Czech VZ24 Mold recommendations

Bohica

Member
I have just acquired an extremely clean VZ24 8mm Mauser that I am looking forward to shooting in postal matches. Upon getting home, I slugged the bore and was surprised to find the it measured .328 at the grooves and .312 on the lands. I was very surprised that it came out at .328, but I ran two slugs and measured with two different micrometers. I have a Lee C329-205 that should arrive tomorrow and I will run a few test loads with it to see what happens. Has anyone had experience with an 8mm bore of this size?
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I have heard of one or two but haven't seen one myself.
the first thing I would do is check to see if I had enough room in the neck area to even get a bullet that big in there.
I am thinking 330 will be needed on the drive bands.
but that's like 8x56 Hungarian or 8mm Lebel big.
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
.328 seems big. ?????????????? :headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:

Did you take your measurements with a good micrometer ( or preferably two good micrometers , one compared against the other.)
 
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fiver

Well-Known Member
possibly, I have seen a normal chamber with an over sized throat and barrel before.
I think they just start out with the big barrel and 50-K over and over again does the rest.
 

Bohica

Member
.328 seems big. ?????????????? :headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:

Did you take your measurements with a good micrometer ( or preferably two good micrometers , one compared against the other.)

Identical readings with two good micrometers. I plan to do a pound cast once my Lee mold comes in to see what the chamber and throat look like.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Wow, .008" deep rifling. That's about twice the normal depth isn't it? That seems way out of spec.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
war time stuff from a,, well, from Czechoslovakia who knows?
I do know they make stop ring heeled type bullet molds for a reason though.
 

Bohica

Member
Just finished the pound cast. Basically no throat to speak of, but it will chamber a Lee C329-205 that dropped unsized at .329 at the bands and .312 on the nose. BTW, it is a Romanian contract rifle.