VEPR IV 223 RPK – Range Report of
Weapon and Magazines
Got a chance to zero, and engage man
sized targets out to 300 meters with my VEPR IV 223 RPK last week.
When I first picked up the weapon over
a month ago, I tested fired it for function with about 90 rounds of
brass cased 62 grain 5.56. The weapon functioned flawlessly with the
included 223 Promag, a Beryl translucent green mag, and a transparent
Circle 10 mag.
This time I had the opportunity to zero
the weapon. I used some AR15 targets at 25 meters. Yes, I'm a 25/300
meter zero guy for 5.56 – deal with it. I used the excellent
Magna-Matic Defense AK zeroing tool. It's not cheap, but worth every
penny for moving stubborn front sights. I made all adjustments on
the front sight and left the RPK rear sight centered for later on the
fly windage adjustments. Zeroing was done in the prone with the
bipod deployed.
Weapon is accurate – groups were at
least equal to what I can do with a Colt M-4. Ammunition used was
brass cased 62 grain 5.56.
Targets posted at 25 meters.
7 Round Shot Group:
10 Round Shot Group:
20 Round Shot Group (why not):
I then engaged a number of man sized
torso targets from 50 meters to 300 meters. Firing position was
prone with the bipod deployed. I hate leaf/notch sites but was still
able to get hits consistently out to 250 meters. I could only hit
the 300 meter inconsistently. Despite the longer barrel, the front
sight post is still very large. I may also need to tweak my zero to
compensate for having done it at the 25 meter line. Next time I'll
have an observer with spotting scope and we will see if I can refine
it to get consistent 300 meter hits.
I would also like very much to see what
this thing could do with a magnified optic.
Filled both of my new VEPR 223
magazines with 45 rounds apiece. Both of them feed flawlessly.
(Note – Magazines come with a round
limiter in them – removed easily enough.)
Total number of rounds fired out of the
VEPR that day was about 170. Zero malfunctions of any kind.
Weapon
runs smooth and is fun to shoot. The trigger is short and light (on
the edge of too light.) Ejection
is EXTREMELY positive with dinged brass landing up to 20 feet away
between the 2 and 4 O'Clock position. The
bipod works well and due to it's ability to "yaw” works even on
uneven ground. In conclusion – Is Nice.
Note: Buddies SCAR, not mine.