What is the most accurate AK type platform?

[Float Pilot]

Years ago I had a Valmet M76 in 5.56mm. It was very accurate for what it was, a high grade AK type carbine. But like a moron I traded it off for an AR patrol rifle back when Bush the first turned the $450 Valmet into a $1,000 Valmet with his goofy import ban.

So if someone was looking for the most accurate of the currently available AK ttype rifles, which one would it be???

I am not really up on civilian AKs so be kind...

 

[RP88]

if you can find a VEPR or another Valmet then you got the best AK-platformed rifle you can get.

Other than that, Saiga hands down for performance versus cost.

 

[huntershooter]

I had a Galil that was pretty accurate. Don't know if they're still available.

 

[MartinS]

Most accurate? The ones I read about on the internet. Bulgarian sometimes, or Polytech, or from one of the good American builders. The ones I've actually seen people shoot seem more like mine. If I can get four or five shots into five inches from sitting position at 100 yards I am almost unbearably happy. The consistent four inch group remains one of the Holy Grails of my wretched existence among the hoi paloi.

 

[Float Pilot]

My old 5.56mm VALMET M76FS would do a 1.5 inch to 2 inch group at 100 yards.
Once while we had a bunch of other cops over for a winter-time qual, all of their ARs were experiencing stoppages.. I opened the top cover of my Valmet and stuffed it full of snow. Then I shoved the carbine into a snow bank and started to pull the trigger. It fired all 30 rounds.
The only problems I ever had with the Valmet was the safety being straight AK style was in the wrong place for most police work. Plus the rear sling attach point was right by the hinge for the tubular butt stock and it was fairly sharp.

After Bush I's import ban the magazines suddenly became a $60 item. Fearing that I would never be able to get parts I made the mistake of trading it for a Colt AR-15II.

I know one guy up in Eagle River who claims that the old milled Chinese civvy AK clones were better for some reason or another..

 

[M1key]

Another vote for the Saiga 223.

 

[Coronach]

Any of the AK-pattern rifles can be accurate. The main question is which ones are usually accurate, and generally the accuracy trend follows the price curve (with the exception of prices that are inflated by scarcity). Use quality components, have them assembled properly (both of which costs money) and the chances that you'll have an accurate rifle go up. Saigas are good basic models. Veprs (if you can find them) have heavily built receivers and heavy barrels and tend to be very well built, and unsurprisingly they shoot well.

Also, don't forget that the gun is just one half of the mechanical accuracy equation; the ammo matters, too. Don't expect an accurate gun to shoot crap ammo very well, and most of the inexpensive AK ammo is pretty darned cruddy. A .223 gun will give you some better options, but will also make all of your ammo cost a bit more. A 7.62x39 gun will allow you to shoot cheap ammo when you wish to do so, and you can still find some accurate fodder out there if you want to wring it out.

Mike

 

[Float Pilot]

How about the 308 chambered Saiga's?

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

My home converted Saiga shoots very well for me, I can regularly out shoot half the people with AR's at the range offhand. But I doubt I can get it down to the 1-2 moa, you described above.

 

[M1key]

Saigas in 308 are also quite accurate...some groups I have seen are sub MOA

 

[WardenWolf]

PSL. Though the Saiga .308 is also good.

 

[benEzra]

Definitely the PSL and variants, if you count larger-caliber AK derivatives. Excluding the big DMR's like the PSL and considering only traditional intermediate-caliber AK's, the 5.45mm and 5.56mm models are more accurate than the 7.62x39mm models.

 

[TrickyDick]

The PSL is a good rifle due to its simple AK design, and cheap yet powerful ammo. Now you could spend alot of money and get a dragunov, However, It is not a true AK platform with its short-stroke design. But for good reliabilty and fairly decent accuracy, A PSL would make a good match. Now, Just for a standard AK I would highly recommend The Yugo M76AB2. This has a Metal folding understock, some come with a Black synthetic foregrip, and all come with a grenade launcher sight, with regular open sights accompanied with open night sights. They're a Very nice AK and i have never had problems with it, nor heard of such a thing. I would suggest looking at century arms for both rifles.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Probably the Galil. It shoots the 5.56, has a forged solid receiver, enjoys Israeli engineering and standards, and has the rear sight mounted to the rear of the dust cover. About all you can do to enhance the rigidity and accuracy of the AK design.

 

[bpl]

Robinson Arms XCR?

 

[HorseSoldier]

Krebs built AKs.

 

[Col. Plink]

+1 on Saiga 308(ver.21)

 

[9mmepiphany]

i agree that the chambering has a lot to do with it. there is just more quality control with the 5.56x45mm than the 7.62x39mm...the 5.45x39mm splits the difference

based on my experience...and i certainly haven't shot them all...the most accurate in 5.56x45mm are the IMI Gail and the Sig 556

in 7.62x39mm, the Valmet and VZ-58 have been very accurate

 

[Poseiden]

My Arsenal SA-M7 A1R will shoot sub MOA with handloads. The best group I have ever got just squeaked under an inch at 100.

I don't shoot it for accuracy, that was just for when I was developing a good load. The rest of the time I'm shooting Tiger or Wolf and getting 2" or more.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

in lieu of sights, my ak says "This side toward enemy"

How much more do you want?