Should I get a Saiga in .223 or 7.62x39? Is there a difference?

Question

I had been really interested in the Saiga rifles lately. I have been reading many articles and reviews about all the versions of the Saiga rifle. But as I read those reviews, many of them have a higher scores for the 7.62x39 version (is 8.9 out of 10) and the .223 Rem version got a lower score (6.7 out of 10). Is there really a difference between those 2 versions? I really want to get a .223 version, but the reviews scared me. Any answers are appreciated.

Answer 1

Is the Saiga in 7.62x39 a better rifle then the Saiga .223? Yes.
Does the .223 Saiga work? Yes.
Is the .223 more accurate then the 7.62x39? Yes.
Are they both fun to shoot? HE11 YES!
I own 1 Saiga in .223 and 2 in 7.62x39. The 2 7.62x39s are the better of the 3. The Saiga is based on the AK47 rifle. The AK 47 was designed to fire the 7.62x39 round not the .223. With that in mind the .223 has a few problems that the 7.62x39 does not have.

1) The bolt hit’s the side spent brass on its’ way out of the receiver, this dent the brass.
2) The .223 has more muzzle flash then the 7.62x39.
3) It is more difficult to modify hi-cap mags to fit the .223 then it is the 7.62x39.
4) The stock mag for the .223 only holds 10 rounds. The 7.62x39 holds 10 rounds but you can cut the
follower shorter and it will hold 15 rounds.

If you want a Saiga in .223 buy it, you will enjoy it to no end. If you have any questions ask. But let me warn you. Saiga are additive. After you buy your first one you will have to get another one and keep buy them until you have one of each. Saigas are available in 12 Ga., 20 Ga., .410 Cal., 9x53, .308, 7.62x39, .223 and with some luck they will offer them in 5.45x39.5.

Answer 2

7.62x39 is by far better for hunting, target shooting and is least expensive. It is just a 30 cal slug in a case a tad shorter than a 308. It has good balistics and will drop a deer or antelope; excellant for varmint shooting. For target shooting it is dead on. I use an AK and can tear the center out of the bull every time.

Answer 3

You are scared because you read reviews on a website about the different calibres? It's the same rifle chambered for two different cartridges... There's no difference whatsoever besides that.

Get whichever one you want. 7.62x39 isn't as good for longer range shooting as .223, but if you want to hunt medium sized game at medium ranges, 7.62 is better. 7.62x39 ammo is also far cheaper than .223.

It's up to you.