Mauser VZ 24 6mm Rem

[Newby stevo]

I just inherited a custom 24 " 6MM Rem with a Mauser VZ 24 action. I'm brand new to reloading but i'm ready to get my feet wet with this gun.

The only thing I have at the moment are friends with reloading equipment and you guys.
Do I need to know any thing special about this action that before I start getting supplies together to build a load.
Does this VZ 24 have pro/cons that should drive considerations up front? Primers, brass etc.

Thanks for reading. Looking forward to responses. First forum post ever.

Stevo

 

[jonbearman]

Re: Mauser VC 24 6mm Rem

Welcome to this forum and if you ask questions you will get alot of answers.The VZ-24 is a good action,just not as tight as modern actions.Will it do the job,yes.With that out of the way it is off to loading. Getting 6mm rem brass right now could be alittle tough as components are scarce but it is out there if you look. I would buy at least 2 loading manuals to read.One would be a lyman manual and the hornady for starters.Read them at least 2 or 3 times to familirize yourself with terms and a complete understanding of safety and correct procedures.Then you can start reloading without worry of over pressure rounds causing damage to the rifle or especially you.Second,dont start asking others for their personal loads as that can and will in some case lead to disaster.Safety is paramount here.Did I mention safety yet? Anyways all loads are worked from the bottom up till pressure signs rear their ugly head.Read carefully how to measure your cases in search of these markers.Once you see flatened primers or the case head start expanding ,stop .drop your charge and re-evaluate the data to remain in the safety zone.Lots of guys love to share their petloads and the problem lies with them being over book maximum charges and thats where the trouble starts.Find out the twist rate of that barrel using the cleaning rod and a tight fitting patch.Do a search on how to check your barrel twist.Once that is established you can pick the weight of bullet that your barrel can stabilize.Not all barrels can shoot all weight bullets and can cause keyholing or plain missing the target altogether.Next read the manual and see which powders they recommend .Then decide if you want to shoot hunting bullets versus target bullets. Then get together with your reloading partner and get to work and take your time. Size your cases,measure ,trim if necessary,chamfer the necks so the bullets slide in when loading without scratching,,once the prep is done you can install the primers,set-up the powder measure,level your beam type scale for zero,set the scale for starting loads,throw the charges and weigh each charge to keep consistency.charge the case and seat the bullet so it fits your magazine and get to shooting. Did I mention to reread the reloading manual a few times and take notes of things that dont make sense and ask away.Eventually reloading will be easier as experience takes over so dont dread it.This is a highly rewarding experience and you will have pride making better ammo than any factory tailored to your custom rifle.I am sure I have left stuff out but the book should be the bible to go by .

 

[bheadboy]

Re: Mauser VC 24 6mm Rem

one of my first custom rifles was a VZ 24 in 6.5-06, it was solid, took "normal" pressures well and with a bit of care would shoot 3/4.

the shorter 6mm case will give you more options as to bullets if the twist is fast enough.

Bob

 

[Newby stevo]

Thanks for responses.
Jon I appreciate your welcome and thoughtful interest and concern.
Back story: I do have my Dad on board helping out now. He's a safety guy for sure but his reloading experience is hand gun and large 30 Cal hunting. A pie plate group at 200 usually satisfies him but he’s interested in helping, especially when I told him I asking someone besides himself for help. Pride! What a motivator.
Also, the logistics behind this endeavor is the gun is with him in Georgia. I'm currently in Alaska but will visit this spring. Dad volunteered to start working up the loads as components are ridiculously scarce in Alaska and he's found 75 cases of Remington brass already.
Back to the plan.
Step one. Figure out barrel twist. I’ll get back to you’all.

 

[bheadboy]

Newbe,

in my 6mm rifles, I found bullets in the 100gr range worked very well with 4064, I would suggest that and 4895 if you can find them, they were very effective on white tails, I can not count the number my 2 sons took with the combination.

The twist can be checked by cleaning the bbl get it dry, then take a tight patch -push in 4-5" mark the rod and bush letting the rod twist, when the mark is again to center mark again the measure the distance between the marks.

Bob

 

[Newby stevo]

Thanks Bob.
My ambition is to load 1 light long distance vaporizer and a heavier whitetale round.
Considering Nosler 95gr BT, H 100gr Interlock BTSP and Sierra's 100gr Game King
Good news. I have access to IMR 4064.

Steve

 

[bheadboy]

Try the Sierra 70 br blitz king for the light one and the 100SBT for deer,

The were very good for me.

Bob

 

[Newby stevo]

Bullet selection for 24" 1 to 9 twist in 6mm Rem

Guys,
Ok I measured barrel to have a 1 to 9 twist. What does that mean to me in term of bullet selection? Should I change my considerations?

Summary:
Ballistic knowledge/reloading experience: Little to none.
Gun: 6mm Rem w/ VZ-24 action 24" barrel w/ 1 to 9 twist

Currently have access to:
Remington brass
CCI and Winchester Large rifle primers
IMR 4064 and 4350

Long distance varmint vaporizer?... Considering Sierra's 70gr BlitzKing and H's 75gr V max

Large whitetail load?... Considering Sierra's 100gr GameKing SBT and H's 100gr Interlock BTSP

Thoughts ?

Thanks, Steve

 

[bheadboy]

the 9 twist will do all you need for the varmint and deer loads, so go at it.

Bob

 

[Newby stevo]

Thanks Bob. I've been dreaming about bullets. I'm way overthinking this. I'm going to get started by ordering some Sierra stuff. I'm having my Dad make a sweep looking for different powder i'll let you know what I can get a hold of. Thanks for lending an ear to a Newbe. Hope you stick around.



Steve

 

[Newby stevo]

Looks like i'll have to choose between IMR 4064 & 4350 for now.
What should i start with first?
Any preference between CCI or Win LR primers?

Steve

 

[CatShooter]

You will be better starting with one of the 4350 powders - pick one and stay with it - they are all very close to each other in burning speed, but not interchangeable, so if you change brands, drop 5% and work back up.

 

[sbhooper]

I have a Remington 700 in 6 mm. I have killed over 100 white-tailed deer with 100-grain Hornady Interlocks over Reloder 22 powder. It is loaded to right at 3000 fps from a 22-inch barrel.

Reloder 17 is going to be my next loading when I use up all of my Re22 loads. I have not tried it with the 100 grain bullets, but it shot 85-grain Partitions easily sub-minute at over 3200 fps with a moderate load.

I think that the 6mm is a fantastic antelope caliber, especially for kids, as the recoil is nil. It has always done a great job on deer, also, with some shots nearing the 400-yard mark.

If you have a slow-twist barrel, you may want to concentrate on the 80-90 grain bullets.

 

[7x57]

The .224/6mm Rem is the standard 57mm Mauser case necked down to 6mm. If finding factory brass is tight, you can use .257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser, or 8x57 Mauser brass as well