Vepr Hunting Carbine
Molot-Oruzhie Ltd. · Carbine · In Production · 1995
Also known as: Molot Vepr, Vepr-308 family (7.62x54R variant), Вепрь
Overview
The Vepr Hunting Carbine is a Russian semi-automatic hunting rifle manufactured by Molot-Oruzhie, derived from the RPK light machine gun and chambered in 7.62x54mmR. It uses the rugged, reinforced RPK-pattern receiver and long-stroke gas piston action mated to a sporting wooden stock and a detachable box magazine. Marketed for big-game hunting and sport shooting, the rifle trades the military weapon's full-auto capability for a semi-automatic-only trigger group while retaining the AK/RPK platform's reliability.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1090 mm (42.91") |
| Barrel Length | 520 mm (20.47") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 m/s (2625 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3072 J (2266 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, 7.62mm Mosin
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Lever
- Features: Rpk Based Receiver, Long Stroke Gas Piston, Reinforced Thick Receiver, Detachable Box Magazine, Scope Mounting Rail
Service history
Operators
- Civilian hunters and sport shooters
Production
Production years: 1995-present
Produced commercially by Molot-Oruzhie in Vyatskie Polyany; exact unit totals not published
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Molot-Oruzhie
Notes
The Vepr name (Russian for 'boar') covers a broad Molot sporting line built on AK and RPK receivers in many calibers; the 7.62x54R hunting carbine is built on the heavier RPK receiver to handle the full-power rimmed cartridge.
Background
Molot built the Vepr civilian line directly on tooling from RPK light machine gun production at the Vyatskie Polyany plant, giving its hunting rifles a famously over-built receiver compared with thinner-stamped AK sporters.