Valmet Petra M/83
Valmet · Rifle · Discontinued · 1983
Also known as: Valmet Hunter, Valmet Petra, Valmet Hunter M/83
Overview
The Valmet Petra M/83 (exported as the Valmet Hunter) is a Finnish semi-automatic hunting rifle built on the gas-operated, long-stroke piston Kalashnikov-pattern action of the Valmet M76 service rifle. Chambered for sporting cartridges such as .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield, it pairs a wooden sporter stock and detachable box magazine with the rugged rotating-bolt mechanism, and was produced by Valmet during the 1980s for civilian hunters.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Barrel Length | 521 mm (20.51") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 7.62x51mm, 7.62 NATO
- .243 Winchester — also known as .243 Win
- .30-06 Springfield — also known as 30-06, .30-06 Sprg, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Lever
- Features: Kalashnikov-Pattern Gas-Operated Action Derived From The Valmet M76, Wooden Sporter Stock And Forend, Detachable Box Magazine, Iron Sights With Optics-Mount Provision
Service history
Operators
- Finnish civilian hunters and sport shooters · adopted 1983 · as Petra M/83
Production
Production years: 1983-1990
Civilian hunting derivative of the Valmet M76; produced in limited numbers before Valmet's small-arms business was merged into Sako.
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
A civilianized sporting derivative of the Valmet M76 (itself a Finnish AK/RK 62 development). Barrel length and general dimensions vary by chambering and production batch.
Background
The name 'Petra' comes from an old Finnish word for deer - Valmet's way of dressing its battle-proven RK 62 assault-rifle action in civilian hunting clothes.