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5.45x39 rifles and ammo?

tr fox
I have been noticing that mil-surp 5.45x39 ammo is some of the cheapest ammo around. Plus, the rifles that shoot that caliber aren't very expensive. Is there some reason people like me shouldn't buy up a lot of that cheap ammo and a rifle or two and be able to go out and do some cheap shooting?

If so, I would greatly appreciate any advice on what guns and ammo to look for or to avoid.

Thanks in advance.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • ammo guy
    The Polish Tantal is a good gun for the money. 30 rd Mag's are in the $12-14.00 range. The ammo is close to the .223 in ballistics. I think the ammo is the current bargain of the day. I would get a gun, several extra mag's and 3-4 cans of the ammo and have fun. Keep in mind the surplus is corrosive primed so clean the gun.
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  • rufe-snow
    It's been the Russian military cartridge since the 70's/80's. Your pretty much limited to the various semiauto versions of the AK 47/74. The only bolt action chambered for it, (that I'm aware of), were some imported in the 90's that were used by East Germany as running deer rifles.
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  • drobs
    That ammo is getting more expensive. If I were you I would buy all you can as soon as possible then get a rifle.

    You want to find yourself an Interarms Polish Tantal if you go that route. The Interarms rifle used the original chrome lined Polish barrel with the correct twist rate.

    The majority of the Tantals sold by Century Arms Intl. keyhole with surplus 5.45. I did read recently that Century changed the twist rate on their Tantal US made barrel to support surplus ammo. I'd need to do some more research on them before I considered a Century.

    I believe K-var is selling a 5.45 Saiga (pistol grip w/ std dbl stack mag config) , that would be the way I would go.

    You could also do an AR in 5.45 but you'd really need to be even more concientous of cleaning it as the majority of surplus 5.45 is corrosive.
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  • quickmajik
    There are also AR-15 conversions, but for this round at its most economical an ak would be better.
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  • D@D
    I have a WASR-2 and about 4k of the surplus 52gr fmj and another 6-700rds of wolf 60gr fmj. It shoots both pretty good but I do notice more keyholing with the 60gr ammo. At a 120.00 per 1000rds I'm planning on getting up to the 10k range and then work on more mags. Only downside is no drums are available[:p] but you could always get a couple 45rd mags instead.

    Edit: I am planning on getting one of the Saiga's in 5.45x39.
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  • gary wray
    tr fox.......short answer, no. Great little round and fun to shoot. I have a Rom AK/74 I got years ago with a variety of different mag sizes and love to take it out and let 'er rip. I have never had trouble with my Rom and several of my friends have Polish Tantal's (with the chrome barrels) and they are fine also. As has been mentioned, just assume the milsurp stuff is corrosive so cleaning is a must.
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