7.62x54r-Barrel Lengths (VEPR)

[Cal-gun Fan]

Hey guys,
I've been wanting to pick up a VEPR rifle, and I'm trying to decide which one. I've kind of decided on either the 23 inch, and doing an SVD-style clone, or going with a 16 inch and using it for a brush gun. Which do you guys think would be the best option? This isn't something I would want just for the range-I'd want to hunt with it too. I realize the 16 inch is pretty short, but keep in mind I wouldn't really want to shoot anything past 100 yards.

How does the 7.62x54r perform out of the shorter barrel?

 

[navystang]

for a brush gun the 54r VEPR's are heavy.

 

[Tempest 455]

Muzzle blast with 16" barrel is going to be wicked with 54R!

 

[henschman]

The only way I would ever go with a 16" barreled 7.62x54 is if I were going to suppress it. They are friggin flamethrowers enough out of a 20" barrel, as on an M38 or M44 Nagant. Just because the round is ballistically similar to a .308 doesn't mean the same rules of thumb for barrel length apply as well. Most of that surplus 7.62x54 stuff uses a real slow burning powder. Plus it is true that a Vepr is a little heavy for a brush gun. I would definitely go the Dragunov/DMR-type route with it.

 

[Tempest 455]

This is surplus out of my M44. The counterbore M38 is actually worse!

 

[Jeff H]

This is surplus out of my M44. The counterbore M38 is actually worse!

But but but, I shoot my M44 much more than my 91/30 because I grin every time I get a fireball. It is just fun, but you have to have that rifle tucked tight in your shoulder because the M44 kicks pretty good.