Guys,
I've located a VZ24 based sporter ... metal refinished (looks parkarised though), M70 style safety, new bolt, adjustable trigger with cheap synthetic stock. That's too say ... its potentially on the way towards being a semi-nice rifle.

The action itself however ... are the VZ24's worthy of a semi-custom rebuild??

Here's the mad idea part ... my 'smith (a true feeding master wizard!) believes in challenges. He called my idea of using a P14 'butt ugly', a No1 Ruger 'bit boring' ... but an M98 would be 'very nice indeed'. All this was said with a wicked grin!! We're both looking at potentially using an M98 to rebuild into a 400/350NE. He has the reamer and the skill to really give this a go. He'll want 'full custom', I want 'working class' ... that we'll argue over.

Is the VZ24 a worthy action to have a go at for this mad idea or should I take a few aspirins and have a lie down?
Cheers...
Con

An interesting idea as the 400/350 NE is a fantastic cartridge. I'd look at the 35 Newton though instead. It would present an equally challengeing, albeit different, set of problems for your 'smith.

quote:

Originally posted by Con:
He'll want 'full custom', I want 'working class' ... that we'll argue over.
Con

I think the check writer wins the argument every time.

quote:

s the VZ24 a worthy action to have a go at for this mad idea or should I take a few aspirins and have a lie down?

The VZ-24 is one of the three finest milsurp post WWI Mauser '98s available. It's as good as it gets and if the project can be done with a '98 Mauser.....it can be done with a VZ-24

The idea of a few aspirin and a rest isn't at all bad however!

Thanks vapodog,
I can always chicken out and do something simple like a 404Jeffery!! Everything I've read suggests the action is good for it, just need to sort out whether the action I've found which is parkarized can have that finish removed if I decide for a proper bluing job. Mind you ... working class to me means built to handle all weather, so parkarized isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I could always ask for a 400/350NE on a stainless/synthetic Ruger MkII. Probably wouldn't make it out of the shop alive.
Cheers...
Con

Be sure and get the "Special" bolt-job...

Henry22LR,
Australian version has fluffy dice for the bolt handle ... I like it ... very bling bling. Its off a Tikka T3 right?
Cheers...
Con

the xvz is a great action, and i have built some MONSTERS on them.

However, with all seriousness, a 338-06 or 35 whelen is a great thing!!, why with std brass and reamers, and fun.... oh, yeah, and dies!

jeffe,
I just remembered your 550Express is on a VZ24!! You have definately built some monsters!! I keep thinking though in this day and age where 'smiths seem to be able to do just about anything, the rimmed cartridge on an M98 action remains taboo. Dummies are in the mail now, will just wait and see what he says. Proceeding cautiously!
Cheers...
Con

the originals had the slant box ,you will probably need bottom metal from a siamese mauser to properly feed the rimmed 400/350,...paul

paul,
I've sent photos of the slant box magazine as used in a 303British Oberndorf M98 to him. I reckon the magazine box is the tricky bit, interested to see what he comes up with. This guy is good though, and I'd not be surprised if he nuts it out. When he requested the dummies he reckoned 30 minutes with eth dummies sitting in an M98 was all that he required to work out whether its feasible or not.
Cheers...
Con

the siamese mauser used a largely the same slant box.

With the slant box, rimmed cases are no problem at all in the Mausers. I've owned both a cased Rigby .303 British Type A Mauser Sporter, and a Sterling Davenport-built .45-70 Siamese Mauser, and both worked as smoothly and as fool-proof as anyone could want.

It does not take a great artisian to make a slant magazine box out of a standard one either, just a guy who knows how to weld properly and has preferably a TIG welder.

Of course the better the 'smith (or his welding friend), the nicer the work will be....

It can surely be done, but it is a costly thing to do. The .400-.350 NE has a loaded lenght of 3.66", and I really think an Enfield is a better way. Done properly, just as good looking too, like thees pic's 500 grains showed in another thread:

If an oddball, classy .35 in a M98 is your desire, the .350 Rigby should be exellent.

The VZ-24 is a great action, of the best ex-military 98 actions available.

The .400/350 idea sounds great, but what about a .318 WR instead? It should require less metal to be removed from the action and is, in my opinion, just as historic as the rimmed number.