I have a very nice VZ-24 Mauser. The only problem I have with it is that the rear sights lowest setting is 400 meter (I assume it's meters, no?) I would like to keep this gun as stock-looking as possible. What would be the best way to rezero the sights so that the lowest setting is 200 yards or closer? I was thinking about getting a new rear sight leaf that starts at 100 or 200, but that doesn't solve the actual zeros. Also, I would like the markings to be zeroed correctly out to at least 600 yards, in case I decide to fool around at some matches with it.

Replace the front sight with a taller one. The military made many different heights. You might contact Gun Parts or Sarco.

To figure out what size sight you need ------multiply the distance between the sights (sight radius) by the amount you want to change on the target and divide the product by the range, in inches.

Sight radius VZ-24 = 20 inches
Change wanted = ie 6 inches
Range = 100 yards/3600 inches

20 x 6 = 120 divided by 3600 = .033

The sight has to be changed approximately 1/32 inch (.03125) to change POI 6 MOA.

Gun Parts used to offer a high front sight blade for Mausers. Item # 530030. It's designed for the 96 but should fit most Mausers. Or an entire front sight set item # 529390.

Good luck

I solved the same problem with my VZ-24 by installing a K-98 rear sight in place of the issue one. All you have to do is remove the old sight and snap in the K-98 sight. This lower profile sight will probably bring your group way down and you'll have to use the elevation adjustment to bring it up again. An added bonus is that the K-98 sight has twice as many adjustment notches as the VZ-24 sight so you can make finer adjustments.

While I'm not very familiar with Mauser military sights, I'd suggest you make sure there is no short range notch on the sight already. Many military sights have a short range notch that is quite inconspicuous. I would imagine there might even be front sights that have a short range elevation feature.

What little I know about Mausers is all behind the front ring.

This sounds like a typical discussion at my local range!- You need a taller front sight. Call Brownells and order one. File it down till your on target.-Rob

The replacement sights ideas are fine but if you prefer to keep the originals, as you stated, the first thing you need to do is shoot it at the ranges already marked.

If elevation is correct at those ranges, there is no replacement front that will help keep the POI zeroed at the marked ranges, with the original rear sight.

You might get the short range POI dead-on but to get the longe range zeros you would simply wind up filing the replacement front down to the same height as the one you removed, or using a conversion chart.

If you lack a 400 meter range, chronograph the load and work off the POI at a measured distance using ballistics calculators. That will be close enough to tell if the current front is correct for the rear. Then stick with a load of that trajectory.

[ 07-31-2002, 17:11: Message edited by: steve y ]

Yeah, Steve Y. I know what you mean. If I just slap on a different slide, I still have a 400m ramp, even though the slide might say 200. The drop from 200-300 is not the same as the drop from 400-500 and the drop from 300-400 is not the same as from 500-600, etc.I did a little measuring of the deck heights and the sight heights of 2 different sight assemblies: a 200m and my 400m. Not only is the deck height different, but so is the ramp as is the front sight. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to swap the whole rear sight assembly and get a taller front sight in order to get accurate zeros out to 600 or whatever.

Try the K-98 sight before doing a swap. You will find that even though the sight bed is incorrect, the fine elevations of the K-98 sight will allow you to get close out to 400 meters or so. No, the range on the sight will not match the target range but who cares as long as you can hit the target. Just do some trial and error shooting and use some white paint to mark the positions for each range on the rear sight. This way you won't risk ruining the value of your gun and can return it to original condition when you wish.

I would go shoot it first...then you will really know what needs to be done...take a tape with you so you can determine how high or low etc. you need to correct...It just might shoot right where its supposed to, regardless of writing on the sight....