I'm interested in a Zastava 375 H&H but the action on this rifle is a standard Mauser 98, will a standard 98 Mauser action work for a .375 H&H??? I know the longer H&H case requires to opened up the 98 action but is it safe? And with hot load?
Mauser 98 standard action 375 H&H
- Thread starter Buster95
- Start date
I've read several opinions from experienced gunsmiths who feel that the work that needs to be done to a 98 to allow the use of full-length .374H&H ammo weakens the action to an unacceptable degree.
And before you jump on one of those Zastava rifles that are being sold now, take a good look at one in hand...I did and was not impressed. That was one crappy, poorly finished rifle. The older Zastavas that were sold under the Remington brand were much nicer...I wish I had bought one. The new ones without the Remington name on them...not so much.
And before you jump on one of those Zastava rifles that are being sold now, take a good look at one in hand...I did and was not impressed. That was one crappy, poorly finished rifle. The older Zastavas that were sold under the Remington brand were much nicer...I wish I had bought one. The new ones without the Remington name on them...not so much.
You could always go with a 375 Chatfield-Taylor on the 98. It was designed for a 98 length action w/o having to open up the action.
Mine with a 22" bbl gives 2700fps easy with 270gr TSX, so it's basically the same as an H&H.
Another option would be to go with the 375 Ruger (gag, cough, gag).
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Mine with a 22" bbl gives 2700fps easy with 270gr TSX, so it's basically the same as an H&H.
Another option would be to go with the 375 Ruger (gag, cough, gag).
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The Zastava mausers are made with a high quality modern alloy steel and are not weakened significantly by having the bottom lug cut away to allow the .375 H&H to fit like an older mauser would be. There is no problem with the .375 H&H in these actions.
There must be tens of thousands of .375's built on std length 98's and its various clones, including original H&H rifles. Loads of them on FN's and its clones (i.e. Zastava/Mark x etc etc)
The bottom metal/maagzine needs to be correct and the lower lug reccess is ground to increase length - obviously not a job for a hacker!
Gregor Woods wrote that his Mauser actioned .375 was also opened more to the rear and only a little to the front. However the rear lengthening involves altering the bolt stop / ejector and is more work and more expensive - perhaps one of the smiths here could comment on that?
The bottom metal/maagzine needs to be correct and the lower lug reccess is ground to increase length - obviously not a job for a hacker!
Gregor Woods wrote that his Mauser actioned .375 was also opened more to the rear and only a little to the front. However the rear lengthening involves altering the bolt stop / ejector and is more work and more expensive - perhaps one of the smiths here could comment on that?
It is more work to open up the rear of a 98 for longer cartridges then to grind away at the feed ramp at he front. As the rear doesn't support the locking lugs, that is the preferred method. There have been some "modified" 98's that have had too much metal taken away from them. I've seen pictures of some such actions, not pretty. I've never come across one in person however, and I've played with a lot of full length magnum Mauser actions (300 H&H and 375 H&H). If done correctly, I don't believe there is any loss of strength in the action. I haven't heard any stories of Zastava actions failing for this, and as they have been around for a lot of years under various names, I'm pretty sure you would have by this time if there were a problem. FWIW - dan
The Zastava I'm interested is brand new and $729 (less taxes) I will take a look at it next friday. But like jjohnwm said is a chance that new Zastava are poorly finished rifle especially the wood. Again thanks guy for your help.
Oh wait, then you'll have a Mauser 98. - dan
Look inside one so modified and tell me you want to bet you life on it....Not me!
You are betting your life on the upper locking lug and a what is left of the lower in an action that may or may not have perfectly good metal. There is no way not to remove critical supporting metal.
There is also no way to know what your action has been subjected to in the last 50 years.
The magnumized pre-64s ended up hogged out similarly IIRC.
There have been several accounts of failure.
I believe Montana makes a action for the 375
You are betting your life on the upper locking lug and a what is left of the lower in an action that may or may not have perfectly good metal. There is no way not to remove critical supporting metal.
There is also no way to know what your action has been subjected to in the last 50 years.
The magnumized pre-64s ended up hogged out similarly IIRC.
There have been several accounts of failure.
I believe Montana makes a action for the 375
I own an original .375 98 by Cogswell & Harrison, and I have no problem with it at all. One must remember that the SAAMI pressures for that cartridge are very low, owing to the capacity of the cartridge, the time of introduction, and the British design philosophies of the time. This being said, I would probably look at a Remington 700 XCR for its weight, as I had a Brno and found it far too heavy. My C&H weighs just under 8 pounds, which is perfect.
I've had (and have) several .375 H&H's built on commercial FN's and none have ever given trouble. No headspace changes or lug setbacks, much less failures. (Longbranch*, if that Browning ever blows up on you, you'll let me know, won't you? I'll buy all the pieces back!)
That being said, my favorite 'every day' .375 is an old L61R SAKO that I bought in the EE a few years back. It weighs next to nothing, points like a pool cue, and shoots shaggy one-holers with both 270 & 300 gr. Barnes TSXs. What more could a man want? An FN for Sunday, and a SAKO for the rest of the week!
I'll buy all the pieces back!)That being said, my favorite 'every day' .375 is an old L61R SAKO that I bought in the EE a few years back. It weighs next to nothing, points like a pool cue, and shoots shaggy one-holers with both 270 & 300 gr. Barnes TSXs. What more could a man want? An FN for Sunday, and a SAKO for the rest of the week!
