wtjosaas 72 Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Well I'm ready to buy a Saiga! I'm having a hard time deciding what caliber to get but for sure a 7.62x39. I think I'm also going to get a 5.45x39. I am going to do the conversion on the 7.62 first so I will be on here looking for advice and getting tips. Looks like a great forum with lots of information. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 10 Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Tons and tons of info.....Enjoy your digging. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EEEKROAR 7 Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Sweet... I'm thinking about picking a 7.62 up,also! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wtjosaas 72 Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) Put the order in 1 - 7.62x39 and 1 - 5.45x39. Probably get a .223 later. Edited November 28, 2011 by wtjosaas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hutchsaiga 93 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Awesome choices in calibers. You'll love em Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I have 7.62x39! More THUMP than the 5.45. I already have a 5.56 AR for a light caliber. Besides, in an interview, Mikhail Kalashnikov said he preferred his round to the 5.45, and in fact disagreed openly with the switch. 5.45x39 is inferior ballitically to 5.56 by over 300 fps for their 52 grain opposed to the US 55 grain. What it does have is a very long, unstable bullet that tumbles even at at low velocity (i.e. 2000 fps). 5.56, on the other hand needs 2500 fps to quickly yaw and fragment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjj342 632 Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 The 7.62x39 is awesome, its very close to a 30-30 in power, which gives a real good thump out to 200-300yds. US manufacturers make it and you really dont have to worry about that ammo drying up. It would just get more expensive, thats if international importers either stop shipping (highly unlikely) or if us law would outlaw importing foreign ammunition. The 5.45 is also a great round and it reaches out a bit farther, just like the 223/556. It was also MADE for the ak, and its long bullet does serious destructive damage. My only hangup on it is, if international ammo dries up, your fucked. I dont think any US companies make the 5.45 for commercial sale. Maybe they will someday, but not yet. Which is a huge turn off to me, even though the current imported ammo is cheaper than the x39. I will recommend the x39 first for close in, then the .556/.223(which brings about magazine issues in ak models) if you want longer distance. I really like the 5.45 but its ammo's availability for the future is uncertain, which would make me nervous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sidewinder11 7 Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 5.45 ammo is cheaper but if your ranges do not allow a bi-metal jacket get the 7.62 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wtjosaas 72 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 I really like the 5.45 but its ammo's availability for the future is uncertain, which would make me nervous. Guess I'll just buy up a bunch of ammo just in case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted December 3, 2011 Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 7.62x39: You can even buy brass, dies, and a 160 grain casting mold for doing wheel weight bullets at 1600 FPS without gas checks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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