saiga 223

[scott mcdonald]

any one have one of these i've heard they were pretty good for the
money should i buy the 223 or the one in 762x39. just looking
for something inexpensive to shoot.

[zzdroptop]

Cant go wrong with either one IMO. I have a converted Saiga 12 and love it. I have several AK47s in 7.62 so Im planning on getting a Saiga .223 to convert next.

[AKMIKEFMJ]

I converted this one.Worth every penny. I use Galil 35 round Orlite mags in this baby.......

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e350/mbmphoto/Saiga223.jpg

[DaGroaner]

Don't forget the .308, they're the easiest to convert back to their original p-grip configuration and Made in the USA 20-round mags will soon be available.

[Washington,D.C.]

What I like about the 7.62x39 Saigas is the barrel diameters at the hand guard retainer and the front sight are the same as a regular AK47.The 223 Saiga barrel is a larger diameter at these points.The 308 Saiga barrel is tapered under the front sight.Not a big deal if you're not going to change it to an AK configuration.The long barrel Saigas feel much heavier.There is a bit more work making the 223 Saiga work hi cap mags but not a lot.The newest 7.62x39 Siagas can be found now with magwell dimples.In Europe the 223 Saiga has magwell dimples but I've never seen a 223 one in the US with them.Only some of the 7.62 ones have them.The starter hole for the bullet guide rivet is sometimes in the 223 Saigas.I never see the hole in the 7.62 and it must be drilled from scratch.Some 223 Saigas have the square hole for the AK pistol grip.I've never seen a 7.62 Saiga come with the hole and it must be cut to fit a pistol grip.The barrel dimensions and magwell dimples sold me on the 7.62x39 model.The bullet guide hole and the square pistol grip hole aren't difficult to add.

[Toledo]

Do any of you reload for the Saiga 223? I have one in with a
16 inch barrel. I reload for handguns but never rifle. Is it
evern worth reloading?

[expeditionx]

Some newer Saigas have a step near the chamber neck. I think Veprs do also.
The step flares the cartridge. It is some kind of Russian gun control measure to identify spent cases. The flared ones would obviously be linked to commercial guns. Non-commercial guns do not have the step.

[454]

What step you are referring to??? I do not rememeber seeing one in my Vepr. Spent cases looked normal too.....

[Washington,D.C.]

I'm not sure the 223's have the step.It's a step in the neck of the chamber that causes bulge in the neck of the fired case.Not all have it.It's a requirement for rifles sold in Russia.Maybe only 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R.I have both,a Saiga in 7.62x39 and a Tigr in 7.62x54R.They have it but it doesn't keep the caes from being resized and reloaded.In semi auto's you won't get many loads out of the same cases anyway.

[expeditionx]

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=4600

The ones on the left are flared.

All I know for sure is that newer 2003 to current models can have the step. Certain calibers might not have it.
Fire one round and check the case, and you will know if yours has a step. 7.62x39 will most likely have it for sure.
I do not own a .223 version so I wasn't aware of it being exempt.
That is cool though. I guess .308 would also be exempt.