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Finally managed to get to the range on Sunday to test out my VZ58 MARS now I’ve had the barrel re-crowned (only just managed though I was supposed to be on RCO duty!).

The conditions were less than ideal, but standard for the Ponteland range, with a 40-50mph wind picking up around 10am and continuing for most of the day, although thankfully mainly coming in from 5-6 o’clock. Also wasn't helped by the fact dumba$$ here managed to forget his spotting scope aaarggh

As the rifle has a fast 1 in 7 twist it was expected that the heavier ammo would do the best and the results proved that.

The rifle was shot from a gun rest with a 4x scope (ACOG).


I was pleasantly surprised to find that the zero i'd previously dialled in was more or less on the money, despite the scope having been taken off and put back on the gun a good dozen times. Very nice mount from CCA there

View from 200m


Best results were with 75gr Hornady Steel Match (Which just happens to be the most expensive by some margin at £54/100!!)

~1”@100m


Worst by far were from 55gr Barnual (which just happen to be the easiest to get a hold of and cheapest £32-34/100)
~4”@100m (This may have been made worse by the choice of target)



A decent compromise were the 62gr Barnual





Rapid fire with iron sights



All in all I’m happy with the accuracy from a 16” lightweight barrel. Its no precision tack-driver but for the type and platform its more than good enough. Now just got to get my backside down to Bisley for a (UKPSA) Practical Rifle comp Also heading down to North Cotes for a mini-rifle comp in July and as they have a tunnel range i might take the VZ58 with me and try to get a more precise zero

Not bad at all, I have a 1-7 barrel on my AR and 62gr GGG gives acceptable accuracy.

Diggle has CSR matches, might be a bit closer for you.

I do intend on giving CSR a go, however limiting/ed round count puts me off slightly i.e. There being set numbers of rounds per target. My middle name is "Supressive Fire"

Blackstuff wrote:I do intend on giving CSR a go, however limiting/ed round count puts me off slightly i.e. There being set numbers of rounds per target. My middle name is "Supressive Fire"

How about practical rifle then? Plus I get good results with mine with the BC tactical scout mount and a red dot, Plus its a lightish setup to boot.

Blackstuff wrote:My middle name is "Supressive Fire"

Really? I'm sure your other half told me it was Mark "have bought another bl@@dy rifle?"

Sixshot6 wrote:

Blackstuff wrote:I do intend on giving CSR a go, however limiting/ed round count puts me off slightly i.e. There being set numbers of rounds per target. My middle name is "Supressive Fire"

How about practical rifle then? Plus I get good results with mine with the BC tactical scout mount and a red dot, Plus its a lightish setup to boot.

See bottom of original post! Its just quite a distance for me to travel so need to get my main shooting buddies in on it too and getting a time when a match is on, when we all have the money for it, and we're actually free is something of a rarity!

phaedra1106 wrote:

Blackstuff wrote:My middle name is "Supressive Fire"

Really? I'm sure your other half told me it was Mark "have bought another bl@@dy rifle?"

Now both you and she knows that i never buy more rifles, i just sell one and some how manage to buy two with the money

My missus thinks I've got one rifle and six different stock configurations!!!

Tried out the following at Severnside yesterday in my Vz58 SP with Burris AR-536 bowl fixed sat on a RS Regulate AKOG mount and supported on a FAB Defense Tpod from prone out to 100 yds,

GGG
Barnaul lacuered cased
Barnaul steel cased
PPU Match 69gr
PPU Match 75gr

The best groups were from the GGG and Barnaul steel case and the worst surprisingly were from both the PPU especially as the heavier lead was supposed to better suited to the barrel twist of the VZ although the 75gr was better than the 69gr.

Will probably go with the Barnaul steel case in future.

Accuracy was generall sitting in the 9 and 10 of a 200mm Shoot n C.

Zilberbak wrote:Tried out the following at Severnside yesterday in my Vz58 SP with Burris AR-536 bowl fixed sat on a RS Regulate AKOG mount and supported on a FAB Defense Tpod from prone out to 100 yds,

GGG
Barnaul lacuered cased
Barnaul steel cased
PPU Match 69gr
PPU Match 75gr

The best groups were from the GGG and Barnaul steel case and the worst surprisingly were from both the PPU especially as the heavier lead was supposed to better suited to the barrel twist of the VZ although the 75gr was better than the 69gr.

Will probably go with the Barnaul steel case in future.

Accuracy was generall sitting in the 9 and 10 of a 200mm Shoot n C.

I only use Barnual stuff these days (cheaper and it likes it). Mostly had stoppages with PPU's but GGG (I had a talk with a dealer and he reckons the PPU has a higher zinc content than other ammo). Only had problem with steel Barnual with the MARS and that was yesterday. First and only time it happened. I couldn't tell if it had landed back in the port or not gone through, but I stopped pulled it out and was back on, no other problems. My best work is with Lacquered case ammo to be fair. I'm running a vortex sparc on the scout mount and getting good results now.

Other than the 2nd round i ever fired i've had no jams with mine so far BUt i'm yet to use it in a time pressured competition which i know can generate issues.