Saiga .308 scope mounting options

[SpookyPistolero]

After having searched for other threads on the topic, I should probably have prefaced the title with 'yet another...' . Hopefully this will not be a redundant rehashing of old talks.

I have searched every forum and webpage I can find over the last several days about different side mounts for a scope that will fit on the saiga. In that search I have found mostly conflicting information. Every time I read that something works, I read about another person that it didn't work for. I understand that there will be no guarantee in this, but I'm looking for some advice for what has/has not worked well from other saiga owners, preferably those who have .308 saigas.

First off, its a 16" model and my club only has a 300 yrd range unfortunately. Id like to find spots where I can exceed that, but its not likely in Kentucky.

The two ideas that LOOK best right now are actually from the same company.

First.. 8x42 PSOP

I don't really know if the 8x would be overkill at the distances I will see, for starters. But does anyone use a PSO style scope with success? No slipping, and easy zeroing? Does it maintain zero after removal??

Second.. 6x42 swarovski copy matched with siderail mount w/ weaver base

That scope looks pretty wicked, but again I am mainly concerned about the stability of the base. I don't know what is likely to be strong and what has a reputation for inconsistencies or frequent slippage.

So there we go. Any thoughts are welcome, but thoughts on these products in particular would also be very helpful.

Also, what kind of accuracy at longer ranges do those of you with 16" .308 saigas get? I have read a theory that the shorter barrel has better harmonics or is at least more stiff than the 22", which helps. Interesting thought.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

-SpookyneedstopickupascopebeforespringbreakPistolero

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

take your saiga up to centerfire, in versailles, and try out the 3 different mounts they have there... they also have the psop scopes..

8 power is hardly an overkill for punching paper @ 300 yards, i would go for much more if it's in the budget...

if you wanna shoot over 300 yards all you have to do is send me a PM....

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Hi yesterdaysyouth, I was hoping you'd chime in!

Yeah, I believe Centerfire really is just down the road and I have yet to stop by. Good to know I won't have to worry about shipping time if they have what I like. Will they really let me bring in my weapon and just try out their mounts? That would be great.

So have you ever tried a 16" at a range like this? If it works out for me I may end up PM'ing you for longer ranges!

Thanks!

-Spooky

 

[jrobb45]

I have a 6x PSO side mounted scope on my 16" Saiga .308. Very clear optics, easy adjustment and holds a zero after being taken off and put back on. With the chevron you do not get the precise point of aim as you would with a scope with crosshairs. With the 6X I have, you can use the iron sights with the scope mounted; you can't with the larger objective 8X42. To me, the 6X is good for 100-150yds(target shooting), but not beyond. I really like the scope, but if I were doing it again I would buy the 8X42.

jrobb

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

you can email/call lois and see what she says before you head out

Lois Luttrell
800-915-3346
[email protected]

i don't know of any reasons why a 16" barrel wouldn't reach out beyond the 300yd mark... i've shot my 16" 7.62 out to 600 yds before, but with iron sights it ain't real easy hit anything...

i usually shoot every weekend i can get out, just let me know when you wanna come up...

 

[plateshooter]

I have 2 Saiga 308s with the long barrels. 300 yds in no problem at all on plates, never tried it on paper at that range. The Russian scopes, at least the 6X that I have, have some pretty course adjustments. One click at 300 yds moves the POI about 3-4". I would'nt expect any precise paper punching groups using that scope. I found this out by blocking my rifle in my shooting bags and with the chevron on an 10" plate at 300 yds, I moved the windage adjustment 1 click. It took the aiming point clear off the plate. Just thought you might want to know this before investing your money if precision paper punching is what you are after.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Thanks much yesterday, I'd love to take you up on that. It might be summer before the school lets up unfortunately. Glad to know others havent had a problem getting out at that range with a 16".

Interesting about the adjustments plate, thanks for the heads up. I think I might go with the scope/weaver mount in that case.

I am almost never interested in 'group size' but more of how handy a rifle is in general. I've also never been one to do much at long ranges. But this is really the first rifle that would have a decent chance of decent groups at a long range. I thought it would be a fun expansion on plinking basically. So nothing serious, just going to try something new and see what the limits of the rifle are.

Thanks again for all the input!

 

[spurrit]

***?

Also, what kind of accuracy at longer ranges do those of you with 16" .308 saigas get? I have read a theory that the shorter barrel has better harmonics or is at least more stiff than the 22", which helps. Interesting thought.


The reason that most rifles have a 20" or longer barrel is that it stabilises the bullet; with the 16", it's gonna start tumbling before you get to 300 yds. Also, as for stiffness, feel up a 22" barrel 16" from the reciever. It's not exactly whippy!

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"I own ANTI assault weapons!"

 

[spurrit]

***?

"Also, what kind of accuracy at longer ranges do those of you with 16" .308 saigas get? I have read a theory that the shorter barrel has better harmonics or is at least more stiff than the 22", which helps. Interesting thought."

The reason that most rifles have a 20" or longer barrel is that it stabilises the bullet; with the 16", it's gonna start tumbling before you get to 300 yds. Also, as for stiffness, feel up a 22" barrel 16" from the reciever. It's not exactly whippy!

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"I own ANTI assault weapons!"

 

[SpookyPistolero]

a) I'd be hugely impressed to see a .308 'tumble' at 300 yards because of a 4" barrel length difference.

b) In discussing barrel harmonics, stiffness is relative and is not suggesting a literal visual flex of the barrel.

Under any circumstances, excluding the previous, velocity loss is the only real difference that is going to occur.