Hangfires & Ballistics Gel: Czech vz.52 at the Range

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Thanks to Guns.com for sponsoring this video! If you are an FFL looking to find a wider market for your inventory or a customer looking for a cool new piece, check them out!

[@johntory8330]

GIV IMBEL IA2

[@Gojiro7]

wow, feels like ages since I saw an ad break that had anything even remotely to do with what the youtuber is talking or is about XD even other themed tubers feel the need to top talking about Video games or world history to remind you of their sponsor that will shave your balls or sell you an over-promoted mobile game XD

[@vendasch666]

​@@Gojiro7Ian is a solid guy

[@thagrifster594]

Looks a lot 👀 like M1 carbine…

[@jefferyfite7122]

Buffalo Arms and Old Western Scrounger make new production 7.62x45 ammunition. Its not cheap.

[@Gojiro7]

Watching Ian casually break out Ballistic gel gave me the funny mental image of the firing range having a snack stand where you can buy a can of soda, chips, large blocks of ballistic gel, a hot dog, you name it XD

[@owensthilaire8189]

​@@zonacrs Ballistic gell with mustard please. Ketchup? No! Nobody, I mean nobody eats ballistic gell with ketchup!

[@nickkennedy9034]

Only if it's the costco beef franks. Those are some of the best commercial hotdogs short of going to a deli.

[@wdfghjkl]

Let me get uhhhh a small Mug root beer with easy ice and large ballistic gel with Sriracha sauce.

[@nickkennedy9034]

@@wdfghjkl a classic mug moment

[@onmilo]

Andromorphic Ballistic gel dummies, Tannerite by the ton, old refrigerators and ovens complete with pressure increasing doors,,, 🤣

[@AllAboutSurvival]

The focus on malfunctions, hangfires, and ballistics gel adds a valuable layer of insight, particularly for gun enthusiasts keen on understanding firearm performance in various scenarios. Your content strikes a balance between technical details and real-world applications, making it both educational and engaging. Keep up the great work!

[@alexgrenlie862]

Yes. I was heading out to go buy one at Fleet Farm.

[@joaopedrobaggio4475]

My grandfather always told, that a gun is reliable if you take care of it very well.

[@Gojiro7]

not to mention it helps shatter the illusion non-shooting enthusiast like myself have, thinking Firearms always work flawlessly and unrealistically like they do in video games and movies, I.E. they never malfunction, aren't heavy to carry loaded or unloaded, have ammunition quality trouble, or have flip up when fired (since actors tend to not know their supposed to fake the guns kicking back since their prop rounds aren't strong enough to do it for them)

[@Jimtheneals]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Seeing the malfunctions does give you a peek into the world of collector firearms and the problems with ammo availability and reliability.

[@SuzukiYNathie]

Why did you use ChatGPT to write this comment

[@manuelsandino9248]

The Vz52 issued to reservist in Nicaragua came from Cuba, the ammo was super dirty. The lack of maintenance and bad weather made this rifles useless after a few rounds, many of dead Nicaraguan conscripts found with a jamb Vz52 during the war with the FDN/contras.

[@DOMINIK99013]

From where come this info?

[@BananaRaid]

​@@BatCaveOz I was about to tear you a new one till I understood the sarcasm. Sadly, most won't.

[@robertozee5024]

Who doesn't love a bit of Czechnology?

[@jeromethiel4323]

I love Czechnology! You have added a word to my vocabulary. Good on you, sir. Good on you.

[@SpencerShirey1998]

NO

[@thesugardaddy7037]

I do. Got me one of them CZ 97 B pistols. Works good too.

[@TexasHellcat1836]

​@@SpencerShirey1998 Yes. C Z E C H N O L O G Y

[@chrissinclair8705]

Next on Forgotten weapons: "Hi I'm Ian, I found this SKS dug up in Laos next to a forgotton VC bunker complex on the Ho Chi Mihn trail. I'm sure it's a great shooter..." Firearms community: "Oh dear...." Love ya Ian.

[@RustyDroid]

"I took it to 2-gun along with this hand-manufactured 1911 copy"

[@chrissinclair8705]

Haha. Good one. "Hi I'm Ian, I have this lovely paper mache based model 1903 Colt in .32 ACP that someone crazily threw away in their back yard. Silly! it's time for a 2 gun match."@@RustyDroid

[@Spitfire200]

Also known as the “Hand Select” option from Royal Tiger Imports

[@napatora]

that thing actually looks great in the polymer furniture edit: truck liner furniture

[@skoshman1]

Does that count as a "bubba" type modification? Because that does seem to be something a redneck would come up with, and it clearly works.

[@petesheppard1709]

The Grenada operation was in the early '80s, obviously long after GCA '68. The most likely reason the Marine souvenirs didn't have import marks was simply that they came in via a Marine's seabag rather than an importer (A pox on the bureaucrats who have since restricted war trophies!). In the same way, I have a CZ-75 without marks that was bought by an American serviceman in Europe and brought back as a personal firearm.

[@Swindle1984]

Me too. I have a CZ-75 with no import markings that came home with a serviceman stationed in West Germany. Interestingly, the date code shows it's exactly 20 years older than the CZ-75B that was the second handgun I ever bought. By pure coincidence, my HK USP is also exactly 20 years older than my HK USP Compact.

[@owensthilaire8189]

Governments have become less and less about the citizens and more and more about the control of them. The U.S. has replaced a British aristocracy with a home grown aristocracy.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@toddmaddox3632 Grrr...😠

[@JamesThomas-gg6il]

Shhhh!

[@Einwetok]

There were a few AK's and other stuff that came home from Just Cause, never heard of any issues with it coming back.

[@reiisthebestgirl]

That brass is supposedly almost as hard to come by as primers.

[@molochi]

i hope he saved it.

[@SEO122]

You can make new brass, no problem. I've been doing it for just over 20 years from other boxer primed cartridges.

[@Flyingcircustailwheel]

@@SEO122what do you use as the parent cartridge?

[@michaelmacek9433]

I knew the lacquered case ammo would work well. I have maybe 5,000 rounds stashed in my vault. I at one time owned 5 vz52 rifles but now am down to 3. I rarely get these guns out to shoot them. I'm sure someday my ammo will end up in my estate auction.

[@molochi]

Measuring sectional energy, the 7.62x39 round should have about 85% of the penetration of 7.62x45. Ofc if the bullets tumble, shed bits, or just destruct the results become pretty random.

[@owensthilaire8189]

Technically any Spitzer bullet will tumble after impact as the rear is the heavy end. This is what makes full size rifle rounds so deadly.

[@skepticalbadger]

​@@owensthilaire8189Velocity is what makes them deadly, yaw is just a bonus, and even then only if it occurs early in the wound track.

[@owensthilaire8189]

@@skepticalbadger Oh? So why is a 5.56 less immediately lethal than a 7.62 say? Same velocity? Even a dirty old 30-30 is more immediately lethal than .223 and it's what 600 fps slower?

[@dysonsphere75]

​@@owensthilaire8189Those are intermediate cartridges no? Clearly projectile velocity and mass are integral to the performance of cartridges. Looks like 5.56 has like 600 J less energy than 30-30 if wikipedia is to be trusted.

[@molochi]

@@owensthilaire8189 Any can, esp if you hit bone. I would say most don't in soft tissue and what makes rifle bullets deadly is the ability to penetrate what you are aiming at, at very log ranges. I prefer a stable round that is not prone to tumbling in soft tissue because part of that causes the bullet to veer away from its point of impact which is another reason that rifles are deadly; they are accurate.

[@cdwg273]

I love seeing these rifles from the 50s used by Egypt like the Rasheed that my Grandfather would have seen when he served at the Suez canal. It is like seeing a part of history that relates to what he saw at my age and unfortunately would have been in the receiving end of.

[@donwyoming1936]

Reminds me I came across a very large stash of 7.62X45 ammo about 20 years ago. Tens of thousands of rounds in the back room of a shop. I think one of my troops eventually bought it all. He had quite a collection of CZ-52s. 🤠

[@Klaisak]

Its always a pleasure watching Ian give us a history lesson and swoon a bit over the Czech weapons! It makes me proud!

[@timothytietz9194]

nice demonstration of Elbonian surgical techniques too on blocks.

[@ES90344]

I remember when a former channel collaborator used one of these in a 2GACM and it ended up in the dumpster.

[@509Gman]

It was a 52/57 yeah? I seem to recall it being a rifle issue and not ammo, so I imagine it was the x39 gun.

[@ES90344]

@@509Gman was it a 52/57? I thought it was a 52 with the ammo being the problem? Hmm...

[@ForgottenWeapons]

It was a 52 with a chamber insert.

[@allendouglas4942]

@@ForgottenWeapons I almost bought one of those with the chamber insert at a gunshop near Fort Lewis in the early 90s. Salesman claimed it was possible to remove the insert, because there were millions of rounds of 7.62x45 coming in for cheap "soon". Same shop also later had about 20 MAS49/56s rechambered in .308. Asking price was $180. Oh if I could go back in time. Just like timing the stock market.....

[@bored383]

I know a guy who uses that cartridge on his ammo based chess set - 1 side is NATO cartridges, the other is Warsaw Pact

[@vojnovicvojnovic1104]

Czechs (and Slovaks in that period) was the only Warsaw pact Army that accept only caliber under SSSR pressure. They didnt produce Tokarevs, Kalashnikovs, SKS under licence. They had his way and unique arms list

[@robertkalinic335]

Didn't Ian say that ČSK was on good terms with Stalin so nobody cared until after his death? If bit bigger 7,62x39 is the result then I think we didn't really lose anything by switching to Soviet cartridge, it's not like we had some G11 caseless space bullets.

[@MrMajsterixx]

@@robertkalinic335 do u think that there was an option of not being good with Stalin ? Most of the people that tried that are dead.

[@robertkalinic335]

@@MrMajsterixx It can't be that CSK communist party members maybe sincerely liked him and shared his opinions, the bad vibes clearly prove that Stalin was actually oppressing every single person at all times by himself and he is the only bad person responsible for anything bad that USSR did. Stalin is actually Ivan the terrible spelled backwards in demonic language.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@MrMajsterixx and they still are.

[@Amac1825]

Wut

[@markreinhold598]

That forward assist style action at 6:07

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

KZbin is good right now. And we should be thankful for this because it will not last long

[@vibeslide]

This has been a really good watch. Very nice combination of shooting, history, and on top of it all ballistics. I'd be happy to see more episodes like this.

[@robinblackmoor8732]

It is kind of amazing. The video was kind of a failure, because of the crap ammunition. Ian still manages to make it great video, even with that ammo impediment. He is a weapon master; we all know that. Ian is also really, really good at making videos, no matter what happens.

[@DH-xw6jp]

I love the silhouette of that era's rifles. Integrated bayonets are just snazzy. It would have been interesting to also see the 7.62x51 in your comparison test.

[@bitfreakazoid]

I don't think I've ever seen Ian bring out a ballistics gel, and the way he kind of nerds out with it is awesome and hilarious. Love this.

[@andredulac4456]

that sharp and pointy bayonet on the handguard makes me very anxious ^^

[@caseybaker5830]

I bought one of these in the late 90's for something like $125. Unfortunately, when the ammo supply dried up i sold it. I never had an issue with the steel cased ammo, and really enjoyed shooting it. As a teenager i was really taken by the accuracy and the "switchblade" bayonet. I definitely regret parting ehh that rifle; but i was young and dumb...

[@vincentmueller3717]

When 70yr old ammo and magazines let you down, the designers thoughtfully provide an un-looseable bayonet. Truly a rifle for the ages. Also, handloading can take care of the ammo problem. Cases can be made from .220 Swift cases, available everywhere.

[@aldi404]

The boys are having fun with their gel thingies ^^

[@ronaldparvanian6949]

Have shot about 3000 rds. of the steel core 7.62x45 ammo in the 1990s in several of the black coated rifles. The ammo was reliable except one batch have multiple indentions around the base of the cartridge. All ammo were in old mint green 15 rd. boxes on 5 round stripper clips. The C52 had slightly more recoil than a Russian SKS. The CZ 52 was robust and reliable. The main problem was cleaning the complicated gas system. From sight covers were not included with these guns and mags were pricey.

[@kevind2392]

Hey Ian, it was awesome to see how the bullets reacted in the ballistics gel. Would love to see this more often!

[@davidjernigan8161]

I remember when these came in, and passed on them due to the lack of ammo

[@henryturnerjr3857]

I regretted not buying one when they were almost giving them away at a local store back in the 90s. That regret is gone after watching this video.

[@blakekeithley3400]

I had a first run vz-52 back in the nineties. It shot the lacquered steel with an occasional jam. VZ-52 handgun was reliable with one of the two provided magazines. I then ordered extra mags. Bulgarian burp gun ammo clocked pretty consistent at 1647 fps.

[@stanislavczebinski994]

Thanks Ian - for another great video. The separate clips of video vary quite a lot in audio volume. I would greatly appreciate if you could set them to the same level in the future. Greetings from Germany!!

[@nigelmacbug6678]

Ian didn't cut the bullet out using the bayonet.

[@O8V2a1]

It would be neat if Sellier and Bellot would offer a few boxes a year.

[@alancranford3398]

Thanks--I completed an NRA Rifle Instructor course last weekend and I anticipate having students using old ammo for their class. I won't be using your demonstration of misfires and hang fires during those classes but will remember and when a student's rifle has several misfires and hang fires from the same box of ammunition, I'll handle that IAW with NRA gun safety rules. Your channel showcases old guns with old ammunition. Sometimes only reloaded ammunition is available for the antiques. Your channel is educational because I do expect to have students in future classes bringing old ammo or reloaded ammo to shoot for their class.

[@andrewstoll4548]

I had a few hang fires with some .45acp anmo my dad was given. This was around 2000. The head stamps on the ammo was 1917.

[@SEO122]

I've been handloading for my 7.62x45 VZ-52 SHE rifle for a couple of decades now. I make the brass from any number of reloadable donor cartridges, to include .220 Swift, 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, or 6.5x50 Carcano. Accurate Arms 1680 powder is the go-to propellant, and 123gr AK jacketed bullets work perfectly. Buffalo Arms also sells reloadable boxer-primed ammunition.

[@TheArklyte]

Interesting gun AND cartridge. A lot of sources call 7,62x45 intermediate due to both it's power, dimensions AND the role it filled.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Very very interesting. I've read a lot about the bush war in Rhodesia, seen a lot of photos, and suddenly a lot of it all makes sense. You said the video wasn't that exciting - well it's exciting for you, knelt there wondering if you have a dud or a hangfire before you manually operate the action. Rather you than me! Tahnk you Ian - slainte!

[@LordDonutz]

I am so glad I didn't pick up one of these at my gun store two weeks ago. They only wanted $200 for it, but I saw what it was chambered in and said nope.

[@blindfoldedmissile]

Somehow looking at the name of my country on Ian's channel makes me feel patriotic even though the state of our country isn't exactly ideal.

[@muddyhotdog4103]

The state of everywhere isn't ideal to be fair

[@Helghastdude]

don´t worry neighbour (i´m austrian), here it´s not ideal too

[@Viper0hr]

I have 3 of these riffles, a $200 rhino lined one, and 2 okish ones I got from Century 5 or so years ago. None matching, of course. I only have 300 or so rounds, and only shot 30, but had no duds and few hang fires. Must just be lucky with the batch I got. I actually really like these guns and have been wanting a 52/57 for a long time, stupid me I've watched them go from $500 guns to $1.5k+. Great vid as always Ian!

[@bennyboy27or]

About 10 years ago I found one of those rifles at a gun shop, I thought some dude coated it in bed liner, didn't know it was done by the importer

[@peteraustin9057]

I know you've done videos in the past that were about "basics" like different operating systems for different guns, and I thought one on specific types of malfunctions would be interesting. As someone who's only gone shooting a handful of times, I'm not super familiar with terms like hangfire or squibs, and it would be cool to see what is actually happening mechanically when these malfunctions occur

[@mannywilliams6409]

When I bought my 52,(first batch import) it came with 4 boxes of the lacquered ammo. Still have them somewhere.

[@Smurfman256]

3:23 the man's experience with hangfires absolutely shows here.

[@davidr2975]

Try that ballistic gelatin with a 7.35 m.m. carcano military round, they have a aluminum tip, and supposedly tumbles on impact.

[@robertsmith4681]

Interesting to see the other kind of magazine that was mentioned though, can clearly see the angle change at the bottom.

[@kankywalrus9872]

This is my fave type of video tbh

[@levinlevinallday]

The old century bedliner job. Holds up really well. Actually so well it takes many hours to remove. Good project for a bored kid to tackle.

[@twjonckheere]

I took mine out last year with the surplus ammo and had 1 good shot. Outside of that there were 4 hang fires and 20 no fires. At that point I called it a day and went home. :)

[@shawnflynn1713]

I love the shirt and patch. Very cool. What a cool gun. Might purchase one in the future for Czech and giggles.😂

[@hairydogstail]

I noticed you did the forward assist move with the charging handle..Enough said..

[@paulplatosh2738]

My vz 52 has a wonderful trench art hammer and sickle carved into the stock

[@twowheelexploration9228]

I can't help thinking how similar this rifle is to the Gewehr 43. It's a really nice battle rifle . We can only dream of owning here in England as unless it's a 2.2 automatics aren't legal to own. Top video as always.

[@BananaRaid]

Reminds of the Egyptian hakim or even an SKS almost. Very interesting cold war semi auto

[@Parents_of_Twins]

Hang fires are so damn scary. Have had that happen a few times with a muzzle loader and have had it fire after 2-3 seconds. Scary

[@sendit1158]

COOL RIFLE IAN, THANK YOU FOR SHARING

[@The_Casual_Collector]

Very cool, thanks for the insight. I recently got one as well...bedlinered stock from Apex and a barreled action from Hunter's Lodge. I'm currently working on completing it into one very similar to yours. After seeing how this ammo performed and due to availability I may convert mine.

[@petrzacharias6622]

Funny. When i used this one, i newer had any issues with her. Only one problem was fail to eject, just once. Hello from czech republic. Love to see our flag and guns around the world. :D

[@jack1701e]

What a streamline looking rifle!

[@caseycuttler-ng4ip]

Man i wish i could give you more then one like. You deserve more. I love your work.

[@azkrouzreimertz9784]

Hang fires and duds scare me😅

[@chrissinclair8705]

Can't argue with you there brother.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Back in the 80s I had one and a batch of reliable ammo, gun was ruff outside but functioned well and was accorate as an SKS. Had to cull my herd and it went. Recently found about 150 rds of the ammo stashed away.

[@randymagnum143]

Add this to the list of things i should have bought for very cheap.

[@DustyGamma]

Might not have fed reliably, but still a fun video!

[@deuscaffeum526]

I just remembered I have one of these... and some ammo. bought ages ago. Never fired it.

[@KeithRichardson-zs2eq]

Love the video. I almost bought one of these not to long ago. Appreciate the info.

[@MapleHillMunitions]

Would be interesting to find dies for it. Hope you are picking up all your brass!

[@Stevarooni]

Even if _he_ weren't reloading, he could make some cash selling the grass.

[@herknorth8691]

In terms of both the pale green packaging and the hangfires, this video reminds me of some Czechoslovakian .308 ammo I got at a gun show a while back.

[@mmaggee]

I bought several hundreds of rounds when I purchased my rifle MANY years ago. Haven't had any issues with it like you had, but I haven't shot it in over 20 years due to the corrosive nature of the ammo.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian . 🐺 Loupis Canis .

[@thebernice6062]

Huh... I have an early Century K98k import with a cracked stock. They did the same thing to fix it. They used a spare K98 cross bolt and wood glue to attempt to repair the stock. No bedliner though. It can't hit water if I throw it out of a boat, though. Thanks Century!

[@Chris_FMS_Redfield]

Old South Ammo sells new production 7.62x45 made from 6.5 Carcano brass.

[@pdxyyz4327]

Please invest in a second camera and a tripod so we can see the target as you shoot, Seeing the ballistic gel would have really added to the video,

[@psp1921tsmg]

There is a nut around gas system that often shoots loose. It has to be taken apart to clean the rifle. And is often not torqued back on tight. If it unscrews even a little you get short strokes.

[@gillly11111]

Excellent content, I would love to see a period correct webley revolver .455 in ballistic gell, I don't think it's ever been done...but I could be wrong 😬

[@brandontanis388]

Numrich used to sell a small ring that you could Loctite into the chamber and adapt it to 7.62x39. never knew anyone who tried it.

[@paleoph6168]

KZbin seems to be nice today.

[@stepbruv8780]

Don’t jinx it

[@cerealata9035]

Please don't jinx it, bro.

[@TheCatBilbo]

"Woah! Shooty thing on KZbin - stop this IMMEDIATELY & take that video down! How did it get past our moderation?! Someone's going to lose their job over this!"...

[@matiasdiaz8913]

is because is almost california compliant

[@mikepj67]

@@ulfhedtyrsson I do want much to see 50 bmg on ice the musical

[@coreymerrill3257]

That 122 grain bullet for 7.62x39 probably means thin jackets . 5.56 M193 55 grain ball is influential still and it's thin jacket with fragmentation is a standard for effective fmj bullets . The 7.62x45 cz has some very good numbers ,130 grains at 2500 fps is equal to the old 6.8 spc II silver state armory "combat loads" . It also seems that Mr. Bill Wilson may have been influenced by the 7.62x45 ,with their .300 ham'r and the older 7.62x40 WT.

[@whyjay9959]

5:18 Blew the dust right off the bayonet.

[@DtWolfwood]

Force is the square of the velocity. A 100fps increase with 1 additional g in weight is a significant increase in power between the 45 & 39

[@slim-yin]

Great video , thanks

[@herpderp9774]

This video seems like an excellent example of why everyone was happy to give them away.

[@MarvinCZ]

They weren't 70 years old and in disrepair with 70 years old degraded ammo at the time

[@LLB984]

Awesome didn't even know they made that Cartridge

[@joetaylor486]

Another great video Ian. Fascinating seeing their performance in the gel. I wonder if the Czechs changed the composition of the primers or propellant in the intervening years?

[@ptonpc]

Have to admit, I like the truck bed liner look.

[@30LayersOfKevlar]

Failures to feed or cycle are the most interesting parts.

[@novusregnum]

You should talk about your Type 2 Arisaka

[@mppewpew]

Ian reviewing these guns must make their values absolutely skyrocket...

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Nothing makes a gun go up in value like seeing it malfunction constantly on camera!

[@mppewpew]

From a european perspective, it seems like some of your videos (not this one)would surely increase the interest in certain guns like ww2 films would increase demand for ww2 guns etc. Im not familiar with them so i dont know

[@kmech3rd]

I'd pay a premium for the Zip-22 that Ian handled just for the provenance, and the sheer hilarity of a Meme Gun.

[@JD-tn5lz]

​@@ForgottenWeaponshaha. No, your effects on RIA and Morphy's is certainly notable though...they used to be great places to find great deals.

[@JD-tn5lz]

Not so much. However, he certainly has had an inflationary (specu-flation) effect on the collector's market. At least a significant contributor. RIA and Morphy's used to be great auction houses for deals. Speculators have found them and now...well, a considerable inflationary effect rippling across the used gun market. Thanks guntubers!😂

[@penillipun]

Love the vz 58 👊😎

[@billywalters6060]

My 52 firing pin was stuck from not being cleaned after firing old ammo. Used oil and a steel punch to get firing pin out, this flatten the pin tip a little. Decided to try old pin until new firing pin arrived. The flatten tip fired almost all of the rounds that did not fire in a friends 52.

[@h.s.lafever3277]

i had one for a few years in the late 90s... never found ammo that worked, sold rifle. never got to shoot it, it was the black type. neat bayonet, could flick it.

[@CallumF22]

Great video as always! 🎉

[@larryjanson4011]

i have had maybe one or two not go bang. but no hang fires. guns function perfectly. and i have had new production made for the gun. troublesome to reform correctly. but doable with the correct dies.

[@alanniederlitz8630]

Im ALREADY on pins and needles!!!

[@GreasyStool]

Your'e in my Spot at PL!

[@oddball_the_blue]

Ian likes shaking hands with Danger every so often... Been a while though since we've seen him look this rattled by the ammo.

[@hurricanexanax]

USSR: Here, take all these off-brand rifles Cuba: I don't want these USSR: Now take all these nukes Cuba: I DON'T WANT THESE

[@bruceinoz8002]

I had a VZ52 back in the late 1979s. Naturally, I wanted to actually fire the thing. Apart from minute quantities of 'collector ammo, there was ZERO 7.62 x 45 factory fodder in this part of the world. One of my reloading mentors actually had a few live samples in his cartridge collection. Interestingly enough, the case body taper is VERY similar to .303 Brit, as is the general form of the shoulder and neck. The "head"size is close enough to 6.5 s 54 MS. RCBS listed the calibre as "Group D", which basically meant a custom order, lots of loot and up to three months wait, here on the other side of the planet. Anyway, after a lot of die vandalism and finagling in general, some "dummies" emerged, (and we got some "usable" cases as a bonus).. These dummies behaved normally, Because of the squeezing of the primer pocket during forming, these pockets needed a whizz-over with a pocket uniforming tool. All went well at the range, but the cute little rifle was never likely to be the "next big thing" on the feral pig circuit, especially the way it heaved the empties into the scenery. In a related story of Czech "ejection patterns", I once got to play with a VZ52 pistol using proper Czech ammo. I was quickly banished to the extreme right en of the firing line. That beast heaved its empties straight out to the right at basically head height, This was not well received by the assorted Luger, Webley revolver, etc. operators.

[@phillipcowan1444]

Beautiful little rifle. The Czech rarely make garbage. One wonders what modern manufacturing and reliable ammo could do for this design.🤔