saiga is also availible in standard 7.62x39 two barrel lengths and also availible in 223remington version.
the 308 has no hicaps which stinks imo. the 7.62x39 and 223rem can get hicaps. I have read of modding mags for 308 version but have not seen alot of it or 223 version. mags are easy for 7.62x39.
they will take ak47 parts and you can add a pistol grip and different stock.
some people do a wecsog mod to theyre saiga rifle so they get a quality russian rifle with that ak look. only way you will get an affordable russian quality ak without spending hundreds more. in the end you could of paid the same for a Romanian SAR or wasr rifle but the sar's are drying up.
it would be a working class mans gun anyway and the modifications are pretty easy.
I have a 223 and look to pickup 7.62x39. 7.62x39 is dirt cheap and 223remington should be availible. 22lr with thousands of rounds sounds good too.
if I had money I would drop $600-$700 on a tac driver. not going to happen.
saiga's run $150-$250 depending on caliber and barrel length. 22lr $150-$200.
1,000 rounds of 7.62x39 less than $100.
1,000 rounds of 223remington $100-$175 wolf works great in saiga's
5,000 rounds of 22lr $100-$150
1,000 rounds of 7.62x51(308win) $130-$175 avoid indian ammo like the plague
I will stick with my 223 saiga and anything I can afford. planning on picking up 7.62x39 saiga as well.