Buying a VZ.58, do I go 5.56 or 7.62x39

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Bratwurst

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Hi all

I am looking into purchasing a VZ.58 however I am unsure whether to go for a 5.56 or a 7.62x39 variant. I would really enjoy your input on what I can reasonably expect accuracy wise from both calibres using affordable ammo (Federal, surplus and handloads). Most likely I will be putting a 4x magnification optic onto the rifle.

Also is anyone selling the 5.56 rifle with a STANAG magazine converter so I can use LAR mags in it?
 
Bratwurst said:
Hi all

I am looking into purchasing a VZ.58 however I am unsure whether to go for a 5.56 or a 7.62x39 variant. I would really enjoy your input on what I can reasonably expect accuracy wise from both calibres using affordable ammo (Federal, surplus and handloads). Most likely I will be putting a 4x magnification optic onto the rifle.

Also is anyone selling the 5.56 rifle with a STANAG magazine converter so I can use LAR mags in it?
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Get CSA Vz58 in 7.62x39. It is a 2MOA rifle with x3 optic and barnaul ammo shooting supported. 5.56 rifles are less reliable (as far as internet goes, i never shot 5.56). My vz58 in closing on 2K with no malfunctions.

Scoping is problematic. You will either have to use a side rail or railed receiver cover, and that's $100+(cheapest, if go for RS regulate rails they are around 300). And even then it's either a short prism optic or you will have to use brass deflector. Stock is bad, and to make it good it is another 300-400 bucks (yugo AK adapter and magpul Zhukov).

If you get CSA for 1400 new and then bring it to a modern standard you are looking at 1.8-2K total. At this price you can get a lightly used XCR-L either in 7.62 or 5.56. and both take LAR15 mags.
 
l have both.

I like the fact I can run my 223 for hunting here in SW Ontario ( we have Cal Restrictions )

Never had any issues with the Mag conversions and running the AR mags are a bonus as i use them across many platforms. You will be happy with either.
 
The vz58 is over priced now, between the two I'd go with the X39. I've had both and wasn't impressed with the 556 accuracy.
 
Get it in 7.62x39 and shoot it as it comes. No need to tacticool it, there are better platforms if that's what you're after.
 
BlackVoid said:
Get CSA Vz58 in 7.62x39. It is a 2MOA rifle with x3 optic and barnaul ammo shooting supported. 5.56 rifles are less reliable (as far as internet goes, i never shot 5.56). My vz58 in closing on 2K with no malfunctions.

Scoping is problematic. You will either have to use a side rail or railed receiver cover, and that's $100+(cheapest, if go for RS regulate rails they are around 300). And even then it's either a short prism optic or you will have to use brass deflector. Stock is bad, and to make it good it is another 300-400 bucks (yugo AK adapter and magpul Zhukov).

If you get CSA for 1400 new and then bring it to a modern standard you are looking at 1.8-2K total. At this price you can get a lightly used XCR-L either in 7.62 or 5.56. and both take LAR15 mags.
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Oh that sounds rather good, I watched this videos "CSA VZ.58 Accuracy Test" which showed the rifle regularly achieving about 2.5 - 4 inch groups with various ammo types.

Unfortunately I could not find something comparable for the 5.56 variant.

I previously had a straight pull VZ.58 while living in the UK in 5.56 and that would achieve 1.5-2moa with affordable ammo which was nice.

You make a good point about the adaptions required, I was hoping to pick up an adjustable length stock or buy one pre-fitted.
 
redbirddog said:
l have both.

I like the fact I can run my 223 for hunting here in SW Ontario ( we have Cal Restrictions )

Never had any issues with the Mag conversions and running the AR mags are a bonus as i use them across many platforms. You will be happy with either.
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What kind of accuracy are you achieving out of each rifle?
 
Bratwurst said:
Oh that sounds rather good, I watched this videos "CSA VZ.58 Accuracy Test" which showed the rifle regularly achieving about 2.5 - 4 inch groups with various ammo types...
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Optic mount, barrel harmonics with muzzle brake, wind etc. I only shot barnaul and Norinco white box. White box is 4MOA, same day same rifle.

I got rid of magnified optic and using red dot, so will not be able to redo the accuracy test.
 
I have had both. No real difference. Good ammo, decent accuracy. Crap ammo, crap accuracy.

Good 5.56 ammo is cheaper than good x39.
Neither is going to give you bench rest precision results.
 
Bratwurst said:
Oh that sounds rather good, I watched this videos "CSA VZ.58 Accuracy Test" which showed the rifle regularly achieving about 2.5 - 4 inch groups with various ammo types.

Unfortunately I could not find something comparable for the 5.56 variant.

I previously had a straight pull VZ.58 while living in the UK in 5.56 and that would achieve 1.5-2moa with affordable ammo which was nice.

You make a good point about the adaptions required, I was hoping to pick up an adjustable length stock or buy one pre-fitted.
Click to expand...
You could pick one up second hand and their are a few nice ones on EE but if you were getting one in 223 I’d pay the extra on new for the 5 year warranty just in case I love mine had no hiccups of any kind most of the second hand vz don’t have warranty anymore and parts for em aren’t as plentiful as it once was. More so for the 223 rifles as they aren’t surplus rifles like the original 858 rifles nor can they take some of the more important parts like the bolt or firing pin from 858 rifles. You could always do the wk180 route it’s 1kish and gives you room to improve it
 
I had no issue with the 223 from csa. It's cheap and non-restricted, easy to field strip/clean and runs good. What I don't like is how picky it is for mounting optic, the barrel is too thin and the trigger feels like a stapler gun. Accuracy was between 2 to 4 MOA depending on the ammo.
 
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