Source
r/Mauser•
Alex470

CZ Vz. 24 | Beautiful gun, can't hit the broadside of a Texas sized barn

I've a Romanian contract one that appears to be in damn near mint condition. Barrel looks great, crown looks great, the crest was filed off of course (looks to be a 1939). The bolt and barrel are immaculately blued. All serials match.

Trouble is, I can't hit a damn thing with it. At about 100 yards I was hitting around 8" high which seemed plausible as the rear sight starts out at the 300m mark. But those groups? We're talking 12" if not 18" at 100yd.

I have an old garbage rod Mosin from 1929 that I can plink Coke cans with at 100 yards, so I don't believe I'm the problem here, but I won't rule out it could be me because the sights are absolutely horrendous. I even tried to nail polish the front post and that didn't seem to do much for me.

For ammo, I was using 1950's Yugo. I did swap the striker spring for a 22lb that took care of the numerous failures to fire. I suspected, maybe, that the ammo was the issue, so I switched to PPU and I swear on my life, the groups got worse.

If it is the sights, does anyone have any recommendations on what to do? I considered trying to find a spare front sight and filing into a sharp V like the 98ks. Actually, would a 98k front sight fit? I've also considered buying those ghost ring type sights (can't remember the guy who makes them), but I'd prefer to keep it stock of course.

If it isn't the sights, is a new barrel in order or even worth it? From what I've seen, finding surplus barrels for these rifles is impossible anymore.

I'm not willing to give up on it just yet as I got it for a steal, and boy is it just a gorgeous rifle. Action is butter. If only I could shoot it!

Posted Jun 25, 2021, 1:37 AM UTC

1612
rubberbeeskeet•

I'd move your targets up to 25 or 50 yards. Your groups will probably tighten up significantly there because you can see better. An 18"/18MOA group at 100 yards would be about 4.5" inches at 25 yards. You'll know at that point if that's you or the gun.

The only gun I've seen that was that bad was a Chang Kai Shek Mauser with a rotted bore. It shot the bullets sideways at 25 yards.

I shoot my Mausers at 50 yards normally. Makes me feel better about myself when shooting for groups. Truth be told, the sights are just tough to see sometimes, so if someone says they shoot 1" groups at 100, they are either an eagle eye with a perfect rifle, or a liar.

6
Alex470OP•

Yeah, I’m gonna drag it out to the range and set up for 25 I think. I’ve questioned if it’s a combination of the sights and holding under quite so low that’s throwing me off. Shame the rear starts at 300, but it is a man killer, not a target rifle.

Still took a hog out at 100 with it though, so it least I’ve got one notch on it.

2
tyrannischgott•

Ammo is definitely a possible cause, but you say you've tried a couple different loads and it hasn't helped. So that leaves the barrel, or maybe the sights. As for the barrel, you can slug it and see if it's shot out, in which case handloading bullets that better match diameter of the barrel might help. As for the sights, k98 sights do not work on a VZ 24, and probably wouldn't help anyway -- all Mauser sights are pretty much the same.

In any case, unless it's already modified (so you wouldn't be irrevocably damaging a collector piece), please don't mess with it just so you can shoot it more accurately. It's an old rifle, it is what it is.

5
Alex470OP•

My thought with the front sight was just getting a much sharper V instead of the U that's all stock on them.

And no, don't worry, I wouldn't bubba a piece of history. I'm not evil.

3
bignotion•

How is the crown? It may be worth doing the round bolt/valve grinding compound trick. My VZ 24 has the same issue, and its definitely the crown. I haven't gotten to it yet, but I'll be recrowning it.

3
Alex470OP•

Crown looks totally fine (I think), and a round sits about halfway in the muzzle. What's the "round bolt/valve grinding" trick?

Maybe I need to take it to a gunsmith and get an opinion from them. I was hoping there'd be a simple fix I just hadn't yet seen. haha

2
bignotion•

Well, yeah the crown trick is pretty simple and cheap. Take a close look with a magnifying glass. If the lands/grooves dont all appear to terminate at the same plane, you might need a new crown. That is typically done on a lathe (Mosin Nagant counterboring an extreme example) to get a new crown but this trick can help minor cases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y9fr-3Wy5M&t=145s

4
LaV-Man•

I have a really good looking vz. 33 and I have a similar problem. I actually don't shoot it because it's so wild. The action, barrel, and crow all look amazing, but it's all over the place.

Sorry I don't have any solutions just sympathy.

3
kpc14222•

I have a nice lion crest vz 24 1937 and have similar issues. Beautiful rifle but so inaccurate it’s not fun to shoot. Then I get my wartime 43 Izzy out and plink away with such enjoyment lol. If you figure it out let me know. It’s a beautiful piece to my collection but I like to shoot my rifles.

3
Alex470OP•

At least I’m not suffering in silence here. Maybe I just got a lemon. Hell, maybe the reason the guy before me sold it was for the exact same reason.

I still believe a sharper front sight post might do the trick, but I’d have to find a surplus one and grind it down. We’ll see. Might be worth a shot.

2
gozzle_101•

Just spit balling, but if it was the sights wouldn't you still be getting groups or at least hitting the same general area just not the one you were aiming for?

2
Alex470OP•

I hear you there, and yes. The trouble I was having was determining if it was actually grouping at all due to the "groups" being so wide. Unfortunately I just didn't have the time to try dialing it in at close range due to time constraints (and needing to get my AK on ASAP for a hog hunt).

1