[35Whelen]

I was at a gun show here in north Texas Saturday and saw an old '98 Mauser on a table. I noticed it was a VZ24 but was dumbstruck when I saw that the card on the rifle said it was a 7mm!! I looked at the muzzle and sure enough...
The rifle was purty rough and the numbers didn't match, but asking price, including tax, was only $100.
Now I built a 35 Whelen on a VZ 24 action, but it was originally 8mm Mauser. I've never heard of a VZ 24 7mm Mauser. Have any of you guys?

 

[lgm270]

A friend has a VZ 24 in 7x57. It was sold as an 8x57, but they wouldn't chamber. It turned out to be a 7mm and it's original.

 

[mcwoodduck]

Are there any crests or other markings that I can look it up in the Military Mauser book for you?
Heck a 98 action in 7X57 would be a good rifle.
140 grain soft points if you mount a scope and sporterize it.
175 grain Round nose if you keep the iron sights for deer in the brush.

 

[lgm270]

My friend's vz-24 has the Brno name on the receiver ring.

Unfortunately, the barrel is totally corroded. No rifling at all near the muzzle. It's a smooth bore. Would take a new barrel or a re-bore to a larger caliber. Nice wood and smooth action though. I said he should have it re-bored to a .35 Whelen. A nice change from boring mil-surp calibers.

 

[securitysix]

The Vz-24 was made in 7x57mm (for China and I think Venezuela) and 7.65x53mm in addition to the much more common 8x57mm.

 

[cbxboy]

VZ-24 in 7x57 is real, one of the largest importers was selling a bunch recently. Not being a gunsmith I don't know how "big" you could rebarrel safely to but the action is considered to be a very nice action. I recall one email I got which was stated as "buy these JUST for the action".....cheaper than buying the Mauser action anywhere else. I don't know why the action itself would vary from the 8mm actions...but again I have NO experience on the 7mm's at all. I could swing into Gander Mtn and ask to borrow one for a few days to check for you.......

I have 2 VZ-24's but both are in 8mm. oNE IN 7.65x53 would be COOL though!

 

[Catfish]

I picked up a VZ 24 a few years back and it is at the smiths now being turned into a .35 Whellen. : As a matter of fact he has had it for a year and 1/2 and I`m about ready to go get it in since it`s been put together for over a year waiting to be blued. I doubt if I`ll take him any more guns.

 

[mcwoodduck]

I picked up a VZ 24 a few years back and it is at the smiths now being turned into a .35 Whellen. : As a matter of fact he has had it for a year and 1/2 and I`m about ready to go get it in since it`s been put together for over a year waiting to be blued. I doubt if I`ll take him any more guns.

Pick it up apply a high end paint job.
Take your time and tape, disassemble, and degrease what you need to and spend a whole day getting ready to paint it including the hanging og the gun and the other small parts.
Screws I just screw into card board 1/2 way and paint.