VEPR Rifles!

[Nightcrawler]

Who has a VEPR Rifle?

The VEPR rifle is from MOLOT in Russia. It's a beefy Kalashnikov variant with a hefty RPK receiver.

Available in .308 and .223 from Robinson Armament

Robinson also makes the VEPR II by adding a pistol grip stock, new forearm, and converting the weapon (except for the .308) to take standard AK-47/74 magazines.

However, many more VEPR variants are manufactuered in Russia by MOLOT. Check out their products page!

MOLOT VEPR .308

You can also get the Super VEPR, which is also available through Robinson Armament.

However, there were several variants that were unavailable in the United States. However, it would seem that European American Armory, who import Saiga rifles, are now importing Vepr Rifles that aren't available through Robinson. Specifically, they're importing the Vepr Hunter and the Vepr Pioneer.

The listed magazine capacities on the EAA website are five for all variants except for the .243, which as a ten round magazine. Now, Robinson sells 10 round magazines for the VEPR .308, which also fit the Super VEPR, so I'll bet they fit the Vepr Hunter as well. (Also, in all likelyhood the .243 and .308 take the same magazine.)

They also have a .30-06 version, which I'm extremely interested in. I would ONLY buy it if it came with 10 round magazines, though.

Now, the Vepr Hunter .30-06 wouldn't be the first .30-06 Kalashnikov. EAA imports the Saiga 100, which is available in .30-06 with a four round magazine. As such, I'm not interested (unless ten round magazines are also available, which I do not think they are). I've never talked to anybody on this forum that actually owned a Saiga 100, though.

I've also not talked to a whole lot of people with a standard VEPR .308 or Super Vepr. So if you have one or have shot one, chime in.

Now...why the HECK can't they make a VEPR or Saiga in 8mm Mauser, like the Zavasta M-76? I'd snatch that up in a heartbeat! Hammer forged, chrome lined barrel to deal with all of that grossly inexpensive surplus ammunition....

 

[Nightcrawler]

Interesting...

Apparently, Molot also makes hunting versions of the SKS, and Mosin Nagant M91/30.

And look at this.

Gasoline-fiery gun "Ogonek"

As near as I can tell, it's some kind of flame thrower....cool!

 

[Jaeger]

VEPR

The VEPR is also listed in 30-06, 308, 270 and 243.
That Hunter model in 308 with their PO 3-9X42 just might satisfy my itch for a Dragunov.

 

[Correia]

I love mine. Great gun.

 

[Jaeger]

What kind of accuracy are you getting from it Corriea

 

[Nightcrawler]

I hope they make 10 round mags for the .30-06/.270 versions. I mean, why wouldn't they? Apparently you can hunt with a 10 round mag in Russia. (But, like California 10 rounds is the legal limit for magazines.)

They also apparently make a Saiga or Vepr in .35 Remington. Put a 10 round magazine on THAT and you'd have a real hoot with it, I think.

I'd really like to see a 10+1, Semiauto, RPK based rifle in .45-70, but I don't think the Gun Gods will answer my prayers on this one.

A Super Vepr rifle in 8mm Mauser would be the bee's knees, too, as I said. So much super-cheap surplus ammo out there....

One in 7.62x54mmR would be nice also. But, they won't make one, because in Russia that market is covered by the Tigr (Sporter Dragunov). Unfortunately, the Tigr is non-importable.

What's really weird about the Russian Gun Market is how it sprang out of the Soviet military industrial complex, wherein all the major designs are similar. The vast majority of Russian autoloading rifles (sporting or otherwise) are Kalashnikov variants, and those that aren't have a similar manual of arms (safety location, etc.)

But, like here, they go with what sells, and if I was going to be in -40* weather (like it gets here sometimes), perhaps a Kalashnikov would be preferable to even my beloved FAL...

 

[Correia]

Best I have been able to do with iron sights is about 2 inches at 100 yards. I'm not a very good bench shooter though. (Vepr K, 7.62x39) I've done under 6 inches at 200. With a good rifleman, or with optics, I'm betting I could get that down some.

 

[Watch-Six]

I had a Veper 308 like your top picture, but with a Russian sniper style scope. It functioned fine. Accuracy wise with ball ammo it did quite well, sometimes sub 2 MOA. Other times I couldn't get it to do so well. I tried 168 gr match ammo in it. It was horrible! I've never had a rifle shoot so poorly in my entire life. Overall its not a bad rifle, but in 308 I would certainly rather have an M1A. Watch-Six

 

[hksw]

I've got a Super VEPR. The build quality of these guns are actually well above average for what you would expect from an AK/RPK derivative.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Hey, hksw, how are the iron sights on the Super Vepr? They're regular Kalashnikov sights, right? How do you like the new safety and magazine release levers? How's the balance?

With a scope mounted, can you still get a halfway decent cheek weld?

Thanks.

One additional thought. I owned a Remington 7400 at one time, that I bought used, and it was okay. It didn't take kindly to 220 grain ammunition, though, and was an absolute chore to field strip and clean. The aftermarket 10 round magazines didn't work worth a darn, though the factory 4-rounder did.

Given the choice, I'd take a Saiga (even a Saiga 100) over a Remington 7400 any day. If for no other reason than the Saiga would be lower maintenance and easier to clean. (If not as pretty.)

Not a bash on the 7400, just a personal opinion. I liked the 7400...it was just not quite what I was looking for.

 

[hksw]

The rear sight is not like that of a regular AK. It is a simple L-shape similar to the AR's. One notch is marked '1', the other '3'. I'm taking it as 100 meters and 300 meters. Front post is your regular AK/SKS. Works OK,perfect cheekweld for me on the irons sights.

It came with a detachable scope mount. The mount attaches to the receiver under a ledge (on both sides) of the rear sight under the 'MADE IN RUSSIA' at the front of the mount [see photo] and under extensions sticking out of the rear portion of the lower receiver. What clamps the mount tight tot he receiver is a lever at the front that cams a rod going across the circular notches on the ears of the rear sight [see photo]. The mount is pretty tight and solid - Weaver/Picatinny-style . Unfortunately, the rings that came with it aren't very good. They are a tiny bit oversized for 1" tubes. I would estimate medium height rings. They, the rings and mount, are serial numbered to the gun.

With the scope on, a passable lower cheek/jaw weld is possible.Comb of stock is Montecarlo and raised. A problem with the mount is that the lever is on the side, moves on the vertical plane, and is relatively close to the mount body. As a result,if you have a scope with an objective bell greater than ~35 mm, the scope will obstruct the lever.

The extended mag release is excellent as is the placement of the safetywhich is, IIRC, just a trigger block. (Haven't shot the rifle for awhile.)

A bit front heavy balancing at under the rear sight. This is mainly due to thegrips very rear location.

 

[hksw]

Forgot the photo.

 

[ny32182]

I have one in 7.62x39. Good rifle... very solid and well built, but very heavy. Accuracy is good for an AK.

 

[bmwguy]

You forgot to mention the KTR! It's also based on the VEPR Receiver.

I've got a KTR on order, expect delivery any day now.

 

[j.wise]

I've got a standard VEPR .308. I put a Mojo rear sight on it (ghost-ring). With the QD scope mount, it just about meets your requirements for the DMR in your other post.

It seems to like surplus ammo, in that it doesn't perform any better with match-grade stuff. It shoots nice, and if I got a sling that was the right length, I'll bet I could shrink my groups up. As it is, I shot a 3" group at 100yds with the iron sights last time out. Of course, my target wasn't a bullseye, so the lateral stringing group would have probably been better under ideal circumstances. BTW- three inches at 100yds is REALLy good for me, so who knows what someone else could do with it.

It has a nice two-stage trigger, it's very lightweight compared to M1As, FALs, AR-10s, etc... Mine has the 20" bbl instead of the longer 24" tube, so that helps with the weight.

I've got a Russian range-finding scope for it, a QD mount, and six mags (5-10rd, 1-5rd.)

I'm thinking of selling it (I like my M21 better, even if it is heavier), so PM/email me if you are interested.

 

[Nightcrawler]

If I wasn't a poor, broke college student, I'd take you up on that. Truth be told I've been lusting after a .308 Kalashnikov for quite some time.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

strong like bull
smart like rock:
http://www.americansforguncontrol.com/vepr/vepr.html

 

[Spark]

Ok, that KTR is pretty HAWT

 

[Gewehr98]

Nightcrawler, why would you say that?

They also have a .30-06 version, which I'm extremely interested in. I would ONLY buy it if it came with 10 round magazines, though.

Considering that you can't go hunting with a magazine of greater than 5 rounds capacity, wouldn't it be ok if the .30-06 version came with both 5 and 10-round mags?

 

[Nightcrawler]

I misspoke.

I'd only buy it if you could GET 10 round magazines.

I don't hunt anyway, so I don't have much use for 5-rounders. 10+1 is decent enough capacity for range use, without having to change mags every five shots.

 

[Nightcrawler]

The more I look at it, the more I like the VEPR Hunter. I like the way it looks more than the regular VEPR .308. It also has the regular side-mounted scope rail and is less expensive than the Super VEPR (which costs as much as my FAL).

Vepr Hunter