How to get a VZ58 to shoot straight

[gurpgork]

Clean it just you'd clean any other rifle/pistol after using corrosive, it'll take a bit more time. I use only corrosive in my milsurp firearms, well, expect for 9mm pistols. If you clean it thoroughly and on the same day there shouldn't be any problem. Some people use warm water with soap to wash out salt from the barrel/parts, I use Windex. After that's done I just clean and oil as per regular maintenance rules.

It's chambered in 223, so only non-corrosive. I'll bring it in to a gun smith to see if there is anything that can be done on the trigger and have him look at the crown. I might just have to try hand loads to see if that makes a difference.

Like other people said, 3-5 is normal for that rifle, your scope might be playing games. I fired plenty of Vz's, mostly with milsurp ammo, they are all pretty similar in accuracy, a bit better with decent scope though. At least one I own is pretty close to what you have when fired with ARMS BUIS.

Yup. Looks like the 3+ MOA is what it is. I thought it might have been the scope but I tested the Vortex 1-6x optic on my other rifle platforms and it works consistent on those other rifles. I'll have plenty of time to try out some hand loads this winter. You know how it is. When all your other rifles are all 1MOA or better, you want it all.

 

[Seven Lakes]

Known working optic, but what is it mounted on? If it’s one of the side of receiver mounted rails double check to make sure everything is tight, then go through and locktite whatever screws you can. If you have the means to do so yourself, check the headspace. Maybe you have an abnormal about of headspace and the bullets are jumping more to the lands than they should?

What’s your trigger like? If heavy and gritty and you’re used to a more precise trigger, maybe you’re jerking or being inconsistent on your trigger pull?

I should have mentioned that the 3-5 MOA is using a known working 1-6x Vortex. Doesnt matter what I feed it to date. PMC, Rem UMC, Federal of many types, PMU, Eagle, Barnaul, 55gr, 62gr ... 3-5 MOA. Yup, definitely spray and pray.

It might not be a bad idea to bring it in to have the crown looked at.

For those of you getting 3 MOA off of the irons @100m, that is awesome.

 

[sidester]

Chambered in 223, the barrel is 18.6" with 1:7 twist

With this twist rate you need ammo with 62gr projectiles & heavier.
69gr or 77gr should do great in reloads.

 

[Murray 3-D]

Great video. Looks like on average he's getting ~3MOA. It is a fun rifle and I like the idea that it is pretty easy to maintain. My trigger is also pretty spongy so maybe there is something that I can do there. Sadly mine is 223 so no big game - but my Stag10 in 308 is my preferred, even at 9.1lbs

3+ MOA average across the board maybe, but like any gun, u gotta focus on the ammo it likes. In this case that SST is damn impressive. Looking more like 2MOA and under. My Benelli MR1 will shoot UMC into a very sad 4 MOA group, but yet with Hornady 55gr steel match it patterns more consistently to 2 MOA. So it would be un fair to call the gun a 4 MOA gun as well in that case.

My buddy has a factory STAG 10, he loves it as well. Shoots 1MOA and under with handloads. But yet his Austrian surplus groups closer to 2-3 MOA supposedly.

To fulfill your desire for a 1 MOA .223 to match ur STAG, id recommend looking at a SL8, SLR, Modern Sporter, ACR, a new gen mini 14 target model or a K&M M17s.

 

[gurpgork]

With this twist rate you need ammo with 62gr projectiles & heavier.
69gr or 77gr should do great in reloads.

I wouldnt mind trying some of the heavier loads, but you dont find anything like that so easily off the shelf. Not without shelling out a few extra bucks anyway.

Known working optic, but what is it mounted on? If it’s one of the side of receiver mounted rails double check to make sure everything is tight, then go through and locktite whatever screws you can. If you have the means to do so yourself, check the headspace. Maybe you have an abnormal about of headspace and the bullets are jumping more to the lands than they should?

What’s your trigger like? If heavy and gritty and you’re used to a more precise trigger, maybe you’re jerking or being inconsistent on your trigger pull?

Yes, that CSA side mount is not the greatest and has a pretty crap interface for mounting. The side slide screws are torqued moderately high with locktite so I feel pretty good there. But we all know how crap it is. I never checked the headspace; So that is one for the gunsmith.

The trigger is a little spongy and gritty but nothing that cant be adjusted for. I'm going to see if the gunsmith cant polish things up a bit to smooth out a little of the 'ick' in the trigger group. There used to be a Bonesteel trigger upgrade, but I havent been able to find one.

3+ MOA average across the board maybe, but like any gun, u gotta focus on the ammo it likes. In this case that SST is damn impressive. Looking more like 2MOA and under. My Benelli MR1 will shoot UMC into a very sad 4 MOA group, but yet with Hornady 55gr steel match it patterns more consistently to 2 MOA. So it would be un fair to call the gun a 4 MOA gun as well in that case.

My buddy has a factory STAG 10, he loves it as well. Shoots 1MOA and under with handloads. But yet his Austrian surplus groups closer to 2-3 MOA supposedly.

To fulfill your desire for a 1 MOA .223 to match ur STAG, id recommend looking at a SL8, SLR, Modern Sporter, ACR, a new gen mini 14 target model or a K&M M17s.

Yup agree with you. Like I said, I've stuffed 12+ different ammo brands/weights through. You usually find something by then. Perhaps that illusive bullet is still out there. I'd be happy at this point for ~2MOA. So I'll check the crown and head space and see if I cant get a little better trigger action. I would be nice to hear from some other VZ 223 users out there.
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I really appreciate all the input and feedback you guys have provided. A true spirit of community.

 

[gurpgork]

With this twist rate you need ammo with 62gr projectiles & heavier.
69gr or 77gr should do great in reloads.

You got me thinking on this one. I never really gave the twist rate a thought. I'll see about ordering up some heavier bullets and give those a go to see how they turn out. Looks like X-Reload has a healthy variety of bullet weights as well. I wasnt ever planning on reloading for 223/556 but why not.

 

[Seven Lakes]

For trigger work, I’ve had success on parkerized trigger groups (think M305) by putting a little valve lapping compound on the mating surfaces of the trigger/sear. Then just keep working the trigger until it loosens up. Then a coarse rubbing compound (much finer than lapping compound). Rinse and repeat. Clean and oil. Check for slam fires etc.

 

[gurpgork]

For trigger work, I’ve had success on parkerized trigger groups (think M305) by putting a little valve lapping compound on the mating surfaces of the trigger/sear. Then just keep working the trigger until it loosens up. Then a coarse rubbing compound (much finer than lapping compound). Rinse and repeat. Clean and oil. Check for slam fires etc.

That will defiantly do it. Sadly the VZ trigger group is a much bigger pain in the bottom than AR. Not sure I'm up for it. Gunsmith

 

[stevey3737]

I owned a VZ58 chambered in 223 bought it new from wolverines years ago, it shot a lot better then you have described i would be looking at potential damage somewhere ie the crown is the first place has it been shot out? i was actually pleasantly surprised at my 100 yard groups, there must be a problem somewhere i know not much help but the rifle new is a pretty decent one

 

[NewCollector]

I have one I just acquired. It's the CSA .223 version. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the accuracy on mine. My best group at 100m had 4 holes touching (iron sites). Time will tell if that was a fluke or if I'll be able to count on that kind of accuracy long term.

 

[Phat Eagle]

These things were designed to be minute of bourgeois imperialist... 3 MOA is pretty acceptable Comrade!