Vz58

[sconie]

Thanks for the advice, I have ear defenders aplenty as I shoot at work, I'm in Tampa so apart from the local pistol range I visit to offload some auto pistols there is only Walmart that sells guns and equipment, they have AR15's coming out of their ears, if I decide to look at black rifles in future there is loads of accessories here.

Due to the fact that all of my shooting in the UK over the last fifteen years has been on company ground with their weapon's I have a lot to learn, particularly when identifying which variations I'll need to apply for when starting my own collection. I do fancy a VZ, an AR15 and a classic Russian as well.

First step for me when I get back is to join a local rifle club, from there I can source info on how to move forward.

Thanks again.

[sconie]

Came across this review in Gunmart, hopefully use the advice when buying myself.
http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/vz58_rifle

[dromia]

Beware, Gunmart don't do reviews they only do adverts, I wouldn't believe a word written in that rag.

[sconie]

I was a bit surprised by this quote -

" The 7.62x39 custom gun gave mixed results, which from much past experience with this calibre is mainly down to ammo quality. This gun was shot off a bipod and butt bag with the x6 scope. The Wolf scattered its shots into 5-8”, the PPU was better giving 2-3”, which is what I would expect. The surprise was the military surplus, it was shooting 1 – 1.5”, probably the best groups I have ever achieved with this cartridge! However, it’s no long range performer! With the right ammo it should work out to 300m-ish, but the 223 should be able to reach out to 600m with acceptable performance! "

I am new to this but my own experience of SLR's was the NATO 7.62 round which packed a great punch and I always felt it outranged the latter 5.56 SA80 rounds. Is the current thinking from shooters is that the 5.56 makes a better target round ?.

I remember seeing the Grendel round being tested against both of the above and and seemed to have the best of both worlds, hard hitting with good range and more compact, is the Grendel becoming more widely available these days ?

Cheers.

[meles meles]

The NATO 7.62 (x51) will out range and out punch the 5.56 round. Accuracy will often be better too. The 7.62x39 round is far less powerful than the NATO 7.62x51 round and nowhere near as accurate.

[sconie]

Thank you, that answers my question.

[pigsy]

Well after much pondering I succumbed and bought this on .223 (1:9 18.5" barrel).

Feroza and Scott were a delight to deal with and never failed to respond to my many ramblings and questions.

It seems incredibly well put together - now just need to get down to Bisley on Sunday and see what it likes to digest!

[Fedaykin]

Poor old Feroza! She had put up with all my ramblings as well!

The first 100 will be hard going and make sure the chamber is bone dry, use .223 rather then milsurp and mine seems to like Barnaul steel cased. I believe they sell 55gr Barnaul steel case at Bisley so I would feed it that whilst getting started.

A tip also when taking it apart and putting it back together again, the rear cover and spring assembly can slightly miss-align when you put it back on. When that happens you will find it is impossible to pull the charging handle back more then a centimetre and you will find it impossible to get it off again. To save you the thirty minutes I had muttering under your breath trying to get it off I will give you the cure When this happens the cure is VERY simple! Just pull the trigger! What has happened is the striker has got caught on the trigger sear (which is what it should do when you cock it).

At this rate we will have enough people to form the UK Vz.58 owners club!

[pigsy]

Fedaykin,

Thanks for the advice. Maybe a UK VZ owners club is not such a bad thing! I got the impression from Feroza that these are flying out the door at the moment.

Having read your previous report I've bought .223 ammo. I've got a mix of 55, 62 and 75 grain. I don't think the twist will stabilise the heavier 75 grain but I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm a bit of a fiddler and I've already stripped and cleaned it a good few times, but I'll definitely make sure that chamber is bone dry - thanks for the tip.

What do you use to clean yours? The supplied 3 piece rod feels a tad flimsy to me and I'm always reticent to use a rod without a rod guide and from the muzzle to breach.

I've got a boresnake and the otis .22 pull through, but I do struggle to get the patches to the right size on the otis.

Pigsy

[Fedaykin]

Digging around on the internet the official instructions are to clean from the muzzle end with this rifle, agreed the bore rod is a bit flimsy but it is what I have been using. Going from the muzzle end can be a bit nerve wracking but I have got used to doing it, actually I have switched to putting the rod through then attaching the brush or patch and pulling back as normal. I am considering getting it re-crowned as I don't think the best job was done at the factory (not the fault of Scott or Feroza and many a person does that anyway with a new rifle). I am going to invest in a single piece bore rod soon as well.

As for cleaner I mainly use Parker Hale 009 and some Hoppes foaming bore cleaner. It doesn't take much to clean the barrel unlike my Lee Enfield.