The Accurate Reloading Forums
? About Wards Western Field rifle.
21 August 2017, 03:16
kennedy? About Wards Western Field rifle.
Can somebody tell me about this rifle. It says Wards then Western Field, model EJN-757 in 30-06. The guy said it's a Mauser action. Looks like it to me. Thinking of buying it.
Wards sold several rifles under the Westernfield name that used Mauser actions supplied by various makers.
The used Zastava actions both standard and intermediate length. The Intermediates were marketed as being Heym actions.
I have one in .30-06 made by FN. And another with the Zastava made Heym action.
The EJN 753 used the FN action, the 757 I believe used the Zastava action.
Easy way to tell if is uses the Intermediate Zastava is to look at the front wall of the magazine. If it is simply cut and bent forward or missing, its a Zastava.
Aut vincere aut mori
21 August 2017, 07:00
kennedyThank You very much.
21 August 2017, 22:34
enfieldsparesI think some of the old Gun Digest or Shooter's Bible annuals will have stuff regarding them.
I'd guess they are BELGIAN made, possibly by FN, so the quality will be good.
Nothing in my 1970 Shooter's Bible however. What is the seller asking for it?
22 August 2017, 03:54
kennedyI bought it, only 250. Came with a weaver scope on it and the base and rings is 2 piece weaver but the scope can tilt to the left so I can use open sights if I needed to. I would show pictures but i dont know how.
22 August 2017, 04:14
enfieldsparesquote:
Came with a weaver scope on it and the base and rings is 2 piece weaver but the scope can tilt to the left so I can use open sights if I needed to.
You lucky man! Seems you have a nice classy, Montgomery Ward retailed 1960s hunting rifle there. Is it a fixed Weaver or a variable?
22 August 2017, 05:33
kennedyIt's a fixed power.
Now that you own it, pull the barreled action and see whether it says Made in Belgium or Made in Yugoslavia on the receiver.
Either way, that was a screaming deal. I saw a Santa Barbara 98 this weekend and they were asking $450.
Aut vincere aut mori
22 August 2017, 08:05
wildcat junkieHow does one fit a 30-06 into an intermediate length M98?
The ones I have measure 3.235" ID length of the magazine.
23 August 2017, 17:29
wildcat junkiequote:
Originally posted by thirdbite:
They opened the front of the action and the magazine box. See Z1r's comment above about the magazine.
Not something I would want to do. You would need to ad nearly 3/16" to the length of the magazine which is already nearly that much shorter than a SL 98 as far as proportions. Why would they do that when standard length M98 actions are so plentiful.
24 August 2017, 03:37
StonecreekWard also marketed a .243 and .308 built on the Sako L57 action. It appears that the contractor who put them together was an outfit called the Jefferson Rifle Company which worked out of the High Standard facility in Hartford, CT. Decent shooters with a well-proportioned walnut stock adorned with modest cut checkering on the grip and forearm.
The same contractor probably built some of the Coltsman rifles and some of the J.C. Higgins/Sears rifles.
24 August 2017, 03:57
JBrownquote:
Originally posted by z1r:
Wards sold several rifles under the Westernfield name that used Mauser actions supplied by various makers.
The used Zastava actions both standard and intermediate length. The Intermediates were marketed as being Heym actions.
I had one of the "intermediate" actions and it was marked FW Heym(or FW Hyem). If I remember correctly it had German proof marks on the action and(?) barrel. Because of the proof marks I assumed that it was German manufactured.
Also, the receiver I had was odd in that it had a shorter receiver ring than a standard m98. It was also safety breached and the firing pin did not have the wings at the front that most 98s have.
Jason
"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________
Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.
Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.
-Jason Brown
In these two pics you can see the German Federal Eagle stamping. And, on the top pic, you can see the Zastava marking on the recoil lug.
You can see, despite the crappy pic, the tell tale Zastava marking on the recoil lug, as well as how the front of the magazine box was simply cut out in order to accommodate '06 length cartridges.
The actions are essentially Yugoslav M24's with a solid left wall, no charger hump, and FN Contour rear bridge. The bolts lack the guide nibs as is common on the safety breeched models but the barrels are not safety breeched.
Aut vincere aut mori
24 August 2017, 23:30
wildcat junkiequote:
Originally posted by thirdbite:
Although sold by Heym,I think these Zastava actions were just commercial versions of the Yugo 48 intermediate action.
I bought two intermediate length M98 actions in 2000 that were identified as Vz500 actions. Supposedly, they where imported in the mid/late 1960s by Herters and others.
They are commercial versions of the M48 Yogo.
Indeed they are marked "YUGOSLAVIA" on the front receiver ring under the wood line.
After years of work here and there, one of them ended up like this.
