Does anyone have experiance shooting with this weird trigger from a pistol grip position?

oh, also i'm going to go to a gunsmith in town here and get one of these : http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-229/TROMIX-AR10-308-SAIGA/Detail put on there...

Please post thoughts, comments, and I would love to get some direction~!

I'm thinking of scoping at 100-150 yrds, any tips/links on scopes, making back stocks, trigger discussion, anything... greatly apreciated!

 

[CnRnut]

Saiga12.com

A world of info you will love.

The 308 took me less the an hour to move the trigger.
Simple hand tools,good drill bits,anyone can do it.

 

[Ghengisconrad]

I saw a video on it... looks complicated... I'm thinking of just making a higher thumbhole and using the original trigger... any experiance with that trigger? I think if i do my trigger pull from sliding along the top i can get some clean pulls, and the way it makes me pull up on the back it may compensate for the up the barrel will pull when it shoots...

 

[wally]

The single largest improvement from the conversion comes from replacing the wishbone linkage with a standard AK trigger. If you like the "evil" pistol grip looks or not, the improvement in the trigger is the best single justification for changing anything on your stock Saiga.

--wally.

 

[Girodin]

Well, i've been kindof simulating fireing the gun with a more pistolgrip on it by dry-fireing, and with that f'd-up factory trigger, you pull up, which feels okay with the standard sporting back stock, but weird when i hold my hand lower where the pistol grip/thumbwhole would be.... so i think i might want to replace that as well.... any tips or suggestions for this noob? Does anyone have experiance shooting with this weird trigger from a pistol grip position?

The single largest improvement from the conversion comes from replacing the wishbone linkage with a standard AK trigger

The .308s dont have the wishbone. They have their own funky trigger that is just horrible for shooting but easier to replace than the wish bone

I saw a video on it... looks complicated... I'm thinking of just making a higher thumbhole and using the original trigger... any experiance with that trigger?

Dont! The stock trigger sucks. Furthermore the gun looks off with it back there. The gun is also out of balance. The covnersion shown in the video is easy. The 308 model is even easier. There is no need to drill out the axle pins. You simply field strip the gun, then use some needle nose pliers to pull out the retaining wires. You will need to modify your trigger guard (or you could buy a new one) but it is very easy. You cut a piece of it off with a hack saw turn it around and bolt it back on the gun. Then put the new and VASTLY superior FCG in. Re-assamble and put your custom furniture on and you have a sweet battle rifle. If you can make a stock for the thing the rest of it will be SIMPLE.

You need to go to Dinzags website. I dont have the URL off the top of my head but google dinzag arms saiga or the like and you will find it. Order his drop in .308 FCG. It is a modified G2. You will notice it costs $50 more than a regular G2 but it adresses the various peculiarities of the .308 and allows the trigger to work just fine. A standard G2 will not work without some work. The safety also wont work with the standard but will with Dinzag's fire control group. It is money well spent. The trigger pull will be improved by roughly one million times. While there order a retainer plate because it makes installing the FCG a breeze compared to other methods. BTW dinzag is very very helpful with any questions you might have. I have ordered from him and would (and plan to) do it again.

Since you are ordering from CSS (I have had good experience with them and they ship fast) I would order one of these http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-195/25-pct--Reduced-Power-Mainspring/Detail Its 15 dollars and will serve to improve the trigger even more. On a scoped .308 a good trigger can go along ways.

Trust me these mods are not only easy the are well worth it. You will have a much better rifle in the end.

For mounting a scope I have come to believe that the Beryl (sp?) style rails are the way to go. Krebs offers a nice one but its expensive. Texas weapon system offers one that is less expensive and seems to be high quality. I am not a fan of the side mounts for a variety of reasons and think these rails, while more expensive, are worth the money.

Other modifications depend on what you want to do with the rifle and what you like. Replacing the crappy FCG with the Dinzag unit is a no brainer though. Check out my thread on a current saiga 12 gauge project in the shotgun section. Also check out the Saiga forums they have a wealth of info.

 

[Ghengisconrad]

@everyone, Thank you very much for your help!!! It really is appreciated!

@ Girodin, I know I have google just as much as you do, but i would hate to make a mistake and look at the wrong video, or order the wrong part, and then end up spending money i don't really have in the first place, and ruining a great gun. I'm really not too bright, and would appreciate if you could spoon feed me what I need to do with URL's, Youtubes, pictures, htmls, javascripts, and very simple words.... it would be appreciated to a degree unseen by mortal man in the last couple millennia..

Anywho, you really think the US spring is worth the cash? I want to put maybe 300 smackeroons into this gun to make a AWSOME hunting/JIC snipper rifle. I don't go shooting often, and i am derelict in taking care of the gun, thats why i went with semi-auto AK stle... . I'm thinking of scoping 150yrds and getting a lazer on the left side and setting that for 50 yard accuracy.

 

[Girodin]

Girodin, I know I have google just as much as you do, but i would hate to make a mistake and look at the wrong video, or order the wrong part, and then end up spending money i don't really have in the first place, and ruining a great gun. I'm really not too bright, and would appreciate if you could spoon feed me what I need to do with URL's, Youtubes, pictures, htmls, javascripts, and very simple words.... it would be appreciated to a degree unseen by mortal man in the last couple millennia.

Retainer plate: http://www.dinzagarms.com/misc_parts/misc_parts.html
9th item down

308 FCG: http://www.dinzagarms.com/misc_parts/fcg.html
its the one that says .308 item # FCGPGC3

Scope rail: http://texasweaponsystems.com/id1.html


No problem. I remember being very nervous before I did my first one. I read A LOT before I got brave enough to order the parts and take a drill to my gun. It turned out fine. The truth is you would have to try real hard to screw one up and make it non functional. The good new is the 308 is the easiest to do as well. You have to drill fewer things. If you contact Dinzag he will make sure you get just what you need.

What ranges to do you plan to shoot to? What ranges will you shoot at most often. What is the main purpose and what do you want the most, ie would you rather have something cool looking or something that is less cool but more functional?

you really think the US spring is worth the cash?

I suppose it depends on the budget whether the spring is worth it or not. It is only $15 of course $15 here and there starts to add up. It will give it a better feeling trigger. It certainly is not needed however.

In terms of making the S308 a "sniper" rifle I'll say you ought to expect about 2-2.5" groups at 100 yards with decent ammo. Some do better particularly with tuning and pet loads. The up side of the S308 is it is stone cold reliable, very rugged and will shoot rather well for the money.

I would get the dinzag trigger and the plate. I would get the TWS rail. I would then put the best glass on it that I could afford, possibly saving up to get something nicer.

You will have a solid .308 rifle.

Start reading here to info, ideas, inspiration, and confidence:http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showforum=6 (never mind I saw your post there!)

 

[Girodin]

Here is the link to my current saiga project: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=473230

 

[Ghengisconrad]

What is the main purpose and what do you want the most, ie would you rather have something cool looking or something that is less cool but more functional?

Just a quick clarification before I go to work. DEFINITELY Function over form here. I don't buy nice cars, I don't fly first class, I don't eat name brand food, and I don't need my gun to look tekool. I like the feel of thumbhole stocks and don't feel i'll be losing function with the form on that one (plus, i need a hobby).

I will check out those links when i get home, and let the spending spree begin!!!! Thanks for your help, I am very nervously excited!

 

[rockheadd]

Just a quick something to think about....
The trigger is worse than a Red Ryder BB gun. But.... you pull it and it fires.
The Saiga is a 2-3 MOA rifle anyway you cut it, so a match grade trigger isn't going to make that much of a difference.
Mine is the standard "bad" trigger but has the added benefit of some trigger slap. After 100 rounds, my finger hurts, but it still fires where I'm aiming...
But, how often are you planning on firing it and how many rounds at a time?
If you are like most people, 200 rounds per month is a busy month, 50 rounds at a time is a pretty decent effort.
So... decide if it's worth the effort/cost.
RE: optics- try the POSP 6x24- the mount comes as part of the scope, the optics are very good (illuminated) and it has an integrated range finder. (around $150)
Have fun with the Saiga. Be careful 'cause you're gonna want to get one in 12 gauge, 5.56, etc...
PS- If you really want to make the Saiga all it can be, then do the Dinzag FCG conversion and go from there. But, if you're just a casual shooter, consider cost/benefit...

 

[Ghengisconrad]

Is this the right retainer plate? I work here...

http://www.outdoorbunker.com/AK_RETAINER_PLATE_p/(tpc-ak0690-).htm

 

[Ghengisconrad]

while i'm at it, tell which scope you think would be best for 150yrds from outdoorbunker.com . I work there so itd be nice to be able to just pick it up from them....

 

[Girodin]

I've never used that tapco retainer plate but I believe it will work. I'll let other more knowledgeable posters opine about the scopes.

 

[Ghengisconrad]

how does getting the plate help?

I ordered to FCG from danzag btw,,,,

 

[Girodin]

The plate makes installing the FCG MUCH easier in MHO. There are other methods, the spring used in the stock guns or hitch pins and e clips, but the plate just makes the job much easier. To me it is worth the $6-$10 a plate costs to save the headache of the other methods. If one wanted to do the job for as little money as possible then the plate could be skipped.

There is a video on youtube I believe by carolina shooter supplies showing the FCG install with a plate.

 

[Ghengisconrad]

oh i'll get the plate.

Advice on scopes from outdoorbunker.com?