David C. 1 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I'm buying my first Saiga (which will be my first centerfire rifle to own-I've borrowed my father's for years). Since this will be my only centerfire rifle, which Saiga do you recommend? I'll be using it for general purpose- hunting deer, plinking, home defense, etc., since my only other firearms are a .22 rifle and a .32 revolver I inherited. I'm fairly large (6'5", 220) and I grew up around guns. What do you think? Thank you, David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Siagalova 0 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I think you should grab up a 7.62X39 ASAP, while you still can! There's a lot of controversy over which bbl is best, I favor the longer of the two - in a synthetic! I was shooting this weekend with a guy who had a lever action 30-30, it sounded idenctical! up to 100 yrds (with wolf rounds) I can get 2" groups! I ounce bought match grade ammo and could reach out to 150-175 and kill those nasty beer bottles without much problem. I'm not a hunter, as of yet, but the game I've spotted so far has been within range, and I think it would've been dead were I to shoot at it. I'm not sure about the elk though! they get pretty large 'round these parts. In most of the mountainous areas that I plink at (between the hills and valleys) 150 yds is probably the most I would encounter deer at. and have so far. Besides, wolf ammo is $2.00 abox (20rnds), and normally buy 200 a pop, when I don't buy the case (1000 rnds) for $80. this is all without saying that it's fun as hell to shoot!!!!!!!! pistol grip or no! just my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Taipan 0 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I just ordered a Saiga 20" 7.69 x 39 from Gilberts Guns, sorry they only had one. I can't wait to get it here and convert it, I also have a PSOP 4x scope on they way as well, might as well stick to Russian. This is going to be my RPK-lite gun........................................................................Taipa n Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Siagalova 0 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ive been looking at those PSOP 4X scopes real hard how much was yours? let me know how you like it! I think it's perfect for the 7.62X39. The range finder looks intriguing, and the bullet drop compensator........some of them have lit reticules (however you phrase that). the 6X looks cool too, I'm thinking about that for when I might get the .308 also! any input would be appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gaddis 1,689 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 What, no poll choice up there for the Saiga-12?... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bvamp 604 Posted June 29, 2004 Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 (edited) yeh, my vote is for the 12 gauge saiga actually....BUT......if i HAD to pick only one of those, it would be a 7.62x39mm Saiga. cheap as hell to shoot, lots of bang, reasonably accurate, and they are simple to maintain...but like i said, my first choice would be the saiga 12. im a big guy myself, and its one of the more comfortable guns ive ever shot. Edited June 29, 2004 by Bvamp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
glockzilla20 0 Posted June 29, 2004 Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 12ga! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David C. 1 Posted June 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 12ga! Funny thing-Lots of folks rec the 12 gauge- I should have mentioned that the rifle purchase will be part of a shopping spree in the coming months that will include a 12 gauge. Another funny thing- last night I kept leaning away from my original choice of 7.62 (cheap to shoot, easy to maintain) to towards the .308 (not as cheap to shoot as 7.62x39, but military surplus still available and I would only have to buy one kind of ammo when I add a bolt action to the collection). Anyway, I'm enjoying everyone's input and will keep monitoring your advice. Thank you, David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emclean 0 Posted June 29, 2004 Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 7.62 is 2nd choce, i would say either a 20ga or 12ga Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FULL_AUTO_994 Posted June 29, 2004 Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 *******7.62x39mm******* they are powerful and cheaper to buy than the 223. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bamaboy 0 Posted June 30, 2004 Report Share Posted June 30, 2004 A properly placed 308 will kill anything that walks this earth! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emclean 0 Posted June 30, 2004 Report Share Posted June 30, 2004 so will a properly placed .22 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David C. 1 Posted July 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2004 Ordered a 7.62x39 from Ak-47man.com this week. Thanks for your replies. D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bamaboy 0 Posted July 11, 2004 Report Share Posted July 11, 2004 Yea but a 308 can reach out there and touch sombody. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 SAIGA-12. "well placed shot"??? When the defication interfaces with the rotary oscillator---Who can count on 'placing' that shot well?? NO PROBLEM!!!!!!!! G O B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jrance@iacwds.com 716 Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Talk about dragging up a dead fish! Who responded to the poll and brought it to the top? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shellshock1918 1 Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Other, 7.62x54R Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,186 Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Thats why I think all poll topics ought to be locked down after a couple months or their usefulness has ended... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ak addict 0 Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 .Besides, wolf ammo is $2.00 abox (20rnds), and normally buy 200 a pop, when I don't buy the case (1000 rnds) for $80. this is all without saying that it's fun as hell to shoot!!!!!!!! pistol grip or no! just my opinion. Wouldn't we all like to buy some more ammo at these prices. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 ZOMBIE THREAD! PS:7.62x39... cheap ammo more than capable of taking down a deer, and in any forest your not going to get a shot that will push its accuracy limits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kwicko 8 Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Since I apparently can have only one Saiga - the one I've got already - I go with the 7.62x39 crowd. Had it for years, got it dirt cheap, and LOVE it. Can't hardly go wrong with one of these. Ammo has gone up quite a bit, but is still cheap compared with a lot of other calibers... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SOPMOD 254 Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 My S308 drives tacks and is a fine MBR/DMR but the rifle I would grab to walk into the night and never return would be my 7.62x39 Saiga M3 It won't be long legged like the 308 but it is the proven choice for guerrilla warfare and brutal conditions and I trust it beyond all other weapons to get the job done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackjack_21 0 Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I'd buy another 7.62x39mm and turn it into an AK-100 series clone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GimmeLiberty 0 Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) None of those. A Saiga 12 !! You can have get a lot of different rifles in .223, or 7.62, or 308. There is only one shotgun like the Saiga 12 baby ! Saying that...I have a S12 and a 7.62 Saiga, but I would like to get one more, maybe a .223, 308 or a .410. Edited February 18, 2009 by GimmeLiberty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 (edited) Definitely .223. Why? First, if there is a ban on importing "military ammo" calibers like 5.45 and 7.62x39, they with be VERY expensive to reload. The .223 brass is still fairly cheap (I am stockpiling it), dies are cheap, and bullets are cheap. Secondly, the 223 Saiga is phenomenally accurate compared to most other (non-Saiga) AKs. My converted 16" .223 is sub 2 MOA with iron sights with Barnaul. Logistically, WSHTF, there will always be .556 and 223 ammo in the US. Don't get me wrong. I love the 7.62x39. I wish I could afford another AK, as I would get one in 7.62. I had to make a choice, so I went with the .223. Edited February 19, 2009 by imarangemaster Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paladin_Hammer 8 Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 The .308. Sure, it's ammo is more expensive, and there isn't as much Mil-Surp laying around. But think about it, the 7.62x39 has: 1. Shorter Range 2. Less stopping power AND penetration 3. A whole lot of it is corrosive. The .308 has: 1. Price Then the big factor I find between the two: .308 owners are more eager to post their groupings than 7.62x39 owners. This is coming from a 7.62x39 owner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eadodd 0 Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) Go with the 7.62x39 for all the above reasons................I own two! The AK was never made to be a tact driver! If you want something with great groupings.......Then get a bolt action! Edited February 21, 2009 by eadodd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 One Saiga?!? Don't be silly. But anyways, x39 for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RomyG 0 Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 7.62x39 all the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Azrial 1,091 Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Well, at least David G. is still an active member, hopefully he has made this decision years ago! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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