Any real difference between the 98/22 and the vz24 in terms of quality?

I have one of each and can't tell any difference between the two. If anything, the 98/22 is a little tighter action. Keep in mind, many of the 98/22's had hard service with the Turk's. S40

They are comparable.

I have never seen a 98/22 with the crest ground off, but I have seen a number of VZ 24's that were ground. I have also never seen a 98/22 that did not have significant miles under its belt. I'm sure they are out there, but the five that I have are all well-used. That said, they came to me in good condition overall, and the actions of any one of them would be adequate for building on. I am putting together a .30-06 from the worst one now.

Clemson

the 98/22 has a longer barrel, is pretty much the same as a gew 98, infact most where put together with left over imperial german parts, generally they are less messed with than a vz 24, vz 24's usually have worse bores and or scubbed recievers.

Most of the VZ-24's I have seen have had badly pitted bores. The 98/22's had better bores, but all I have seen had receiver pitting at the wood line.

Both the 98/22's I have are real nice, tight, smooth actions. But once you take them out of the stock, both of are prime candidates for a professional surface grinder.

But nice actions none the less. So nice in fact that I left the most pitted one intact to keep as a collector rifle. Tis my philosophy that its a shame to have a whole safe full of Mauser based sporters without having a few originals to know where you came from...

The VZ24s have short barrels and the 98/22s have long barrels.

The 98/22 has a long sling mount in the rear.
The VZ24 has extra sling mounts on the side.