VEPR 7.62x54R Review

S

Sturmgewehre

New member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1aruqM7Py8

I recently picked up a VEPR chambered in 7.62x54R. I was immediately impressed by the quality of the rifle as compared to other AK's on the market. The thumb-hole stock is made of nicely finished wood and fits Western shooters very well as opposed to the rather ugly short stocks found on rifles like the PSL. The fit and finish is noticeably better than even the Arsenal SGL series of rifles.

Questions and comments are welcome.
 
I didn't because I didn't want to fire corrosive ammo though the gun. The original plan was to only use brass cased commercial ammo. But I've had enough questions that I'll go ahead and do another video and compare the various surplus loads available for it.
 
I can totally understand that though. I probably would want to run it through it either being as it is not cheap. I know nothing about the Ak style platforms so I would say just bust it down and clean it immediately following, but if they are a PITA to break down, then I'm with ya on the brass cased stuff. Any way I enjoy your vids alot, great work and keep em coming.
 
I've been looking at that rifle too. I would love to have a Tokarev SVT-40, but the cheapest I've ever seen one is $750 at a gun show recently, and I can get a brand new VEPR for $900, so why not?

Thanks for the review. They look like wonderful rifles. I love my Mosins, but a semi-auto in 7.62x54R would be nice.

My question is this: what do you know about availability of extra magazines at a reasonable price?
 
Have you noticed any degradation of your groups after heating the barrel up?


On the my Romanian PSL my groups open up considerably after heating the barrel up after firing a few rounds. I imagine the VEPR with it's shorter (possibly thicker) barrel wouldn't be as dramatic.


Do you know if the VEPR is good to go shooting heavy grain bullets?


I know on the PSL it is recommended that you only shoot light ball rounds in the 150 grain range, unless you swap out for a heavier main spring, otherwise the bolt is smacking the rear of the receiver instead of "kissing" it.
 
I didn't notice any opening up of the groups, but I didn't fire magazines back to back. At most I fired 10 rounds then walked down to the target.

I have a letter from the Molot factory that addresses the issue of shooting heavier loads in the VEPR. In short, they say it's fine.


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Translation:

To your letter XXXXXX allow me to respond that sturdiness of a gun is determined not by the weight of the bullet but by the maximum gas pressure that cartridge reaches inside the barrel. The maximum pressure level is set by the State Standard Agency and is checked by the State Standard test stations and laboratories.

Vepr's durability, strength and ability to perform is assured with the entire spectrum of ammunition in said caliber.

Deputy Director General/Chief Designer
Urzhumtsev
 
I'd have been jumping over that barbed wire fence to get your brass, LOL...

I'd love to get a close-up look at the inside of that receiver...
Whenever I say I'd like to modify one of my Mosin sporters to receive a DBM, everyone tells me you can't do it with the rimmed round...at which point I refer to the Vepr and the PSL...

I still wonder if it can be done.

Nice rifle. Definitely a battle-rifle contender, esp. if they introduce a high cap mag.
 
The maximum pressure level is set by the State Standard Agency and is checked by the State Standard test stations and laboratories.

Vepr's durability, strength and ability to perform is assured with the entire spectrum of ammunition in said caliber.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. I'm still not 100% convinced, as I don't know what their standards actually are but at least it shows that they took more than one loading into consideration.
I might have to get my grubby hands on a Super VEPR and try it out for myself.
 
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