Saiga 7.62x39

[mitchntx]

Decent hog hunting weapon?

Have a chance to go this weekend ...

[longtooth]

Absolutely. I will take mine any day.

[mitchntx]

Only ammo I have is the cheap yugoslavian surplus.

What have you used with good results?

Also, do you have a side mounted scope?

I have to remove mine in order to clean the gun properly. When I reinstall, will I need to resight?

[Dave2]

Only ammo I have is the cheap yugoslavian surplus.

What have you used with good results?

Also, do you have a side mounted scope?

I have to remove mine in order to clean the gun properly. When I reinstall, will I need to resight?

I've heard that in general, yes, but I have exactly zero experience with the Saiga platform.

[longtooth]

If cheap FMJ was all I had to go hog hunting I would still do it. I should also say that I do not have a Saiga. I would take my SKS in 7.62X39. No scope but I shoot iron sights to hunt w/ a 30-30. Battle sights on my M1A & both SKS. With the cheap FMJ I would make sure I had a clean shot at say 75yrd & can take a spine, neck, heart. I shoot a lot & no scope is no deal for me. Just shortens the range & shrinks the shooting hrs by about 20min on both ends.

[mitchntx]

My old, tired eyes ain't what they used to be.

Too many miles of riding a bike without proper eye protection and too many welding rods with cheap eye protection.
Figured out both a little too late ...

I'm stoked any way. Maybe I'll deploy the boynet and use it as a spear ...

[Heartland Patriot]

Several manufacturers make steel case 7.62x39mm JSP ammo...not sure how good it is compared to quality US made ammo in other calibers, but its got to be better for hunting that FMJ. Wolf makes it for certain, and I have bought some Ulyanovsk under the "Herters" brand sold at Cabelas before. I'm sure an internet search would turn up something suitable and reasonably inexpensive, too. Good luck and have fun.

[mitchntx]

Think I'll stop by my LGS and see what they have in 7.62.

I sure hope no 308s are there ... that could be bad ...

[CC Italian]

I have shot one and liked it but not at a hog. It is supposed to be a good gun for the money. As for the caliber? No problem, 7.62X 39 will drop a hog in his tracks. I think of it as a lite .30 .30 win. I have dropped a few with 150 grainers in .30 .30 and that is very similar to 7.62 X 39 ballistics. Cor-Bon Hunter Ammunition 7.62x39mm Russian 150 Grain Jacketed Soft Point is pretty good stuff and runs about what my .30 .30 does with 150 grainers but it is 40 bucks a box. Tula also makes a 154 grain round but I don't know if it is any good. Here is a link to the Tula ammo. I don't know if wally world sells it but I am sure you can get it somewhere else.http://www.midwayusa.com/product/308363 ... dan-primed My friend has some of the Corbon but the whole point of a 7.62X39 is running cheap ammo IMO.

[mitchntx]

the whole point of a 7.62X39 is running cheap ammo IMO.

The Yugo surplus I have is a 123 grain, lead core with a copper jacket.
A case of 1260 rounds is $250 delivered.

Cheap ammo ...

[RECIT]

the whole point of a 7.62X39 is running cheap ammo IMO.

The Yugo surplus I have is a 123 grain, lead core with a copper jacket.
A case of 1260 rounds is $250 delivered.

Cheap ammo ...

Isn't the Yugo surplus corrosive? I usually shoot golden tiger FMJ or silver bear SP ammo. Both are around $200-225 shipped from ammoman.com. The Saiga will have no problems with hogs, the sights are the down fall for hunting IMO.

[koconcept]

Wolf jsp is pretty good for hunting. It runs the same price as fmj but will actually flatten a bit on impact.

[mitchntx]

the whole point of a 7.62X39 is running cheap ammo IMO.

The Yugo surplus I have is a 123 grain, lead core with a copper jacket.
A case of 1260 rounds is $250 delivered.

Cheap ammo ...

Isn't the Yugo surplus corrosive? I usually shoot golden tiger FMJ or silver bear SP ammo. Both are around $200-225 shipped from ammoman.com. The Saiga will have no problems with hogs, the sights are the down fall for hunting IMO.

Yes, it's corrosive. I throughly clean after every trip to the range.

I'm now loaded with Wolf 124 grain HP

Thanks for all the help.

[SeaHawk]

I'm not familiar with the Siaga but I shoot cast linotype in my Ruger Hawkeye Compact. Lyman 311359 at 2300 fps and Lee C312-155-2R at 2150 fps. Both bullets group about 1.5" average with lots of 3/4" groups. Lee 155 grain is a little better than the Lyman 311359 but not much.

Winchester white box groups about 2.5" .