What should I do with this rifle?

[Ontario Hunter]

Control feed actions are fast becoming extinct. I don't think a Mauser action is going to do anything but appreciate in value no matter what the OP decides to do with it.

 

[roklok]

I think it all boils down to how much value you place in the mauser action. Zastava has been making mausers for a long time, according to Wikipedia, Mauser production started in 1928 with a license from FN. Nothing wrong with their actions at all, typical 98s with their attributes and flaws. Not as smooth cycling as some modern designs and bolts wobble when open, but as reliable as they come. For a hunting rifle hard to beat.

 

[Russ16]

I think it all boils down to how much value you place in the mauser action. Zastava has been making mausers for a long time, according to Wikipedia, Mauser production started in 1928 with a license from FN. Nothing wrong with their actions at all, typical 98s with their attributes and flaws. Not as smooth cycling as some modern designs and bolts wobble when open, but as reliable as they come. For a hunting rifle hard to beat.

The action isn’t the downside on this gun. And I do love controlled round feed. I’ve been a longtime model 70 fan.

The trigger is lousy. Very mushy and heavy. So that would need to be replaced. The stock is meh but frankly not mouth worse than the one on my Tikka 30-06.

No idea if it shoot worth a dang and I don’t have any bases or mounts that fit it so would have to buy some type find out.

Right now leaning toward selling. Although that feels kind of stupid because I’d probably out the money toward another model 70 and I could just use this CRF action as the base rather than buying a different CRF action.

 

[coreydb]

If you already have a 30-06 and don't intend to hunt anything larger than big game (Not dangerous game), consider selling it, or sell and buy a rifle that can take you to the next level of hunting. The .06 easily dispatches any plains and big game as well as the 338-06, .35 Whelan and the 9.3.

 

[rdog]

Opinions wanted.

Cleaning out my g unsafe I ran across a gun in the back I literally forgot I had. It’s a Charles Daly by Zatava in 30-06. I won it at some raffle years ago and threw it in the safe then forgot about it. I not longer have the box but it is unfired.

I don’t know anything about these guns but it is a variant of a Mauser action. Overall the bluing is solid and it’s a nice synthetic stock. The actuon has a little wiggle in it when working the bolt—not the smoothest I’ve used but solid and locks up plenty tight.

I have no need for another 30-06. I looked a bit online, there aren’t many of them for sale but they seem to be listed at $600-700. I’d be kind of surprised if I could sell it for that when a lot more well known brands are in that price point or slightly more.

I could have it rebarreled to a caliber I’ll use more but I’m not sure that putting money into it makes sense.

Does anyone know anything about these guns? Are the actions good enough to be worth building a gun around? Any other thoughts or opinions appreciated.

The Zastava M70 is a modern M98 copy , zastava bought the tooling from FN in the 1960s its a well built rifle, no castings all modern alloy steel, hammer forged bbls, a little rough on bolt operation but clean up . they
are used for many custom M98 rifles , good adjustable trigger , much better option than an old military M98.
People that think the quality is poor most likely have never owned one. the 30/06 action version is a good start for a custom M98 rifle in 9.3 x62 338/06 ect, the 375 H&H version can be used for cartridges with longer length, 300 H&H 416 Taylor ect . Easley, made into a silk purse at an affordable price. The action has been sold under many names, InterArms MK10, Churchill ,Remington 789 ect . They are not a Rigby by any means, but are a quality affordable M98 rifle .

 

[Russ16]

The Zastava M70 is a modern M98 copy , zastava bought the tooling from FN in the 1960s its a well built rifle, no castings all steel, hammer forged bbls, a little rough on bolt operation but clean up . they
are used for custom M98 rifles , good adjustable trigger , much better option than an old military M98.
People that think the quality is poor most likely have never owned one. the 30/06 action version is a good start for a custom M98 rifle in 9.3 x62 338/06 ect, the 375 H&H version can be used for cartridges with longer length, 300 H&H 416 Taylor ect . Easley, made into a silk purse at an affordable price.

The trigger may be good in some of them but the one on this rifle is very questionable.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Life is too short to play with mediocre stuff. Sell it and save more for something better.

 

[R eight]

You say that after the post by @roklok ? I’m gunna have to disagree, his indeed is a silk purse!

I don’t doubt that his rifle functions perfectly and that he is happy with it. I also agree that his rifle looks like a silk purse.

However, if he ever wants to sell it then what he is selling is a pigs ear slicked up to look like a silk purse.

 

[roklok]

The Zastavas will never be a Rigby, H&H, new production Mauser M98 or other bespoke rifle, sure. I certainly don't put them any lower than CZs, Rugers, Remington, milsurp 98s, or new production Winchester however. They are all pigs ears if a silk purse starts at $10,000 (or $15,000, or wherever you draw the line). I have never owned a CZ rifle, but I understand some of them had issues that needed sorting out. The Whitworth's and Mark X have always been well regarded, same action. Here is a nice Paul Jaeger .416 built on a Zastava: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1074952613

As far as the triggers, they are adjustable. However if unable to get an acceptable pull swapping in a replacement trigger is an easy way to fix that issue. The early Zastavas had a two position safety that locks the bolt, the later ones don't lock the bolt when on safe. I am not sure exactly when that transition occurred. I prefer safeties that lock the bolt shut and any serious use rifle of mine does lock the bolt when on safe. One option is a Winchester 70 type shroud and safety. On my 798 I cut a slot in receiver to accept the older style 2 position bolt locking safety to accomplish bolt locking. I have never been a fan of the Winchester style safety. I know that is akin to blasphemy to most here. My trigger is right at three pounds, and does have slight amount of creep. I believe I could have got all the creep out of the trigger, but on a dangerous game rifle I chose the reliability of a bit more sear engagement over chasing the perfect trigger.

 

[rdog]

The trigger may be good in some of them but the one on this rifle is very questionable.

Have you tried to adjust it? or may be the trigger is different than a MK10 Interarms or zastava.

 

[coreydb]

a 3006 is never wrong. you could kill 90% of the game animals on earth with it and with a little luck kill them all.

Amen! They are like Timex watches....total utility. Takes a lickin' but keeps on ticking.

 

[Russ16]

Have you tried to adjust it? or may be the trigger is different than a MK10 Interarms or zastava.

I haven’t it isn’t that it’s heavy. It’s just super mushy. It just creeps and creeps and then the gun firing pin goes and the trigger keeps creeping. Not a good feeling. Maybe when I have time I’ll pull the stock off and take a look.

 

[coreydb]

If the trigger is mushy, it needs to be replaced; consider upgrading your trigger to a Timney.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

They are solid rifles ! They may be a diamond in the rough at times, and need a bit of polishing, but they are a Mauser 98 clone action with most of the attributes of such. The safety and trigger are really the biggest departures from the Mauser 98 of old. I would send it to JES reboring and have him turn it into a 338-06, .35 Whelen, or 9.3x62. Cost is $300.00 for a rebore last I knew. Then find a nice Mauser 98 walnut stock for it, turn it into a first rate classy hunting rifle.

My thought exactly. If it was me I think I'd go with the 9.3 x 62 as I don't have anything between .300 WM and .458. It would even be legal for DG in almost any country. Nothing wrong with the other two calibers though. I think he should keep.it!

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Opinions wanted.

Cleaning out my g unsafe I ran across a gun in the back I literally forgot I had. It’s a Charles Daly by Zatava in 30-06. I won it at some raffle years ago and threw it in the safe then forgot about it. I not longer have the box but it is unfired.

I don’t know anything about these guns but it is a variant of a Mauser action. Overall the bluing is solid and it’s a nice synthetic stock. The actuon has a little wiggle in it when working the bolt—not the smoothest I’ve used but solid and locks up plenty tight.

I have no need for another 30-06. I looked a bit online, there aren’t many of them for sale but they seem to be listed at $600-700. I’d be kind of surprised if I could sell it for that when a lot more well known brands are in that price point or slightly more.

I could have it rebarreled to a caliber I’ll use more but I’m not sure that putting money into it makes sense.

Does anyone know anything about these guns? Are the actions good enough to be worth building a gun around? Any other thoughts or opinions appreciated.

My two rifle battery is built on this action, though mine are marked Interarms Mark X, and they both have magnum bolt faces.. The .458 has taken two cape buffalo bulls and a kudu that showed up while I was carrying it. I have used the other one in .300 Win to take mule deer, black bear, bull moose, water buck, nyala, bushbuck and impala. I would trust these rifles to take any large animal anywhere in the world.

If you really don't want another .30-06, a rebarrel to .35 Whelan is easy or a 9.3 x 62 which is similar but suitable (and legal) for African DG if needed.

 

[roklok]

Here is a photo of the trigger with the adjustment screws. A is pull weight, B is the safety adjustment, C is the overtravel, and D is the sear engagement. These triggers are fully adjustable, and in my experience can get a nice three pound pull safely. Back "B" out first before adjustment, and after A,C, and D are set then apply red locktight to "B" and thread back in until it contacts trigger with safety on "safe". This photograph shows an earlier safety with extension that locks the bolt shot while on safe. I believe your safety will not have this extension and therefore the bolt can be opened while on safe.

 

[Russ16]

Thanks. A bit swamped at work right now but I’ll try to pull it out if the stock and look next week.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I asked Timney if their "deluxe" trigger with side safety for 98 Mauser locked the bolt on safe. I was told it does but looking at roklok's image of his bolt locking trigger, I don't see how Timney could secure the bolt. I've had issues with my Springfield's bolt falling open due to faulty Dayton-Traister safety. So I opted to not chance it with my 98 Mauser build and ordered a Model 70 style side safety + standard Timney trigger. About $280 together but worth the money. Model 70 style definity locks the bolt on full safe.

 

[roklok]

I do not believe any Timney trigger locks the bolt on safe, though I could be wrong. A bolt locking safety is an absolute must for me on any serious hunting rifle.