Technically, the Handmade Rifle*F76 Variant*/Chinese Assault Rifle are nonsense. An AK chambered in .223/5.56x45 is a relatively new phenomenon that has taken place in the past decade or so. An AK-47 is chambered in 7.62x39 while the AK-74 is chambered in 5.45x39. The reasons for an AK chambered in .223 or 5.56x45 is due to the popularity of the AR-15 in the USA and also the sanctions that the USA has put on Russia, *The dudes who make 5.45x39 cartridges.* Acquiring 5.45x39 is expensive and harder to come by.
I'm not a fan of the "AR-15 type" weapons in New Vegas, they feel out of place with the era that Fallout is set in.