zero2epiphany 4 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 So I purchased and converted a 16" saiga a few weeks ago and have been out to the range twice now. I have a Bushnell trophy dot mounted on this thing (good sight btw) and am on a quest to find out what my new toy likes to eat. So far Ive put some wolf though it, 3-3.5" groups at 100 yards and some American eagle xm193 stuff that did really well at around 1.5 to 2 inch groups. Mind you with a dot sight I am REALLY happy about what I have been getting. Which leads me wondering what other folks have been finding about what their pets like to eat? Oh and just what is the rifling of this thing? 1:7? 1:9? eh what it it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seanie 6 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I always use Brown Bear, because it's the cheapest, and I only plink with my Saiga. As for rifling, I believe I read somewhere that it was a 1:9 or 1:10 twist. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bill3542 4 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 (edited) my 2 Saiga's are not fussy about any type of ammo, they will digest anything put in them. best groups with Russian ammo was Barnul 55 gr. with open sights it run about 4-41/2 inchs at 100 yds. Edited October 6, 2009 by bill3542 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalioth 405 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 The best "off the shelf" ammo is the cheapest you can find. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PRISONSHANK 70 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 The best "off the shelf" ammo is the cheapest you can find. +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
concretus 0 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I always use Brown Bear, because it's the cheapest, and I only plink with my Saiga. As for rifling, I believe I read somewhere that it was a 1:9 or 1:10 twist. +1 on the Brown Bear. I can keep them in the 10 ring at 100yds on an SR-1 target with my 16" Saiga. Not one FTF or FTE. I was skeptical myself because the .308 shot like sh%& in my CETME but the 223 impressed me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JK-47 33 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I have heard the correct grain weight for our 1 : 9.5" (technicaly 1/10) barrels is about 62 grain/65 grain. I plan to try some 62 grain brown bear. one of the best things about a saiga is it will digest almost any ammo- brass, steel, reloads etc... but best accuracy comes from reaearch and trial and error, not all saigas like the same ammo for accuracy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregM1 241 Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 i just ordered a case of 62gr brown bear hp for my saiga. ill let you know what i think. aim has a great price on it now. was 26/ round after shipping. pretty awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redsoldier 7 Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I tried about 9 brands and several grain wieghts in both steel case and brass case, inluding 55 gr., 62 gr., 69 MATCH, and 75 gr. All shot very well, but the absolute best grouping ammo was Federal XM-193 55gr ammo. Your gun may be differant - try a bunch of stuff to find out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darth AkSarBen 20 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Somewhere, and I can't find it at the moment, but I read that the rifling is 1 in 250mm. They're metric there. That would translate to 1 in 9.8" near enough to 10". 55 gr seems to do very well in my Saiga. I think it can go a bit heavier and as low as around 40 gr bulltes. Remington UMC 55 gr MC do pretty well and also the PMC ammo as well. If you're plinking and making noice it's not that critial. If you are shooting at gophers, prairie dogs, ground hogs, squirrels, etc, then you want to get the better ammunition you can afford and to practice with it. Keep your rifles bore clean of copper fouling and you'll go far toward getting tight groups. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Krom 36 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Federal XM-193 shoots awesome in my saiga too, ~2" 5shot group at 100yds. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregM1 241 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 I have also used the sellier & belliot xm-193. it had better accuracy in mine than the federal. it is a little cheaper too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
renegadebuck 16 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 I have also used the sellier & belliot xm-193. it had better accuracy in mine than the federal. it is a little cheaper too. I have good luck with the Silver Bear. If you get lucky, you can find match in Silver Bear and that is great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jiggerman78 1 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 silver bear/brown bear works best out of the russian animal manufactuers IMO. i was getting 2.5-3MOA witht heir 62gr FMJ. i also like the Golden tiger(56g FMJBT) i just picked up for 25.8 cent per round but than saw silver bear for cheaper . Theres plenty of good ammo out there it just if you want to throw the money at it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bohound 281 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I've shot 45, 55, 62, and 75 grain out of my IZ114. I think it likes the heavier rounds at 100 if you're worried about groupings. I read somewhere the barrel is a 1 in 9.5 twist. Would that tend to help the lighter rounds become "squirrelly" out there at longer range? Mine doesn't care what country the ammo was made in, she just wants to get them downrange. There's a "sale" on Remington UMC 55gr. FMJBT for $7.95 per 20 at Dick's sporting goods stores. Don't know how far out they are, but they're regional. A "decent" round for a "decent" price- plus it's brass casing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FoT 0 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 My Saiga loves the 62 grain lake city ammo. I tried some 45 grain UMC Remmington, but that seemed as acurate as Wolf. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MD_Willington 11 Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 whatever 62gr I get cheap.. I went to a gun show and helped an older couple cart everything from their table back to their truck - ended up with 4 boxes of Russian 5.56x45 for ~$12... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
m1key 7 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 I have one with 16 inch barrel that shoots Wolf 75hp very well.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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