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Czech mauser action question:

WWSmithWWSmith Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
A buddy just traded me a Mauser rifle action that I'm considering turning into a .25-06...this is the info (ignore the dashes, it's the only way I can make the spacing look correct):

v
,
CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA,AS,BRNO
VZ.24


The top of the receiver is marked 1937, and the serial # is E6###

It also has a Timney trigger fitted.

Guess my question is: CAN I convert it to .25-06 easily? If not, what calibers whould you suggest? I'd want to use it mainly on MN whitetails; but would want a little flexibility to deal with coyotes and large varmints...

And--is it possible to get a ballpark value? I don't have a way of posting any photos...but he said he had a gunsmith clean it up, and I believe it; the receiver appears to be in the white (no blueing visible), and when I fit the bolt, it's smooth as silk.

Any comments and/or information are/is appreciated.
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Comments

  • WWSmithWWSmith Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anyone?
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  • ern98ern98 Member Posts: 1,725 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes the action you have will convert to 25-06 as the bolt face is the same as for a 8x57. Easily is another matter. If you can do major amounts of the work yourself then you can get a decent shooter together for a fairly reasonable amount of money. If you have to get someone else to do it all, then junk the idea and go buy a complete rifle as it may well cost alot more to build one then to just go buy one. The action will need to be given over to a gunsmith or shop qualified to fit and headspace the barrel to the receiver and bolt. This is not a swap in and out operation as you need the proper gauges, wrench, press and reamer to do it right. The receiver also needs to be drilled for scope mount, also not the average home job. I would recomend that the bolt lugs be lapped to mate up well with the reciever and get the reciever trued. Depending on the history of the action you might also consider getting the heat treating of the action checked. This is just a rough outline of some of the metal work needing to be done. Once all the metal work is done then you can start in on the stock work. This is where you might make the project doable. There are any number of after market stocks available for the Mauser 98. Walnut, laminate and synthetics are all available for between $50 and $500. I would suggest that you pick up a copy of "The Gun Digest Book of Riflesmithing". They are often available on one or another auction site for cheap. It gives a decent over view of the entire process of going form an action in hand to a shooting rifle. A friend of mine sent a Mauser action to a midwest gunsmith several years back. It cost him $2500 and two years to get the rifle. I'm really not trying to talk you out of this project, I do the same thing for myself on a regular basis. I rarely complete a rifle, for myself, for less the $400 or $500 total. But that includes a AA or better stock blank and a quality barrel amongst all the rest of the costs. Good luck.......
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  • roysharoysha Member Posts: 749 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with ern98. However, if you decide to go ahead with the project, the VZ24 is about as good as it gets for M-98s.
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I concur with the others. If you have a gunsmith do all the work, you'll have more $ invested than the cost of a decent commercial bolt action 25/06. I've done several by doing a lot of the fitting and hand work myself and only paying out of pocket for the barrel fitting. I consider it hobby time and don't consider the time I spend. I also have access to a large amount of surplus parts to work with. Bottom line-if you are handy with metal and wood working and want to spend time on it-it's ok. If not, it's not worth it. The market for cobbled up projects is low.
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  • WWSmithWWSmith Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the responses.

    I know that I'll have more in this than an off the rack rifle will cost by the time it's done; I'm not overly concerned, since the rifle will be uniquely mine, and will be worth it.

    I just wanted to verify that the action would be suitable for the caliber, and if there was any additional info on it available.

    Thanks again.
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  • mrbrucemrbruce Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
    That VZ-24 was one of the best actions to come out of that time period, I have one thats chambered for the 280 Remington and it works like a charm. Like the others have said you may end up with a bit of money in it but I believe it will be well spent.
    If you don't do this type of work you can have ER Shaw in Pa. barrel it for a reasonable amount or spend a LOT more and have a match barrel installed by a known smith. For what you seem to want it for the Shaw barrel will give you a lot of years of service.
    I have a few custom actions that cost in excess of $1000.00 but I stil keep that VZ-24 around
    because I like it, and I'll bet you will too..............
    The bare action is in the $100.00 - $200.00 range, and the trigger is another $70.00 probably.
    The 25/06 is a excellent caliber for that action.....
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  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    WWSmith,

    What Ern98, Mobuck and anyone else that will tell you that it will be more expensive to do this as a custom rifle, They are absolutely correct. It is true you can save yourself a bunch of money just by finding a rifle you will like. Or, if you go customizing you can save a bunch if you like doing stock work or can tig well your bolt handle.

    HOWEVER, I happen to really appreciate custom rifles for the reason that a lot of thought went into them. And, usually, if someone is going to spend the money for one they have usually spent it right. This is the difference between a bubbrization and a good custom. You are going to be realy hard pressed to find a rifle off the shelf that looks and shoots as well as a properly made custom rifle.

    So, in answer to your question, will it convert to 25-06? Yes. And without a lot of problems either. The VZ-24 is one of the best actions to use as a custom base. Is it going to cost less than it would be to buy one, NO. Will it be worth more to you when it's done? It had better be yes. If you ever decide to sell it, will it be worth as much as that 'off the shelf' rifle? Sadly, no. The market is full of good and not-so-good customizations. The reason people keep doing it is if you take it to a gunsmith you know is going to make it right. It is worth it.

    Also, I think a better conversion would be to the .257 Roberts and you won't have near the feed problems. It has nearly the same power as a 25-06 and will work outstanding for MN whitetails. There are also a number of reasonably priced gunsmiths here in Minnesota that can do the job. -good luck

    EDITING to save a post here:

    WWSmith,

    The VZ-24 will accommodate the 25-06 for length. The problem is shoulder width and taper. It's just one more thing to have to take care of if you convert a Mauser to a 30-06 or .308 based case. Filing the rails to make it feed right. If you were to have a .257 Ackley improved it would have the same issue. You would have to file the rails. However, this is not a big deal. FYI, the shoulder of the Mauser cases is around .429" and the shoulders of the .308 and 30-06 aore .454". The Ackley is .459". So, you don't have to file a lot, you just need to file out(and polish) the front part of the rails until the bullet points inward toward the chamber. by the way a .257 Ackley is an awesome case, but you obviously need to reload for it.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Doable, certainly. Given the action wrench and vice, installing the barrel is just a matter of gauges and patience. Lapping the bolt and truing is beyond my ken though, and I'd think that would be harder.

    I do disagree on the value of the action though. A complete VZ-24 can be had for under $200. I sure wouldn't pay over $100 for just the action. Though the Timney trigger is a nice plus.

    Post pics if you get it done! [:)]
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  • WWSmithWWSmith Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sandwarrior--

    I thought that the longer action of the mauser would suit a longer cartridge, and would have feeding problems with a shorter cartridge...is that assumption incorrect?

    A buddy had a rifle built on .257 Ackley Improved, and raves about it. I'm beginning to get into handloading, so would that be a better option than .25-06?

    The rifle will be a keeper; I'm fully aware that customization will tend to reduce the resale price, but I don't care...I want a rifle that will be uniquely mine, to be handed down. And, this will not be a bubbizilla rifle; I will be paying to have it done right, and well.
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  • mrbrucemrbruce Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
    The 257 Ackley Improved is one of the most efficient 25 calibers around, and will get you
    so close to the 25/06's speeds that its not worth debateing.
    The improved case will also last lots longer than the 25/06 case will.
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