Bolt action with surplus ammo

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Maxi5566

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What are the *best* models of bolt action (traditional style) that use 7.62x39, 7.62x54, .223 or .222?

I am looking for something like Zastava M85, but with a better action.

~1000$, more or less
 
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M77 ruger, cz 527, howa, savage, for 7.62x39 also I think you spelled it wrong you meant zastava
Mosin Nagant for 7.62x54r
Cz 527, Remington 700, mossberg MVP, I dunno others I'm sure 5.56
.223 take your pic really
 
Did you consider 7.62x51? If so then almost any .308 hunting rifle will take standard NATO surplus ammo.

The CZ 557 Carbine might fit your specs, or maybe the Howa 1500.
 
Maxi5566 said:
I read the the Zastava action is not a Mauser type. Don't know why the manufacturer says it is a "mini-mauser".
Click to expand...

http://www.huntinggearguy.com/rifle-reviews/zastava-m70-review/

http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/civilianproduct/sporting-rifle-m70-standard


From the Zastava web site ''Sporting rifle M85 is based on traditional concept of locking system that Zastava uses for bolt-action rifles. Mini MAUSER is commonly accepted name for sporting rifles that use lower energy ammunition, but which kept fundamental principles of operation of army rifle from 1898. Zastava is a pioneer in forming of this concept; by constantly addressing the aesthetical and ergonomics requests of the customers, Zastava constantly dictates the trends in development and marketing.''

Your right, it is only a copy of the action originally form 1898 and nothing has improved since then, No ?

But, I digress with the minor difference of Opinion.
Your taste, your money and ultimately your choice of firearm for reading about .
Rob
 
tokguy said:
Got a Zastava in the cabinet, right beside a mess of Milsurps. It's a Mauser.
Click to expand...

I will not pretend I am an expert on Mauser action, but here is a quote I found regarding the Xastava:

"However, whilst miniature, the action of the M85 is most decidedly not that of a Mauser-pattern rifle. First and foremost controlled-round feed, the single most identifiable and important of Mauser action identifiers, is not present here. If anything, the M85’s bolt is somewhat more akin to that of a Sako rifle, albeit with a Mauser style fixed ejector. And secondly, the massive full-length claw extractor that otherwise identifies Mauser-pattern rifles is also absent. Granted, there is a full length lug that runs along the bolt body where the traditional Mauser claw extractor runs, but the actual extractor resides above that lug and is modelled in the simple Sako style."
 
I have a M85 with a scout style scope on in chambered in 7.62x39. Its a ton of fun, I’ve only ran a few hundred rounds through it, but I haven’t had any issues thus far.
 
I have a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and it's a solid 200 yard deer gun.Buddies daughter dropped a moose with her's in November.
 
Maxi5566 said:
I will not pretend I am an expert on Mauser action, but here is a quote I found regarding the Xastava:

"However, whilst miniature, the action of the M85 is most decidedly not that of a Mauser-pattern rifle. First and foremost controlled-round feed, the single most identifiable and important of Mauser action identifiers, is not present here. If anything, the M85’s bolt is somewhat more akin to that of a Sako rifle, albeit with a Mauser style fixed ejector. And secondly, the massive full-length claw extractor that otherwise identifies Mauser-pattern rifles is also absent. Granted, there is a full length lug that runs along the bolt body where the traditional Mauser claw extractor runs, but the actual extractor resides above that lug and is modelled in the simple Sako style."
Click to expand...

Found a good video review on the m85. Turns out it is a push feed bolt. That said, I've done a lot of reading on the subject and in short the only advantage of a controlled round feed over a push feed is that after half a forward stroke the shell is engaged in the extractor and you can then eject it. Which is useful in the one scenerio only of having a shell that won't chamber. If it makes you feel better, almost none of the modern military bolt rifles are using controlled round feed.

Video review: https://youtu.be/fUofZlWLQWA
 
the CZ527 is really nice in both 7.62 and .223, and I'm pretty sure it's available in .222 but doesn't come up often. It's CIP spec so you will have no issue running any surplus ammo, be it steel cased, .223 or 556. It's a true mini-mauser action with CRF.

Which sub-model is best depends on what you want to do with it. I think the carbine (available as wood or synthetic) is a lot of fun for plinking and in 7.62 makes a great close-range deer rifle as has been mentioned. Trade Ex has reasonably priced PSP ammo. If you want a more long-range setup, the .223 is available in a varmint model and it's also a nice model. Just be aware the older .223s had 1:12 twist whereas the newer ones have 1:9. I really like the Full Stock model in .223 but it's discontinued.

If you buy it new, the action is sometimes a bit gritty but they'll usually smooth out after a couple hundred cycles.
 
There is some confusion about Zastava actions apparently.
The full size Zastava action (M70 as it’s usually called) is a real Mauser action. Not a military action, but it’s a real Mauser.
The M85 action, despite the marketing, doesn’t have much to do with Mauser. It is not just a scaled down M70 action.

The CZ 527 is a CRF mini action and is better finished product than the Zastava M85.
I think the best bolt action 7.62x39 is the Ruger M77.
 
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