So I just got in a bidding war for this rifle and won....or lost depending on how you look at it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=412390624

I'm not even sure what I have, but it was light, compact and I thought the wood looked pretty nice, although I may have to whittle down those side panels. Is this a Brno VZ33? If it's not accurate, could I rebore to a 9.3x62? Should I have a gunsmith look it over before I shoot it? Any comments welcome, even if you think I bought a POS. Thanks

Cool little rifle, I really like the stock. VZ33 are small ring mausers and the predecessor to the german g33/40. Judging by the pictures, your rifle is a Large Ring BRNO, so maybe a VZ-24? I'm sure someone with a little more mauser knowledge will stop by with a definite answer.

Well being it still has the slots for stripper clips and thumb grove in the side of the receiver I would say it is at least a leftover military action. I am not an expert on the different Mauser actions but from the looks of things the bolt is done nicely. I can't tell if that is a commercial barrel or a military one turned down. I would not spend money having it rebored as you do not know how well the barrel was made. I built a nice .308 on an old 98 action and have another I may build on if I decide to spend the money on the bolt. The first one had a nice job done on the bolt but this one I have was done ugly. Maybe you will be lucky and this one will shoot well.

That's a sweet lil carbine,8x57Mauser is a way under rated cartridge here in the USA!!!

If I had to guess, I'd think that what you have is a VERY nicely redone and sporterized military Mauser. Probably a VZ-24. If my experience with VZ-24's is any indication, you likely will have a very smooth action. And a VERY handy hunting rifle. The 8x57 cartridge with modern loads just flat-out WORKS! Much better than it is given credit for.

GH

I don't know much about military Mausers either. The only
reason I thought it was a vz33 is because of the weight. I didn't think you could make a rifle that lightweight with a large ring. Thanks for the comments, keep em coming

Nice little rifle and the safety is on the proper side. I would do a bit of stock leaning, leave it an 8x57 and hunt it.

This.

On all counts -- that left safety is good, as Ed notes!

John

Looks like a VZ24.

Good photos. IMO $410 for a nice looking sporterized Mauser, you won.

Sweet piece of timber attached to the metal, for sure, and like everyone has said, the 8x57 is a killer. Ask a whole bunch of Allied troops in WWII.

You bought a rifle do light it floats for pictures.

Just heard back from the seller. He doesn't know much about it either. He thinks it's a large ring so I guess it's a VZ-24. If so, you guys think it should be able to handle full power european loads? I do handload but I thought about picking up a box of factory ammo first just to see how it shoots before investing in all the reloading supplies.

Neat little rifle.

This rifle will shoot any factory ammo you can find. It was built to do exactly that, after all.

Mauser magazines are made to fit one cartridge, and it will take more than a new barrel to change this gun to a reliable 9.3x62. Plus, a full power 8x57 is enough gun for anything you will shoot in North America. I would leave it alone if it were mine. Well, a scope would be nice

Beautiful rifle. I'm guessing it was for sale because the original owner is more recoil sensitive than he thought he was.

Looks like a sporterized, CZ vz24.

Plans? Scope and shoot if no problems? Wood looks nice. Probably worth every penny you paid if it is in as good a shape as described.

I would drop by a 'smith and do a quick headspace check and confirm the bore diameter at .323" and if all was good I would have zero issue shooting CIP rated loads through it.

Kevin,

Do you have dies for the 8x57? If not, I have a Pacific seating die that is yours for the asking... PM me if you like...

GH

Nice acquisition!

Note that foreend treatment! Looks a lot like Ol' Bill Ruger's Alexander Henry style foreend. Did someone actually copy that on purpose or did it preexist on its own?

1B

My plan is to scope it and shoot it as is. I only asked about reboring to a 9.3x62 or 9.3x57 as an option if the accuracy is not up to par. If it is confirmed to be a VZ-24, will Talley Lightweights for "Large Ring Mausers" fit?

I don't have a gunsmith in town to check the bore or headspace. Is this something I could check on my own? I've heard of using a sized case and adding layers of transparent "Scotch" tape to check headspace. Anyone know anything about this method.

Thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate hearing from you guys.

I used the 3M or Scotch tape headspace check method on a sporterized 95 7x57 Mauser. Cutting the tape to fit is kind of tedious. I forget how many layers of tape is considered safe. It checked out ok but I remember I had a loose primer or two with some 175 RN bullets and 4064.

I ended up shooting nothing in it but lighter loads with firefomed, neck sized brass. If I had it do again I'd take it to a gunsmith and get it done right.

I think you got a great gun there. Seller did a great job with the pics too.

Beautiful sporter and you have an automatic pic for the fence post thread!

twofish