Saiga - What caliber for economical ammo?

[Erik M]

Im looking to get a new Saiga with my Christmas bonus this year. As most people know they are available in several calibers. Im not interested in a shotgun, but am torn between the .223 and 7.62x39. Im going to be using this as mainly a plinker and part time home defense/evil black rifle. Ive owned an SKS and I know that the surplus ammo for them is plentiful and cheap, I don't know much at all about AR stuff and the price of .223. What do you guys think?

 

[Walkalong]

For cheap plinking you might consider the 5.45 X 39 Saiga. Still cheap surplus out there.

 

[Snakum]

As said, the 5.45x39 is the cheapest stuff available and it has great terminal ballistics. I'm still waffling back and forth on a new AR and I've recently started looking at the S&W M&P 15 in this caliber. I like what I read about it, but would like to find out more about accuracy accross different brands. Anyone got info on that, BTW?

 

[rangerruck]

otherwise, if needing a shtf type or defense rifle, go with the 223, and get some hollow points to keep around the house in a mag, or get some winchester 45 grain varmints. A most excellent round, that totally fragments on impact.
The above is thinking for home defense first, plinking and range second.
Otherwise, my choice would be 762.39 first. it is cheap, you can plink/range with it, hunt with it, and the silver bear hollow points, are pretty accurate through it, plus they just may, MAY , not overpenetrate your house.

 

[Erik M]

I did some calling around today, and even though the online sources have plenty of the 5.45 stuff Its not available for me locally. Might just go with a .223 for ease of purchasing ammo, and so I dont have to buy in bulk so much.

 

[Z-Michigan]

5.45x39 is by far the cheapest IF you're willing to buy old mil-surplus ammo that is all corrosively primed. This is OK if you're good about cleaning, but the gun will rust if you don't clean it promptly after use.

If you limit yourself to non-corrosive ammo then 7.62x39mm is generally available at the same or sometimes lower price than equal quantity and quality of 5.45x39 non-corrosive.

 

[nulfisin]

I reload .223, so that's pretty cheap. I don't bother to reload the 7.62 -- it's relatively cheap for a round that delivers performance close to a 30-30.