A new zastava m70 in 6.5x55 or a used m96/husky in 6.5x55

If I were buying a new 6.5, I would looking for something with a 1-8" twist to take advantage of the longer new bullets being produced today. Zastava uses a 1-9" twist.
YMMV
 
Wild_Thing said:
If I were buying a new 6.5, I would looking for something with a 1-8" twist to take advantage of the longer new bullets being produced today. Zastava uses a 1-9" twist.
YMMV
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:)Just made a deal on one, ;) and it's a move up from my Zastavas I posted about here earlier. I went for a Remington 700 CDL SF 6.5 Creedmoor Limited Edition.
 
If you are looking at Zastava, it is best to have a look in person. The one i have has the scope base holes drilled crooked. So after installing bases, one is canted to one side. I used windage adjustable rear base to offset. Bothers me a bit though.
 
i got a zastava a couple years ago. bedded it myself. tested lots of loads, applied a pressure point at the end of the forend. worked the action to smooth it up. i'm satisfied it will do the job. and i learned lots thru the process
 
Let’s compare apples to apples and keep it to new guns. Yes there are used options I would personally choose first.
You have a lot of value for the price with Zastava. Compare what you get compared to buying a walnut 783.
Sights
All steel
Actual good bluing
CRF
For pretty much the same price. I would not bet my life on a Safari on a 783, but I would with a properly broken in M70.

Why the low price?
When buying from Serbia we don’t get raped by the exchange rate (pretty rare with guns)
AND dealers are still selling stock that was bought with a stronger dollar
I doubt they would cost less than 1000$ if they were made in the USA or the EU
And you can choose to use it as is, a bit rough out of the box, or invest some time in it if you’re handy and turn it into a 2000$ gun.
 
Wild_Thing said:
If I were buying a new 6.5, I would looking for something with a 1-8" twist to take advantage of the longer new bullets being produced today. Zastava uses a 1-9" twist.
YMMV
Click to expand...

In most shorter bullets, like Hornady SP, Sierra Gameking, Speer Hot-Cor and Nosler partition 140 grain, the accuracy is quite often better in a 1:9 than in a 1:8 twist. My 1:9 barrel shot better than the Tikka 1-8 with these bullets. I guess the OP would like to have a hunting rifle, not a target one. I would have ANY of these bullets for hunting deer. I would also take the NP for Elk if I have an opportunity.
 
I own a 6.5x55 in a Zastava FS carbine. Love it! Blueing is fantastic. True Mauser action. Shoulders real nice. Topped it with a lightweight 2-7 scope and she is ready to roll. I do not like the varnish(?) that Zastava uses on these rifles and eventually may get a buddy to refinish the stock. The wood underneath actually looks really nice. For a full stop rifle it shoots MOA which is fantastic. Either way a 6.5x55 is a great little round. And, still a tonne of Bullets that will stabilize with a 1-8 twist to use at normal hunting ranges.
 
mimile said:
In most shorter bullets, like Hornady SP, Sierra Gameking, Speer Hot-Cor and Nosler partition 140 grain, the accuracy is quite often better in a 1:9 than in a 1:8 twist. My 1:9 barrel shot better than the Tikka 1-8 with these bullets. I guess the OP would like to have a hunting rifle, not a target one. I would have ANY of these bullets for hunting deer. I would also take the NP for Elk if I have an opportunity.
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Sure. In my experience, my.260 Remington M700 Mountain rifle LSS(1-9") liked the < 140 grain just fine. It would likely be hit and miss with newer longer bullets. Depending on the bullet design, 140grain and above is where you start to see stabilization issues. But YMMV with your particular rifle, the load, the velocity, etc. People were shooting 160gr in Swedes for a long time. My old Carl G was 1-8".
 
Nothing wrong with zastava firearms. If the choice was a new zastava vs a used rifle, zastava all the way. I bedded mine (easy to do and inexpensive) and worked the action to smooth it out some. Not necessary as that will happen with use anyway.
They're work horses and serve their purpose really well. If you want to make it look pretty, refinish the stock. The bluing is deep and well done so there's no work required there.
 
I’m going to go against the grain and say get an old husqvarna from tradex. Is it the absolute best thing? No but they ooze character and every one is unique. If you appreciate antique stuff it’s a good thing.
Function wise they are beautifully lightweight with superb balance and handling. I believe about 6.5 lbs but varies due to wood density.
The Swedish Mauser action of course is boringly reliable.
The only catch is that if you want to scope it you need to find one that is already drilled and tapped, has bolt handle modified, and new safety. Otherwise the price of doing this gets you right up to the zastava or higher.

Edit to mention I have one of the husqvarna sporting 6.5x55 with a Nikon 2.5-10 on it. It’s the rifle I shoot best with offhand of all my centre fires. Just a sweet shooting gun.
 
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You can contact one of our sponsor dealer Weimajack, from time to time he have Swedish hunting rifles with near perfect bore, will be a better deal than Yugo. Swede in the past paid great attention to made a quallity product in details.
 
Jabol said:
If you are looking at Zastava, it is best to have a look in person. The one i have has the scope base holes drilled crooked. So after installing bases, one is canted to one side. I used windage adjustable rear base to offset. Bothers me a bit though.
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On several Zastava and HVAs I've noticed the crocked drill and tap. On some it can been seen right away on others it takes a second look but is evident.

It is not right selling those POS without full .disclosure

Mostley on TEC's rifles
 
Just for the record, I had a very nice early 90's (pre-Balkan war) Zastava mini-Mauser in 22 Hornet that I purchased from Marstar. It needed a bit of break-in and further load experimentation, but it had incredible bluing and a nice unusually dark stained oil-finished walnut stock. Nothing was out of alignment. I should have hung onto that one--somebody in Hope BC got lucky. I sold it because of all the calibres I used to reload for, 22 Hornet was the biggest PITA.
 
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