what shell to cycle Saiga 12 reliably

mo84 · February 15, 2012, 11:36 PM

I was wondering what brand and OZ shells will cycle my dads new saiga 12 gage. We plan to take it to the throw your own skeet range where any size shot short of buck shot is acceptable. I am hoping 7 1/2 oz shells will be strong enough as they are the cheepest ones we can find, I think they are remington. I am not sure how picky these guns are so any advice would be great help. Thanks alot

Sphawley · February 16, 2012, 01:44 AM

Is this an unconverted rifle?

GroovyMike · February 16, 2012, 08:06 AM

Many Saiga 12s will not cycle low power shells when new. First open the gas system and look for the ports from teh barrel to the gas system stick the end of a paper clip through the holes to be sure they are OPEN. You should see 3 small holes. Then reassemble and shoot it. Don't worry if yours doesn't eject every shell. Crank the gas tube setting up on high and try again. If it still won't cycle it may just need to wear the friction points on the machined parts. Mine would only cycle buckshot and slugs until after about 500 shells. Now it feeds and ejects everything I put in it.

Technosavant · February 16, 2012, 10:03 AM

The bulk pack Remington and Federal should work fine. Don't use the Winchester value packs (seriously, DON'T). So long as it's not the reduced recoil stuff it should cycle an S12 with the gas valve set to the most open setting. Mine usually does without a problem.

Shot size doesn't really matter- whether 7.5, 8, or 9, so long as it's a full power charge it should cycle.

rjrivero · February 16, 2012, 10:06 AM

Cadiz Gunworks used to do the warranty work on the Saiga-12's. They would make sure it functioned with Federal Bulk to meet their warranty standards. That's the only birdshot I would use for what it's worth.

February 15, 2012, 11:36 PM	#1
mo84 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 257	what shell to cycle Saiga 12 reliably I was wondering what brand and OZ shells will cycle my dads new saiga 12 gage. We plan to take it to the throw your own skeet range where any size shot short of buck shot is acceptable. I am hoping 7 1/2 oz shells will be strong enough as they are the cheepest ones we can find, I think they are remington. I am not sure how picky these guns are so any advice would be great help. Thanks alot

February 16, 2012, 01:44 AM	#2
Sphawley Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	Is this an unconverted rifle? __________________ If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars make people drive drunk, and spoons made Rosie O' Donnell fat!

February 16, 2012, 08:06 AM	#3
GroovyMike Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 55	Many Saiga 12s will not cycle low power shells when new. First open the gas system and look for the ports from teh barrel to the gas system stick the end of a paper clip through the holes to be sure they are OPEN. You should see 3 small holes. Then reassemble and shoot it. Don't worry if yours doesn't eject every shell. Crank the gas tube setting up on high and try again. If it still won't cycle it may just need to wear the friction points on the machined parts. Mine would only cycle buckshot and slugs until after about 500 shells. Now it feeds and ejects everything I put in it.

February 16, 2012, 10:03 AM	#4
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	The bulk pack Remington and Federal should work fine. Don't use the Winchester value packs (seriously, DON'T). So long as it's not the reduced recoil stuff it should cycle an S12 with the gas valve set to the most open setting. Mine usually does without a problem. Shot size doesn't really matter- whether 7.5, 8, or 9, so long as it's a full power charge it should cycle.

February 16, 2012, 10:06 AM	#5
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	Cadiz Gunworks used to do the warranty work on the Saiga-12's. They would make sure it functioned with Federal Bulk to meet their warranty standards. That's the only birdshot I would use for what it's worth.