Anyone here who can school me on VEPRs?

[tartanphantom]

I'm quite intrigued by these rifles, particularly since they are available in 7.62x54R (among other calibers). Looking for some general info, do's & don'ts, and any other advice you can give.. especially if you own or have shot the 54R version.

 

All replies appreciated-- fire away.

[ironsniper1]

only thing i know is that from what ive seen the 54r version costs more than the other

[tartanphantom]

Wow, No VEPR love around here?

I know they're Commie guns but hey, surely somebody here must have experience with 'em...

 

The sound of crickets chirping is deafening.

[Romad7]

Have you checked the Saiga-12 forum? There's a ton of info on all things Saiga and Vepr there.

[gjohnsoniv]

I think they're pretty well the cream of the crop. Maybe a specific question would be better?

[whitewolf001]

Mags for 54R and .308 are supposed hard to come by.

[tartanphantom]

Well, I've heard that they're pretty rough on brass, but since I'd be shooting primarily steel-cased milsurp ammo, this doesn't really concern me that much. I'm wondering if they are as drag-thru-mud/sand/snow/dirt reliable as most AK's. Also wondering what kind of accuracy are we talking about with the shorter barrel models (under 20"). And last, what percentage of the platform is AK-compatible parts-wise.

[Magiccarpetrides]

the newest VEPRs use a standard square butt receiver as opposed to the slant RPK which I believe would be less robust, but gives you many more stock options.  I have a 20" 7.62x39 and its so beautiful with its wooden stock I can't bring myself to modify it.  Check out Military Arms Channel on youtube for a good review of the 7.62x54r

 

Im keeping my VEPR stock and modding out my norinco just cause the VEPR is too nice to bubba.

[RED333]

Got ya some reading to do.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/forum/157-vepr-rifles/

[tartanphantom]

Got ya some reading to do.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/forum/157-vepr-rifles/

 

Very nice. Thanks much for your help!

[austin7.62]

I bet you would get PSL like results from one in x54R. 2 moa...that's my guess.

[tartanphantom]

Yeah, I'm wondering if I should pursue the x54R or just go with the standard 5.45-- It would mean starting yet another ammo pile, but the 5.45 milsurp stuff is still damn cheap-- cheaper even than x54R. I can put my hands on a 5.45 VEPR (several, actually) within a 5 minute drive from my house.

Edited May 8, 2013 by tartanphantom

[austin7.62]

If you're going 5.45, you might should just hold out for an Arsenal SGL-31 :) you won't be sorry!

[atlas3025]

I don't own a VEPR, but I shot a friend's recently.  He had the 16" 7.62X54r version.

 

These were my thoughts...

 

"####!  This thing is loud and kicks like a mule.  It would really benefit from a muzzle brake, but that would make it even louder."  I believe the barrel is threaded, but has a cap welded over the threads that has to be removed somehow.

 

"####!  Every shot is well off to the right.  He needs to adjust his sights, oh wait...they aren't adjustable".  It does have the scope rail on the receiver though, so he needs to put some sort of ret dot or something on it since it appears the iron's are fixed.

 

"####!  This thing is all over the place on the target!"  I couldn't get it to group, or even pattern at 100 yards.  However since it was open sights that were way off, AND we were using russian ammo, that may not be because of the gun itself.  I would like to try it again with a magnified scope and quality ammo to see what kind of groups it can lay down.  I don't expect it to drive tacks, but hope it is a 2 MOA gun.

 

"DAMN!  This thing has really nice furnature, and I really like the idea of a semi-auto 7.62 x 54r!" 

 

I wouldn't mind picking one up some time and putting a good brake and RDS or 4x scope on it.  I would want it in the 54r caliber just because that can still be shot for pretty cheap, and it is a potent cartridge. 

Edited May 8, 2013 by atlas3025

[Smith]

Don't waste a Vepr on the 5.45. The Vepr uses an RPK heavy receiver with a heavy barrel and is much better suited for the heavier calibers. You will be wasting all of it's great benefits on the 5.45. The Vepr is the nicest most well built AK ever made by any company.

[tacturtle]

I will argue that Veprs are the best AK variant rifles, it is really not a fair comparison since they are built off a Russian RPK (light machine gun reciever) I suspect people that claim Arsenal have never actually handled or shot a Vepr.  I have a Robinson Arms imported Vepr in .223.  Very Accurate !  It is a very well built and heavy rifle. Only issue could be the availability of magazines.