Saiga .223 AK

[rugerman07]

I'm considering getting a Saiga .223 AK and I have a question concerning ammo. I know a lot of AR 15 owners don't like the imported steel cased ammo like Wolf, Silver Bear, etc., they claim it can damage an AR. But, what about the Saiga .223, will steel cased ammo damage it?

 

[LKB3rd]

No.

 

[billdeserthills]

Steel cased ammo won't bother a Saiga, if it did it would need to be repaired!
One possible failing however is some folks will assume the .223 Saiga will also shoot military surplus ammo, which it will not, just the .223 cal. I have sold bunches of the .223 & 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 Saigas and they work great, I can't recall even one complaint.

BTW I hear it is best to stay away from the polymer coated steel ammo,
as it seems to have a tendency to make chamber sticky. Seems
obvious to me that would happen in a hot chamber...

 

[JohnnyK]

nat at all

 

[M1key]

ANY steel cased 223 (AKs are designed for it) or brass 5.56 NATO ammo will shoot great in the Saiga. Polymer coated, lacquer coated whatever will run 'til kingdom come. Even Wolf 75hp shoots quite well and is one of my favorites. Hornady Steel Match or Practice 75hp is my go-to ammo for both of mine.

M

 

[Rob G]

AKs were always meant to shoot steel cased ammo. You shouldn't have any problems with it.

 

[Girodin]

No issues what so ever with shooting steel case. FWIW I also shoot a lot of steel case out of my AR with out issue.

One possible failing however is some folks will assume the .223 Saiga will also shoot military surplus ammo, which it will not, just the .223 cal.

Are you trying to say that the Saiga wont shoot 5.56? If so, that is incorrect. It has a 5.56 chamber and can shoot 5.56 or .223.

 

[rugerman07]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It looks like I'm gonna go ahead and get a Saiga .223 AK. I haven't heard any negative comments about them other than the fact that they don't have a flash supressor and some folks don't like the side mount scope adapter, but I can live with that. I just want a well made, reliable .223 semi auto rifle that will handle the steel cased ammo. Actually, I may go ahead and get 2 Saiga's, one in .223 and one in 7.62x39. 2 great rifles for the price of 1 AR....,you can't beat that!

 

[M1key]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It looks like I'm gonna go ahead and get a Saiga .223 AK. I haven't heard any negative comments about them other than the fact that they don't have a flash supressor and some folks don't like the side mount scope adapter, but I can live with that. I just want a well made, reliable .223 semi auto rifle that will handle the steel cased ammo. Actually, I may go ahead and get 2 Saiga's, one in .223 and one in 7.62x39. 2 great rifles for the price of 1 AR....,you can't beat that!

Also get one in 5.45x39 and you will have a matched set.

M

 

[Girodin]

I may go ahead and get 2 Saiga's, one in .223 and one in 7.62x39. 2 great rifles for the price of 1 AR....,you can't beat that!

If you are like a lot of saiga owners you will end up with a 12 gauge, a 308, 5.45, and perhaps some others as well. Definitely check out the S12 forums for additional info on these great rifles.

 

[chris in va]

Saigas are chambered in 5.56. I don't know who told you they don't shoot mil surplus.