AK47 7.62 or 5.56?

[StormShadow]

Which caliber should I get? Would just like to plunk around maybe shoot a hog or coyote with it. I'm not familiar with either of these calibers.

[slick-svt]

SKS or AK-47 762.39 is pretty cheap, I has a paratrooper SKS 16 inch barrel and it shot good, but I love my ROCK RIVER AR-15 is zeroed at 200yards and shoots good.
http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/hitman_diaries_001.jpg (http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21284)

[03stx]

You can't get much cheaper for ammo than 5.56/.223 rem.

[L8 APEX]

All AK's and Chinese copy SKS rifles are 7.62x39mm. That round hits a LOT harder than a 5.56mm. That is why the Marines and Army feel so underpowered on the front lines. THe AK fire is much more lethal on the battlefield than the American 5.56. The 7.62 is a 30 caliber slug and the 5.56 is a .22 caliber slug. The 7.62 ammo is also rediculously cheap. The issue is that most copy SKS rifles have feeding/magazine issues. They are not as reliable as a black rifle. Now I would jump all over the chance to own a real AK47:bows .

[bluesvt]

7.62 is my vote. I just did a lot of reading and this is all over the net. You need a big round for the lil dogs and pigs.

[slick-svt]

7.62 is my vote. I just did a lot of reading and this is all over the net. You need a big round for the lil dogs and pigs.
I've had both calibers and I love the .223 but I shoot over 200 yards and mostly shoot rounds around 3800fps. A 762.39 in all would be the cheaper way to go, and with 125gr bullet it would have a lot of KE

[Moonshine]

5.56 is plenty for coyotes, but a bit light for hogs, although it can be acceptable with proper bullet selection. No question but what the 7.62 hits harder, but no question but what the 5.56 and the rifles chambered for it are far more accurate than the 7.62x39. If your shots will all be short range (call it under 150 yards) I'd say 7.62. If you want to do any distance shooting I'd go with the 5.56.

[slick-svt]

5.56 is plenty for coyotes, but a bit light for hogs, although it can be acceptable with proper bullet selection. No question but what the 7.62 hits harder, but no question but what the 5.56 and the rifles chambered for it are far more accurate than the 7.62x39. If your shots will all be short range (call it under 150 yards) I'd say 7.62. If you want to do any distance shooting I'd go with the 5.56.
Moonshine has some killer rifles and coyotes kills

[wesman]

Which caliber should I get? Would just like to plunk around maybe shoot a hog or coyote with it. I'm not familiar with either of these calibers.

I thought you had a AR-15?? It uses 5.56 round....aka .223

Also, I didn't know the AK47 fired the 5.56, I know it uses the 7.62 :tu:

[bluesvt]

I thought you had a AR-15?? It uses 5.56 round....aka .223

Also, I didn't know the AK47 fired the 5.56, I know it uses the 7.62 :tu:

I shot an AK that fired the 5.56. As for hogs you can take one down with a .22. I need to find the site but a guy has himself shooting one with a .22 but not suggested unless you are one bad a$$ shot.

[Ivanhoe_Farms]

5.56 is plenty for coyotes, but a bit light for hogs, although it can be acceptable with proper bullet selection. No question but what the 7.62 hits harder, but no question but what the 5.56 and the rifles chambered for it are far more accurate than the 7.62x39. If your shots will all be short range (call it under 150 yards) I'd say 7.62. If you want to do any distance shooting I'd go with the 5.56.

As usual, I agree with everthing that Moonshine said. You need to factor in as well that there will be NO MORE 7.62X39 imported into the US, so the cost of shooting an AK or SKS is going to go up significantly. The SKS and AKs will shoot approximately 4 inches at 100 yards whereas a good .223 will shoot sub 1 inch. As an owner of all of the rifles in question, to me it is hands down an AR-15.:tu:

There are AKs, AK-74 which shoot a Russian 5.56 cartridge, and this in no way should be confused with .223. There was a very small number of AK-47s imported in the US .223.

[wesman]

I shot an AK that fired the 5.56. As for hogs you can take one down with a .22. I need to find the site but a guy has himself shooting one with a .22 but not suggested unless you are one bad a$$ shot.

You likely fired a wanna be AK47 if it was shotting 5.56, that or it was modified.

--wes

[slick-svt]

I shot an AK that fired the 5.56. As for hogs you can take one down with a .22. I need to find the site but a guy has himself shooting one with a .22 but not suggested unless you are one bad a$$ shot.
On the Gamo air rifle site they shot a hog with a 177 air rifle. Pretty cool

[my2002lightning]

My understanding of all of this is that the actual AK-47 is a select fire weapon - full-auto and semi-auto fire. The MAK-90 is the Modified AK in 1990 that cannot / should not :cool: be made to go full-auto. Civilians can only buy the MAK-90, not the AK-47.

Regarding calibers, the AK-47, MAK-90 and SKS are all 7.62x39 - import or domestic ammo. Both are still available from what I can tell after a little quick research this evening, I've been out of all this for a while, but getting back in - http://www.impactguns.com/store/645611762321.html

I don't have a date on this particular quote: http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/762x39_ammo.html

The AK-74 (5.45x49) is evidently the Russian rival of the M-16 (5.56x45 NATO round). The AK-47 and AK-74 may look the same, but shoot different rounds and have very different down-range capabilities. Just like the AR-15 and the AR-10 - 5.56x45 and 7.62x51 ammo, respectively.

Keep in mind that just because you see a caliber stated that the two are the same. You can have a .30-30 round, .300 Win. Mag or a .300 Weatherby - it's only the caliber bbl. in which they are passed. The bullet gr. weight / shape characteristics, twist rates, case size and amt. of powder behind the round are significantly different make a big difference!

I've been reading "rumors" that the reason all the cheap foreign 7.62x39 suppliers ammo is going to Iraq. Go figure.:cool:

Even the S&B (Czech) 7.62x39 ball ammo has almost doubled in price. :hammer:

Ronald

[StormShadow]

I already have an AR15 but I found a gun store that has Romanian Ak47's new in the box for $399. They said they have both calibers. I was reading on AK47.net that there are actually 3 calibers. 7.62, 5.45, and 5.56. Boxes of ammo for the 7.62 was about $4 for a box of Wolf brand, 20 rounds. I'll probably go with the 7.62 I was just wondering what that converted to. 5.56 is supposed to be comprable to the .223 so I'm not sure what the 7.62 would compare to.

[slick-svt]

I already have an AR15 but I found a gun store that has Romanian Ak47's new in the box for $399. They said they have both calibers. I was reading on AK47.net that there are actually 3 calibers. 7.62, 5.45, and 5.56. Boxes of ammo for the 7.62 was about $4 for a box of Wolf brand, 20 rounds. I'll probably go with the 7.62 I was just wondering what that converted to. 5.56 is supposed to be comprable to the .223 so I'm not sure what the 7.62 would compare to.
I have seen Romanian ones at the gun show for 199 that is usually a good place to pick up up at. You can also get the ammo at CTD (cheaper than dirt) used to be 1000 rounds was about 89 to 99 bucks

[Ivanhoe_Farms]

I already have an AR15 but I found a gun store that has Romanian Ak47's new in the box for $399. They said they have both calibers. I was reading on AK47.net that there are actually 3 calibers. 7.62, 5.45, and 5.56. Boxes of ammo for the 7.62 was about $4 for a box of Wolf brand, 20 rounds. I'll probably go with the 7.62 I was just wondering what that converted to. 5.56 is supposed to be comprable to the .223 so I'm not sure what the 7.62 would compare to.

Well, congress is at it again:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-1022

THEY JUST DON'T GET IT!!

[L8 APEX]

That has to be an SKS they are $125-175 at the gun shows, there is a show in Ft Worth this weekend. They are cheap and are not that reliable.

[slick-svt]

That has to be an SKS they are $125-175 at the gun shows, there is a show in Ft Worth this weekend. They are cheap and are not that reliable.
Yep your right it was,if you go the ft worth gun show make sure you drive you L and get a free hand carved lightning bolt. Hey we look like migets.
http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_04751.JPG (http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21286)

[dboat]

Well, congress is at it again:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-1022

THEY JUST DON'T GET IT!!


At least it hasnt passed yet.. only been introduced..
Dana

[StormShadow]

I ended up getting the 7.62x39

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[TXLIGHTNING]

Nice man :tu:.

[slick-svt]

Hows it shoot? I like the AR but thats just me, I've had them both.

[03LightningRocks]

At least it hasnt passed yet.. only been introduced..
Dana


Not yet, but I am betting the sum bitches will pass it. Time to start stocking up on weapons on that list. Last time they passed that bill, I sold my preban AR15 with bayonette lug to a guy for 2400 bucks. I had paid 600 for it.

That's cool Adam. I haven't gotten down there yet. But it is on my list of crap to do. I got your message. I'll give ya a call back in the next couple days. Having some "issues" on my end.

[L8 APEX]

Time to start chanting "derka derka, mohammad jihad!" and firing at the infidels or something;). The 7.62x39 is a shortend up Rem 308 at almost three times the bullet weight of a 223 it packs a hell of a punch.
With all of these damn publicized shootings on the news they'll be going door to door for guns soon. Although seeing how they finally allowed handguns in DC maybe they are getting the idea. Funny how they can't figure out if they outlaw guns only outlaws will have them. I think all college RA's should be trained and armed. VT shooting would be at 1-2 casualties instead of 30... All of the peaceful law abiding citizens are getting killed in these shootings. Sometimes you can't wait for the police to come save you. I at least want a fighting chance to save my own ass if I have to.

[dboat]

Time to start chanting "derka derka, mohammad jihad!" and firing at the infidels or something;). The 7.62x39 is a shortend up Rem 308 at almost three times the bullet weight of a 223 it packs a hell of a punch.
With all of these damn publicized shootings on the news they'll be going door to door for guns soon. Although seeing how they finally allowed handguns in DC maybe they are getting the idea. Funny how they can't figure out if they outlaw guns only outlaws will have them. I think all college RA's should be trained and armed. VT shooting would be at 1-2 casualties instead of 30... All of the peaceful law abiding citizens are getting killed in these shootings. Sometimes you can't wait for the police to come save you. I at least want a fighting chance to save my own ass if I have to.


Amen Brother!!:bows

[StormShadow]

That's cool Adam. I haven't gotten down there yet. But it is on my list of crap to do. I got your message. I'll give ya a call back in the next couple days. Having some "issues" on my end.

That's cool man hope everything's ok. Give me a call before you head to GP because I found another place with better quality AK's for the same price.

[03LightningRocks]

That's cool man hope everything's ok. Give me a call before you head to GP because I found another place with better quality AK's for the same price.

Thanks Adam. Everything will be fine. Somehow things always work out. I'll get my sh!t together. You have me intrigued about the better quality weapons. Mondays tend to be a bitch for me, but I will try to call Monday or Tuesday. :beer:

[L8 APEX]

Ya'll have to quit calling these rifles AK's, please! They are obviously some SKS Ching Chang knock offs don't tarnish the great image that is the AK. A real AK costs more than an AR15.

[StormShadow]

it's a Romanian AK. Look it up on ar15.net biatch.

[L8 APEX]

That is a bastardization of the breed. Every pisshole in Europe is exporting cheap stamped and rivited together parts guns to the US. Parts guns meaning they are assembled from parts bins, none of the parts are fitted to the corresponding parts. Some turn out better than others. The Romainians have a better rep in the business than Yugo, and the Chinese. Blah!
http://www.ak-47.us/pic/AK47_Europe.jpg
Did you get your free coffee cup with purchase?
http://jitcrunch.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazowX0YuanBnfGx vYWQ9TDAsaHR0cDovL2ltYWdlcy5jYWZlcHJlc3MuY29tL2ltY WdlLzE1MjI1MjAyXzQwMHg0MDAuanBnfHxzY2FsZT1MMCw0NjE sMjg4LFdoaXRlfGZpbGw9TDBfbXIsMCwwLDc5OCwyODgsLTE2N zc3MjE2LFNvbGlkLDEsV2hpdGV8Y29tcG9zZT1MMF9tcixMMCx BZGQsMCwwfGNwPUwwLEwwX21yfG11Zz1ibGFuayxMMCxBZGQsM TA5LDEwMCwxNTMsNDB8Y3A9cmVzdWx0LGJsYW5rfHNjYWxlPXJ lc3VsdCwwLDQ4MCxXaGl0ZXxjb21wcmVzc2lvbj05NXw=

[03LightningRocks]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-47

[my2002lightning]

I would have to agree with Terry on nomenclature, here. My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong here Brian, Milton, Terry, et al.) is that these aren't true "AK"s, but MAK-90s. Evidently, there was legislation passed in 1990 requiring thumb-hole stocks and no bayonet lugs. Looks like they lifted the thumb-hole / pistol grip restriction, recently.

A true AK-47 is select fire - Safe, Semi-Auto and Full-Auto. The MAK-90 (Modified AK in 1990), which is available to civilians without the Class III license in Safe and Semi-Auto.

IMHO, the Israeli-made Galil takes the best features of the AR and AK and incorporates them into one platform - with .223 and .308 offerings.
If a domestic make is wanted, Ruger, Springfield, Armalite, Rock River Arms and others make fine firearms in these chamberings.

Yes, calling these rifles an "AK" is actually incorrect. They're neutered, essentially, with regards to full-auto capabilities.

G6BpI3xD6h0 (http://www.talonclub.com/forum/%5Byoutube%5DG6BpI3xD6h0%5B%5Cyoutube%5D)



Ya'll have to quit calling these rifles AK's, please! They are obviously some SKS Ching Chang knock offs don't tarnish the great image that is the AK. A real AK costs more than an AR15.

[03LightningRocks]

AK is the correct designation. A MAK 90 is the thumbhole variant manufactured to get around the 1990 weapons ban. This is NOT the same weapon. An SKS is also NOT the same weapon.


http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/mak90.html

[03LightningRocks]

Oh, and from Terrys' post, I got the impression he was making a point of the Quality not being the same. Which is also up for debate.

[L8 APEX]

Here is a link on the SKS. I guess you can call the shorter rifles AK's even though they come from cheap knock off plants in impoverished countries. I thought the original AK's were of higher quality especially the milled billet receiver guns. I never thought much of the stamped and rivited units. We have had 3-4 SKS $150 dollar gun show rifles through the years and none have been very accurate or reliable. Lending to my poor opinion of the copy parts guns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKS

[03LightningRocks]

Here is a link on the SKS. I guess you can call the shorter rifles AK's even though they come from cheap knock off plants in impoverished countries. I thought the original AK's were of higher quality especially the milled billet receiver guns. I never thought much of the stamped and rivited units. We have had 3-4 SKS $150 dollar gun show rifles through the years and none have been very accurate or reliable. Lending to my poor opinion of the copy parts guns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKS

I own two SKS rifles. Both are from China. I did own one AK47. Sold it...sort of. The SKS looked nothing like the AK. They did all fire the same ammo. The sks has a ten round(non-detachable clip).

Yes, the SKS is one cheap arse weapon. I paid about 125 bucks each for them about ten or fifteen years ago. Now they are 150??? Not much value appreciation there.

The MAK 90 is actually better quality than the AK....supposedly. The SKS is about as big a POS as the AK. None of them have ever been known for "quality" fire arms. They are just dependable and cheap to manufacture. All have very sloppy tolerances and none are known for accuracy.

;)

[StormShadow]

I read where Cabellas has some never fired SKS's on the shelf for $150.

[Beaudee]

What assault rifle uses the 7.62X59MM.I think its the Russian.AK???Its the one that makes a distinctive sound when fired @ you.I have an chinenese SKS 7.62X39 and was using them chinnese full metal jacket rounds and was piercing 1/2" plate with em.I have a hell fire trigger gadget for it but never installed it and dont know how to.Anyone ever shot a weapon with the hell fire??someone set me straight what weapon uses the 7.62X59MM round??

[BC Lightning]

What assault rifle uses the 7.62X59MM.I think its the Russian.AK???Its the one that makes a distinctive sound when fired @ you.I have an chinenese SKS 7.62X39 and was using them chinnese full metal jacket rounds and was piercing 1/2" plate with em.I have a hell fire trigger gadget for it but never installed it and dont know how to.Anyone ever shot a weapon with the hell fire??someone set me straight what weapon uses the 7.62X59MM round??

I believe it is Russian

[slick-svt]

One thing that I have learned about SKS rifles is that the pin barrel is not that accurate, I had a threaded barrel paratrooper model and it would shoot good to about 200 yards after that your on your own.

[my2002lightning]

No such 7.62x59 round in existence that I am aware.

7.62x39 - AK/MAK-90/SKS/rd.
7.62x51 - 7.62 NATO (.308)
7.62x54 - Russian Dragunov
7.62x63 - American Springfield .30-06 :bows



What assault rifle uses the 7.62X59MM.I think its the Russian.AK???Its the one that makes a distinctive sound when fired @ you.I have an chinenese SKS 7.62X39 and was using them chinnese full metal jacket rounds and was piercing 1/2" plate with em.I have a hell fire trigger gadget for it but never installed it and dont know how to.Anyone ever shot a weapon with the hell fire??someone set me straight what weapon uses the 7.62X59MM round??

[03LightningRocks]

I believe it is Russian

I hadn't heard of it either Ronald. Did a google on it. I came up with the 30-06. Looks like some are saying it is the NATO designation for the 30-06. Hmmmm...I learn something new everyday...:D .


http://sg.answers.yahoo.com/rss/question?qid=20070331122947AA5faRu

[03LightningRocks]

SNIP...........Its the one that makes a distinctive sound when fired @ you............SNIP


Not that I have a great deal of experience getting shot at, but I am willing to bet money on it that just about any gun sounds distinctive when being fired at you....:cool: .

[my2002lightning]

From experience, a .30-06 has a "boom", the 7.62x39 has less of an actual "boom" and the 5.56x45 has a "crack" in their reports - very distinctive.

I understand that SEALS in 'Nam would intentionally go armed with captured AKs, so that Charlie wouldn't know that SEALS were in the area due to the distinctive reports between the AKs and ARs.

It's sort of like how Lightnings, Corvettes, Vipers, Mustangs, Camaros, etc. all have distinctive exhaust notes.



Not that I have a great deal of experience getting shot at, but I am willing to bet money on it that just about any gun sounds distinctive when being fired at you....:cool: .

[Beaudee]

No such 7.62x59 round in existence that I am aware.

7.62x39 - AK/MAK-90/SKS/rd.
7.62x51 - 7.62 NATO (.308)
7.62x54 - Russian Dragunov
7.62x63 - American Springfield .30-06 :bows

I guess i was thinking of the 51 nato round.Is there an ak47 that fires that round?I know its a fity something??

[my2002lightning]

The AK-47s only run 7.62x39, AK-74 is 5.45x39.

No "50" that I am aware in that neighborhood - besides the .50 BMG (12.9x99). :tu:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ab/Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg/300px-Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg

From left: .50 BMG, 300 Win Mag, .308 Winchester, 7.62 Soviet, 5.56 NATO, .22LR



I guess i was thinking of the 51 nato round.Is there an ak47 that fires that round?I know its a fity something??