YOT 3,743 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'm wanting to buy a new Saiga rifle. Since I already have an AR15 in .223 and an SKS in 7.62x39, I'm asking for suggestions and ideas as to what others would do. I'm really not asking for the "buy both" type answers, just pros and cons of either. I'm putting this in the general discussion because is seems the best place...... Would you get a Saiga .223 to share caliber with the AR15 or would you go with a Saiga 7.62x39 to share caliber with the SKS? Reloading cost may be a little cheaper for the .223, but 7.62x39 is much more traditional for an AK. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
supertex 242 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 i would go with the 7.62 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 S-308! Barring that, I vote 7.62x39. But maybe I'm biased, as I've never had an interest in .223 Saigas. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd go for a 5.45. Then you have them all! The 5.45 is super cheap to shoot and a whole lot of fun. If you are limited to the two, I would go for the 7.62. The 5.65 nato round just seems strange in a Russian rifle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nlacy 692 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 .223 and get the mag adapter, then you can share bullets and mags! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Go for 7.62 and buy some drums! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 5.45. If not 7.62 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgconnor13 206 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 5.45x39 other wise get a 7.62 and get some drums/mags. 7.62 is big enough for hunting, widely available and fairly cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
magsite20 1,664 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 7.62X39 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yakdung 2,926 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 7.62x39 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted June 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I appreciate all comments, but it won't be a 5.45 and I'm not looking at it for a hunting rifle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MT Predator 2,294 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 What's it for? 5.45 is cheaper to shoot than the other two. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 7.62x39, for the same reasons I gave in that other, nearly identical thread started by zombiemilitia. (cheaper ammo, cheaper mags, more fun than .223) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted June 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 7.62x39, for the same reasons I gave in that other, nearly identical thread started by zombiemilitia. (cheaper ammo, cheaper mags, more fun than .223) I know, Huh? He was a little later though. LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 since you dont want a 5.45, id go with 7.62 over 223. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted June 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 There's some pretty good info in both threads, p-a. I was leaning toward the 7.62 to begin with. I think I had the right feeling about it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 There's some pretty good info in both threads, p-a. I was leaning toward the 7.62 to begin with. I think I had the right feeling about it. That's a good instinct; go with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RED333 1,025 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 S-308! I have one as well, and it shoots great!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fallschirmjager667 729 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 if you can hunt with a .223 why couldn't you hunt with a 5.45? 5.45 is the way to go 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jrance@iacwds.com 716 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I have AK's in 7.62x39 for knockdown power and reasonable accuracy. I have 5.56x45 for accuracy; i.e. 20" barrel and set up for 500 yd work. I would get the 7.62x39 if it were me. 1911 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
liberty -r- death 1,445 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Can't really go wrong either way. I'd buy what you can find for the best deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dieb4iwake 60 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 .223 and get the mag adapter, then you can share bullets and mags! ^this unless your SKS is an M or D then go with 7.62 (if ur SKS isnt then sell it and get one lol) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dad2142Dad 6,559 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 7.62x39 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
corbin 621 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I have had each of the rifles you mention: A Colt AR in 5.56, a Saiga in .223, an SKS (M or D model) and a Saiga 7.62x39. I tend to shoot the Saiga 223 the most, but that's me. The 7.62x39 Saiga isn't completely done up the way I want it yet though (basic conversion only). The SKS was fun enough, but I just never shot it that much. Which do you shoot more, the AR or the SKS? Do you have more ammo in one caliber than another? Finally, what are you wanting to do with the rifle? Hunt? Target practice? Home defense? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cooger 19 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) I would go with the .380. It's way better that the .45. You shoot someone in the arm with a .380 and they will fall...oh wait, wrong debate...go with the 7.62. Edited June 15, 2012 by cooger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Which do you shoot more, the AR or the SKS? Do you have more ammo in one caliber than another? Finally, what are you wanting to do with the rifle? Hunt? Target practice? Home defense? These are some good questions. I definitely shoot the AR more. Mostly because I reload a super accurate load for it, it's cheap to reload for, and it's a great varmint gun out to 300+ yards. I love shooting the SKS, but it's got an inherent problem..... finding the spent brass, and most cheap ammunition for it is steel cased. The saiga would be more of a range toy/ target rifle/ home defense/SHTF weapon. I know I already have the SKS for this, but to be completely honest, I'm not fond of the trigger and ergonomics of the SKS. Still, the SKS is a good weapon to have in the safe if the need arises, but I believe I would use a an AK before the SKS if the need arose. I doubt I would ever use it for hunting since I have rifles for hunting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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