Who has a Zastava 7.62x39?

[graycrait]

If you have one can you comment on how it shoots steel cased ammo?

 

I came into possession of one of Dolomite's heavy barrelled Savage builds in 7.62x39.  It shoots 124grn Tula JHPs pretty darn accurate.  I was wondering how one of the light weight Zastavas shoots cheap ammo.

 

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-mini-mauser-rifle,-cai-yugo-import.-new.-p-6939.html

[Oh Shoot]

If you have one can you comment on how it shoots steel cased ammo?

 

I came into possession of one of Dolomite's heavy barrelled Savage builds in 7.62x39.  It shoots 124grn Tula JHPs pretty darn accurate.  I was wondering how one of the light weight Zastavas shoots cheap ammo.

 

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-mini-mauser-rifle,-cai-yugo-import.-new.-p-6939.html

 

I have the Zastava M92 pistol. All I run is Russian steel in it, no probs of course, couldn't give you an actual grouping rating -- steadied down with brace umm, near the shoulder, hits tin cans pretty well at 50 yards and COM on torso at 100 with just the crummy rear sight.

 

- OS

Edited June 18, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[R1100R]

In a bolt gun, my brothers CZ 527 in 7.62x39 rocks. More money and better quality, but it is also a mini Mauser design.

[graycrait]

I have shot other calibers in CZ 527s and I think they are great rifles, but I am more interested in the less expensive Serb made Zastava shooting steel cased ammo. 

[Murgatroy]

I know I handled one at Cabelas a few weeks ago chambered in .223, and it was a nice feeling rifle. I liked the minimalist finish, or lack of, on the stock.

 

I have no opinion other than that though. 

[TNWNGR]

I'd be really surprised if it didn't shoot steel cases ammo.

[b12hooligan]

It's Serbian, it's made to shoot steel.  Like OhShoot, I have the M92.  All I've shot is steel. No issues at all.  There have been some negative comments on other forums of issues with QC on recent guns.  Look it over for straight sights, top cover alignment and check function before taking transfer. If it checks out you should be GTG.

[Oh Shoot]

It's Serbian, it's made to shoot steel.  Like OhShoot, I have the M92.  All I've shot is steel. No issues at all.  There have been some negative comments on other forums of issues with QC on recent guns.  Look it over for straight sights, top cover alignment and check function before taking transfer. If it checks out you should be GTG.

 

To be fair, he's not looking at an AK type firearm, no top cover, etc. And he's talking more about accuracy than it "running" in a bolt gun.

 

I probably shouldn't even have piped up as far as his real concerns, only did because I feel even the 10" barrels on the M92 seem quite accurate, so thought that was probably indicative of Zastava barrel quality in general. Along with fact that I didn't mention that n-pap and o-pap rifle owners report pert good accuracy too.

 

Though I'm a bit surprised GrayCrait, who tweaks a .22 rifle within an inch of its life for accuracy including the best match grade ammo for it,  finds the Russian run of the mill stuff accurate enough for his expectations period, no matter how good the rifle. :)

 

- OS

Edited June 18, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[TNWNGR]

OO...oddly enough some of the nastiest looking 7.62x39 ammunition I've seen once wiped off and fired from a bolt action rifle produced good accuracy. But then the .223 is also an excellent round fired from a bolt action rifle as well, even with Russian ammo.

One of the interesting things about shooting a .223 or 7.62x39 bolt action rifle is they'll work with sub-caliber adapters I.e 223 to 22 LR, 7.62x39 to 32 ACP. Both are surprisingly quite when fired in such a configuration BTW and very effective.

Dang you graycrate now you've gone and got me interested in a project rifle....

[Garufa]

If you have one can you comment on how it shoots steel cased ammo?

 

I came into possession of one of Dolomite's heavy barrelled Savage builds in 7.62x39.  It shoots 124grn Tula JHPs pretty darn accurate.  I was wondering how one of the light weight Zastavas shoots cheap ammo.

 

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-mini-mauser-rifle,-cai-yugo-import.-new.-p-6939.html

 

I am also curious to hear to experienced reports.  Every time a get interested in these "mini-mausers" I go online and start Googling.  Lots of reports out there of this rifle not handling steel-cased ammo well.  Perhaps the chamber tolerances are a bit tighter than an AK.

Edited June 18, 2015 by Garufa

[graycrait]

Sure like this Dolomite Supafly produced heavy barrel Savage I have.  I will probably take it out again tomorrow and see if I can shoot some groups using Tula ammo.  I like this rifle because of minimal recoil and comparatively cheap ammo.  But even cheap 7.62x39 ammo is more than double what the price I pay for .22 ammo.

 

I was just wondering what people's impression might be of the Serb rifle just in case I thought I needed a SHTF rifle that doesn't weigh nearly 11 pounds.  The only two centerfire rifles I have are the heavy Savage and a single shot .22 Hornet.  I should have hung on to the two SKS Paratroopers or the VZ58 I used to have.  

[gjohnsoniv]

Tag for conclusion, my neighbor and I have both been looking at getting one.

[TNWNGR]

Tag for conclusion, my neighbor and I have both been looking at getting one.

Hmm. Wonder if a group buy would be beneficial because I've become interested. There's a lot of utility in a small bolt action center fire rifle without significant recoil.   

[gjohnsoniv]

Hmm. Wonder if a group buy would be beneficial because I've become interested. There's a lot of utility in a small bolt action center fire rifle without significant recoil.

I would be interested in that. Only thing I don't like is that according to J and G Sales the magazine isn't detachable, but I could get over that.

[Garufa]

Tag for conclusion, my neighbor and I have both been looking at getting one.

 

Go ahead and get one so I can shoot it and properly formulate an opinion.

[hipower]

Hmm. Wonder if a group buy would be beneficial because I've become interested. There's a lot of utility in a small bolt action center fire rifle without significant recoil.   

 

I could get into that as well, but could be a problem to set up and oversee unless an FFL here, or one willing to deal with us, were involved.

 

I would be interested in that. Only thing I don't like is that according to J and G Sales the magazine isn't detachable, but I could get over that.

 

I've not really ever been interested in bolt actions, or non-detachable magazine rifles, but this reminds me of the CZ I passed up.

 

Yes, I could be talked into it.

[ttocswob]

I have one, bought from Centerfire Systems last year. Mine shoots everything, but steel case is sticky, and difficult to extract.

 

Steel case, + weak extractor + lack of replacement parts = recipe for disaster. So all brass for me.

 

And I did break the magazine spring - it's a "M" style spring, but only about half the size of a standard mauser spring. No one had the part, including Centerfire Systems, and they did not respond to my help letter. Still under warranty, but I wasn't about to return the rifle after mounting a Leopold.

 

So I ordered different several springs from Midway, hoping to make something fit. A 5 round coil spring intended for a mini-30 box magazine did the trick, had to fab up some sheet metal tabs to fit into the follower and floorplate. Works like a charm.

 

Or, one could buy the CZ 527 and avoid all that. Recommended.

 

EDIT: I really like the rifle, but live in fear of it becoming a parts orphan. I've seen stronger extractors on .22's.

 

I've thought of a few other things if you're still with me. It did handle Golden Bear, and some old Norinco copper washed steel OK; just not the lacquered or polymer coated stuff. And don't expect a controlled feed like the CZ. The bolt's a little sloppy when opened.

 

I bought a Leupold Rifleman scope, and the Leupold rings and mount for the Remington 799 (same rifle). Excellent combination, much better than the CAI mounts. And you will need a scope - or reshape the comb (I had to lay my head over sideways to align the open sights!) Stock is lightly oil finished walnut, and could be the beginning of a project gun.

 

Or, spend the $ on the CZ and avoid all that... /EDIT RANT

Edited June 19, 2015 by ttocswob

[hipower]

I have one, bought from Centerfire Systems last year. Mine shoots everything, but steel case is sticky, and difficult to extract.

 

Steel case, + weak extractor + lack of replacement parts = recipe for disaster. So all brass for me.

 

And I did break the magazine spring - it's a "M" style spring, but only about half the size of a standard mauser spring. No one had the part, including Centerfire Systems, and they did not respond to my help letter. Still under warranty, but I wasn't about to return the rifle after mounting a Leopold.

 

So I ordered different several springs from Midway, hoping to make something fit. A 5 round coil spring intended for a mini-30 box magazine did the trick, had to fab up some sheet metal tabs to fit into the follower and floorplate. Works like a charm.

 

Or, one could buy the CZ 527 and avoid all that. Recommended.

 

EDIT: I really like the rifle, but live in fear of it becoming a parts orphan. I've seen stronger extractors on .22's.

 

I've thought of a few other things if you're still with me. It did handle Golden Bear, and some old Norinco copper washed steel OK; just not the lacquered or polymer coated stuff. And don't expect a controlled feed like the CZ. The bolt's a little sloppy when opened.

 

I bought a Leupold Rifleman scope, and the Leupold rings and mount for the Remington 799 (same rifle). Excellent combination, much better than the CAI mounts. And you will need a scope - or reshape the comb (I had to lay my head over sideways to align the open sights!) Stock is lightly oil finished walnut, and could be the beginning of a project gun.

 

Or, spend the $ on the CZ and avoid all that... /EDIT RANT

 

Thanks for the commentary. Sounds like the CZ is definitely the best for an old fart like me. I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous with a rifle; so I'll stick with something a wee bit less problematic.

[TrickyNicky]

I could get into that as well, but could be a problem to set up and oversee unless an FFL here, or one willing to deal with us, were involved.

 

 

 

Yes, I could be talked into it.

 

If HP is in, I'm in....

 

Thanks for the commentary. Sounds like the CZ is definitely the best for an old fart like me. I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous with a rifle; so I'll stick with something a wee bit less problematic.

 

Dang. :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sooooo, group buy on CZ rifles?

[hipower]

If HP is in, I'm in....

 

 

Dang. :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sooooo, group buy on CZ rifles?

 

Don't let my reservations stop you. I'm just admitting my shortcomings on this. I don't shoot a lot of rifles, and one that could cause any work or maintenance issues for me is best left alone.  

 

That's why I'm still pretty much a pistol guy.

[gjohnsoniv]

Wonder if you could make a new bottom metal to accept an ak magazine.

[TrickyNicky]

Wonder if you could make a new bottom metal to accept an ak magazine.

 

 

Me? No.

 

You? Maybe. ;)

[gjohnsoniv]

Me? No.

You? Maybe. ;)

Do I sense a challenge?

[TrickyNicky]

You have been talking about looking for a project for a bit now..... and that would be a seriously cool rifle.