I ask this because of ammo avalibility also which one is the better round, they seem the same to me for just plinking targets. But if i convert it i think the ak 74 mags or more available. Am i right on that? And i want the Russian red hardware just for the classic look and i know the red mags are available. The 223 mags just seem to be ugly clear plastic ones. Also does both rounds cycle just as good or is one better in the AK format. From what i see ammo prices are about the same and i allready have a 223 so there would no need to have two types of ammo. But i do like the red stocks so the 5.45 is making a strong case for me. Thanks for any input. Also are some of the importers of the Saiga's selling better quality ones are they pretty much the same. Is there anything i should look for regarding that.
Which is best to buy the saiga 223 or 5.45
- Thread starter Pert316
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shooter_john
New member
I had a similar dilemma a while back. I originally wanted a folding stocked, .223 AK, but ended up purchasing an Arsenal 5.45 (a converted Saiga) since I could not find the .223 that I wanted. At the same time, I also purchased a crate of ammo. What bothered me though is that the supply of 5.45 could theoretically be cut off with the stroke of a pen, and then I'd be out of luck (at least that the way it seems)
About two range sessions later, I happened into a guy who wanted an Arsenal 5.45 and had a Arsenal 106-FR (the .223 that I wanted in the first place) that he was willing to trade. So, I got what I wanted, and he got what he wanted.
Like you, I already have lots of .223 on hand, so it just made sense to me. I also 13 of the premium smoke/ clear Circle 10 magazines in the deal, and they are typically a little pricey. I will say that I don't care nearly as much about looks as I do function, so you may have a valid concern when it comes to the furniture you want to use. But I've been very pleased my Arsenal/ Saiga .223. Good luck with whatever rifle you decide to go with.
About two range sessions later, I happened into a guy who wanted an Arsenal 5.45 and had a Arsenal 106-FR (the .223 that I wanted in the first place) that he was willing to trade. So, I got what I wanted, and he got what he wanted.
Like you, I already have lots of .223 on hand, so it just made sense to me. I also 13 of the premium smoke/ clear Circle 10 magazines in the deal, and they are typically a little pricey. I will say that I don't care nearly as much about looks as I do function, so you may have a valid concern when it comes to the furniture you want to use. But I've been very pleased my Arsenal/ Saiga .223. Good luck with whatever rifle you decide to go with.
I went with the .223.
I know everyone says you can't put 5.56 through a .223 marked gun, but then looking at a lot if info on the Saiga .223 it looks like it would not be a problem to run the 5.56. (please anyone tell me otherwise and be sure to cite your source)
I figure with the .223/5.56 you have a lot more ammo options.
I haven't looked, does one have a clear ballistic advantage over the other? (5.45 vs .223/5.56)
I know everyone says you can't put 5.56 through a .223 marked gun, but then looking at a lot if info on the Saiga .223 it looks like it would not be a problem to run the 5.56. (please anyone tell me otherwise and be sure to cite your source)
I figure with the .223/5.56 you have a lot more ammo options.
I haven't looked, does one have a clear ballistic advantage over the other? (5.45 vs .223/5.56)
223
I think I will go with the 223 it just makes since. I have seen some mags out there yesterday that look nice. And really why change to a new caliber, especially if one day the 5.45 ammo drys up. I went to the local Academy yesterday and there was alot more 223 on shelf. Also Walmart sells 223 not 5.45 so there's my answer 223. Thanks for the input.
I think I will go with the 223 it just makes since. I have seen some mags out there yesterday that look nice. And really why change to a new caliber, especially if one day the 5.45 ammo drys up. I went to the local Academy yesterday and there was alot more 223 on shelf. Also Walmart sells 223 not 5.45 so there's my answer 223. Thanks for the input.
Well, I went with the Saiga 5.45, purely because of the cheap ammo...plus I was intrigued to try the cartridge. Not too long ago, the CIA would have paid big bucks for even one round...now we can get cases shipped to our door.
Very happy with it. 600 rds through it without a single jam or problem. The 5.45 is similar in performance to the 5.56, with the advantage of its unique steel core, Hollow tipped design. Seems like it would be great for SD, plus there is the Hornady Vmax load, which would be tops for HD.
When I bought it, I got a case of surplus 7n6 ammo, and opened one spam can. I bought a second crate after that.
With 3000 rounds in reserve, I will begin buying some by the box for range trips, leaving three cans sealed. Not worried about running out.
Very happy with it. 600 rds through it without a single jam or problem. The 5.45 is similar in performance to the 5.56, with the advantage of its unique steel core, Hollow tipped design. Seems like it would be great for SD, plus there is the Hornady Vmax load, which would be tops for HD.
When I bought it, I got a case of surplus 7n6 ammo, and opened one spam can. I bought a second crate after that.
With 3000 rounds in reserve, I will begin buying some by the box for range trips, leaving three cans sealed. Not worried about running out.
dontcatchmany
New member
I have an S&W M&P 15 R (5.45). With FFL and tax it was just sub 900 bucks.
Probably put 1500 rds through it and not a misfire by the weapon just the Bulgarian cheap ammo.
Am getting a 5.56 upper for it.
The 5.45 corrosive Bulgarian ammo ran about 13 cent a round (price is still the same) in the can and shipped. I have about 4000 rds of it. The silver bear and wolf non corossive ran about 18-19 cent a round shipped and I have about 3000 rds of that.
The 5.45 is moderately accurate to about 200 yards and I have had consistency to 400 yds (silver bear). The Bulgarian tends to have more flyers.
I believe that with the S&W and a 5.45 upper and a 5.56/223 upper you got the best of both worlds in similar calibers. The trajectories are similar and the 5.45 is pretty cheap for practice. The likelihood of the stroke of the pen stopping the 5.45 is negligible, but if so you got the 5.56/223 as backup. Until then you can shoot much cheaper.
What ever you do, enjoy
5.45 is fun as heck to shoot and you leave the range with cash in your pocket.
Probably put 1500 rds through it and not a misfire by the weapon just the Bulgarian cheap ammo.
Am getting a 5.56 upper for it.
The 5.45 corrosive Bulgarian ammo ran about 13 cent a round (price is still the same) in the can and shipped. I have about 4000 rds of it. The silver bear and wolf non corossive ran about 18-19 cent a round shipped and I have about 3000 rds of that.
The 5.45 is moderately accurate to about 200 yards and I have had consistency to 400 yds (silver bear). The Bulgarian tends to have more flyers.
I believe that with the S&W and a 5.45 upper and a 5.56/223 upper you got the best of both worlds in similar calibers. The trajectories are similar and the 5.45 is pretty cheap for practice. The likelihood of the stroke of the pen stopping the 5.45 is negligible, but if so you got the 5.56/223 as backup. Until then you can shoot much cheaper.
What ever you do, enjoy
5.45 is fun as heck to shoot and you leave the range with cash in your pocket.
5.45 is cheap. It shoots flatter and farther than 5.56 and reliably yaws to induce traumatic wound cavities vs the .223 having to rely on velocity to fragment, although I wouldn't want to get hit by either 
5.45 is produced domestically by Hornady, so I don't know what the issue is with the people claiming it will dry up. It won't. Markets rule here. There's so many people in the West now with AK74's that if there was an import ban then even more domestic manufacturer's will step up to capitalize on the demand for supply.
If you reload .223 you need to know the AK dents the $#!+ out of the brass cases without some kind of ejection buffer, so keep that in mind too.
For 5.45 get the AK.
For a .223, stick with an AR or try to get a 20" barrel and build and RPK style rifle.
5.45 is produced domestically by Hornady, so I don't know what the issue is with the people claiming it will dry up. It won't. Markets rule here. There's so many people in the West now with AK74's that if there was an import ban then even more domestic manufacturer's will step up to capitalize on the demand for supply.
If you reload .223 you need to know the AK dents the $#!+ out of the brass cases without some kind of ejection buffer, so keep that in mind too.
For 5.45 get the AK.
For a .223, stick with an AR or try to get a 20" barrel and build and RPK style rifle.