Vz 58 problem - is it the rifle or the ammo????

MGM1

MGM1

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Situation: I have a new vz58 in 5.56 and 1600 rounds of Norinco .223 ammo. The first time I took the rifle out, the 23rd round ruptured and the top brass stayed jammed in the barrel. I had the brass removed and I figured probably just one bad round. Wrong. I took the rifle out for a second time and had many more ruptures within the 60 rounds I fired. Most ejected despite being ruptured while others only ejected the bottom brass and the following round jammed into the upper brass that was left in the barrel. In those cases I managed to eject both the good round with the broken upper even though the good round was firmly encased in the broken piece. Finally, a round ruptured and I have another upper piece jammed into the barrel that would not come out, thus ending the fun.

I have only fired the Norico ammo so have no idea if it is a rifle problem or ammo problem.
Has anybody else with a vz 58 in 5.56 had this problem with ammo other than the Norinco stuff?
If this is a rifle problem, any suggestions on what to do to correct it?

I really like the rifle when it is firing like it should.

Thanks for any help with this.
 
To eliminate the Norinco ammo being the problem, you need to shoot a different type. Sounds like a headspace issue to me, though.

Do your "ruptures" look like this?

http://3.bp.########.com/_f1TTfqxVUw4/S-XcZQBGjKI/AAAAAAAABOA/-NVwELkt6j0/s1600/DSCN7399.JPG
 
HEADSPACE!!!! I have seen another .223 vz do the same thing, it ha the wrong locking block installed. Look at the block, it has a number, get one with a higher number!

Scott
 
Very similar to the picture only the rupture seems to always occur about 1/3 to 1/2 way up the cartridge. (I tried to attach pictures but haven't figured out how to do that from my Mac)

Stevo said:
To eliminate the Norinco ammo being the problem, you need to shoot a different type. Sounds like a headspace issue to me, though.

Do your "ruptures" look like this?

http://3.bp.########.com/_f1TTfqxVUw4/S-XcZQBGjKI/AAAAAAAABOA/-NVwELkt6j0/s1600/DSCN7399.JPG
Click to expand...
 
m39a2 said:
HEADSPACE!!!! I have seen another .223 vz do the same thing, it ha the wrong locking block installed. Look at the block, it has a number, get one with a higher number!

Scott
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll have to check if CSA will supply the part on warranty.
 
Well I can't speak to case ruptures but there's something funny about the Norinco rounds. In my bolt action I've gotten primer strikes that leave a dimple and a raised edge but the primer is too far away to actually fire. I'm not really surprised that cheap ammunition can be garbage at times.
 
highbeam said:
Well I can't speak to case ruptures but there's something funny about the Norinco rounds. In my bolt action I've gotten primer strikes that leave a dimple and a raised edge but the primer is too far away to actually fire. I'm not really surprised that cheap ammunition can be garbage at times.
Click to expand...

That sounds like using norinco 5.56 in a .223 bolt action. I have fired 2100 with only 2 FTF. My guess is the op has an issue with headspace or something else. Contact CSA
 
I sent an email to CSA asking for an opinion. Bad ammo and headspace problems were their thoughts on this. They suggested I send the rifle in for a check under warranty and they will make any necessary repairs or replace the rifle. They contacted Casey Brouwer at Tactical Ordinance (their Canadian warranty shop) on my behalf. Casey in turn contacted me. All of this in less than one day, fantastic! So, I've told Casey that before sending the rifle in I'm going to try some different ammo to see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't then I'll be boxing it up and shipping it to Tactical Ordinance. So far I am very happy with the response I am getting from CSA and Tactical Ordinance.
 
MGM1 said:
I sent an email to CSA asking for an opinion. Bad ammo and headspace problems were their thoughts on this. They suggested I send the rifle in for a check under warranty and they will make any necessary repairs or replace the rifle. They contacted Casey Brouwer at Tactical Ordinance (their Canadian warranty shop) on my behalf. Casey in turn contacted me. All of this in less than one day, fantastic! So, I've told Casey that before sending the rifle in I'm going to try some different ammo to see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't then I'll be boxing it up and shipping it to Tactical Ordinance. So far I am very happy with the response I am getting from CSA and Tactical Ordinance.
Click to expand...

I posted about this in a thread in the Canada ammo section, but any updates on this? My 5.56 CSA non restricted has about 1500 rounds through it without this happening.

First evening with the norinco ammo I was getting case separations every 3 rounds or so. Pretty suspicious of the ammo, but I'll check the headspace on the gun this weekend.

Let me know how you make out.

Thanks,

Ben
 
MGM1 said:
I sent an email to CSA asking for an opinion. Bad ammo and headspace problems were their thoughts on this. They suggested I send the rifle in for a check under warranty and they will make any necessary repairs or replace the rifle. They contacted Casey Brouwer at Tactical Ordinance (their Canadian warranty shop) on my behalf. Casey in turn contacted me. All of this in less than one day, fantastic! So, I've told Casey that before sending the rifle in I'm going to try some different ammo to see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't then I'll be boxing it up and shipping it to Tactical Ordinance. So far I am very happy with the response I am getting from CSA and Tactical Ordinance.
Click to expand...

Casey at Tactical Ordnance does some fine work :).
 
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