zombiemilitia 0 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) Hi, i am going to purchase a saiga pretty soon and i was deciding between a saiga in 223 or 7.62 x 39mm, this rifle will be a SHTF rifle and was wondering which round would be more abundant during a situation like this, now i know that 223 is probably more used in the United states, but i also heard that x39 is slowly getting replaced by 5.45. this isn't a discussion on which round is better, both are accurate both can kill, and both are cheap.. do you think i should worry about ammunition availability between these two types? or will both be around enough to not make a difference? (this goes as far as long term situation or trade blockade) i am on a budget so i really can't get both. thanks and god bless Edited June 13, 2012 by zombiemilitia Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Get the 7.62x39. It's cheaper than .223, mags for it are much more abundant and cheaper, and perhaps most importantly; you'll have more fun with it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobRez 1,895 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) In a SHTF scenario, it depends on if you choose to "Bug-in" or to "Bug-out". If you are on the go, then you will be on the Catch-as-catch-can program, so you will want to consider what is more popular in your area and/or be willing to swap weapons for whatever you find that has ammo.. If you Bug-in and hunker down,. just get what you like and stockpile ammo. Having 10,000 rounds, and no truck to haul all yer crap, does no good, and you can only carry so much weight if you are on foot. If you have the $$ to stock up and stay put, choose what you like, I would go for the bigger round, being the x39. Buy 10,000 rounds, and who cares if supplies dry up. edit: It may not even matter.........nobody thinks they will be one of those mutilated corpses in the street left by the Zombie mob, but......... Edited June 13, 2012 by RobRez Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zombiemilitia 0 Posted June 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 i was leaning towards x 39 i guess, i can pick as i go... i have a mini 14 atm which i am going to sell to buy a saiga and use what is left over to get a american ruger rifle in .308. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 i also heard that x39 is slowly getting replaced by 5.45. That's silliness. And I'm a 5.45 guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 x39 for better penetration of light cover (ie. car doors, small branches, drywall, etc). Just my 2 cents. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pyzik 597 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I have a .223 Saiga and looking back, I kinda wish I would have gone 7.62. Though, I got a good deal on mine and it was an impulse buy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclejake 428 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 At one time, I had all of their rifles, but they HAD to throw in the 5.45!! LOL Seriously, the 5.45 is a good round, but I'm with the rest on this...the x39 all the way. Not that I don't love my .223, but I like my x39 better. I like the .308 but ammo prices being what they are.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jbanzai 113 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 If it's your first, I'd probably get the x39. I already have an AK and SKS in x39, and that's why I went with the .223. At the time, I couldn't believe I was getting a .223 AK, but I don't regret it for a minute. It does have advantages. You can shoot .223 and 5.56. Foreign steel case ammo is as cheap as x39. It's more accurate. Ammo can be found ANYWHERE. This is could be a big advantage especially for a crazy SHTF situation (since you mention it).....better for trading and aquiring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) x39 for better penetration of light cover (ie. car doors, small branches, drywall, etc). Just my 2 cents. That light cover includes brick and cinderblock walls; which 5.56 cannot penetrate. [media=] [/media] Edited June 14, 2012 by post-apocalyptic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Orng1 2 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I just got one in 7.62x39. I think that's the one to get. It was designed for the round. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheDeacon 168 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I started with a x39 SKS and it kind of grew from there. The .223 Saiga was next with the AR mag adapter, then the .308 Saiga. Why just have one? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kiddykane 28 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I've been around 7.62x39 since my teens and it always produced good results as long as you realized the rounds limitations (accuracy at distance sucks). Use the round for distances it was designed for and the round is great. .223 is for an AR. Feed the saiga something that was made for it. Go with the 7.62x39. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Go x39 in a long barrel. Midrange shooting isn't a problem if you factor in the "loop" of the round and save the better ammo for the longer shots. Use the cheap stuff for short range high volume shooting. I went with a 23" barreled RPK, "Tobuk'd" it into a midrange DMR and will eventually bullpup it. But I'm pretty happy with it as is. As for availability, if you're on the move and scroungeing ammo, you will likely find the gun to match. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jaba1017 71 Posted June 16, 2012 Report Share Posted June 16, 2012 No wrong answer both are great weapons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dad2142Dad 6,559 Posted June 17, 2012 Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 Get them both, 7.62x39 first, then .223. You can never have to many Saiga's. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey 21 Posted June 17, 2012 Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 When you said x39 vs 223 I thought you were asking about the 5.45x39 vs the 223. The 7.62x39 is less expensive, but how long will it be until it reaches the same pricing as the 5.56x45? If you are on a budget and can only get one, then get the 7.62x39. Very nice firearm, fun, and you will be glad you bought it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
exiledtoIA 1 Posted June 17, 2012 Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 It won't matter which one you start with. It will get lonely, so you buy another one to keep it company. Then others just show up - kind of like a party or something. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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