redstararm's high power shooter did, indeed, prove that the .223 vepr is capable of running with the ar's. a little more tweaking and i have no doubt that it can score with a match grade ar-15.
the only thing lacking will be a short leade bbl., which the ar's have been running in competition for some time.
i'm currently working on a design for a free floated hand guard. there is still some catching up to do!
redstar gave us a trigger that is the equal of an nra legal match ar trigger (matter of fact, i rate it as good as my 2-stage rra match ar trigger). once a custom bbl. is installed (think of the possibilities..a kreiger in an ak!), the guards are floated and the sights reworked to ar standards (rpk windage, shaved front post and and a vernier on the elevation slide which now contains an apeture) the game should truely be 'on'.
i've got to agree with jimmy on his last statement. the key phrase is "enough development".
the 23.25" bbl. of the rpk offers extra velocity, also. properly cryo'd and setting in front of a short headspaced bolt that has been trued to the bore...i'm convinced a properly loaded rpk can deliver sniper grade performance.
and...like the saying goes, "speed costs, son...tell me, how fast do you wanna go?".