Saiga Range Test REQUEST

[cluttonfred]

There seem to be quite a few people with Saiga rifles in the group, and they come up often. So I have a request:

Could someone PLEASE do a range test/review comparing various models and calibers of Saiga rifles? I don't mean Saigas converted to AK configuration, I mean unmodified, factory Saigas in .223, 7.62x39n and .308 with short or long barrels, regular or Dragunov-style stocks. What's the handling comfort, accuracy, reliability, etc. like "out of the box?"

If no one person can do it, how about a series of individual reviews of stock, unmodified Saigas? Everyone could use the iron sights with cheap Wolf ammo at 50 yards offhand and 100 yards off a rest and post your targets and comments here. It would be nice to see some "real world results."

How about it, any of those Saiga owners looking for an excuse to shoot?

 

[rocinante]

you would do a lot better posting this request on forum.saiga-12.com.

 

[cluttonfred]

Bump. (Can I do that to my own thread?)

Yes, I did go sign up over at the Saiga group but I'd still like to hear from any THR members who'd be willing to do a little comparison test for me.

At the very least, I'd really appreciate it if some one or two people could do a side-by-side comparison of the two factory Saiga stock styles in two otherwise identical rifles. Pros, cons, comfort, etc.

Thanks!

 

[chupacabrah]

i dont like the stock sporter stock....too long or something. my wife could barely even reach the trigger (but shes 5ft tall). conversions are where its at


i would do some groups, but i just tore it down last night waiting on my conv parts to get here

 

[railroader]

I have the 223. At 50 yards with a millett red dot it shoots about inch and a half groups normally with wolf ammo, a little better with brass ammo.. The trigger is not great but usable. Reliability has been perfect, it runs and runs. Mark

 

[Freightman]

Convert it! took me 30 min to convert mine per instructions over at saiga forum.

 

[armoredman]

I am actually interested in an unmodified Saiga 308, someday.

 

[MechAg94]

I bought a modified Saiga so I am not like the one to talk to. I have absolutely no complaints. It is reliable, well built, and as accurate as I could shoot it. I need to get some optics for it to test it further.

I have .308 rifles. If I get another one it will likely be a bolt action for more precision shooting.

 

[rangerruck]

I will be doing a simple irons retest on mine here shortly. it is stock, no scope or dot, and ammo will be mixed, as in, 1 shot from the next could be diff....

 

[cluttonfred]

rangerruck, I look forward to seeing your post. 7.62x39, I imagine?

 

[elmerfudd]

A typical Saiga shoots about 2 MOA from a bench with good ammo. I find them to be somewhat hold sensitive. I think it has to do with that big old bolt carrier flinging itself around. .223's will tend to shoot a little more accurately and 7.62x39's will shoot a little less accurately. Barrel length shouldn't have much affect on accuracy and the main difference as far as accuracy between converted and unconverted is the quality of the trigger. I find the 7.62x39 to be far more heat sensitive than the other two. They used a very thin barrel on the x39 and that combined with a .30 caliber bore results in a barrel that heats up very quickly. I get 2 MOA for the first five shots with mine, then if I keep shooting it opens up to around 5 MOA. The .308 has a heavier barrel and is a little less heat sensitive, but I only get those 2MOA groups if I let it cool a couple minutes between shots. The .223 isn't nearly as heat sensitive. I generally get 2.5 MOA 10 shot groups shooting mediocre ammo, (Radway Green), without worrying about how hot the barrel is. I'm still not blasting away, but I'm not waiting for it to cool between shots either. Someday I need to get some Black Hills Match and see what it is really capable of.

Of all the Saiga's, my favorite is the .308, but I think the most practical is the 7.62x39. A Saiga12 is a really fun gun as well.

 

[rde]

Shot my 7.62X39 (16 inch, skeleton stock, iron sights, no conversion) at 50 yards today. Using an ammo can with a blanket over it as a rest was printing 1.5 inch 3 shot groups. Using Brown Bear ammo. Got bored at 40 rounds and stopped (that is a good...actually). Did not move over to the 100 yard line because the "experts" were in full force over there. Not sure how good/bad I could actually shoot at 100 yards in terms of groups using iron sights and my aging eyes. One day I might get lucky and it is quiet at the 100 yard line and I can take my time and see.

 

[rangerruck]

look for a new thread called, a quick yet thorough Saiga accuracy test.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, rde! Have you handled/fired the standard stock as well? How does it compare, or just how do you like the skeleton stock? I am concerned about balance as it seems like almost all the weight is ahead of your strong hand.

Thanks, rangerruck, I'll look for it!

 

[sarduy]

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=358248

 

[PAPACHUCK]

The last time I had my 21" Saiga .308 out at the 100yd range, it printed 2-3" groups off hand with mil-surp ammo and 1-2" with Black Hills match ammo. I am planning to get a nice scope and bi-pod and see what it'll do then. It is a fun rifle for me, but could be used in a pinch as a long range SBR.

 

[rde]

Switched out the standard stock in order to shorten the length of pull a little bit. The skeleton stock fits me a little better...and won't scratch up as easily as the standard stock. But the standard stock didn't give me any problems at all. The balance of any AK is not a selling point for me..they all feel off in any configuration to me..but it does not affect shootability for me.

I've noted in other posts that I actually like the 10 round mags. They don't protude below the rifle as far. This makes the rifle a little more ergonomic for me as an individual. And I do not fumble with them during a mag change like I normally do with standard 30 round AK magazines. They click in very positively and very easily...whereas I always seem to have a bit of trouble with 30 rounders.

I just don't have anything bad to say about the rifle given my intent (all around general purpose rifle that is stupid simple, stupid rugged, and stupid reliable). Have no plans to convert mine.