Changing the idea on the one rifle. Thanks for all the advice.

C

checkmyswag

New member
Much the same as I've changed my idea on my shotgun, have done the same on my one rifle search.

I think I started off looking for the "best" and the price kept going up and up until I was looking at near $2000 M1As. I'm sure they are nice and worth the money.

However, I think I've come to my fiscal senses. Looking for an adequate rifle for less than $700.

Not AR
ultra reliable
work well with any ammo
Mag fed (more rounds the better until it affects function/handling)
Hunting caliber .30 or above (7.62 x 39 or preferably .308)
pistol grip or straight stock

Am I describing the SKS/Saiga/AK which I've been avoiding? (I really don't want one, but maybe I should check it out, especially the Saiga in 308)

Really appreciate all I learn here. Thanks for pitching in.
 
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I didn't follow your first thread but the Saiga semi-autos in that caliber offer useful accuracy. I would be surprised if they also weren't very reliable, assuming good magazines.
 
I tend to be a bit overly critical/contemplative. I can find the downfall of about every rifle I choose. Shouldn't say downfall, but disadvantages...

.308 powerful, longer range, but expensive ammo

could get a Saiga in 7.62x39 and 1000 rounds of ammo for $500ish, maybe that's the way to go, just lose the longer range

I'm not really into pistol grip stuff/don't need or desire it but will consider it.

Right now, heavily considering the Saiga hunting style rifles.
 
I starting reading the first post and as I got through your requirement list, I immediately thought of the Saiga....then the next sentence confirmed it.

So it was the first thing that came to my mind too.
 
get yourself a cz527 carbine in 7,62x39, its a great and super reliable rifle. I have treated mine like **** for years (fell into a river and mud, never cleaned it for almost 2 years, never put any oil into the barrel, only used crappy ammo, dry fired it hundreds of times and it once fell down 5 yards and landed on the barrel) its still working just fine, nice and tight groups and everything is still in place. I have easily put 2000+ rounds through it, accurate out to 300 yards. And its cheap, got mine new for 600 bucks.
only drawback: magazine release could be better, but you get used to it.
 
The CZ looks nice, but I'm looking for semi-auto.

Starting to accept I'm going the AK/SKS/Saiga route.

Think all that's to be done now is to say goodbye to my AR15 friends and choose my caliber, then rifle and accept things.
 
I starting reading the first post and as I got through your requirement list, I immediately thought of the Saiga....then the next sentence confirmed it.

So it was the first thing that came to my mind too.
Click to expand...

That's funny I read it and thought Mini-30 or maybe an older used Remington semi auto. The Mini-30 is 7.62x39, but the Remingtons can be had in .308, .30-06, .280 Rem. National Magazine makes 10 round mags for the Remington 742, but I have no idea if they make them for any other Remington semi auto. As a side note, if you're willing to reduce your minimum caliber restriction, the Mini-14 is available in 6.8SPC. The Remingtons will cost you less but I suspect the Mini will be more reliable but that's just a hunch.

Stu
 
I vote for the SKS. All other things being equal, I like the safety postion better on the SKS than the Saiga/AK style.

Keep the original 10rnd fixed mag, and with a little practice, you can reload with stripper clips just as quick as a mag change.
 
OK, found a used converted Saiga 308 at the local gun shop.

$550

It's in OK shape, not great.

What do I look for to make sure it was converted into a legal configuration and what do you think of that price? What are the areas I need to check on this rifle as it's used?

Comes with 1 magazine, (25 round I think) and a scope mount.

If I can determine it's a decent deal and converted properly, might go pick it up tomorrow morning when they open.
 
This ONE RIFLE thing is a tad over done. Waiting for the Zombie takeover, Please.........

Do you have ONE golf club, or one Motorcycle, or one girlfriend ...

If you said yes to any of the above, then maybe you do need One rifle!:D
 
Id say grab the saiga in .308. Since you already found one (and its converted) I think it sounds like a good idea.

If worst comes to worst, Im pretty sure a converted .308 saiga will sell eaily at 500.
 
What length barrel for the 308 Saiga? If it's 16", then maybe you should consider a Saiga in 7.62x39. Ballisticly, a 16" 308 isn't much better than 7.62x39, but there's more recoil and your ammo price goes up significantly. If it's an 18" barrel, the #'s favor 308 even more. Also, what's the cost of 308 Saiga mags (I haven't looked into that, but I'm guessing they're not cheap)?

As far as if that converted Saiga 308 is legal, check these out:
http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/forum/65-saiga-922r-compliance-the-law/

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/18530-parts-count-on-saiga-shotguns-and-rifles/
 
barrel length? not sure, if I go tomorrow will bring a tape measure.

Ummmm.... 7.62 x 51 out of a 16 inch barrel was considered pretty legit when I was looking at the M1A SOCOM 16.

I understand that you lose velocity with the shorter barrel...but its still a bigger bullet.

I do agree about the ammo price! Yikes! The only thing I can shoot a lot of is 22LR!

Thanks for the compliance resources.
 
One rifle for everything?

The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle would be the one to have if I could only have one....... my LGS says they can get me one for $825 OTD.
 
Ummmm.... 7.62 x 51 out of a 16 inch barrel
Click to expand...

In my 7mm-08 Ruger Frontier, I lost 140 f/sec with the 16" barrel, from the advertised MV of 2800 for Remington 140 gr factory loads.

Roll yer own. Still not cheap, but you get to shoot twice aas much for the same money.
 
Congrats on your Saiga, my x39 version was great.

I'd get pn the saiga-12.com site and ask a few questions.

If you really start slinging lead, might want to take the next $200 for ammo and spend it on a reloading setup. I use a Lee hand press, works well.
 
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