Know that the 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 are two very different cartridges and that the 5.45 is longer range and reduced recoil while the 7.62 carries an enormous punch on the target and a little more on the shoulder. I am going to try and find a saiga spotter rifle for conversion at my local gunshow and wanted your guys opinion before I bought one. This will be my first assault style rifle and I don't know wether I want a 7.62 or a 5.45 they both have ups and downs but I just wanted to hear some outside opinions
7.62x39 ammo and mags are easy to find. If you ever shot a .30-.30 Win - you shot an AK. My 16" 7.62x39 SAIGA "AKM" shoots like it uses guided missiles, easily the most accurate 7.62x39 gun I ever touched. All that said, unless you have some financial issues - look long and hard and find a Yugo M70AB1 or AB2 on the various market boards; fully evil already and nothing to do but add mags and ammo, no conversion parts needed, no "slant cut" MAK90 BS - just raw evil. Yugos are outstanding. 5.45x39 is like an AR for all practical purposes. The Russians learned in Czechnya that the 7.62x39 is STILL a worthy combat round. Cheap milsurp 5.45 ammo is vanishing FAST, commercial 5.45 ammo is expensive, and harder to find than 7.62x39, and the quality 5.45x39 mags are getting scarce even faster, and expensive when found. If you want an AR-like-shooting rifle that takes proprietary mags - just get a Mini-14 and the lifetime Ruger warranty. Or the sweet Century C93.
If you want it for target or varmint shooting get the 5.45. If you plain on using it for hunting big game get the 7.62. Don't worry about the availability or price of the 5.45 I get the silver bear 62gr HP for just about the same as .223.
In terms of terminal ballistics 5.45x39mm is superior in its wounding capabilities. Known as the "POISON BULLET"
5.45 is a superior BATTLE round, 7.62 would be better for hunting. Commercial ammo is affordable for both, I prefer 5.45.
I often joke with my buddy when deciding about what attachments and or accessories to chose from at any time. The joke is why decide, have a rifle for each set accessories you have and such! Would love to have such an option cause having to chose is difficult!...lol I want them ALL
Well....I know the AK family very well(including the its derivates) and I'm glad to give you some pieces of advice. As you already said, the 5.45x39 is faster and more accurate; the 7,62x39 is powerfull but might be hard-to-control, heavier and slower. When you have to choose your weapon of choice, you must take in consideration several factors: -The range(Where/at what range are you going to use it)?Both calibers can be used at relatively great ranges (350+ m), with the proper sights/optics.I would choose the 7,62. -Stopping power and penetration(How much and what kind of damage do you want to make?):The 5,45 can cause severe injures to the human body, it has not a relatively bad penetration level and the stopping power is quite good).The 7,62 is a beast, makes a relatively clean wound-but-greater hole in the target(It causes less damage to the body than the 5,45), but is has a higher penetration level(You can hit a target even if it hides behind a wall).The power of 7,62 knocks down almost anything.Again, I would choose the 7,62. -Carrying the ammo(What quantity of ammo are you able to carry/are you going to use?) With 5,45 you can carry more ammo. -Recoil:By default, the 5,45 has less recoil and it's easier to control it, but with a proper stock (recoil-controlling(collapsible))and a good muzzle-break, you can achieve a good level of handling control even with the 7,62. -Weapon size and lenght:A 7,62 rifle is slighty bigger,longer and heavier than the 5,45.Weight and lenght is not a problem for me.Again, I say 7,62. Conclusion: 7,62 is a universal caliber,it can be used in any situation. Personally, I suggest you some other members of the AK family: -Zastava M70-The Yugo AK and one of the best(Maybe the best) AK derivate ever made. -IMI Galil-Izraeli made.Nice rifle. -AK 101/102/105-Originaly, only 101 & 102 were made for export(chambered in 5,56x45).But now, as far as I know, event he AK 105 is available(chambered in 5,45x39...it is the direct successor of the legendary AK 74)
