Zastava m70 in 308

Helka

Helka

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Guelph,ON
Hello CGN

I picked up a Zastava LK M70 in 308 at auction (GTA Auctions) for a whopping $520 taxes/fees in. Cleaned her up and went to the range with handloads using D4895 and IMR3031 (this powder is 40+ years old I got a few years ago) Did a work load up for both and I'm very impressed at the accuracy of this rifle at 100 yards.

First range trip I started with IMR3031 at 31gr to 38gr increasing by a grain (3 shot groups). Best grouping was at 31gr. Decided to return with some lighter loads and started at 28-31. I then tried D4895 starting at 31 and worked up to 38 again by 1gr increments.

IMR3031 best grouping was 28gr
D4895 best grouping was 36gr

Using random casings, RWS LR primers (from the 70's) and Hornady 168 HPBT

Attached are pictures of my groupings. Keep in mind I haven't honed the recipe's to fractional grains.
 

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Pretty good shooting got the same rifle sure like it.đź‘Ś

For plinking I load CamPro 147gr FMJ @ ~1850 fps mv accuracy ain't bad.

inYozkU.jpg
 
Good buy! I had a CZ 550 in 6.5x55 and Zastava LK M70 stainless in 6.5x55, that Zastava would outshoot the CZ all day. Very reliable rifle, excellent triggers that give you a lot of adjustability. I have a 375 H&H now that shoots Speer 275 around 3/4" from a cold barrel.
 
Old post on different websites. Never seen any pictures though. Was a member on here selling one for parts in the EE stated the receiver was cracked.
 
I’ve read that the triggers can be set up nicely. I haven’t had a chance to set it up. Heading to the range on Tuesday to see if I can tighten up the groups. Will post picks then.
 
Helka said:
I’ve read that the triggers can be set up nicely. I haven’t had a chance to set it up. Heading to the range on Tuesday to see if I can tighten up the groups. Will post picks then.
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Might wanna loctite or nail polish them nuts into place on the adjustment screws. They can fall out and jam the trigger from beinng pulled during a hunt.

Or so I hear ;)
 
saskgunowner101 said:
I used to own a Zastava rifle, and they seem to be built like a brick ####house. I googled zastava rifles receivers cracking, and the only thing regarding cracking was with AK type rifles. So buddy up there is unwittingly playing a game of telephone lol.
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Same here. I've owned many Zastava's over the years and never heard about this. Can't seem to find any information about it either other than some issues with their AK-47 variant which confusing enough is also called the M70.
 
Joel said:
Might wanna loctite or nail polish them nuts into place on the adjustment screws. They can fall out and jam the trigger from beinng pulled during a hunt.

Or so I hear ;)
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Good point. With the number of factory rifles with user adjustable triggers these days, a bit of loctite or clear nail polish is a good idea after any trigger adjustments.
 
Zastavas are the definition of a diamond in the rough.

Even from the factory they perform

I did have one with #### headspace that is now a more handy members 9.3x62 mildly improved.

A stainless synthetic FN commercial mauser? Yes please.

Their SAKO clone mini "mausers" aren't half bad either. Especially when you could get them for 400 bucks
 
I’ve owned quite a few and worked on quite a few more over the years. Diamond in the rough is a good description for most of them. While they all worked from the factory, with the exception of my sons mini Mauser 7.62 that wouldn’t eject until I removed enough wood under the ejector box to free up the blade from binding in the receiver slot, they can generally be improved with some work.

Generally the inleting in the wood stocks is horrible and they can benefit greatly from a proper bedding job. Triggers are usually pretty poorly adjusted but with some careful tuning can be pretty respectable. Actions can be a little rough to work but smooth out with use.

My son still has his M85 and I doubt he’ll ever get rid of it and I have a stainless 7x64 that I’ll never sell. It’s accurate, shoots just about anything I put through it to almost the same poi and feeds and ejects even empty cases so effortlessly you would think you’re working an empty mag. Definitely a keeper.
 
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