| gundog |
| (.275 member) |
| 17/04/11 12:20 PM |
Zastava rifles
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Just wondering what the quality of these Zastava rifles is like. If you've got one, what did you need to change, ie trigger, bedding, safety etc. Being a lefty I see that they offer a left hand version in 375H&H & 458WM. Would this be a good base rifle to work with? My thoughts are to look at buying a 375 & have it rechambered & rebarreled to 458 Lott.
Any thoughts?
| tophet1 |
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| 17/04/11 03:14 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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There has been discussion on this. The Zastavas are well built for the price and could be described as robust yet 'Agricultural' as to quality. To me this is not necessarily a bad thing in a rifle with CRF that will be used.
I have handled a .308W version and an acquaintance in tamworth has one in 7x57. The stock design is pure 70's with a rollover cheek piece and the wood is dark on most models. I have seen one stock re-finished and it looked a lot better than the original. The bolt handle is swept back and IMO could do with some straightening.
I believe the .375H&H models have been 'opened up' from a standard length action. Some find this a negative feature. The second hand market has not been flooded with them after the initial release and the price is right.
You may well do better by buying just the action which is available, fitting your barrel of choice and getting it re-stocked with an aftermarket option or seeing if the CZ is a more cost effective choice. Both will need tuneing.
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 17/04/11 06:49 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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They are bringing $580 - $800 so how could you complain.
Trigger job,bed and float @ $250 how could you go wrong for a work rifle?.
| JeffK |
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| 17/04/11 10:47 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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I've had one of these in .375 for a few months now, and for the money they're good enough. Bit rough, certainly, but playing with loads today I got a three shot one hole group at 50m with 70gr of RL15 and a 270gr Hornady Interlock, so no complaining there!
I had it bedded into a Boyds laminate stock as I didn't like the wood original, and also as this is a club gun shooting 20 rounds/month, I didn't know if/how long the wood stock would hold up without any work...
Interestingly, I also have a Rem 798 in .458WM, with a Zastava action, but it's a lot smoother. Not sure if this is by chance or whether Rem had anything different done to them.
| Ash |
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| 08/09/11 09:23 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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I just picked up a Zastava M70 in .458 WM on Wednesday.
I like it, and think theyre rather good for the price they cost new. Havent shot for accuracy/groups, just trying to hit pumpkins and soda bottles. Stock isn't flash, but i dont mind the looks of it either.
Though with Winchester factory loads ive had a case split? Going to create a seperate post about this.
With all honesty, personally dont own anything similar to compare it to, but of course theyre no where near as nice as the custom done rifles. Just value for money i guess.
Gotta try and line up a pig at some point
Cheers,
Troy.
EDIT: Sincere apologies, didnt realise post was old.
| tophet1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/09/11 09:38 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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All info good. Keep us posted.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 11/09/11 01:01 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Gundog if you are after a 458Lott check the 458WM Zestave and see if the actioned has been opened up to take the 375H&H lenght. If it has just get one in 458WM and have it chambered for the Lott.
NitroX
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| 11/09/11 03:36 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Quote:
EDIT: Sincere apologies, didnt realise post was old.
Never worry about re-opening old threads on NE. We're into old things here.
Maybe the opening poster has got the information they were looking for, or made a decision, but no doubt others will still be interested in answers and comments.
For example, I've never seen a Zastava. A gunshop I visited said they weren't ordering any due to previous problems with them. I have some interest in one in 7.62x39 as I have lots of ammo in that cartridge. Also maybe a 9.3x62 as a "loaner" rifle for visitors. Still buying more guns means less $$$ available for actual hunting.
| GK |
| (.300 member) |
| 11/09/11 03:50 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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I've been thinking about a cheap build of a 9.3x64 and using a Zatsava 9.3x62 as a donnor sounds too easy.
Anyone heard of this being done?
George
| tophet1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 11/09/11 04:09 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Quote:
Gundog if you are after a 458Lott check the 458WM Zestave and see if the actioned has been opened up to take the 375H&H lenght. If it has just get one in 458WM and have it chambered for the Lott.
Greg,
I looked into this when the Zastavas were still on the water coming here. The .375H&H action is opened up and a longer magazine well fitted for the .375H&H length cartridge. The .458WM action is standard length. If you want a Lott you have to open the action up as well as re-chamber the .458WM. An alternative is buy the .375H&H action (which I believe are available) and then re-barrel to .458 Lott with a mauser '98 stock.
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NitroX
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| 11/09/11 04:23 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Has anyone had a look at the Zastava actions alone ie the action only option? How rough are they?
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 11/09/11 05:01 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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John.
I just bought one in 9.3x62 but dont have my permit yet.
Looked at it at QGE last week before flying out.
Was a lot better than I expected for $535. Barrel is quiet thin and feels "lively" in the hands.
Just wanted a work rifle for on the bike and to rattle around in my work ute.
Will put a 4x40 Nikon on it that I have.
They make some interesting stuff like 6.5x57,6mm rem,8x57 and 7x57.
| 9.3x57 |
| (.450 member) |
| 11/09/11 11:27 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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The .375's are standard length actions opened up to take the .375, or at least they used to be.
Many years ago I corresponded with Jack Lott. I was moving to RSA at the time and he offered to make up a .458 Lott for me. IIRC, his method was to use a .458 Win, ream to .458 Lott, open the action rails and replace the bottom metal with .375 H/H Mag metal and he also inletted and set in bedding epoxy as part of the rebedding of the action. He offered to do the whole job for $300. He considered the Zastava actions to be good working-gun actions. Remember, this was c.1985 and fewer CRF actions were available then.
I really had no use for a .458 Lott at the time, was pressed for time and...didn't have the spare $300 {!!} and never had the gun built.
Yeah, I know, one of those "What was I thinking???" moments...
| DarylS |
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| 12/09/11 01:21 AM |
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Rod - FYI - the .458WMag. 2 1/2" reamer wouldn't work without the belt cutter portion being ground off, then it would need to be plunged more deeply when reaming to get the 2.85" length. Then, the normal shoulder at the end of the chamber must be ground with a special reamer to an angle from the case mouth to the leade/freebore, without any case mouth shoulder remaining - THAT aspect of the chamber was the only difference between the old .450 Watt's chamber and the .450 Lott chamber. The absence of the inner shoulder allowed shorter .458's to be fired without shaving bullet metal on that mean little shoulder - that's it. The actual ctg. has been around for over 60 years in the .450 Watts - and a good one, it is.
| Altamaha |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/09/11 05:36 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Interesting thread.
For this old fart with poor memory,is the Zastava action the same as the CZ of the past?
Anyway, I have a CZ 458 Win, factory CZ barrel but with some NECG furniture.
Also have CZ's in 30-06, 300 Win Mag and 338 Win. The 338 wears a Shilen barrel, Gentry 3 position safety, and a Timney trigger. In a Pacific Research stock.
Also have three virgin CZ actions that never had a barrel, in original boxes with papers.
I like the CZ's for a utility rifle, but they do not have the distinctive feel of a case hardened Mauser.
RE the Lott, I have a Lott reamer that is ground for the 2.85" case length so gents will not get into trouble trying to chamber 458 Lott cartridges that are full length instead of Jack's abbreviated length. I have a Lott project on the back burner, have all the parts, hopefully will get to it this winter when the weather is too nasty to play outside.
If the action and magazine are long enough, making a Lott from a 458 Win rifle is simple. What Rod is saying is Jack used M70's chambered in 458 Win to recut the chamber with his reamer.
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/09/11 06:36 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Zastava was Interarms MK 10 and Remington 798.
| Altamaha |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/09/11 09:03 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Thought so. Mine are all CZ MK 10's from the 70's and 80's.
| tophet1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/09/11 09:11 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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They were also sold in the USA under the names Charles Daly, Interarms and a few others I can't remember.
| Altamaha |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/09/11 12:23 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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All of mine have Interarms on them. I recall the Charles Daly ones. Also have a Whitworth .375.
| Dr_Deer |
| (.300 member) |
| 13/09/11 01:31 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Quote:
They make some interesting stuff like 6.5x57,6mm rem,8x57 and 7x57.
Has anyone seen a metric chambered zastava in something other than 9.3x62 or 7x57 though?
When Beretta Australia first started promoting them I thought a stutzen in 6.5x57 with doubleset triggers would be a dandy little fallow rifle, then learnt that the language barrier precluded special orders in the first shipment and have yet to hear different.
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/09/11 02:13 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Look at the QGE website and they have the 6.5x57 listed as "in stock" as well as the 8x57.
A lot of left hand stuff as well.
| 93mouse |
| (.375 member) |
| 13/09/11 04:31 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Crvena Zastava - meaning Red Flag in Serbian - we all had/have them here. Along with Brno combos they were the backbone of hunting armament in former Yogoslavia. Mostly those were chambered in 7x64 and .30-06 some in stutzen form...
Quote:
Has anyone seen a metric chambered zastava in something other than 9.3x62 or 7x57 though?
Here is yours truly back in 1987 chamois hunting - rifle is M70 in 7x64 with Swarovski 6x42 on claw mounts. I was mostly shooting 10g (154 gr) Hirtenberger ammo with ABC bullet (predecessor of all X-type bullets, brainchild of a "Nutty Slovenian Professor"). Rifle liked all the factory ammo I put through. I inherited it from my Old Man and it served me well...eh lots of great memoirs...
| 9.3x57 |
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| 14/09/11 01:21 AM |
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Quote:
Interesting thread.
For this old fart with poor memory,is the Zastava action the same as the CZ of the past?
No.
Zastava is not the same as Brno. Brno = Czech.
Zastava = Yugo.
| deerhunter |
| (.224 member) |
| 17/09/11 11:45 AM |
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Got my Zastava in .375 Thursday. Taking it out to sight in and have a play tomorrow before heading to NT. Put a rush on Weapons Licensing and got my PTA in 7 days.
I got what I paid for as far as finish is concerned. When cycling rounds have noticed that I have to be forceful to ensure that the cartridges eject
Zastava = Yugo Nope
Zastava = Serbia
| deerhunter |
| (.224 member) |
| 18/09/11 03:17 PM |
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Just sighted in the new rifle. 3 shot cloverleaf at 100y. Factory Federal Premium Premium Safari .375 H&H 300-grain Barnes Triple-Shock X Bullet.
I am more than happy.
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 18/09/11 04:09 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Got to be happy with that.
Mine is at Jim Kents to be bedded and a trigger job atm.
Hope my pta wont be too long.
| deerhunter |
| (.224 member) |
| 20/09/11 08:25 AM |
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Quote:
Got to be happy with that.
Mine is at Jim Kents to be bedded and a trigger job atm.
Hope my pta wont be too long.
I sent a letter asking for consideration of expedience (as I have a plane to catch & a buff to shoot) and as any Qld PTA over .30 calibre has to be reviewed by the Authorised Office now, good detail why I required a .375.
Rang them every day, 8 working days and I got it.
| Kaywoodie |
| (.224 member) |
| 20/09/11 11:13 AM |
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I have one of the old Whitworth Express rifles in .375 and I absolutely love it. Accurate, robust, and well made. I also have one of the "minis" in .223 that is a pleasure to shoot and carry! For a utilitarian no-nonsense rifle they are great!
Hopefully I'll b back after nilgai with the .375 later this year....
Kaywoodie
| 458Win |
| (.333 member) |
| 22/09/11 03:48 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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My backup rifle for guiding bear hunters for the past twenty-six years has been a 458 Mk X 458 I will say they are solid actions and the barrels usually shoot fantastic. With a little polishing they make fine rifles. For a period even Mauser had them building actions for them and marking them with the Mauser banner.
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 22/09/11 05:03 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Quote:
My backup rifle for guiding bear hunters for the past twenty-six years has been a 458 Mk X 458 I will say they are solid actions and the barrels usually shoot fantastic. With a little polishing they make fine rifles. For a period even Mauser had them building actions for them and marking them with the Mauser banner.
Now thats a work horse !!!!!!!!!!!!!
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 23/09/11 01:02 AM |
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I haven't painted my .375/06 IMP Mark 10 Mauser yet, but I'm sure thinking about it. Wouldn't be the first one I've painted. Nice action, great barrel - Bevin King's bl., Pouce Coupe, BC.
Yeah - the recoil pad and grip cap need replacing.
| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 23/09/11 07:05 AM |
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Is that your favourite hunting rifle/caliber Daryl ?.
| Ash |
| (.400 member) |
| 20/05/12 05:26 PM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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First up, sorry to revive an old thread but figured may as well use this one since it's about Zastava's already, figured no need to start another, and its on the OP's original topic so.
What did you change about the trigger? The one on mine is beautiful (IMO).
Never checked bedding, probably should have, had around 50 rounds through it so far, barrels hot as after 6-8, thin. Have had problems with it not ejecting the cases well, but the last time i took it out had no issues. Got it just to have a cheap big gun. pic of the checking and from the top views just to show that they ain't great. But i do like when this happens to a tree and they do work (as FATBOY404 can totally vouch for). Tree was at 75 strides. Didnt have staples to put the target to one to shoot at, *notes to self to always check staple guns are loaded before going*. Never shot it for groups, dont think i could so can't say how well it'll shoot. Been meaning to scope it for a couple months now...
All in all i like it. Haven't changed anything since i got it.
Still hasnt been blooded, almost a year now. Will have to find a bunny or something.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 21/05/12 12:11 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Quote:
First up, sorry to revive an old thread but figured may as well use this one since it's about Zastava's already, figured no need to start another, and its on the OP's original topic so.
All in all i like it. Haven't changed anything since i got it.
Still hasnt been blooded, almost a year now. Will have to find a bunny or something.
Again there is no need to apologise for opening up old threads. No reason to continue an old thread if the subject is suitable. Better than ten threads all on the same topic.
That stock needs a staining job I think. Very light in colour.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 21/05/12 09:16 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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One dead tree I recon.
Ash what scope are thinking of puting on it.
| Ash |
| (.400 member) |
| 21/05/12 06:24 PM |
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Rule303 - Leupold 1.5-4 vxII, they're nice and cheap and in another thread were given many positive comments.
Darker stains/wood does generally look better, I'll agree with that entirely.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 22/05/12 06:47 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Ash, good choice in scopes.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 23/05/12 02:22 AM |
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Quote:
Still hasn't been blooded, almost a year now. Will have to find a bunny or something.
Should work if you hit him right!
I like Mausers of any make.
| JeffK |
| (.275 member) |
| 23/05/12 09:20 AM |
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Re: Zastava rifles
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Quote:
They are bringing $580 - $800 so how could you complain.
Trigger job,bed and float @ $250 how could you go wrong for a work rifle?.
Yeah, exactly wwat I have done to my Zastava .375 (Which can shoot 3-shot one hole groups at 50m!) and my Zastava actioned 798 Rem in 458WM. The Zastava in particular is incredible value, and even though I'm now replacing them with better custom jobs, without them being available I'd have probably never caught the Big Game Rifle bug in the first place!!