7.62 or .223?

dogpoopguyman

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Looking to get into a firearm with a little more stopping power than my current .22 and wondering if 7.62 (cz-858 or sks maybe) or a .223 (ruger mini 14) is better. Looking to bulk up with several thousand rounds so ammo charge is a consideration but wanting to get into something a bit tactical, non restricted, semi-auto...anyhow any thoughts are appreciated.

Thank you kindly,
Dpgm
 
The 7.62x39 cartridge is a legal deer round in most jurisdictions; .223 is not. But, when you say 7.62, do you mean the little one for the SKS, et al, or the 7.62x51 which is equivalent to a .308?

For my cheapskate instincts, get a couple of cheap Russian SKS rifles and a couple of spam cans of 7.62x39 ammo. Your fingers will go numb before you get to the bottom of the cans. A whole lot better shooting fun than a Ruger Mini 14 at many more times the cost per round.
 
As far as cost, 7.62 can't be beat.

I've been looking at the Ruger myself, it's real purdy dressed in a Promag stock, but the 858 dresses up nice too. I'd probably go with the Ruger, no wait, the 858, umm....

If you don't already have an SKS, that's a good place to start. Why don't you have an SKS yet?

Glad I could help :runaway:
 
I appreciate the thoughts gents, didn't know 7.62 equated to more than one caliber, the 858 is a rifle I'm familiar with, is it possible to dress the 858 up tactically? I have seen lots of stock ones but not too many with nice scopes or lights or other fun tactical stuff...should I be concerned abot the crates of ammo drying up on the .7.62 I heard that we are burning through chzek reserves? Will the cheap crates be around in 5-10 years
 
Also when u get an sks or 858 are these used guns or military issues that never got issued? Any recommendation on where to look for the sks?
 
Get one of each. Top rifle is a CZ858 in 7.62 and the bottom rifle shoots .223.
665161_10152226436915300_1837488841_o.jpg
 
Both of these are non-restricted? Also are these yours - looking for clearer ideas of process in buying stock 858 and making it look more tacticool
 
I'm not a fan of the mini-14 (mine was so poor in the accuracy department I had to get rid of it) so I would go with the CZ.
The mini-14 is also available in 7.62x39 and is called the mini-30.
If you are worried about ammo reserves drying up just buy 10 cases of surplus. 7.62x39 will keep for 100 years in those crates if you don't break the seal on the spam cans.
The CZ is more fun in my opinion and the aftermarket goodies are easier to find and cheaper.
As was said earlier if hunting is a consideration in your future you can hunt with 7.62x39 but most provinces won't let you hunt with .223 (5.56x45).
For the price of a mini-14 you can buy a used CZ and a couple cases of ammo or a case of ammo and a new stock which is also a big plus.
Good luck
 
You could always get a mini-30!

I miss my CZ-858, I regret selling it. I didn't like the length of the non-restricted barrel but it is one hell of a rifle and a good shooter.

I shot mine hard and got the front handguard smoking once and still every shot hit the clay pigeons I put up on the berm 100m away. That was with irons and an aimpoint. You will likely really enjoy the CZ unless you are a body type that doesn't work with the rifle. My wife found the CZ uncomfortable to shoot.

Just so you know, off the top of my head:

7.62x25
7.62x39
7.62x45
7.62x51
7.62x54R
7.62x63

There are more I missed/forgot!
 
It will depend on what you want to do with the firearm, if your just plinking and want dirt cheap ammo a 7.62x39 in an SKS is tough to beat. A little more expensive if you want to shoot soft point ammo for hunting though, if varmints are in your sights then a nice 223 will work well. Or get both a 7.62 and a 223.
 
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