Zastava z98 opinions

I have one in 308 and in the wood stock version.Fit and finish are not the greatest, but then a paint job never got a car down the road either. It is very accurate with hand loads and the trigger weight can be set to very reasonable weights. I have mine at sub 2 lbs. The rifle stays below or on MOA all the way out to 600 yds. It is as far as I have taken her out to so far. It did not like 190 Berger bullets but loves the 175 Berger.
Regards
 
thanks all for the info. Much appreciated.

jbmauser, do you know of any quality issues when comparing the z98 to your m70?

From what I can tell so far, its going to be pretty much the same rifle except blued vs. stainless as well as a lack of iron sights on the z98.
 
elliott264 said:
thanks all for the info. Much appreciated.

jbmauser, do you know of any quality issues when comparing the z98 to your m70?

From what I can tell so far, its going to be pretty much the same rifle except blued vs. stainless as well as a lack of iron sights on the z98.
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In the Zastava bolt action centerfire rifles, I think there are two basic model options. The M-70 and the M-85 and I believe both are an improved Mauser 98 action. I picked up a M-70 Mannlicher in;) ".366 Wagner" a short while ago. The action doesn't have the smooth feel of many other makes available but it didn't cost an arm and a leg either.



And, for an inexpensive rifle, :DI must say I was pleasantly suprised with the accuracy results of my first couple batches of reloads.

 
elliott264 said:
thanks all for the info. Much appreciated.

jbmauser, do you know of any quality issues when comparing the z98 to your m70?

From what I can tell so far, its going to be pretty much the same rifle except blued vs. stainless as well as a lack of iron sights on the z98.
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From my experience, the blued models are better finished. The polishing and metal lines are better on the examples I've seen. That being said, my stainless one functions 100% and it actually feeds incredibly smooth. Accuracy has been good. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another stainless or a blued model.
 
Im going to pass on the z98 afterall.

Going to save up a bit more and buy the stainless M98 (M70) instead. The factory iron sights + all-weather stainless sold me.

Thanks again all
 
elliott264 said:
Very nice looking rifle. I really like the classic look of it with the Mannlicher stock.
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I do admit, that at the get go, I was a little skeptical as to what to justifiably expect in quality and accuracy for that price. Normally, to start with I would've given the rifle a good going over, checking the fit and contact between the barrel and action and the stock etc before doing any accuracy testing. With this Zastava Mannlicher, all I did was to make sure 'screws' were tight. I thought if accuracy problems showed up I'd start a step by step search for solution, in an effort to see what worked or made a difference. Not required as it shot great right out of the box. I'm well satisfied.
 
I have no basic issues with Zastava quality. They are made with quality steel and the barrels are accurately formed. A common complaint is stiff operation of the bolt due to tight tolerances. That's an easily remedied situation for someone used to smoothing up actions. I like 'em and would have got one in .458 WM, but a good deal on a BSA in the same caliber came up, so I grabbed it instead.:)
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
I have no basic issues with Zastava quality. They are made with quality steel and the barrels are accurately formed. A common complaint is stiff operation of the bolt due to tight tolerances. That's an easily remedied situation for someone used to smoothing up actions. I like 'em and would have got one in .458 WM, but a good deal on a BSA in the same caliber came up, so I grabbed it instead.:)
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I wouldn't say the cycling of the bolt in mine is 'stiff' because of tight tolerences. It's more that it doesn't feel as smooth as some of the other brands of bolt actions I have. Again, not tight but, say slightly a gritty like feeling. Taking into consideration price and accuracy results,;)I can live with it and let use gradually 'smooth' things out:).
 
Personally I think the whole smooth bolt operation thing is highly overrated. As long as it doesn't bind, feeds reliably, and ejects reliably then I don't really care if it feels a bit rough or gritty. Most actions will smooth out considerable with use or a bit of work any way so it's not a big deal.

After about a hundred rounds my Zastava has become a lot more smooth.
 
jbmauser said:
Personally I think the whole smooth bolt operation thing is highly overrated. As long as it doesn't bind, feeds reliably, and ejects reliably then I don't really care if it feels a bit rough or gritty. Most actions will smooth out considerable with use or a bit of work any way so it's not a big deal.

After about a hundred rounds my Zastava has become a lot more smooth.
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May well be. However, in my opinion, a closer precission like fit and within the acceptable required clearances is indicative of quality and workmanship. And with a sloppier looser fit, that was something we came to accept from military quality that was made quicker, in mass and to operate reliably under the often dirty and harsh conditions of combat.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
May well be. However, in my opinion, a closer precission like fit and within the acceptable required clearances is indicative of quality and workmanship. And with a sloppier looser fit, that was something we came to accept from military quality that was made quicker, in mass and to operate reliably under the often dirty and harsh conditions of combat.
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Well in the harsh conditions I hunt in sometimes, a sloppy bolt might be a bit of a benefit as well. :D

Personally I put more stock into how the rifle is made and what it is made out of than how well it is fit and finished when I think of quality. If you give me a choice between two reliable and accurate rifles but one is a smooth operating rifle made with plastic action parts or a pressed together bolt and the other is made with an action machined out of solid pieces of metal but slightly rough in operation, I'll take the second choice every time.

That's just my opinion and why I think the Zastava rifles are a great value compared to many other rifles in their price range. Now I prefer to have both quality of construction and great fit and finish but generally you have to pay quite a bit more for these rifles and if you can't afford them then the Zastava's are a great compromise. You give up a bit of the fit and finish quality but not the material or method of construction found in many more expensive rifles.
 
I agree the bolt is a bit gritty feeling, but with a little work it smooths up well. I needed to polish the feed ramp as well so it would feed correctly. I was very impressed with the accuracy of my 9.3x62 it shoots just as well as my sako m995.
 
jbmauser said:
Well in the harsh conditions I hunt in sometimes, a sloppy bolt might be a bit of a benefit as well. :D

Personally I put more stock into how the rifle is made and what it is made out of than how well it is fit and finished when I think of quality. If you give me a choice between two reliable and accurate rifles but one is a smooth operating rifle made with plastic action parts or a pressed together bolt and the other is made with an action machined out of solid pieces of metal but slightly rough in operation, I'll take the second choice every time.

That's just my opinion and why I think the Zastava rifles are a great value compared to many other rifles in their price range. Now I prefer to have both quality of construction and great fit and finish but generally you have to pay quite a bit more for these rifles and if you can't afford them then the Zastava's are a great compromise. You give up a bit of the fit and finish quality but not the material or method of construction found in many more expensive rifles.
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I'm not aware of any, but the plastic action parts you speak of, in my estimation, do not fall into what I'd typify as a sign of quality or an indication top line workmanship. Any examples of 'quality' firearms that these plastic parts you've refered to exist in?? To me, the existence of 'plastic' parts in an action wouldn't be there as an indication of quality but rather as a cover up of exactly the opposite.
Generally speaking, I think in just about any product you look at to purchase say a new car for instance, the first sales bait impression is if the exterior finish and fit. If what you first see looks rough because of poor workmanship, what you don't see will quite probably also have that same level of quality and workmanship.
As I made mention of in previous posts, although I've found cycling the action of my Zastava slightly on the rough or gritty side, 'bang for the buck', I have no complaints. While the metal work exterior does appear to be nicely finished, that in itself seems to make that gritty feeling more obvious. Wood to metal fit, not too bad at all, but the checkering,;) a good match to the feel of the action.



 
Johnn Peterson said:
I'm not aware of any, but the plastic action parts you speak of, in my estimation, do not fall into what I'd typify as a sign of quality or an indication top line workmanship. Any examples of 'quality' firearms that these plastic parts you've refered to exist in?? To me, the existence of 'plastic' parts in an action wouldn't be there as an indication of quality but rather as a cover up of exactly the opposite.
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The big one that comes to mind are some of the Tikka's. My uncle has one with a plastic bolt shroud. These are generally pretty highly regarded firearms that work reliably and are accurate yet they have plastic parts on the bolt. Obviously this part isn't very critical to the operation but still not something I would consider quality construction. Enough people agree with me to make an aftermarket metal replacement available. You also see plastic trigger guards, floor plates, magazine releases, etc., on various other brands in the same general price range as the Zastava's.
 
jbmauser said:
The big one that comes to mind are some of the Tikka's. My uncle has one with a plastic bolt shroud. These are generally pretty highly regarded firearms that work reliably and are accurate yet they have plastic parts on the bolt. Obviously this part isn't very critical to the operation but still not something I would consider quality construction. Enough people agree with me to make an aftermarket metal replacement available. You also see plastic trigger guards, floor plates, magazine releases, etc., on various other brands in the same general price range as the Zastava's.
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Thanks for the info.:redface:I wasn't aware of that degree of plastic content in some firearms. The main 'family groups' of centrefire bolt guns in my possession are the likes of Winchester model 70s, Husqvarnas and Schultz & Larsens. Oh, and one Savage 112 BVSS.
As a bit of a side issue, for smoothness, I thought Schultz & Larsens were close to the top of the heap, until yesterday that is. I was at a friends place picking up a set of Weaver pivot mounts for a recently acquired model 70 and I picked up and had a quick look at a Steyr Mannlicher. First time I've ever handled one. The first impression on the action,;) to quote an old trade school instructors assessment of 'smooth', "It was slicker than snot on a door nob"!!
Laugh2
If it wasn't the smoothest I've ever had the opportunity to try, it was damm close.
 
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