7.62x54r VEPR surplus accuracy- what do you get?

[projectiledysfunction 0]

So, I'm about to mash the checkout button one of two 23" slantback 7.62x54r VEPRs Atlantic is selling (either the plain one for $879 or the one with the G2 trigger and threaded muzzle with FH for $1029.) With 7.62x54r currently being the only affordable full-powered round out there right now and for the foreseeable future I've been shooting a lot of it, but the more I shoot it the more my M44 Mosin has started to seem like a chore instead of a fun plinker. Accuracy is nothing to write home about, it's slow to reload, the notch and post sights kind of suck compared to my nicer milsurp, there's not a lot of useful high-quality upgrades out there that aren't destructive, and overall it just feels mediocre compared to my newer commercial guns or higher-quality milsurp. 

I've been spoiled by my ARs, FALs, M1, and newer-production bolt actions, I guess 

With the price of the M44 having roughly doubled since I bought mine I think it's time I sell it and some of my other neglected guns for a VEPR, some accessories, and a pile of surplus tins tall enough to blot out the sun. The only thing that's holding me back from doing it right now is that I see very mixed reports of accuracy with light ball surplus- some people say they are seeing 2 MOA, others are saying that they can get no better than 6" even with a scope and a rest. 

I have a rough idea of what to expect with AK accuracy, I'm not expecting a VEPR to be able to cloverleaf ammo that came out of a spam can at 200 yards. I'm just looking for something that can match or exceed the Mosin I've got now, something I can easily scope and modify (and provides enough accuracy reach out to our 16" gong at a max range of about 500y.)

Is this an unrealistic goal? What kind of accuracy do you get and with what kind of ammo? Which is more accurate as per current hearsay- 20 or 23"?

Edited January 27, 2014 by projectiledysfunction

[Cryogaijin 33]

Depends on the ammo, really. My 27"er seems to like the heavy Hungarian 180gr better than the light ball stuff. It also likes the 174 grain match ammo one can find at around 50c a round. The Hungerian gets me about 1.5moa, and the match 1moa at 200 yards.

[Conscript 99]

2.5ish for me, russian silvertip that sgammo has now and again.

 

ETA: I have the 23", no scope

Edited January 28, 2014 by Conscript

[Cryogaijin 33]

I'm benched in with a 6x42 POSP. 

 

It is fair to say my gun is more accurate than I am, with good ammo.

[woodzie65 3]

I am getting 1-3/4" to 2" @ 100 yards with PPU match ammo and 3-4" and the sometimes flyers with surplus ammo , I love my Vepr i just need to save some cash for that IWD drag stock.