Author Topic: Siaga .308? (Read 777 times)

rtdonell1 · « **on:** December 13, 2004, 02:56:57 PM »

I am just getting into this and don't know mutch about it. I am 35 years old and would like yo buy a gun for hunting and short range sniping. As is the american way I don't have any money. I was just looking around dreaming and happened on a sight for the siaga .308.
It sells for less then 300 dollars. Now I dont expect to be shooting 1,000 yards. I would be happy hitting small groups at say 500. I heard 308 or 30-06 are good rounds for what I want to do but I dont know any thing about siaga. I found a forums sight on the siaga and all the people there sound like they want to get vary intimate with theirs. So when I wanted to get an impartial view I came hear. So before you start teaching me right from wrong let me say to buy a gun for $300 would be hard to do for me right now so more than $300 and I have to wait god knows how long. I just thought this could get me started sooner.

Dand · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2004, 07:42:19 PM »

I don't know the Saiga but for now save your $$. If you've never been a shooter I strongly suggest you spend a few months reading GrayBeard's forums here to learn as much as you can. Also, try to get to a hunter safety or firearms training program. Then I'd suggest buying a .22 rifle and practice for a while to learn all the basics. Also, find a local range and check out the activities and get to know some of the officials there - I'm sure they'll be eager to help. Check out the NRA web site too - I encourage you to join if you can.

After learning the basics, I bet you could get a good enough shooter in one of the H&R or NEF single shots or find a deal on a used bolt action. You are right, the 308 is a good cartridge but if its that hard for you to scrape up the cash for a rifle, I don't think you'd want a semi auto that will burn up a box of ammo in 10 minutes. And without tuning the gun and a LOT of practice (expensive ammo) , I doubt you'd be making good groups at 500 yards.

Remember 500 yards is a REALLY long way for MOST shooters. I was at a local turkey shoot once. We had a target at a measured 440 yard. Only one of the 20 of us hit the target. Once. Many shots were fired. I'm chagrinned to say the hit was with my rifle but I wasn't the shooter - let a trooper friend take a couple turns. He won.

You'll find a lot of wisdom on Graybeard that will help you make good choices and enjoy this sport.

Good luck.

rtdonell1 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2004, 11:19:01 PM »

Well let me clear this up when I said I was new to this I meant to the high powered rifle shooting. But I'm not new to guns in general. I have ben hunting for many years. I hunt with a bow and inline mussel loader. I also own three shotguns a 357. and a .22. I have shot high powered rifles but not mutch. It is not legal to hunt deer with them hear in ohio so I never bothered getting one. But I would like to get into it now. I can hunt in kentucky next year and you can use them there. I would also like to try long range shooting.

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2004, 03:19:40 AM »

rtdonell1: the Saiga's come in a 16.5 and a 21.5" barrel length. One of the fellas on the Mil-Surp forum has one and raves about its handling and firepower. I don't think he has specifically mentioned the accuracy of this rifle thought so I don't know if this could or would be your 500 yd rifle - probably not. Even the M1As, the civilian version of the M14, aren't all that accurate at 500 yds unless you get a target or sniper version and then you are gonna spend some serious dollars - way about the $300 dollar mark you mentioned.

You also didn't say whay you preferred a semi-auto over a good bolt action. As I recall, you have to spend some serious $ for that kind of accurate semi-auto, but there are many military surplus rifles and calibers available that are absolutely excellent for what you would like to do, and they are available for under $300. One that immediately comes to mind is the 6.5 x55 Swedish Mauser. You can find a plain jane short rifle with a 23" bbl for under $300 and one that may be in excellent condition with a great bore. You can also find target models and snipers but they are a bunch more expensive. With the 6.5 Swedes, some minor stock and trigger work should get you a sub-1" group at 100 yds. Some of the Moison-Nagant rifles in the 7.62x54R Russian round can be had in the original sniper version and they are all well spoken of. Same with the 303 Brits and finding one in good condition. Also, the 8mm Mauser in either the M98 or M48/48A configurations. As for capabilities, either of the rounds mentioned are very capable big game cartridges for what you wish to hunt.

Yes, the 308 and 30-06 are good long range rounds, but you would need to handload to get 500 yd accuracy, especially on the 'All-American' budget (been there and haven't left yet, lol). Of the other calibers mentioned, target or accuracy loads are also available.

I would start with a bolt action first and see how you shoot with it and whether you are comfortable with it or not. Later, when things improve a bit you may wish to look at some really accurate semi-autos depending on how ya'll feel. BTW, if you head on up to the Mil-Surp forum you can read a bunch about the different calibers and their accuracy. If you look at the thread about the Postal matches, you will read about some of the group sizes these old warhorses turn in - that might help you make up your mind. HTH. Mikey.

rtdonell1 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2004, 03:28:44 AM »

thanks. I have decided on the mosin nagant you mentioned. I believe its the cheapest way to get started with what I want to do.

BattleRifleG3 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2005, 05:59:14 PM »

The Mosin Nagant is a great rifle! The round is about equivalent in power to 308 and 30-06. The action is super smooth and fast. I prefer the long barreled version (29" or so) that gives you a nice long site radius which usually means better accuracy. If anyone suggests scoping it, don't. Save your money for a Savage in 308 if you're going to do that. Scope mounts for the Mosin are expensive, interfere with normal operation, and don't keep accurate that well.

I know exactly what you mean on people wanting to get intimate with their Saigas... was it saiga-12.com? I'm a big Saiga fan, particularly experienced in common and custom upgrades. They are all excellent rifles, but I'd consider a Mosin Nagant to be at least as good for your kind of hunting.

Hope everything works out well for you!