.308 AK: Saiga or VEPR

Which .308 Kalashnikov?

  • VEPR .308

    Votes: 4 12.1%

  • VEPR II .308

    Votes: 9 27.3%

  • Saiga .308

    Votes: 15 45.5%

  • Tough choice, can't really say...

    Votes: 5 15.2%
  • Total voters
    33
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Nightcrawler

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I want a .308 AK something awful. The only two real choices out there are the Saiga and the VEPR, three if you count the VEPR II modified by Robinson. (Well, four if you count the Super VEPR, but I'm not dropping down $800...)

MOLOT J.S.C VEPR .308

I like the way this rifle looks, even with the thumbhole stock. I really like the front sight tower on this model. Robinson is the only importer, AFAIK, and I'm unsure if they have any of these models left, or if they've converted them all. They're built on RPK receivers and are reputed to be rock solid, with superior fit and finish. Robinson lists the price as $599.00 Big downside is that the 5 and 10 round mags are $40 a pop from Robinson.

Robinson Armament VEPR II .308

This is what Robinson has been doing to the VEPR .308s. The big advantage of this configuration is that I could legally get it converted (by Kreb's Custom) to take M14 or .308 Galil magazines, giving it extra capacity. And pre-ban, 12 round Galil mags can be had for cheaper than 10 round VEPR mags.

EAA/Izhmash Saiga .308

Costing less than either of the two above choices, the Saiga .308 is reputed to be reliable and as accurate as any AK can be. The magazines can be had over the net for $20 a piece, though they hold only eight rounds (rumor says they can be modified to hold ten without trouble). The big advantage to this rifle would be that, frankly, it costs less than the other two, by a good margin. Cheapest I've seen .308 VEPRs is from FAC, and they run $499 there. I can probably (though I'm not positive) snag a Saiga .308 for less than $400.

So, what do you think? Any tips from owners? Which one would you get? Why?
 
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I've shot a VEPR, a VEPR II, and a Saiga in .308. The VEPR's were somewhat more accurate at long range than the Saiga (we're talking 200 yard groups of approx. 4" for the VEPR's and about 7" for the Saiga), but that's not necessarily of concern... none of these rifles are designed or intended for use as tack-driving match rifles, are they? The Saiga was a little "rougher" in action and operation than the VEPR's. As a knock-around, do-anything type of weapon, I'd be quite happy with the Saiga's, especially with the longer barrel (I shot the minimum-length carbine barrel, and I would think that the longer 20" barrel would be simultaneously less noisy and more accurate). I've heard bad things about Robinson's customer service, from enough people that I'd be hesitant about sending them my hard-earned dollars.
 
I would have to go with the Vepr. The Saiga is a great gun, but if you get it with the regular stock you are going to spend more than the $100 difference converting it over to a pistol grip.

Plus the Veprs are accurate guns. I really like mine.

As for Robarms customer service, I've had a great experience in my few dealings with them. However there was that big hoopla between George and Alex Robinson. I'm staying the heck out of that one.
 
The Saiga is a great gun, but if you get it with the regular stock you are going to spend more than the $100 difference converting it over to a pistol grip.
Click to expand...

I don't consider the pistol grip necessary. I'd only do that if I were going to get it converted to take higher capacity mags (I believe with the Saigas they can only do Galil mags; M14 mags won't work), to get the proper US parts count.

(For some reason, they can't convert either of these rifles to take FAL magazines. GRRRR!)

Besdies, I already have my evil scary rifle with the big magazines; the FAL.

I daresay that I'm more partial to the way the original (non II) VEPR looks. But, I don't know if I'd be able to find one of those. In either case I'm sure the VEPR will have better fit and finish, though the Saiga is lighter.

On the other hand, if Correia's accounts are typical, then the VEPR will be more accurate, and I like that.

Hmm. How about this: A VEPR II 20" rifle and then a Saiga 16" carbine, as kind of a utilty rifle (I'm sure I'll think up a use for it)?

With the VEPR II, I'd almost HAVE to get it converted to take differnet mags. Hell, I can get 20rd M14 mags cheaper than the 10 round VEPR mags!

Hmm....
 
You know what I REALLY wish? That MOLOT would make a long action VEPR in .30-06. Izhmash makes the "Saiga 100" in .30-06 and .270, but it's limited to 4-round magazines. I'm talking a VEPR in .30-06 with 5 and 10 round detachable box magazines. Make it strong enough to handle all of the hot hunting loads and the 220 grain bullets.

There are plenty of .308 autoloaders out there, and far too few magazine fed .30-06 self-loaders.
 
Nightcrawler, why don't you just contact the folks at Krebs and ask them about the reliability of the M14 mag vs the Galil mag conversion. I've been corresponding with them a bit about their new AR style AK sight, (ordering one today) and they have been helpful and they respond within one day.

The Saiga is going to be lighter as well. The Vepr is a heavy gun. But like I said, I really enjoy mine.
 
Had both. My VEPR is nicer in every way than the Saiga (sold the Saiga).

Of course you can guess that from the price difference...
 
When you figure, you better figure in the $229 price I just paid at CDNN for the 16" saiga. With the PG and new stock I wont have much over $300 in it. I am not much interested in hi-cap 308 myself. I have my STG 58 for that. Almost got a Vepr last fall. Got a SA-M7 Classic instead. After seeing this Saiga I am glad I went this way. This is a solid looking RPK reciever. My .02.
 
The VEPR receivers are RPK receivers.

The Saiga receivers are NOT RPK receivers. They're a kind of a half step between a standard AK receiver and a true RPK receiver. If you look, you'll see that they only have the reinforcing hump on one side of the front of the receiver. The VEPRs, like the true RPK receivers have the reinforcement on both sides.
 
I own a VEPR I in .308 with the thumbhole stock. I've been very happy with the rifle, I feed it a steady diet of Brit Milsurp .308 and have experienced no problems. As stated it's not a tack driver, however I enjoy shooting this rifle immensely with and without the scope. With the brake the recoil is reduced to trivial. I picked mine up used and consider myself fortunate to have come across it.

It's looks draw compliments all the time too. :D
 
Well I learned something there...I thought it was rpk receiver. This guy says it is....

http://rogueperformance.com/AK.html

I did mean to imply that it was a beefed up receiver to handle the 308 cartridge tho.
I see the saiga 100 will be chambered for the 30.06, a long action cartridge, which brings up some interesting options. I can't wait to see.

I still vote for the saiga,a Kobra and a case of port.
 
If you look at the pictures on the site (especially the last one), you can see a rectangular reinforcement--bulge on the side of the receiver--at the front of the receiver where it meets the handguard.

The Saiga has this reinforcement only on the right side of the receiver. A true RPK receiver has this reinforcement on both sides of the receiver.

The Saiga receiver is considerably stronger than a standard AK receiver. In fact, the sheet metal on the Saiga receiver may be a tiny bit thicker than the metal on the VEPR receiver. I never miked it, but it looked a little thicker.

Both the VEPR and the Saiga are plenty strong enough for the cartridges that they chamber.
 
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