7.62x51

The case head is inscribed because of the shape of the bolt face. I believe they do it because they do not want you to reload. It is about control, not gun control.

Two years ago my 308 saiga wouldn't recharge after shooting some Winchester soft point ammo. I figured that it was just weakly charged and put the gun away after deer season. I didn't use it last year but got it out again this year and noticed that the trigger would not reset while shooting some surplus fmj. If my finger was off the trigger it would charge just fine. I took the cover off and did not see anything amiss but it would not reset the trigger after the trigger was pulled but would reset the trigger if the bolt handle was pulled back with the finger off the trigger naturally. I t

I cut off 2" from the standard stock using a metal cutting wheel. I drilled a lot of very small holes around the edge (to get good adhesion) and made a flat carbon fiber end cap for it. The receiver still clears my face makes the gun a lot less nose-heavy.

It looks like your lost your rounded profile on your firing pin. Did you remove the pin to modify your bolt face? If so How? I am sure that this bolt face deformity is an attempt at making handloading as difficult as possible. Seems like the obvious thing to do in the Russian system.

The bolt face has an offset on it and my impression is that it wears out the brass prematurely. Has anyone ground their bolt face flush? Any tricks with bolt dissambly? It wouldn't make any difference if I didn't reload.

16 dollars a box? Time to consider reloading. You can make them as strong or as mild as you want or need. You can reload for about a quarter a round, less if you look around. I bought a lee reloading press for 25 dollars on gunbroker and a set of dies for 10 at a local gun show. The saiga will cycle a pretty mild round if you want it to. A mild 308.... imagine that. Watch the hedge apples freaking explode.

I sure didn't get the kind of response that I thought I would. Last night when I read some of them, I was tempted to reply, but thought that I had better cool down so I went for a run then reloaded for several hours. Like many of you I shoot some. I think I average about 500 rounds a week mostly off my back porch and pretty informal. Longguns, handguns and rimfire. There are not any ranges near by. We shoot in a pasture for long distance targeting. I've got two Saigas, a 308 and 223. they are very good $250-350 dollar guns. The short barrel of the 308 creates quite a fireball, I am t

Fellow Saigaists I can't understand the rational about putting a pistol grip or folding stcok on your Saiga to make it look like a "real AK". They won't shoot better or be better in any measurable way. It is money better spent, IMO shooting and purchasing cartridges. Learn to shoot better and be more accurate. Perhaps the 308 forum isnt the best place to vent but I think most Saiga owners read all of the sub boards. No offense to those who have performed these modifications. Just don't understand the rational. shoot 223308 (or 7,62x54R or 7,62x39) Pick your military cal

Why don't you like the Indian 308. It shoots fine in my weapons. --> QUOTE(G O B @ May 23 2007, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Pakastani is rumored to be OK, Indian is a no-no.

Indian brass dents about 3/8-1/2" in the middle. Portuguese or Oz brass is hardly dented. I have mic'ed the brass and the Indian stuff is thinner. All shoots ok.

I saw the purple stuff when I cleaned the action of my 223 but not with the 308. The paint looks the same after cleaning both. If I remember my chemistry it was some kind of manganese (Mn) salt. I have also seen purple staining in water that was rich in Mn. I smelled an ammonia odor when sprayed with bore scrubber.

Tigerclaw x said: Do not expect Saiga 308 to be accurate. They were NOT made for that. They were made to be a cheap, reliable hunting weapon. Russians who tested Saiga vs Vepr (both 16 inch models) have found that Vepr has 1.5-1.8MOA when using WOLF ammo. While Saiga had 2.2-2.7" MOA with the same ammo. Saiga is built more lightly then vepr, has lighter receiver, not an RPK style 1.6mm receiver. Vepr has also a better trigger. Saiga was made so cheap that even Russians, where an average monthly salary in 500 bucks a month (and that's in Moscow - the wealthiest place in Russia), a person can af

When I load my magazine with 8 rounds, I can not pull action open to charge my Saiga 308, it drags mightily on the top of the round. With 7 or less every thing is normal. It is a cool weapon, fits my body well and is accurate.