saiga 223 vs ak-47 "7.62x39"

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browning308

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I am looking for a rifle that is moderately accurate, reliable, and affordable. I am also looking for the rifle that is just pure fun to shoot, just something i can build on and have fun. Kind of like an experiment gun. It needs to be easily customizable. The price range is around $350-500 max. Tell me what you think, also i am willing for some new ideas to:D

Thanks,

Chris
 
One of the best is the Saiga (runs $350 retail). More than moderately accurate. Have fun converting it to your tastes.

M
 
I'm assuming you're asking about both calibers in the Saiga make??

Caliber choice depends on whether you want to shoot US mil-surp or Russian mil-surp ammo. Otherwise, regarding customization, both are virtually identical.:D If you want to shoot anything larger than coyote I'd opt for the 7.62.
 
Thanks for the replies!! I will probably end up getting the saiga in 223, and try to convert it into a kind of dragnov type project? Im not sure yet if i could make the gun accurate enough...
 
Generally they are accurate.
I think that with good .223 you would have an accurate fun rifle like what you said you are looking for.
 
A 5.56 AK may be more practically accurate than a 7.62x39 one, even if the group sizes are the same. The 5.56's flatter trajectory makes mistakes in estimating range less of a problem as well as allowing you to use less hold over or hold under at different ranges.

Generally, though, don't get a AK if you must have group sizes under 4 MOA. There isn't a whole lot you van do to the AK pattern rifles to tighten up group sizes.

BSW
 
Saigas are not known for their accuracy. This is at least partially due to the chrome-lined barrels which are great for durability in the most adverse conditions but isn't conducive to accuracy. This appears to be true for most or all makes using chrome-lined barrels.
 
If it were me, I'd get a Norinco mac90 ak. Takes standard easy to find mags and drums. Ammo flavors are plentiful and cheap.

And you can spend the extra money on 922 compliant and get rid of the thumb hole stock and go to a pistol grip.

It'll shoot soda cans at 100yds.

I've had many different AK's and other than my 90's Russian Vepr, no other has been that accurate.

I would not go to the 5.56 unless I was getting an AR style rifle.
 
I will also be reloading the 223, and might consider an ar-15 olympic arms plinker version, but i dont know if that is any better than the saiga or not. I think i will be able to make a pretty darn accurate saiga, but those ar-15's are hard to beat...btw i forgot to say that i would put a scope on the saiga...
 
If you want a good inexpensive AR look at the S&W line-up. Honestly, it sounds like a Mini-14 is about perfect for what you described. Prices on both are little higher NIB that the $500 you mentioned but you can possibly find a used one or wait for a rebate offer.
 
The mini 14 does sound pretty cool! Do you think it will be more accurate than the 223 saiga? Because i kind of want an affordable semi auto fun gun..that can be made accurate if nesssacary.
 
A lot of bad info here regarding Saigas (still).

Saigas can be very accurate in all calibers. There are pictures to prove it, courtesy of Darth AKsarben who is a member of this forum, and several others. Russian steel-case ammo ain't the most accurate for any rifle. Find the right factory ammo or load it yourself. You might be surprised...

As far as mags, converted 223 Saigas can use Surefires, East German Weigers, Bulgarian waffles, Galils, and yes even Tapco makes 'em.

Saigas are as good or better than any AKs currently available. They are brand new Russian built, not parts guns, and are the platform of choice for the boys on "Sons of Guns" (aka Red Jacket Firearms) for their custom builds.

M
 
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Thank you M1key for straightening things up for me, i always here people say that the saigas are inaccurate and cant be made accurate, so i think ill take the challenge and prove everyone wrong:p Now what type of bullet should i get? im defiantly leaning towards the 223 but the 308 and the 7.62x39 are tempting...
 
I own all calibers, but prefer the 223 because the 1:9 twist allows a wider range of bullet weights to be used. Wolf even has a 75gr hollow point that stabilizes well out to 200yds. I handload, and what I sometimes do is pull the Wolf 75gr bullet and replace it with either a Hornady 75 match or Sierra 77 match for better accuracy. Spanks the gongs noticeably harder than the lighter bullets at that distance.

Good luck

M
 
I'm strongly looking at the Saiga 223 for my next purchase. The $350 price tag makes them look really nice.

Aside from that, I've heard they are more accurate than their 7.62x39 couterparts, and even they aren't too bad, being made to milspec in the same factory that churns out FA AK-47's for the militaries of the world.

Now, must one convert a factory Saiga? I'm assuming no, otherwise they couldn't be sold here. The 992r compliance conversion deals with what exactly? Hi cap mags only?

I know a non-converted Saiga will not accept anything but non-converted Saiga mags, which are limited to 10 rounds if I'm not mistaken.
 
I didn't convert mine for a few years. I actually liked how it handled with 16 inch barrel, and later the 21 inch version. I do prefer it more now that I converted, though. It is a more compact package with a crisper trigger.

Surefire makes 10, 20, and 30 round mags that are as good as factory, work great, hold the bolt open on the last shot...though (disclaimer) you need to follow 922r to use 20-30s.

922r compliance means the rifle when converted can have no more than 10 imported parts including magazine. It comes into the country with a total of 14 parts, so you must replace 4 parts with U.S.

This is handy: http://jobson.us/922r/

Here is a Saiga target from the aforementioned AKsarben:

M
 

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o.o Thats one nice grouping he shot!! Now im convinced!! So could you name any american made parts for the saiga? Im just getting into this so im not sure which is which. I plan on replacing the stock, add a rail system on the for grip, a pistol grip, scope, and the trigger.
 
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