Guards have 90hp per man (conscripts have 40) and I believe they have elite armour. They have suppression immunity at vet 1 and grenades which give them far more utility and are an actual threat against tanks. Guard AT nades are actually MUCH deadlier than those that PGs and THs throw.
G43s are awful, offering only a ~6-15% average dpm increase over PE K98s against infantry armour targets, and are actually worse while moving. Especially considering you always only get 2 of them, compared to the complete MP44 package, they are certainly not worth the 50MU unless you want to abuse the hell out slow.
SVTs are actually worse than G43s but don't cost munis and there are 3 times as many. If you take that into account they are much better already. Guard squads are very good up close and while on the move, since SVTs have good accuracy and fire rate up close and better accuracy than all bolt action/semi auto rifles on the move. The guards themselves have loads of health and great armour too so they can survive this charge easily.
For advice whether to build guards or strelky, it really depends what for. Guards have better utility and AT effectiveness so I personally use them. Many people prefer strelky because they put out a lot of damage with their PPShs.
I'm not certain but I believe those veterancy tables are correct. It seems guards have awesome vet on top of their existing awesomeness.
If you get into an argument with me, you're wrong.