.308 AK platforms, any one have any personal experience with them

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .308 AK platforms, any one have any personal experience with them

Posted: 10/8/2012 5:30:50 AM EDT

I just purchased a Bravo 18 .308 10inch Saiga and wanted to see if anyone has shot or owned a .308 AK. I have a great respect for the platform but own only traditional calibers. So any input on these would be great.

Posted: 10/8/2012 5:44:35 AM EDT

[#1]

I've shot the 16.5" 308 Saiga (converted). It is incredibly accurate for an AK. It did not have a muzzle brake, so it did kick like a MULE, though.

Chrome-lined barrel, high-cap mags available. What's not to like? :)

Posted: 10/8/2012 5:45:16 AM EDT

[#2]

biggest complaint has been no "battle ready" magazines..but i think somebody over on saiga12 was working on some stamped steel ones..

Posted: 10/8/2012 6:48:45 AM EDT

[#3]

Ya the mag thing is a concern. I am working on having a MSA mag system converted to use P Mags and other SR25/M110 standard mags. I also saw the SGM makes 3,5,10,20,&25 round mas for it. Now they already make the industry standard mags for Saiga 12s so they are very robust mags.

Posted: 10/8/2012 7:24:45 AM EDT

[#4]

I have owned a 308 Saiga for 5 years. It was restored, Romy side folder at the rear, & barrel shortened with AK74 comp soldered at the end. Because of this, there isn't much kick, but the noise is insane. Great gun, & I use the FBMG 20 rd mags. GARY

Posted: 10/8/2012 8:21:21 AM EDT

[#5]

I love the robustness of the AK platform, and the power of the .308. That brought me into Galils, but they are freakin' expensive to keep fed with magazines and spare parts.

I had a .308 fully converted Saiga a while back, but traded it off. Currently looking for another one. Compared to a Galil or Valmet, parts and mags are more readily available. And if you're looking for "battle ready" mags: CSSPECS

Posted: 10/8/2012 8:40:19 AM EDT

[#6]

The only .308 AK I have had the pleasure of shooting was a .308 VEPR,
I quite enjoyed it and plan to get one. The guy also had some steel mags, think they were from Csspecs, they seemed very robust.

Posted: 10/8/2012 9:02:25 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I love the robustness of the AK platform, and the power of the .308. That brought me into Galils, but they are freakin' expensive to keep fed with magazines and spare parts.

I had a .308 fully converted Saiga a while back, but traded it off. Currently looking for another one. Compared to a Galil or Valmet, parts and mags are more readily available. And if you're looking for "battle ready" mags: CSSPECS

those are the mags i was talking about, didnt know if they were out yet or not..

Posted: 10/8/2012 9:10:53 AM EDT

[#8]

Had .308 Saiga, least accurate rifle ever, save for possibly a PSL.

Posted: 10/8/2012 9:14:23 AM EDT

[#9]

Two .308 Veprs here, one 20" and one 23". My favorite AK-based rifles by far.

Posted: 10/8/2012 9:49:15 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Two .308 Veprs here, one 20" and one 23". My favorite AK-based rifles by far.

Does the 23" barrel offer a significant increase in muzzle velocity over the 20"?
Any thoughts on benefits or disadvantages between the 2 barrel lengths?

/thread hijack

Posted: 10/8/2012 12:23:44 PM EDT

[#11]

So comparing SGM .308 mags and the Csspec mags, which one is going to give me more bang for the buck. No pun intended. Now I understand that the Csspec mags are all steel while the SGM mags are poly but I have been very impressed with the SGM mags in my Saiga 12. More advice would be great.

Posted: 10/8/2012 12:39:37 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Two .308 Veprs here, one 20" and one 23". My favorite AK-based rifles by far.

Does the 23" barrel offer a significant increase in muzzle velocity over the 20"?

Any thoughts on benefits or disadvantages between the 2 barrel lengths?

/thread hijack

I consider a 20" barrel to be optimal in a .308 Vepr. It will keep most loads supersonic out to 800 yards with relative ease and hits the sweet spot in terms of lighter weight and portability versus ultimate velocity.

If you're worried about bullets going transonic at 1000 yards, maybe a 23" barrel is a better bet. Not many people on this site have that as a genuine/real world concern.

With most .308 loads, you only gain 25-30 fps per inch going from 20 to 25 inches in barrel length.

I only bought the 23" after getting the 20". If I could have only one, it would definitely be the 20".

Posted: 10/8/2012 7:14:16 PM EDT

[#13]

I have a converted Saiga 308 and I have tried SGM, FBMG (now uinta), and Csspecs mags. In my opinion the best mags are the Csspecs. They are steel and have been 100% reliable. I have found with the FBMG that because they are not steel lined the tops tend to expand from being under pressure from the rounds.

Posted: 10/8/2012 7:25:14 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Two .308 Veprs here, one 20" and one 23". My favorite AK-based rifles by far.

Does the 23" barrel offer a significant increase in muzzle velocity over the 20"?
Any thoughts on benefits or disadvantages between the 2 barrel lengths?

/thread hijack

I consider a 20" barrel to be optimal in a .308 Vepr. It will keep most loads supersonic out to 800 yards with relative ease and hits the sweet spot in terms of lighter weight and portability versus ultimate velocity.

If you're worried about bullets going transonic at 1000 yards, maybe a 23" barrel is a better bet. Not many people on this site have that as a genuine/real world concern.

With most .308 loads, you only gain 25-30 fps per inch going from 20 to 25 inches in barrel length.

I only bought the 23" after getting the 20". If I could have only one, it would definitely be the 20".

Thank you for this info, it really helps me with my decision on which barrel length to get.
I was originally leaning towards the 23", but you make solid points for size and diminishing velocity returns, so I'll definitely be grabbing a 20" when I go to buy one.