VZ.24 Brazilian Strength of Action

[PA-Joe]

I just got a circa 1930 VZ.24 in 7mm Mauser. It is in good condition. Will this handle modern ammo?

[44 AMP]

If the rifle is in sound mechanical condition, then yes.

However, one should always have the headspace checked before shooting any older gun. A rifle can appear to be in excellent condition, and still have excessive headspace, making it unsafe to use. Be safe.

The 7mm Mauser (7x57mm) is not considered a high pressure round by today's standards. It is designed to operate in the 45,000psi range. US loaded ammo is usually on the mild side (in deference to many older guns out there), while European ammo is loaded hotter, generally.

If your gun checks out as good, it would be safe for any standard modern ammo in 7mm Mauser.

[MD Redneck]

I've put S&B, Hotshot, Prvi, and Hornady thru mine and had no problems, probably close to 100 rounds............... its really just an 8mm action with a 7mm barrel, so yeah, it should handle some pretty hot loads. but have it checked by a competent gunsmith first to make sure that the gun is safe to shoot

[Scorch]

Your Model 1908 Brazilian Mauser is likely chambered in 7X57, aka 7mm Mauser. Many were rebarreled to 30-06 in the 1950s as the USA became the arms supplier of choice, although yours would be marked 08-30 if it had been rebarreled. As 44AMP said, 7X57 in the USA is loaded well below the SAAMI max of 51,000 psi, in Europe it is more often loaded to CIE max of 57,000 psi, and 7X57 military ammo was loaded hot.

The Model 1908 is a standard Mauser 98 action, and is plenty strong. The same action could be purchased from Mauser or any of the other suppliers chambered in 7X57, 8X57, 7.65X53, 30-06, and too many others to list.