VZ.58 Club:

[cbr954fz1]

i just picked up a complete wood set for mine today at the range .. new unissued from a range officer w/a armour's chest..his last complete set..he had afew more grips, butt stocks, lower hg's but i got the last wood gas tube...also picked up a extra firing pin, hammer spring, extractor, spring and the little stud that holds everything in and a top cover but he gave me a bayonet and sling(for being a good customer) ...oohh i did actually shoot my vz's today also while i was there...cbr

 

[Maverick223]

...oohh i did actually shoot my vz's today also while i was there...cbr

Well how'd they do?

 

[amd6547]

If they made the VZ in 5.45. I would be all over it.

 

[Maverick223]

If they made one chambered for 5.45x39.5mm I'd be in for one myself (honestly I would have preferred that to the original 7.62x39mm chambering). On a related note they are building one in 5.56NATO, which I'm personally not much interested in.

 

[killertom]

I have a question to those who have been using the Vz.58 for some time. I had the first few outings with my new Vz, with probaly a total of 110 rounds through it. About a week ago I noticed some wear marks on the breech face, seemed like it was a shallow mark of the extractor. The last time out, one of the A-holes at the range checked out my rifle, and slammed the bolt forward on an empty chamber. During cleaning I noticed that besides the mark of the extractor, there are also two small dimples on the breech face now. I don't know if these were caused by slamming the bolt shut, or by normal movement of the action during firing. Are these wear marks on the breech face normal?

Thanks!

P.S.: Here's a pic, sorry for the quality, best I could do with a cell phone. I cricled the two dimples.

 

[Maverick223]

As someone that never rides his bolt home, be it on a loaded chamber or not, I haven't any such marks on the breechface. That said, I wouldn't be overly concerned with the dings from what the photo depicts. If it gets worse, or you notice any dragging or binding, then investigate it further.

Bennybone, thanks again for the link to the V-Max projectiles. I have a box on the way, and a set of dies to pair with it (have considered purchasing a set in the past, but didn't feel it to be worth the expense given the price of ammo). Now I will be loading for all my centerfire rifle cartridges (and still none of my pistol cartridges).

 

[Bennybone]

Maverick -

Cool Man!

I may just put in an order for 10 boxes after this weekend's shootfest.

....and here we go !

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Before we get to the photos and data I want to let everyone know that I am a novice when it comes to handloading and accurate shooting practices (stance/trigger pull/breathing/etc). The results below are based on my gun and probably are not universal across the VZ weapons population. I applied some basic logic and skill and came up with the following, ON TWO DAYS of shooting. Please do not go out and start buying reloading equipment and bullets and components based on this information.

The weather was a challenge this weekend, we just snapped a 42 day plus 100 degree hot streak and Friday night it decides to rain (3 inches worth) and so my Saturday morning range session was a bit of a challenge. The temp was about 85 degrees with 90 percent humidity, and SOGGY. I was unable to drive to my hunting (feeder location) so I brought the basics and had to shoot from the prone position.

Consistent with the theme of my quest I was shooting from 100 yards and attempting to get a grouping in the 2 MOA range.

The gun is not modified in any way and was cleaned throughly prior to initiating the shooting. I recently picked up a NEA heavy brake and used it for all shooting this weekend, notice this is a change from prior configurations in previous pages of this thread.

Photo of my gun and a guest appearance from my hunting buddy's Mini 14 6.8 SPC



Targets are ranged with a laser range finder at 98 yards, see red arrow in photo



Here is the shooting pad and gun on the ready



and the results with photos where appropriate:

Uly 8m3 (.310) Saspan (Blue White Hunting Cartridge) 124grJHP russian factory - 100 yards = 4.25 inch spread



Hornady SST 123gr (.310) factory loads - 100 yards = 3.25 inch spread



Hornady V-max 123gr (.310) AA1680 25.0 grains - 100 yards = 4.0 inch spread
Hornady V-max 123gr (.310) AA1680 25.5 grains - 100 yards = 3.5 inch spread
Hornady V-max 123gr (.310) AA1680 26.0 grains - 100 yards = 2.25 inch spread (photo below)
Hornady V-max 123gr (.310) AA1680 26.5 grains - 100 yards = 3.0 inch spread



Nosler BT 125gr (.308) AA1680 25.0 grains - 100 yards = 4.0 inch spread
Nosler BT 125gr (.308) AA1680 25.5 grains - 100 yards = 3.0 inch spread
Nosler BT 125gr (.308) AA1680 26.0 grains - 100 yards = 3.50 inch spread
Nosler BT 125gr (.308) AA1680 26.5 grains - 100 yards = 2.0 inch spread Day 1
Nosler BT 125gr (.308) AA1680 26.5 grains - 100 yards = 5.0 inch spread Day 2

Day 1



Day 2



So as you can see , quite a bit of variance and the shooting was done over the course of two days. My next plan is to load up 50 of the 26.0 grain loads of .310 Vmax bullets and shoot them to determine if my results from this weekend are consistent.

I am not sure why Days 1 and 2 for the Nosler 26.5 loads were so different I may load the remainder of those bullets at this powder weight to see if the variance was a fluke.

Once I have come to a conclusion on these two loads I will attempt to workup a 135 grain or 150 grain load for larger game.

BB

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks for sharing your data, Benny. Honestly I am not super concerned with accuracy from these bullets as they will likely be used for HD purposes only (and I already know that they are reasonably accurate/reliable from shooting a few boxes of DoubleTap loaded with the same projectile), but it never hurts to have a guide. I plan to use either Hornady SSTs or Wolf 154gr. SPs, depending upon performance, for hunting (I'd like to use the latter as it replicates the .30-30 better, but need to test for proper expansion and accuracy before making the final determination).

 

[Bennybone]

Maverick -

Do me a favor and let me know if you find an Internet retailer who sells just the bullet for a Corbon 125gr jacketed hollow.

I will buy/load/test and use these for HD if they fly true...

Thx,

BB

 

[Maverick223]

Do me a favor and let me know if you find an Internet retailer who sells just the bullet for a Corbon 125gr jacketed hollow.

Sure thing...BRB

Nothing found in a quick search, but I'll keep looking and let you know what I find. I assume this is their own bullet design, not a Barnes or similar? FWIW I have considered trying 100gr. Hornady XTP .32cal (actually measures .313in.) pistol bullets. They should darn near disintegrate on impact.

 

[Bennybone]

Does anyone know of a place that makes some good wood furniture to go on a VZ.58? I'm going to buy one soon and want to get rid of the bakelite.

Here is an interesting "wood" furniture option...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=245488279

Let us know when you buy the gun, post a pic.

BB

 

[valnar]

Wow, that is VERY slick. Out of my price range though.

 

[Bennybone]

Greetings, everyone:

I don't own a 7.62x39 rifle, though I've read a fair bit by default on gun forums, including most of this thread. Most of my experiences is with ARs, bolt guns and non-VZ/AK platforms. I came into some ammo, enough to "justify" a rifle purchase. An AK would be the obvious choice in terms of logistics, but I can't get excited about one. The vx58 seems the ticket.

So, what are the current purchase options on the market? Czechpoint is the only place I've found rifles for sale today, and the list prices seem a bit steep. (Understood that values have been climbing). Is there anyone else retailing the guns or offering custom packages?

Thanks,

SADShooter

This is a single stack version of the D-Technik gun. Starting bid is very reasonable and best of all NO RESERVE.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=246884762

Also you could try calling Waffen Werks directly, I remember buying a D-technik for Dad from them for $650.00 plus nominal shipping and it came with a nice black finish and the muzzle brake already installed. If you look back a few pages you will see it next to mine on the shooting table.

Let us know what you get.

I have always wondered how much ammo justifies a new weapons platfrom purchase....

BB

 

[SADshooter]

I have always wondered how much ammo justifies a new weapons platfrom purchase....

Hah. Enough to meet my minimum desired load up for a SHTF rifle with leftovers. Not that I was writing tongue in cheek or really needed a justification.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Maverick223]

I have always wondered how much ammo justifies a new weapons platfrom purchase....

I think it depends upon the value of the cartridges. I have one (1) 4-bore, .700NE, .577T-Rex, & .577NE cartridge and given the steep price of each I think they all deserve a rifle to shoot them from.

P.S.: I don't think i'll have any desire to acquire more cartridges anyway.

 

[Bohemus]

Do you have any idea, why would someone want to use AR 7,62x39 mags in vz?!

 

[Bennybone]

Nope. technnically there is no advantage to doing so.

BB

 

[armoredman]

Only possible advantage is the availability of 20 round mags? 20 round vz-58 mags are like gold - I have exactly one of the puppies.
killertom, nope, my rifle does not have the indicated marks, sorry.
I would love to try a vz-58 in .223, but it is highly unlikely at this point.

I do like my vz-58!

 

[Maverick223]

Do you have any idea, why would someone want to use AR 7,62x39 mags in vz?!

I suppose 20rnd mags would be one reason, but it certainly isn't worth the inferior reliability (7.62x39mm AR mags are notorious for poor reliability/build quality). I do see some utility in modifying AK magazines, but only if you are looking to use a drum (I have considered doing this myself, but don't know if the added ammo is worth the added weight).

I am still planning to work on building some 20rnd VZ-58 magazines (not modded AK mags), but just haven't found the time.

 

[killertom]

Thanks for checking Armoredman! Although I was surprised to see them at first, I'm not getting really worked up over this. I don't think a military rifle should be damaged by letting the bolt slam shut. This is an original military rifle so maybe they paid a little less attention to fit and finish than on the commerically made ones sold in the U.S..

Feeding and extraction is fine, so Im guessing it's only a cosmetic thing.

 

[rocinante]

Bohemus I don't see any advantage to the mags but lots of folks would like the mag well instead of the rock and lock of the vz.

I like that railed dust cover too but wonder how you could make it tight and stable.

 

[navajo]

20 round mags

I would love to have a few 20 round mags for the 58. I like the 10 round mag just fine but 20 would be better. The LUVO site shows them but they are no longer available. Nor is the poly stock.

 

[North Eastern Arms]

That magwell was designed to use AR mags in the 5.56mm version that has been made. They're just stabbing in a AR 7.62 mag in a CSA VZ Compact

 

[Maverick223]

navajo, I'll make sure and let you know how they turn out, be it good or bad (I'm pretty confident that it will work just fine). Just need to order a few parts and find the time to get started, but this WILL happen. Not many folks prefer 20rnd. mags more than myself.

 

[navajo]

mags

I mostly use 20s in the -15s. Most ammo comes in 20 boxes. Plus one does not have to reload 30 rounds per mag. It gets tiresome.

Thanks for the effort. Been trying to figure it out myself.
But athritic hands are hard to work with.