I missed grabbing a VEPR 7.62x54 at $699. The Vepr seems like the best semi auto 7.62x54 available. Although the current $1200 price for one seems high, I dont want to miss the boat all together. If there are more coming in, then I would think that the price will come down soon. If they are on a ban list that gets past, then $1200 will seem like a great deal before long.