VZ24 Questions

DerBarbarian

August 17, 2012 02:50

Hey fellas, I had a couple of really quick questions, I ended up buying a Vz24 8mm a couple years back, I actually just took it out of storage not too long ago to take it shooting for the first time. Would it be very difficult to get one of these rifles setup for optics? I was thinking being that it's an 8mm it would be a great hunting rifle. I was just curious what kind of process one would need to go through before you would be able to mount optics to it.


I know you'll need to bend the bolt, and that's where my second question comes in, would a K98 bolt fit the VZ24? I've heard yes and no, I know you would have to do some work on the stock for it to fit, the couple that I found that said that they would interchange said the head spacing was fine.. So I was hoping to get a definite answer on that. The rifle itself is in great condition, and the rifling looks perfect, I thought it would be a fun project. As always any input is greatly appreciated.

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  tsr1965

  August 17, 2012 04:03

  That 8mm, is a great hunting round, and is similar in power, and performance to the 30-06, 308 Win., and 7.62x54.
  
  As for the best mounts, I am sure Nononsense will be along sometime, as the Mauser type rifles(along with many others), are afflictions of his. He would know right what you need.
  
  Best

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  nononsense

  August 17, 2012 06:54

  DerBarbarian,
  
  I am on the run all day today so this will be somewhat short compared to what I might usually write.
  
  Right from the start, I suggest leaving your VZ24 alone if it's original and in decent shape. These have become somewhat collectible and more valuable if original. This is simply based on your statement about liking to shoot the 8mm cartridge. You may believe that you got this rifle as an inexpensive bargain but by the time you cobble on it, you will have reduced the value to near zero and still not have a good hunting rifle.
  
  Bending the bolt handle is an abomination that was created in the late 40's and early 50's when Mausers could be purchased for pennies on the dollar ($7.50/ea), flooding the U.S. with cheap surplus shooters. Too many folks wanted optics and the bending was an expeditious, cheap fix for most. It is ugly and the bolt handle comes up short which makes it look stupid.
  
  Carving on the stock to accommodate the bent bolt ruins the stock for any value if there is any.
  
  Drilling and tapping the VZ24 front and rear rings will deface what is considered to be one of the better non-German Mausers. This is even more true when attempted by amateurs looking for a project.
  
  You could however use a scope base that replaces the rear sight and use one the the extended eye relief scopes thereby freeing up the money from drilling and tapping and the bent bolt handle. This will also preserve the value of the rifle since the rear sight can be put back.
  
  These military stocks are never cut right for scopes anyway so you might consider using a more modern stock such as those available from Bell and Carlson for the Mauser. Your barreled action will literally drop in.
  
  I'm trying to be pragmatic and save a good rifle. But it's your choice.
  
  Best.

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  v35

  August 17, 2012 14:24

  A mount replacing the rear sight that accepts a light weight, red dot
  scope would be my choice.

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  Grasshopper

  August 17, 2012 15:15

  Carving on the stock to accommodate the bent bolt ruins the stock for any value if there is any
  
  
  You mean that deer and bear I carved with my Schrade while sitting on a stump in the woods did not help the value? hmmm
  Anyway---LEAVE it alone,,as stated and I have 2--there are plenty of rifles out there that will fit your needs in factory condition/imo

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  bpost

  August 17, 2012 17:37

  http://www.scopemounts.com/index.html?main.html
  
  This is the ONLY way to go.

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