Zastava M70

Isobar1999 said:
For $700 + $200 you coulda got a tikka T3 on sale new.
Zastava are a hunk of #### , I’ve had two of them and both were crap. If it was a $400 gun then to be expected that they wouldn’t be perfect , but for $700 they are not “good bang for the buck”.
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I have two, both full wood models that I acquired from Trade Ex in 2012 & 2014. Didn't cost me $700.00 at that time and they have both proven to be "good bang for the buck" as I stated in a previous post. And,:) no complaints on the accuracy results punching paper.
 
mimile said:
Zastavas require bedding, bolt polishing and trigger smoothing. With that it becomes an incredible rifle. My 9.3x62 shoots sub moa with many handloads.
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A 9.3x62;), aka .366 Wagner full wood model was my first Zastava and I was amazed at the accuracy results with my first couple of handloads. So much so, I never did much more 'tests' after the initial results. Prior to getting the rifle, from a local site member, I picked up a good supply of Lapua brass and 285gr PRVI bullets. With the accuracy results, using top end loads of IMR 4320 and IMR 4064, I never saw the need to try any other combos,;)yet. Also, with the results, I never saw the need to address bedding;), yet.
 
Prophet River has bell and Carlson stocks. Not only do they have aluminum bedding blocks they are heavy.

I have flirted with the idea of putting a 458 Zastava in one but I’m gunshy after my last one had issues.

Honestly still a good deal for what it is. Even with 300 bucks of gunsmithing or a new stock it’s a 1000 dollar safari rifle.

I would pay 600 bucks for a barreled action with the adjustable trigger and excellent blueing in 458 wm or 375 H&H any day. You’re stuck paying around that for barrel, install and maybe coating or bluing on a custom Mauser build.
 
I would go with a Boyd's Heritage or Prairie Hunter over a Bell and Carson, I like the Bell and Carlson for Weatherby with the Monte Carlo type stock, The Bell and Carlson on the Winchester Extreme Weather and The Sako Rough Tech do not fit me at all and it looks like the style available for Mausers is similar to those.
 
novega said:
In order to address a number of issues/nags concerning the factory stock, namely:
  • the horrible "recoil pad" which is like an old hockey puck and I can't believe it does much to absorb recoil
  • the LOP which I find about 1/4" -3/8" too long... just enough to make it feel awkward
  • the "hogs back" design...I prefer a more straight comb with less drop at the heel, so recoil is centered in my shoulder and doesn't cause as much muzzle flip. Plus I intend on using an optic
  • the overly gentle curve of the grip, I prefer a more pronounced curve or pistol grip so I can pull the rifle into my shoulder and manage recoil
  • the weak "rolled" or "pressed" checkering which doesn't provide much grip on the stock

I think I'm gonna get in line for a Boyd's Prairie Hunter or Heritage in either Nutmeg or Pepper Laminate for Mauser 98 with #1 Barrel and Commercial floorplate.
It'll be my first laminate stock, but apparently they're stronger than solid wood and a little heavier too, so that should help with recoil... or is it going to rip the laminate apart?
Thoughts?
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i mentionned the laminate option a while ago on this thread. good luck.
 
conor_90 said:
Prophet River has bell and Carlson stocks. Not only do they have aluminum bedding blocks they are heavy.

I have flirted with the idea of putting a 458 Zastava in one but I’m gunshy after my last one had issues.

Honestly still a good deal for what it is. Even with 300 bucks of gunsmithing or a new stock it’s a 1000 dollar safari rifle.

I would pay 600 bucks for a barreled action with the adjustable trigger and excellent blueing in 458 wm or 375 H&H any day. You’re stuck paying around that for barrel, install and maybe coating or bluing on a custom Mauser build.
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There is the Potterfield series on the web, "How to make a proper safari rifle"? Don't nail me on the title,...

He cross drills the pistol grip as well (from inside the stock) and inserts an epoxied metal rod to prevent stock cracking among other reasons.
 
Interesting stuff - I am limited to my example of one. For those having "no trouble" - have you dismantled the rifle and examined the inside of the stock for cracks? I have a couple of the Boyd's laminated stocks here - I did not realize that the laminations appear to hold together more strongly than does wood grain in a sold piece of wood, or do the laminated stocks have a reinforcement across the stock, between the magazine well and the trigger mortice? I notice that the picture of the Zastava laminated stock in Post #89 has such a cross bolt - my M70 Zastava, purchased new in 2013, with walnut stock, does not have that.
 
Laminate 458WM examined for cracks - none. No cracked stock issues with any of my heavy kickers (including my walnut stock 416 Rigby CZ 550).
 
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novega said:
I finally got mine a couple days ago. Overall I'm pretty impressed, especially with the bluing!

I took the stock off to stain it darker (mine was pretty light colored) and found this
Since mine is in .458 Win Mag, I'm a little nervous. Should I be concerned or am I overreacting? It's a bummer because I haven't even shot it yet :(
SfEQMp9.jpg

I'm not sure where to go from here? Does it look like it could be repaired and hold up to the recoil?? or should I start looking for another stock?
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Spread crack open, get some wood glue in there, clamp until set, drill brass cross pin through the section then file down flush, Brownells sell stock pins for such repairs like this, done a few.
 
... btw, only 2 righties left at Tradex!
Buy it, send it off for a bedding job and use it. They smooth up with a bit of use. One is a synthetic 300WM, the other is a wood 8x57.
 
What's a good deer hunting round (available for purchase not reloading) for the 6.55 x 55 version of the Zastava? I've used Winchester 140 gr Soft Point Super X which was all that I could find at the time and I have not been all that impressed with the accuracy. Thanks!
 
As above - I think you need to tool up to become a "tinkerer", if you own a Zastava - as per pictures earlier in this thread - my M70 cracked like that without me firing a shot in it - ever. Mine happens to be chambered for 458 Win Mag - but even if chambered for 243 Win would have had same issue. Just took a year in the cabinet here in Manitoba. And not something that you can even see if you do not completely dismantle the rifle - remove bottom metal, remove barrelled action. Hard to see that getting done regularly if you have to pay someone else to do. With correct "turn screws", should be no evidence at all that the screws had been loosened or retightened - but is up to you. I am not sure that I can recommend a Zastava to someone who is not set up and prepared to do that.
 
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