Thanks for the info folks
All has led up to my next question, though it may be a question that is controversial, provocative, and has been discussed as nauseum to no definite conclusion...
What is the difference in price, availability, and ballistics between 5.45x39 and 7.62x39?
What are their most similar NATO counterparts? And the 7.62x54r?
I'd like a rifle for another caliber besides 5.56/.223 that is cheaper. I actually want a bolt action rifle but it seems the best rifles for shooting the cheap rounds are semiauto AKs. (I know I should've gotten a bolt action in 5.56 and a semi auto in soviet but I bought an AR first

) Not too fond of them Aks, I think they are ugly but looks never deter me from practicality. I am fond of the Vepr, design, but what about reliabilty ?
Also interested in the cz527 but those are sure shots...