Author Topic: Saiga 223? (Read 4528 times)

jlwilliams · « **on:** January 30, 2010, 07:51:16 AM »

Anybody have one of the Saiga .223 sporters? I'm looking at them because they look like they fill the niche where the mini14 used to. A low cost knock around with a 'normal' non pistol grip stock in a round I have and like. The mini used to be that, but they are upwards of $600 now, and that's just out of line. The Saiga is down in the $300 to $400 range. Much more in line with what it is. I see plenty of guys online turning them into budget Bubba tacticals, but I'm not interested in that. I want a 223 semi auto that I can put cheap ammo through and not feel bad, and I want it to be reasonably accurate, but it doesn't need to be 'bolt action' accurate.

Any input is welcome, particularly from anybody who has one of these rifles. Thanks.

m1key · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2010, 01:18:25 PM »

The Saigas in all calibers are robust, reliable, accurate. In 223, they will outshoot the Mini-14 (except maybe the newest ones) for half the money. An excellent buy, IMO.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2010, 01:34:46 AM »

Good to hear. I just put down money Saturday. I had to go across the line to RI to find one in stock, so I have to wait a week to pick it up. I'll post more when I have got it and shot it.

Hank08 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2010, 04:01:42 PM »

I wanted to show you a pic off mine but photobucket has quit working for me, however mine really shoots well, plenty accurate for varmint shooting to 300 + yds or so. It's a great coyote rifle. I have a Leupold 2x7 scope on it, it's never failed to function.
H08

Hank08 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2010, 05:49:51 AM »

trying my hosted pics. Wow, it worked! Really like my Saiga.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:37:18 AM »

Quote from: Hank08 on February 08, 2010, 04:01:42 PM

I wanted to show you a pic off mine but photobucket has quit working for me, however mine really shoots well, plenty accurate for varmint shooting to 300 + yds or so. It's a great coyote rifle. I have a Leupold 2x7 scope on it, it's never failed to function.
H08

Do you find the side mount for the scope to be stable enough? I have seen some online chatter to the effect that the side mounts have too much flex to be really stable, but then again there are a lot of cheap mounts that people may be clamping onto the side rails. Since you have a set up you are happy with, what sort of hardware do you have between the gun and the glass?

Hank08 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:20:34 AM »

I tried the side rail once but didn't like it at all. This is a mount that replaces the top cover and has screws to lock it in place with a picatinny rail on top and even mounting positions on the sides for lazers, lights, etc. Click on the pic and you can get a better idea of the scope mt. I got it from CDNN in Texas for about $30 including rings, locks the scope on tight. The magazine is Promag, OK but somewhat fragile. I have several all steel AK .223 30 rnd.mags that I modified to work in the Saiga that are much better but don't see them for sale anymore.
H08

jlwilliams · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:56:52 AM »

Thanks for the input. I'm excited about getting this rifle and I'm looking forward to getting it all outfitted. I ordered a couple of Surefire ten round mags already. I like the ten rounders, I just want to be able to fill my pockets with a bunch of loaded ones. The Surefire's have a last shot hold open feature that I think the factory mags don't. I'll see soon

Optics are an area that I want to consider lots of options before I spend. Thanks again for your input on that.

JW/OK · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2010, 03:48:18 PM »

I've been hearing a lot about the Saiga's and was wondering what bullet weight shoots the best out of the 223?

Hank08 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2010, 04:37:45 PM »

JW, I haven't tried a lot of different bullets in mine but the 55s shoot very well.
H08

1911crazy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2010, 06:22:42 AM »

The russian izhmash saiga's are awesome. The russians at Izhmash did say they were going to be the most accurate out of all the ak/akm brothers and they did it. We benchrested my 308 saiga with the 16" barrel and we both shot similair 1 1/2" groups at 100yds using 308 south african 308 ball surplus ammo. We have shot the saiga in 223 but we haven't benchrested it yet. But it did pass the hammering mode we put it thru with no failures or jams. So far the saiga's reliability is unmatched and the accuracy is awesome and the price is down right affordable too.

I think there the hottest thing to hit our shores since the chinese sks did many years ago. There the hottest buy on the planet right now. At my local gun shop he couldn't keep them in the rack for a few years, because they were selling out most of the time.

If you looking for a fun gun to plink with, a hunting rifle or something to hit paper with this is it. This is one gun you won't worry about wearing it out, it will take a beating and look for even more.

mannyrock · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:28:40 AM »

Need an HONEST analysis of the noise factor, of shooting a .223 out of that 16 inch barrel. (I guess the same applies to the ARs?)

I haven't been near one, but I'm guess it is unbelievably ear-splitting, and would peel wall-paper right off of a wall.

I always use hearing protection, but there is always the stray "Didn't have my muffs on quite right" accident, as well as the "Look, there's a deer, no time for muffs" incident. And of course, even in rural areas, there is the "ticking off the neighbors during sight-in" factor.

This fear has always prevented me from buying a .223, and would rule it out for me as a casual plinker or fun gun.

How bad compared to a .308 out of a 22 inch barrel?

Mannyrock

1911crazy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2010, 10:16:47 AM »

The saiga in 223 has some crack to it for sure. The saiga's in both calibers of 223 and in 308 with the 16" barrels are noisy. I always wear muff's but when hunting i never hear the noise when i squeeze it off. They don't really bother me mainly because i been shooting the large bores for many years. You have to get a few of these before our state banns these too right? Hoffmans did have quite a few saiga's in the rack. Bill

I was never interested in the high priced black rifles nor the 223 round too but when i first seen the saiga in 223 for $259 how could i pass up that? I bit the bullet and purchased it and after we shot it i'm glad i got it.

Quote from: mannyrock on March 11, 2010, 10:28:40 AM

   Need an HONEST analysis of the noise factor, of shooting a .223 out of that 16 inch barrel. (I guess the same applies to the ARs?)

  I haven't been near one, but I'm guess it is unbelievably ear-splitting, and would peel wall-paper right off of a wall.

  I always use hearing protection, but there is always the stray "Didn't have my muffs on quite right" accident, as well as the "Look, there's a deer, no time for muffs" incident. And of course, even in rural areas, there is the "ticking off the neighbors during sight-in" factor.

  This fear has always prevented me from buying a .223, and would rule it out for me as a casual plinker or fun gun.

  How bad compared to a .308 out of a 22 inch barrel?

Mannyrock

tigercat · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2010, 02:38:19 PM »

found one for three hundred i want it soooo bad

1911crazy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2010, 09:04:11 AM »

Quote from: tigercat on March 14, 2010, 02:38:19 PM

found one for three hundred i want it soooo bad

Go for it and shoot it and let us know what you think of it.....

I'm very impressed with the new russian izhmash saiga's they nailed a nitch in our market. I never thought we would see a day when we can own a brand new unfired (not someones butcherd rework) Russian Izhmash Saiga ak/akm rifle. Its been battle proven from '47 to this day. While there flawless i never seen a semi auto shoot this good when it comes to spitting out the spent rounds. The sks's can hold there own in 7,62x39 but the saiga's are unmatched in 223 and in 308. Bill

BTW; One of my used saiga's came with a side cam loc scope and mount. Its awesome too. It needed the lock up adjusted so it locked in place tight. We just need to know how to adjust the cam lock so its tight.

From benchresting the saiga w/16" barrel in 308 @ 100yds with south african 308ball ammo and shooting 1 1/2" groups with the two of us shooting the same sized groups you can count on the saiga being this accurate. I have a feeling about the saiga in 223 from just plinking its that accurrate or it maybe even better.

1911crazy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2010, 09:12:31 AM »

Remember the prices on the saiga's have been climbing little by little so don't wait too long to get one. Just a few years ago these were under $300.

teddy12b · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2010, 09:54:12 AM »

I think the saiga 223 & 308 are the best deals on the market right now. I remember when the saiaga 12's could be easily found for under $400 and now look at them.

1911crazy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2010, 12:25:57 PM »

Quote from: teddy12b on March 16, 2010, 09:54:12 AM

I think the saiga 223 & 308 are the best deals on the market right now. I remember when the saiaga 12's could be easily found for under $400 and now look at them.

Yup i know i missed out on the lower priced shotguns from saiga. I wish the saiga's were offered in more calibers.

1911crazy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2010, 06:34:19 AM »

The only thing i did to the saiga was to lube it with moly. Its a whole different feeling with the saiga with just a lube. It takes the roughness out of the boltcarrier and the trigger too(sear). It feels like a more expensive gun.

swcu_21 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2010, 06:12:15 AM »

Has anyone tried the dust cover scope mount systems from UTG? I have heard some mixed reviews about them, but would like to get one if the will hold zero. Any comments on other scope systems is welcome as well.

Hank08 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2010, 07:56:18 AM »

Scroll up to near the beginning of this thread to the pic of my Saiga. That's a top cover scope mt. from CDNN. If it has the screws to lock it in place it's solid as a rock.
H08

1911crazy · « **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2010, 09:25:11 AM »

Quote from: swcu_21 on April 29, 2010, 06:12:15 AM

Has anyone tried the dust cover scope mount systems from UTG? I have heard some mixed reviews about them, but would like to get one if the will hold zero. Any comments on other scope systems is welcome as well.

I found a used saiga in 308win with the side scope & mount that fits the cam loc side rail. I think its an ak setup. There is a site for russian scopes and optics that offers the saiga mounts for the side rail. www.kalinkaoptics.com

jlwilliams · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2010, 04:32:23 AM »

Great link. Thanks.

1911crazy · « **Reply #23 on:** September 09, 2010, 03:35:38 PM »

The only thing is with the side cam loc scopemount it takes time to adjust it correctly so it locs up correctly. The one i purchased used with the saiga the PO never adjusted it right but after a few minutes i got it to loc inplace were i feel comfortable with it, i'm sure it will be perfect when i sight it in.