My gun maker is unable to get hold of a "SS Long" from Montana. The alternatives are CZ and Zastava in black steel. I am not trying to penny pinch, but if the Zastava is as reliable as the CZ, why not take it at half the price?
Any negative experiences with Zastava? Shall I do a search on this forum?
(I have already decided on synthetic and SS Pac Nor, so will have to Nickel-plate the main components of any carbon steel action.)
http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/english/civilni.htm

Thanx,
Lochi.

Whitworths are available at times.....that's the route I'd take but not sure that there's any difference between the whitworth and the Zastava.

It seems to be the concensus of those in the know on the gunsmithing forum that, in a factory Zastava made in the long magnum calibers, that they take all of the metal out of the front of the receiver for the added length. This can lead to an unsafe condition in the event of over pressure with not enough metal left in the lower locking lug recess. I looked into making my Zastava in .458 Lott but the only way I would do that is to purchase a Sunny Hill or Blackburn bottom metal that calls for the major portion of metal removal from the rear of the receiver. I can't justify $350-400 for custom bottom metal, therefore I am going to make mine a .458 WIN.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
difference between the whitworth and the Zastava.

Just, really, the name.. and the time of manf, though there are overlapping periods.

i THINK you are asking about actions. if you want a lott, buy the entire CZ 550 magnum gun, and be done with it. have the whole thing nickle (if you like) or black tefloned.

zastava is closer (really close) to a mauser, while CZ started from one. you'll be able to get (with little work) SIX down in a cz magnum

jeffe

quote:

I can't justify $350-400 for custom bottom metal, therefore I am going to make mine a .458 WIN.

If one was a mind to he could make a standard 458 win mag and chamber it to the Lott.....he then hand feeds the first round (a Lott) to the chamber and has win mag rounds in the magazine.....after all...it's the first shot that's important.....just a thought.

if you want a Lott, buy the CZ. Then all you need is that synthetic stock. My buddy has a CZ in 375 and every time we go out shooting, I watch him put six rounds down and close the bolt. $65 for a Wisner extended floorplate...

regards,


Rich
DRSS
NRA Life Member

Lochi,

I am no gunsmith...but, if I wanted a Lott, I would go with a CZ action.

If using a Zastava, I would keep it a .458 Win and get the gunsmith to ream a longer the usual throat (essentially the 'beginning' of a Lott ream). I would then be able to seat the bullets a litte further out in the win mag.

I the win mag I would stay away from 500gr and stick to 450-480gr, with which you should be able to get 2150 fps quite easily.
When it comes to large, powerful an quite high pressure cartridges in the M98 I would prefer not to have all that metal milled from the lower lockng lug butress...although it can and has been done thousands of times!

With the above mentioned .458 I would use GS FN 450gr solids (2200 fps should be quite easy) and either dead tough 465gr or woodleigh 480gr softs.

Think of it like this...this is a rifle you may use for the rest of your life, so spending a little extra on the CZ action will be offset over time! Its a great action, I had a ZKK 602 in .375 and lament selling that rifle! The actions can also need work as the sometime have feed issues when cycled fast and hard...as a DGR will be...so check this out!

Alternatively, use the Zastava/M98 and chamber it for a .458 African express!!! It fits perfectly into a M98 lengthwise (2.66" case I believe), but needs magazine work of course, due to te wider case (its based on a shortened .404).

Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
My buddy has a CZ in 375 and every time we go out shooting, I watch him put six rounds down and close the bolt. $65 for a Wisner extended floorplate...

Can he close the bolt over the six rounds or is it 5+1 total ?
I can also put six down and close it but one goes right down the barrel. Mine is an CZ550 375HH without any extras.

Might I suggest one of these? Now it isn't what you wanted, but it's a good round and you can drive her home in a few days.

Beats years of waiting on a custom. Just a thought!
CZ 404 Jeffery

I'm building my lott on a whitworth, cause thats what I had. Just depends on what you want. CZ would be fine also.

One thing to think about is bottom metal for the mauser, it can be hard to find drop box, then stock patterns come to play unless your going to build one. CZ's make it much easier. Just depends on what you want and what you can come up with to build it. Both make a nice rifle.

with the Wisner extended floorplate it is a seven-shooter. Six in the box and the top one goes right into the chamber.

Rich
DRSS
NRA Life Member

Idaho Sharpshooter - I looked at Wisner's website but could only find a floorplate for the 1909 Argentine. Does that fit the Mark X guard?

The 1909 can be modified to work with the MK X. The notch is not tight up against the bow like a 1909 but it lloks good none the less.

I`ve hag a look at my two "mausers". One Zg-47 in .30-06 and the other, a Zastava in .375 HoH.
Yes there has been metal cut out of the lower lug on .the .375, but it isnt a whole lot less metal that actually SUPPORTS the lug, that has been taken away.( I might have to explain what I mean here, nothing has been taken from the frontside, of course..)
The greatest problem that i can see on MY TWO rifles, is that the .375 maybe could have feedingproblems, because the angle has become steeper for the cartridge, going in to the chamber. Anyone know what I mean?
Worth to point out is, I dont mess with high pressure loads. Factory loads or reloads that NEVER go over max.

I am doing a CZ 550 458 win mag inot a Lott at the momaent. A real easy conversion - just the reamer job, glass bedding, 2 cross bolts and a barrel band.

Mine takes 5 down easily with no mods to the floor plate.