I saw some VZ-24's at a local Big-5 store being sold for $50. My question is how does a person tell if the action is in decent condition. I want to use the action for a rifle in either .270 Win or .280 Rem. How much money am I looking at spending with the end result being just a regular hard working rifle? (Nothing even close to being a custom). How much cost is involved in bolt bending,scope bases and a normal barrel installation, and an average joe stock?
Any help is appreciated.
BB

If you can get VZ-24s for $50, buy all you can carry! VZ-24s have been slowly drying up and $50 is a great price. If you decide you don't want to use them, you'll be able to resell them easily for $75 and up.

Darn, I wish we had a Big 5 around here!

If the actions are in good shape, buy em up. However, the only reason to use one is to build a gun that is something superior to a factory gun. As far as costs, here is a rough breakdown, and why it isn't cost effective to make a working gun w/ one, unless you just like mausers, and nothing wrong with that.

The least exspensive re-barreling will be a midway A&B, finished price will be $150-175.

To scope the rifle you need to have the action drilled/tapped, the safety changed, and the bolt handle re-welded $100-150.

You'll want another stock, $100-150 on the low end.

You'll want it blued as well $50-100.

So, even with a starting point of $50, you're looking at $450-625.

As I said, no point in building something just as good as a factory gun, and I'd recomend a higher quality barrel, Pac Nor cro-mo are only $30 more, but it has to be threaded, so that will add a couple $ for the machining, but is well worth it in the long run. Same deal with stocks, the low $ ones generally have the feel of a club, and the cheap plastic, aka tupperware stocks don't have sufficient rigidity. I know this because I have an A&B barreled VZ-24 w/ a butler creek stock. The stock will be replaced, and perhaps the barrel down the road. Not that it isn't accurate, shoots 3 into 1" - 1 1/2" at 100 yds, but it fouls quite a bit, and is finicky w/ loads. I did all the work except the finish chambering, and still put over $300 into it.

So, if you want a good quality working gun, not a full blown custom, but something you'll be proud to own, and will be your ideal, I'd expect to put $1k into it, maybe a little bit more. I'd also recomend you spend the time figuring out exactly how you want it made, and not trying to save a few $. If you try to cheapen it, you most likely won't be happy with the results, and the money you loose when you sell it would have covered having it done the way you wanted it.

My 2 cents, been there, done that, wished I'd headed others advice.

Buy, Buy!! I just finished a 9.3x62 on a nice VZ24 purchased from Big 5 in Tacoma. this one has a Lothar Walther barrel. I will post photos as soon as Seattle film gets the processing complete. Takes a little work, such as a bolt handle and several other machining chores, but the VZ24's will turn into nice rifles. Just do not try to over do it in the cartridge length area.

As Paul says, you will not save any money over buying a M70, but you will wind up with a unique rifle, especially if you choose the cartridge carefully.

[This message has been edited by John Ricks (edited 07-10-2001).]

I had one converted to 308. new barrel drilled and tapped for scope and redfield palma sight and front sight, new bolt handle welded on, cost $330. I spent 40 dollars for a Timmeny trigger and had a smooth shroud. Boydts laminated target stock was $60. parkerised it myself.

There's a Big 5 near me. I'm gonna check em out after work tonight. Sounds like a good deal, but is the metal any good in them (pitting recievers)? At that price it would be worth stacking a few in the back of my safe!

John, what's the max cart length on that action without a lot of fussing around?

[This message has been edited by BigBores (edited 07-11-2001).]