Reloading Saiga .308

Stats Shooter · September 2, 2016, 11:54 PM

So after extensive testing, have found a 1.5 moa load for my 16" saiga.308. For those who do not know, the saiga .308 has a 1:12 twist on the 16" barrel.
I am able to get 1.5 moa from 2 bullets. The first is the Winchester BTFMJ 147 grain. And The 155 grain BTFMJ.

Both projectiles have cannalures which I crimp to and using 42.5 grains Benchmark Powder on the 147 grain bullet and 41.75 grains on the 155 grain projectile. There will be an occasional 2-3" flier but 1.5 moa at 100 yards out of a Russian made ak is acceptable. I used federal brass and CCI 200 primers.

I have tried bullets up to 170 grains and while I can get some so-so groups pushing the bullets as far into the lands as the magazine allows, if you stay between 145 and 155 grain bullets, the saiga isn't that hard to reload for and will be fairly forgiving.

The saiga will never be a 500 yard match rifle but it will work fine as a hog slayer with the right load.

Jimro · September 3, 2016, 02:19 AM

1.5 MOA is about right for a Saiga. I was able to get a little better using 168gr match bullets. My Saiga has one of the longer barrels (21.8" I think) so I tarted it up with an SVD style thumbhole stock.

I agree it will never be a 500 yard match rifle, but I wouldn't hesitate to load mine up with some soft point spitzers for hunting duty.

Jimro

September 2, 2016, 11:54 PM	#1
Stats Shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2016 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,636	Reloading Saiga .308 So after extensive testing, have found a 1.5 moa load for my 16" saiga.308. For those who do not know, the saiga .308 has a 1:12 twist on the 16" barrel. I am able to get 1.5 moa from 2 bullets. The first is the Winchester BTFMJ 147 grain. And The 155 grain BTFMJ. Both projectiles have cannalures which I crimp to and using 42.5 grains Benchmark Powder on the 147 grain bullet and 41.75 grains on the 155 grain projectile. There will be an occasional 2-3" flier but 1.5 moa at 100 yards out of a Russian made ak is acceptable. I used federal brass and CCI 200 primers. I have tried bullets up to 170 grains and while I can get some so-so groups pushing the bullets as far into the lands as the magazine allows, if you stay between 145 and 155 grain bullets, the saiga isn't that hard to reload for and will be fairly forgiving. The saiga will never be a 500 yard match rifle but it will work fine as a hog slayer with the right load.

September 3, 2016, 02:19 AM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	1.5 MOA is about right for a Saiga. I was able to get a little better using 168gr match bullets. My Saiga has one of the longer barrels (21.8" I think) so I tarted it up with an SVD style thumbhole stock. I agree it will never be a 500 yard match rifle, but I wouldn't hesitate to load mine up with some soft point spitzers for hunting duty. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.