I picked this up for a song, it is a VZ-24 in 30/06. I don't need another 30/06. I think I want to keep the metal butt in place, so I don't think I want to go much past the 06 in recoil.

Majority rules on what cartridge we turn this into. Please rule out 7x57, 8x57, and 35 Whelen (I know those would probably turn up) I already have them. Though, I am not against another 7x57.

My thoughts are either 270 or 257 Roberts. Of course I have to admit that a new barrel with express sights, barrel band and chambered for 9.3x62 would be purtttttty.

280 Remington? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Darn near bid on it myself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

me thinks a 25-06 (AI-ish maybe) would be a good ride. Althoug 280 followed by 270 would be mucho fun too!

280AI!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

George

Lets see------ how about give it to me????

OK how about a 6m-o6

Was it on an auction someplace? I bought it from a guy that a bought another VZ-24 (which I turned into a 416 Taylor).

The thing is that the 30-06 will do the same thing that the other cartridges will and in particular if you handload. Thus it's at its highest value right now.

Either use it as is or trade it.

Considering the butt plate, I'd think 25-06, 6.5-06 or 270.

Why don't I walk into deels like that?

That's boring! I could hit it with a chainsaw and burn it for winter wood and I wouldn't be out much. The deals are the ones to play with.........

.220 Swift for those Alaskan Woofies<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

mike

First Choice: .280AI
Second Choice: .257 Roberts
Third Choice: 6/06

HBB

.257 Roberts or .25-06 would get my vote.

338/06

9.2x62 all the way. That rifle is just begging for it.

What could be boring about such a fine work of art, just the perceived mundane chambering? Throw it in the stove, it won't miss you either.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I feel so bad about fine old custom M98s and the like being mutilated lately (especially after that cretin Weagle's journey with his new baby), gonna have to get my only 30-06 out and fondle it all night now. Then I'll start on the 8x57s.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Hey it's now yours, twirl it anyway to want to.

.318 Westley Richards
6.5x57mm
.338-06
7x64mm
5.6x57mm
9.3x62mm

Good thing you don't know about the women in my life.

I like.......

.257 Weatherby. Terrific on predators, lots of fun to play with, recoil similar to 30/06, and will be perfect for your upcoming baboon safari!

280 or 280AI. You cant go wrong.


Long

It screams for a European chambering.

6.5X57 A.I. might approach 264WinMag
"published" velocities using a 140gr.bullet.
Bart

Steelhead, how's that quarter-bore collection coming? Any holes left in it?

6.5-06,........AI if your feeling adventurous

But you probably already have a 270......Hmmmmmm

If twer mine, a 6mmAI would be veerrry tempting. As a matter of fact I have a 98 which is destined to become a 6mmAI.

9.3x57 or 9x57 -- neither will kick the liver out of you (mine have steel buttplates), but both will thump game. And I already have dies you can borrow when you're in town <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

6.5x57 would be cool, too....as would 7x64.

Definitely time to end its servitude as a plebian '06 and give it some interest in life... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

you can leave it with me after you've converted it... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Either something in your not-yet-completed .25 caliber collection, or the 9.3x62.

.228 Ackley

Yep, I already have a 6.5/06. I don't have, nor have I ever owned, a 270.

VA,

The .25 list has been knocked down to the 250AI.

With a 3x Leupold onboard???????

9.3x62. Unless the 9.3x64 will fit in that action.

You've got about everything covered except REALLY big and small/fast. This one needs to be a metric, and the 9.3 is just too right.

I'll be the odd man out. Why not the lowly .243? It is good for up to deer and is hilarious on varmints. Have you ever seen what a 75 gr hollowpoint does to a prairie dog?

I can't like the 243, no matter how hard I have tried.

Let's try this way:

What do you want this one to do for ya? Fast and flat? Heavy and hard? Middle of the road?

Yes........

I have heavy and hard with the 416. I have LOTS of middle of the road. The only fast and flat is the 6.5/06.

220 Swift. It will always be the king of the 22's, and it is a classic in itself.

Well, sounds like fast and flat it is, then.

Scratch the 9.3s, although they would be nice, you already have the .416 and the .35 Whelen.

The middle of the road is crowded, as you say.

The 6.5/06 and the .270 would be near twins (though the .270AI and/or .270Roy gets you more); and the 6.5/06 can do just about anything, and then some, that an Improved Bob or .25/06 can do.

So, if you stayed north of .22 caliber, the .25/06AI and .257Roy are there. Then again, the 6mmAI has some legs, too. I've heard tell of a 6/06 (straight and AI), too, and rumor has it that it smokes.

Smaller gets you something like the .220 Swift would be about it down there considering you have a long action, and a short cartridge in a long action... well... it just don't seem right.

220 Swift is either a short or long action cartridge. It will fit in a short, but I think it fits better in a long action.

Right. That's kinda my point (brain is getting tired). Just about everything else down there in .22 caliber land is a short cartridge. S'head has a long action, and thus a long cartridge would be (IMHO) a better fit; ergo the .220 Swift being about all that's down there in .22 land for the current set-up.

Considering the metal butt plate and the era of the rifle, I vote 257BobAI or 6.5X55

What about something off the wall like a 303 British?

I think you need to give the .270 Win a try.

I owned one once for about 15 minutes.

I have a 7 mm Express (AKA .280 Rem) and a 6.5-'06 too, and they are great cartridges.

The 120 grain premium bullets in the .264" to .284" diameters are all going to be fast, flat and furious when they get to the critter.

jim

Chimeing in late on this one...just found it..............


Steelhead, how about you tuck a $20 spot in the chamber, and throw it in the bay, that way if someone ever finds it, at least they get 20 bucks.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I once again raise my voice in favor of the 6mmAI.

Nothing could be less boring and more interesting than the historic 30-06 Springfield the most storied cartridge ever.

The popularity and flexibility of the 06 is unquestioned. Just use your imagination.

The reason you got that nice looking rifle cheap is the damm metal butt plate. Thats what to change!!



"For me, the .30-06 is a wonderful combination of accuracy, versatility, shootability and outstanding performance on game. These are, to me, the primary reasons it remains America's favorite cartridge after 95 years - and I seriously doubt its position will change any time soon!"


Boddington on the 06.

Think Roy, either 257 or 270. Both will flat out haul ass.

Yeah, that will work too, George! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm thinking 220 Howell.

Yep. on an auction. Twas a couple days ago. Can't
remember which one and it seems to be gone now.

Nice rifle. I was thinking of a 280 Remington at the time.

Enjoy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nothing in the super fast category, huh? How about a .22Cheetah (I am thinking about building another-way fun) or the 220 Weatherby Rocket aka 220 Swift Improved. Knowing the era of the gun though and that you don't have one yet the 257 AI sounds like a great option. Good post / thread!

Everyone either has, or has had, a .30-06. Of course it works...that's hardly the point. My Dad's '63 Comet worked, too...

SO...since you don't want another thumper...

Sounds like a 6.5x57 Mauser is in the offing...unless you actually don't have a .280. Then the choice is clear.

6.5-06

If it were mine, I'd make it a .25-06.

knock off the monte carlo.
re-forge the bolt handle with a little more classic sweep.
maybe a #2 dougie at 23.6 inches in 6.5x55.
dump the scope mount. fill holes.
add classic peep.
ramp front with gold-line centered in the back edge of a moderately heavy blade.
barrel band front sling swivel.
now re-blue the whole schmear.

enjoy the balance, the sweetness between your hands, the caress of the swede's gentle recoil, the efficiency of its killing power.

brings a tear to my eye ...

Go with the 257 Roy or a 25-284. Don't know if the VZ will do the Roy thang without a bunch of work, but the 25-284 definitely carries lotsa mojo and would be a cakewalk...

I just had a brainstorm (Don't Laugh it does happen from time to time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />)

Rebarrel that thing to Dr. Ken's .220 Howell. Fast,Flat, Lethal, and a great match for a Mauser action.

HBB

What is a 220 Howell built from?

dogcatcher,

The .220 Howell is essentially a .30-06 necked down to .22 caliber.

Ken Howell himself discusses the .220 Howell on this thread: .220 Howell

I'm not about to doubt Ken Howell on his doings, and I can't say that I know a lot about what I'm about to ask ... but from what I do know, wouldn't a .22cal in an '06 case be considerable "overbore" ?

220 Swift--classic rifle = classic cartridge

You've got everything else covered more than once.

.256 Newton!

Maybe a 257 wby or 240 wby!

That's a tough one, Scott. You pretty much have all the bases covered. But since you've never had a .270, give it a whirl. I've had a couple and no other cartridge has given me as long a string of DRT kills. But, realistically, you probably couldn't tell a difference between it and your 6.5-06. .257 roberts would be cool, but will almost exactly duplicate your .250 AI.

John

I'd say leave it as is...


BUT..i'd go with .257 roberts
.25-06
.270 win
.280win
.338-06
.308win
7m08
.400 whelen

Wait....I have it now!

.44 Henry Flat!

PERFECT!!!! I am thinking a 28" octagon barrel measuring 1" across the flats should carry nice...............

You must be bored.

I am at work waiting on 11 pm

7X57! Look at it. If you ask the gun that is what she is going to tell you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Trade it to me for a puppy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Seriously, a 25-06 or the AI version of such would be T!TS on such a sweet platform. Or a 6.5x55AI. Oh the agony of such a decision! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />