Worth getting an AK re-barrelled?

[Mikaveli]

I have a Saiga AK in .223 that shoots 3 MOA on a good day...

I was originally told by several sources they should shoot 1.5 MOA, but after trying different weights and makes of ammo, no joy. Lighter bullets make matters worse...

Is a re-barrel likely to improve things? (Non-chrome lined, different twist, tighter chamber etc.)

Now - another option is a new gun. Is anything in the AK world really going to get me sub 2 MOA off the shelf (ideally sub 1.5)?

What's the cost likely to be? If much more than half way towards a new replacement I may rethink. Is there anyone who even re-barrels AK based in the UK?

[Sixshot6]

I have a Saiga AK in .223 that shoots 3 MOA on a good day...

I was originally told by several sources they should shoot 1.5 MOA, but after trying different weights and makes of ammo, no joy. Lighter bullets make matters worse...

Is a re-barrel likely to improve things? (Non-chrome lined, different twist, tighter chamber etc.)

Now - another option is a new gun. Is anything in the AK world really going to get me sub 2 MOA off the shelf (ideally sub 1.5)?

What's the cost likely to be? If much more than half way towards a new replacement I may rethink. Is there anyone who even re-barrels AK based in the UK?

What scope are you using? Would it be better to use a scope that is calibrated for 223? You can get an AK mount that replaces the handguard and never comes off from here http://www.zahal.org/products/ak-auminu ... ent=218995

And then combine with a vortex pst 1-4x24 or a strike eagle depending on budget.

[BamBam]

What does the crown of the barrel look like?
What muzzle device is fitted?

[Mikaveli]

What does the crown of the barrel look like?
What muzzle device is fitted?

Basic - it's one where it has a birdcage-like flash hider as part of the end of the barrel (not threaded / pinned) and the crown is recessed into it.

I'll try and find a picture if that doesn't make sense?

[Mikaveli]

Like this.

Don't know if they can be re-crowned like that?

[BamBam]

No idea if they can be, but I'd say a new crown would be a cheaper option to explore before spending loads of money on a barrel or new rifle.

[saddler]

No idea if they can be, but I'd say a new crown would be a cheaper option to explore before spending loads of money on a barrel or new rifle.

Aye. Try a re-crown first.

As the gun is .223, it'd be also easy to re-barrel into .300 Blackout, or 6.8-223, or .17 Rem (Not the latter!)
Nice short 12.5" barrel & a sound moderator....Spetsnaz Special

[snayperskaya]

Chances are you won't find a new barrel in the UK (unless you get one custom made) and getting one fitted may be a problem as the barrels are pressed in and pinned once headspaced and getting the barrel into the front trunnion without the correct jig would be a pain.

The muzzle can be recrowned once the front sight block is removed, is it held with two pins or has it got "dimples", if it is dimpled it is harder to remove.There are loads of guides and "how to's" on the 'net on how to remove the front sight, recrown and fit a new sight block/muzzle brake etc.Once the front sight block has been removed and the muzzle recrowned I would personally fit either a standard AK front sight block and get the muzzle threaded (14mm LH thread) and fit a removeable muzzle brake or go with an AK-74 type FSB with the integral 24mm muzzle device thread and again fit a suitable removeable brake......that way you can keep the crown clean properly and free of carbon.

1.5 MOA is quite optimistic for a chrome lined AK......even a Saiga.These things are ultimately designed to be "minute of Man" accurate to around 300m, not amazing on paper targets but try one on a field-fire range like Sennybridge "F" range shooting at Fig11 targets and they are in their element so to speak........but I just noticed you have a BeLoMo POSP scope (made in Belarus) fitted.I have tried a few POSP scopes on my Dragunov and despite some being higher magnification none of them have been as accurate or consistent as the military issue Russian PSO-1 I have, don't know why but a fellow Dragunov owner in the States I know has found exactly the same thing.How does it shoot with just the iron sights?, have they (and the scope) been zeroed correctly?.....not to say you have but I have seen people struggle to properly zero POSP and PSO scopes.If you look at pics of the Russian military with optics on AK variants they tend to be either low magnification (1.bowl - 3x) or red dot types like the Kobra, which are adequate for the AKs typical engagement range.....if they need more range that's what the Dragunov and SV-98 etc are for.

Personally I'd just enjoy it as is and shoot the hell out of it.....or buy one in 7.62x39 and do the same!.My 7.62x39 Romanian AKM is as "accurate" now as when I bought it 4 years ago despite many thousands of milsurp rounds through it and will drop Fig11s consistently out to 400m with ease if I do my bit (WelshShooter of this parish will vouch for that).

[Alpha1]

The first thing you need to do is get rid of that barrel clamp holding the bipod.

[Mikaveli]

Chances are you won't find a new barrel in the UK (unless you get one custom made) and getting one fitted may be a problem as the barrels are pressed in and pinned once headspaced and getting the barrel into the front trunnion without the correct jig would be a pain.

The muzzle can be recrowned once the front sight block is removed, is it held with two pins or has it got "dimples", if it is dimpled it is harder to remove.There are loads of guides and "how to's" on the 'net on how to remove the front sight, recrown and fit a new sight block/muzzle brake etc.Once the front sight block has been removed and the muzzle recrowned I would personally fit either a standard AK front sight block and get the muzzle threaded (14mm LH thread) and fit a removeable muzzle brake or go with an AK-74 type FSB with the integral 24mm muzzle device thread and again fit a suitable removeable brake......that way you can keep the crown clean properly and free of carbon.

Sorry - should have said, the pic is nor my rifle - just a Google job.

I'm fairly familiar with how AKs are made - but don't think I'm up to any home smithing. ...and a canted front sight would keep me awake at night!

A new FSB and a re-crown would be doable if I can find someone who knows what they're doing.