So, I asked about opinions of this rifle days ago, but almost all the replies were focused on the caliber that I mentioned. This time I'm not talking any calibers and just want to know about the rifle itself and its build quality and reliability

How does it compare to Winchester M70?

Thanks

Don't forget that They make a M70 AK47 clone as well.

The M70 action and barrel is a commercial 98 basically the Interarms MKX, Daly Remington 798 and probably several others. A touch rough nothing that working the bolt a couple 100 times or a little polish doesn't take care of. Never had one of the barreled actions that wouldn't shoot submoa. The new stocks need to be finished in my book. Often some nice looking wood just light on the finish.

Is it a Winchester m70. Nope but for probably half the price they make a nice rifle. The MKX, Daly action has been used for plenty of builds. For me there is not that much difference from the later h ring FNs. Just need a touch more smoothing and don't carry the cost or resale value.

The metal on mine is very nice, very even blue, sharp markings, etc. The barrel was too thin for a 458 Win Mag with a muzzle diameter of <0.650", I think that they use the same barrel profile on just about every gun but on the 458 it made it entirely to muzzle light.

The wood was very muddy with no real finish, almost bare wood. The stock is too long (LOP) at almost 15". It has a roll over comb that is too high to use with the iron sights. I need to shave the comb down and whack an inch off the butt. Calling the checkering amateurish is an insult to amateurs.


TooManyTools cleaned up the stock stain, when he replaced the barrel with a .750" one and added the barrel band sling mount, second recoil lug and banded front sight.

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So if you are asking for opinions I have one.
An out of the box Zastava, Charles daly, Rem 798 (all the same rifle different importers)is not an equal to a new production Winchester Model 70.
I am a Win M70 fan however I do own a couple of the Zastavas you ask of.
If you want instant gratification spend the money on the Winchester that fits the bill and you will be happy.
The other side of the coin is pay less up front for the Zastave and then slick up the action, re shape and re finish the stock, maybe add checkering back on it and there you have it a finished rifle with probably more invested than a new Winchester and less resale value, ( I think Ramrod alluded to this).
There's my opinion, I've done it both ways.
Another option is a CZ 550 but they take some finishing too at times.
If I were doing it again I would buy a Winchester, I like their safeties, triggers and they are making a fine rifle these days.
If you want a rifle you may hunt Buff with get a .375, I have two and they are nice to shoot, I have a ultra light 9.3x62 that kicks worse than my .375's.

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( I think Ramrod alluded to this).

Actually I was thinking more along the lines of value and cost difference between the Zastava and FN as to end rifle value and cost.

I agree if you are going to pay someone to work over a Zastava action, stock etc you would be $$ ahead to pick up a Winchester M70.

As Frank said the 458 and 375 are LIGHT barrel contours.

There is nothing really WROMG with a Zastava. Out of the box they aren't a Winchester. If you shoot it like it is or do the work yourself you can get an accurate rifle for about half the cost of the Winchester. If the Winchester comes in your caliber and a style you like and you would probably spend $$ to spruce up the Zastava then like Snellstrom said buy the Winchester.

UNLESS you want a Mauser action.

Great deal of information. What are the differences in action design between Winchester 70 and Zestava 70? I assumed from what I read that they are both commercial K98?

The Zastava M 70 is a commercial 98 action. Just a new manufacture of the 1898 action. Many of the part will interchange.

The Winchester M70 is built in the style of the M98. CRF, flat bottom manual ejector and a few other features I can't think of at the moment. They ARE NOT the same actions. Just like a CZ550 action is similar to a M98.

If you go back to the older Interarms Mark X, they are the same rifle but finished a bit better than current versions, and usually had nicer stocks. There are plenty around and can usually be found at very good prices.

I will add my opinions,but don't profess to be an expert. I was looking for a 9.3x62 and had a Zastava in 9.3x62 in my hands but didnt buy it, because it was so rough. If you want a mauser action look for an old Browning or a husqvrna in your preferred calibre.(both have the FN action) It will be more money at the outset but not in total. In my opinion either of these two are the best of the more commonly available mausers. Or like others have already said, buy a winchester. In my opinion the winchester is smoother feeding, and easier to hold steady for offhand shooting than any brand of mauser, although, the new trigger is untested for durability.

I have 3 rifles made from (left hand) Zastava M70 actions. At the time I asked my gun smith if I should buy Win Model 70s or Zastava actions for my projects. He much preferred the M98 action, so the Zastava was an easy choice for me.

Having said that, I have to echo the comments of others - the Zastava needs a solid investment of elbow grease to smooth them up. But I do believe they are worth the effort.

I have both. I like C.R.F. rifles by choice but love the 98 MAUSERS. ZASTAVA'S action is more pure MAUSER. It has the long guide rib on top of the bolt, an extra lug near the bolt handle, long oval gas release vents at the bottom of the bolt similar to my G.M.A., non coned bolt head some actually prefer it. Larger and stouter extractor. The extractor collar is flush fitted and stout unlike the winchester extractor being held by a collar with a flimsy piece of metal that is sticking out with lots of free play and can be ripped out by hand. All metal is machined steel and no MIMs/pot metal/aluminum etc... The trigger is a two position, similar in operation to the Rem. 700 or Sako Av. The bolt at the rear most open position has too much play for my liking, otherwise it is a solid action that can benefit from a little elbow grease as some have eluded. Bluing is consistent and accuracy is not an issue. Some of the wood in their stocks that came out of Armenia has a lot of character and potential. Stock conformation is sub par. Stock finish and checkering is the worst I have seen on any centerfire rifle. Expect to recontour the stock, sand, rechecker and stain to desired outcome. The money for the rifle is worth it just for the action alone. Especially for a left handed shooter. All of Paul Mauser's little details were purposely engineered for safety and function but they cost labor time and money.
Winchester is a partial copy of the Mauser. They made enough alterations to the original Mauser so no royalties can be paid in patent infringement to Paul Mauser. It has a three position safety that is solid and easier to manipulate with scoped rifles but it is located on the wrong side of the rifle. A gunsmith with exceptional talent makes the safety for the correct side for over $350 a pop and good luck getting hold of him without naming names. The rest of the rifle is plane jane. The action is fairly consistent and functional. The stocks are bland with no character, fit and finish is consistent. The higher model 70's have prettier wood but finished similar to a Browning or Weatherby with glossy wood look, not my preferance. Winchester does not make left hand rifles.
As a right handed shooter you have a lot of choices. Try as many as you can. including used customs and get what you like. Best of luck to you.

I love you all so much. There isn't anything that you don't know

With exception to the trigger safety I like the action and like Ramrod340 everyone I've ever owned shot well. I hate the stocks but they can be changed.

I've done a few customs and semi customs with the M70 and M85's in the past and been very pleased with the results.

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Originally posted by Bwana_500:
I have 3 rifles made from (left hand) Zastava M70 actions. At the time I asked my gun smith if I should buy Win Model 70s or Zastava actions for my projects. He much preferred the M98 action, so the Zastava was an easy choice for me.

Having said that, I have to echo the comments of others - the Zastava needs a solid investment of elbow grease to smooth them up. But I do believe they are worth the effort.

I know its a sin but I find myself coveting your rifles.

Very nice looking stuff. A goal of mine for one of these days to own a Zastava like that.

Bought three of the left handed Zastava's when we were doing the "group buy". Then ended up selling them all before shooting them as I bought a Blaser R8. The last one sold was a 7x57 that went to another forum member. He reported back to me he (or his smith) was able to unscrew the barrel from the action with his hands.
The quality of the stocks were totally piss poor and required a good deal of work to make them look presentable.
Frankly I don't think they were worth the money or the effort.

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Originally posted by Scott King:

I know its a sin but I find myself coveting your rifles.

I'm not religious, but isn't the sin coveting your neighbor's wife? I hope you're not suggesting that Bwana actually "snuggles" with his rifles at night

If I recollect correctly, Zastava purchased at least one "entire assembly line" from FN - so for all practical purposes the Zastava M70 is an identical action to the FN commercial M98 "H-coller" action from the early 1950's... Other than fit and finish - the plus is 21st century metal and left hand actions are available.

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If I recollect correctly, Zastava purchased at least one "entire assembly line" from FN - so for all practical purposes the Zastava M70 is an identical action to the FN commercial M98 "H-coller" action from the early 1950's...

No proof but remember hearing the same thing YEARS ago.