Hi New User here. I am having a problem deciding on what caliber of Saiga to purchase 308 or 7.62 x 39?. I plan to shot about once or twice a month. But I intend to reload. From reading several posts it seems 7.62x39 is plentiful and you would have no reason to reload. But given the age of some of the posts is this logic still true? So which round would be cheaper to reload 308 or 7.62x39?
Rifle selection based on reloading cost
- Thread starter MaxPowers
- Start date
- Status
Finding reloadable cases in the 7.62x39 is more difficult but there's lots of relatively cheap steel case ammo on the market that you don't have to (pr even can) reload.
Ammo and re-loadable cases are more plentiful for the 762x51 (.308) but are more expensive by the piece.
The choice of a semi auto makes reloading more difficult in the first place as it strings cases all over the range and requires you to police up the brass. No matter how well you think you can locate them you always wind up loosing a couple. That's why its easier to reload for a bolt or single shot rifle as brass can be removed and dropped in your pocket or pouch after each shot. Semi auto's are hard on cases,and can be picky with loads needed to make them operate.
In a strictly per round basis the 7.62x39 should be less expensive as the amount of powder and bullet weight used with each round will be less than the .308.
I own an AK and an SKS that I don't even own dies to reload for as the ammo in case lots is cheap enough that it isn't worth my time to self assemble ammo. I do load for my .308's because factory ammo is more expensive.
Ammo and re-loadable cases are more plentiful for the 762x51 (.308) but are more expensive by the piece.
The choice of a semi auto makes reloading more difficult in the first place as it strings cases all over the range and requires you to police up the brass. No matter how well you think you can locate them you always wind up loosing a couple. That's why its easier to reload for a bolt or single shot rifle as brass can be removed and dropped in your pocket or pouch after each shot. Semi auto's are hard on cases,and can be picky with loads needed to make them operate.
In a strictly per round basis the 7.62x39 should be less expensive as the amount of powder and bullet weight used with each round will be less than the .308.
I own an AK and an SKS that I don't even own dies to reload for as the ammo in case lots is cheap enough that it isn't worth my time to self assemble ammo. I do load for my .308's because factory ammo is more expensive.
FROGO207
Member
All good reasons for the above decisions. I have a SKS and bolt gun in 7.62X39. For the SKS there is no point for reloading as I have tried and realize no accuracy benefits with it, not worth putting parts into that worn rifle. For the bolt gun I do reload and have a rifle that will gain accuracy with those reloads I assemble. If you get a Sagia I also question any savings in time/cost of reloading for it. I also find X39 reloadable brass costs more and is not as readily available as X51/308 brass. Try reloading for 7.62x54 if you want to whack your head against a cement wall for no particular reason. It makes my Mosin accurate but is REALLY costly obtaining reloadable brass. Cheapest way to get that is buy rounds that have reloadable brass, use them then reload for accuracy in your rifle.
MtnCreek
Member
I don't own a Saiga, but I did have an AK type rifle. Brass fired through my 'AK' was dinged up too bad to reload.
armoredman
Member
I reload 7.62x39mm, and cast for it, too. I get ammo that has more accuracy than Wolf or any of the other steel case Berdan primed ammunition I have tried. The costs of that "cheap" stuff has quadrupled in the last two years out here in the boonies, so reloading makes far more economic sense than it did then - can't fund the price for shipping in mass quantities at once to get any meaningful discount.
With Berrys new .311 125 grain plated bullet, I can get good accuracy at jacketed velocities in my bolt action CZ 527M, too. So don't discount reloading for the caliber.
I do agree - finding brass for 7.62x39mm is a pain, and if your ejection system has a tendancy to mangle it, forget trying to reload for it - the cost of continously getting new brass shipped to you won't be worth it at all.
With Berrys new .311 125 grain plated bullet, I can get good accuracy at jacketed velocities in my bolt action CZ 527M, too.
So don't discount reloading for the caliber. I do agree - finding brass for 7.62x39mm is a pain, and if your ejection system has a tendancy to mangle it, forget trying to reload for it - the cost of continously getting new brass shipped to you won't be worth it at all.
- Status
