Saiga Range Report - Target Pics - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Polymerhead · 03-28-2008, 01:42 PM

Well, I took the day off and hit the range this morning. I took the Saiga and put her through a few paces. I started at 25 yards because I didn't know how she would shoot initially. I put up a silhouette, poked a hole in the center mass for an aiming point and went to firing. First shot was 1/2" low but dead on. It must have been a fluke because the next three 3 shot groups were about 1/2" low and 3" right. The groupings were pretty good though. I figured the elevation was about right, so I just tapped on the windage drum with a brass punch and a hammer. Went too far in one direction and flipped the gun over and tapped back, slower this time until I figured I was just about right.

Shot three more 3 shot groups, and everything appeared on target. I moved a couple benches over to the 50 yard slots and got out another silhouette. I had two 3 inch Caldwell Orange Peel targets left in my bag, so I put one on the face and one on the chest and hung it up. Went back to the bench, loaded 10 rounds and shot them slowfire with my range bag as a rest (forgot my rifle rest and my shooting bags both at home).

After 10 rounds I got out my binoculars and everything looked really really good! Basically a 5" 10-shot group at 50 yards with a makeshift rest.

I was really happy with that, so I loaded another 10 and shot slowfire at the head. After 10 shots, I had all 10 within about a 4" group!

Considering the AK front sight blade covers the entire width of the Caldwell target at 50 yards, I think the gun performed very well! I ran groups through all my 30-round magazines and they all fed flawlessly. By the way, this was all wth Wolf 124 gr Military Classic ammo. Considering I can barely keep my 223 SAR-3 on a 9" paper plate at 50 yards, I was very happy with the Saiga's performance and accuracy today. It will be much better than the "minute of torso" that I was expecting at 100 yards. I look forward to gettting better and faster with it. I'm pretty well set to build another as soon as I can get ahold of one.

**magnumize** · 03-28-2008, 03:53 PM

Zombies dont stand a chance.Good shooting.

Bearcreek · 03-28-2008, 04:26 PM

What caliber may I ask? I have a Saiga-12 and when I read your thread title, I was anticipating a ragged shred of paper to look at-- nice shooting!!

Polymerhead · 03-28-2008, 06:17 PM

7.62x39mm, pistol grip conversion.

**DanTheEldest** · 03-28-2008, 06:29 PM

Very nice....did you do the conversion yourself or have a 'smith do it? The reason I ask is that I've been considering getting a 7.62 Saiga and doing that very thing--it's about as close to an "authentic" Russian AK as I think I'll be able to get.

Polymerhead · 03-28-2008, 07:21 PM

Thanks, I did it myself. I didn't change the forend at all, and I haven't threaded the barrel but it runs like a champ and it's a real Russian AK.

**DanTheEldest** · 03-28-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polymerhead

Thanks, I did it myself. I didn't change the forend at all, and I haven't threaded the barrel but it runs like a champ and it's a real Russian AK.

Nice job.

How much did you pay for the rifle, if you don't mind me asking?. AIM Surplus has an already-converted Saiga for something like $549, but I thought they were quite a bit cheaper than that.

**einheit 13** · 03-29-2008, 04:55 AM

Looks good. One thing I strongly advise if you want to get tighter groups with the basic AK iron sites...make a thinner front post or use ACE's AR post adapter. And remember, after you break in the gun (200rds or so) clean it really good and get some 'top shelf' ammo and try it again-I guarantee the groups will be cut in half if not more! Great report!

Polymerhead · 03-29-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTheEldest

Nice job.

How much did you pay for the rifle, if you don't mind me asking?. AIM Surplus has an already-converted Saiga for something like $549, but I thought they were quite a bit cheaper than that.

I paid $289 after shipping and everything. More than I should have - I got anxious and ordered one instead of waiting for a local gun show. I expect to be able to find one for more like $250 at the next gun show and will probably make a duplicate for backup. The stock, grip, bullet guide and trigger group were about $100 or so total.

And good idea Einheit - I may have to get a slimmer sight blade and some decent ammo!

**TacoMalo** · 03-29-2008, 07:36 AM

Nice!

03-28-2008, 01:42 PM	#1
Polymerhead XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: MO, USA Posts: 1,276	Saiga Range Report - Target Pics Well, I took the day off and hit the range this morning. I took the Saiga and put her through a few paces. I started at 25 yards because I didn't know how she would shoot initially. I put up a silhouette, poked a hole in the center mass for an aiming point and went to firing. First shot was 1/2" low but dead on. It must have been a fluke because the next three 3 shot groups were about 1/2" low and 3" right. The groupings were pretty good though. I figured the elevation was about right, so I just tapped on the windage drum with a brass punch and a hammer. Went too far in one direction and flipped the gun over and tapped back, slower this time until I figured I was just about right. Shot three more 3 shot groups, and everything appeared on target. I moved a couple benches over to the 50 yard slots and got out another silhouette. I had two 3 inch Caldwell Orange Peel targets left in my bag, so I put one on the face and one on the chest and hung it up. Went back to the bench, loaded 10 rounds and shot them slowfire with my range bag as a rest (forgot my rifle rest and my shooting bags both at home). After 10 rounds I got out my binoculars and everything looked really really good! Basically a 5" 10-shot group at 50 yards with a makeshift rest. I was really happy with that, so I loaded another 10 and shot slowfire at the head. After 10 shots, I had all 10 within about a 4" group! Considering the AK front sight blade covers the entire width of the Caldwell target at 50 yards, I think the gun performed very well! I ran groups through all my 30-round magazines and they all fed flawlessly. By the way, this was all wth Wolf 124 gr Military Classic ammo. Considering I can barely keep my 223 SAR-3 on a 9" paper plate at 50 yards, I was very happy with the Saiga's performance and accuracy today. It will be much better than the "minute of torso" that I was expecting at 100 yards. I look forward to gettting better and faster with it. I'm pretty well set to build another as soon as I can get ahold of one. __________________ No alarms and no surprises, please.

03-28-2008, 04:26 PM	#3
Bearcreek XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 692	What caliber may I ask? I have a Saiga-12 and when I read your thread title, I was anticipating a ragged shred of paper to look at-- nice shooting!! __________________ Enter my home with peace in your heart- or leave with lead in your @$$!!--unknown but I like it.

03-28-2008, 06:17 PM	#4
Polymerhead XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: MO, USA Posts: 1,276	7.62x39mm, pistol grip conversion. __________________ No alarms and no surprises, please.

03-28-2008, 06:29 PM	#5
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,169	Very nice....did you do the conversion yourself or have a 'smith do it? The reason I ask is that I've been considering getting a 7.62 Saiga and doing that very thing--it's about as close to an "authentic" Russian AK as I think I'll be able to get. __________________ The AK-47: Designed to be field-stripped and used effectively by a half-drunk, half-frozen illiterate conscript who found it buried in Mother Russia's mud after last year's Regiment exercises. SOP: retrieve from ground, pee in action, cycle bolt, go back to work. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. --Martin Luther

03-28-2008, 07:21 PM	#6
Polymerhead XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: MO, USA Posts: 1,276	Thanks, I did it myself. I didn't change the forend at all, and I haven't threaded the barrel but it runs like a champ and it's a real Russian AK. __________________ No alarms and no surprises, please.

03-28-2008, 03:53 PM	#2
magnumize XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: ky Posts: 2,121	Zombies dont stand a chance.Good shooting.

03-29-2008, 04:55 AM	#8
einheit 13 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Virginia, C.S.A. Posts: 5,368	Looks good. One thing I strongly advise if you want to get tighter groups with the basic AK iron sites...make a thinner front post or use ACE's AR post adapter. And remember, after you break in the gun (200rds or so) clean it really good and get some 'top shelf' ammo and try it again-I guarantee the groups will be cut in half if not more! Great report! __________________ Wer nicht zweifeln kann, ist ein dummer mann! (He who cannot doubt, is a stupid man!) “It is the lack of will power, and not the lack of arms which render us incapable of offering any serious resistance.”

03-29-2008, 07:36 AM	#10
TacoMalo XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,268	Nice! __________________ "... My 350 dollar gun can save a life. Her 350 dollar Coach bag could get us killed." - Lazarus *Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas*

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