I have a VZ 24 in 7x57 that I am thinking about
converting to 458WM. Anyone have any thoughts pro/con about doing this? Thanks

I'm sure it's been done hundreds if not thousands of times. May be easier and cheaper to find a Mark X in .458 WM but there's nothing remarkable about the conversion.

The very first 458 I ever built, back in 1966, was on a nice VZ-24 with the crest. No problems other than the too-light weight of 8.5 lbs.

Kinda reminded me of the old chestnut about the Veddy British safari hunter who takes his big double rifle out and shoots an elephant. Both fall to the ground due to the shock, and the one who gets up first is the winner (grin).

Make yours weigh close to 10+ lbs with recoil reducers and you can shoot it all day long.
Regards, Joe

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by J.D.Steele:
The very first 458 I ever built, back in 1966, was on a nice VZ-24 with the crest. No problems other than the too-light weight of 8.5 lbs.

Kinda reminded me of the old chestnut about the Veddy British safari hunter who takes his big double rifle out and shoots an elephant. Both fall to the ground due to the shock, and the one who gets up first is the winner (grin).

Make yours weigh close to 10+ lbs with recoil reducers and you can shoot it all day long.
Regards, Joe

J.D - What do your specifically recommend by way of recoil reducer(s) for an 8.5 lb. 458 WM?

I have have of those in a composite mannlicher stock with a 20" barrel. I planned to use it only for sort of 350 gr. Marlin .450-eqivalent shooting, but would like to know what might also make it suitable for a few (VERY FEW!) regular magnum rounds every once-in-a-great-while...

I would install one mercury reducer in the forearm and another (or maybe 2) under the recoil pad.

I no longer possess a 458 but do have an 1886 Win that pushes a 535 @ 1725 and weighs 8 lbs(!). My opthalmologist has told me that such violent recoil combined with my 'steep' eye shape (-13.0) puts me in great danger of a detached retina.

So maybe you can understand my concern over recoil (grin). I can still remember the first and only time I ever shot a pre-64 M70 458, and it wasn't pleasant!
Regards, Joe

JD: Are you still building?

quote:

Originally posted by ftg767:
JD: Are you still building?

No, age and laziness have struck heavily around here (grin).

Actually My Bride (SHE Who Must Be Entertained) has ordered a change of habitat and so we're in the process of moving into a new abode. We figured now was the very best (!?!?) time to do it since we're both down in the back from disc problems and can hardly move ourselves much less our stuff!

When I mentioned this potential minor problem, I was quickly informed that SHE had already considered things and it would now be up to Our Daughter and son-in-law and other assorted relatives to do the actual work of barge toting and bale lifting. Or is it bale toting and barge lifting (grin)?

Anyway I thought it was a splendid display of sneaky feminine guilt-tripping wiles and so I congratulated Her on trapping Her female relatives (for a change).

It'll take a couple of months to get things squared away IF we find all the boxes....
Regards, Joe