Zastava M70 Mannlicher

[Blankwaffe]

Thinking about getting this Zastava M70 Mannlicher to use as my new deer rifle.

http://centuryarms.biz/proddetail.asp?prod=RI1977J-N&cat=117

Anyone seen one these up close yet?

Been wanting a short barrel bolt action rifle in 30-06 to use as my brush gun....always wanted one of the Mannlicher stocked Mausers so this has really caught my eye.

[okie john]

I haven't seen this exact model, but Zastava has an excellent reputation, especially when it comes to building sporting rifles on Mauser actions. It should take scope mounts and other accessories that are standard for any 98. The actions tend to be a little sticky at first. Cycling the action several hundred times while you're watching TV some night really pays off.

I've spent a lot of time hunting deer and hogs in very thick brush, so I have two concerns about this particular variant. The first is barrel length. Short may seem smart, but I once owned a 30/06 with a 20-inch barrel, and I'm pretty sure that you could see the muzzle blast and hear the report from outer space. I have since found that a 22" barrel seems to be the tipping point--it doesn't seem any longer than a 20" barrel, but it seems about foot shorter than a 24" barrel. I feel like this has to do with my height, which is 5'9". Taller people seem to find it easier to live with longer rifles. Your mileage may vary.

The second is the weight (7.9 pounds empty) which means it could easily crowd 10 pounds loaded with a scope and a sling. That's a LOT for a deer rifle, especially if you still hunt and you have the rifle in your hands at port arms all day. I once spent a week still-hunting deer in thick brush with a 10-lb. 30/06. That hunt ended on a Sunday, which is the only reason that I didn't get rid of the damned thing on the way home--all of the pawnshops were closed. A rifle that weighs more like 7 or 8 pounds ready to hunt is a lot more fun to lug around.


Okie John

[KalashniKEV]

http://centuryarms.biz/proddetail.asp?prod=RI1977J-N&cat=117

Anyone seen one these up close yet?

I have nothing constructvice except to ask, "Are these guys seriously going to name half the things they make Zastava M70???"

http://shop.velocityworks.net/images/ZASTAVA2520M-70A25209mm2520252822529.jpg

http://www.hausofguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/M70AB2.jpg

https://4b1e874935ea5d25a97e-f099844d0e354c7ab50c55a966be6870.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/product/resized/F1CAKPAP5.jpg

http://www.gunsgame.com/images/apr_jun2012_issue74/big/p114.jpg

[pinzgauer]

Anyone seen one these up close yet?

Been wanting a short barrel bolt action rifle in 30-06 to use as my brush gun....always wanted one of the Mannlicher stocked Mausers so this has really caught my eye.

I'm curious if it has the backwards safety like the modern CZ Mauser's do. If not I'd love one in 7x57.

[Blankwaffe]

I haven't seen this exact model, but Zastava has an excellent reputation, especially when it comes to building sporting rifles on Mauser actions. It should take scope mounts and other accessories that are standard for any 98. The actions tend to be a little sticky at first. Cycling the action several hundred times while you're watching TV some night really pays off.

I've spent a lot of time hunting deer and hogs in very thick brush, so I have two concerns about this particular variant. The first is barrel length. Short may seem smart, but I once owned a 30/06 with a 20-inch barrel, and I'm pretty sure that you could see the muzzle blast and hear the report from outer space. I have since found that a 22" barrel seems to be the tipping point--it doesn't seem any longer than a 20" barrel, but it seems about foot shorter than a 24" barrel. I feel like this has to do with my height, which is 5'9". Taller people seem to find it easier to live with longer rifles. Your mileage may vary.

The second is the weight (7.9 pounds empty) which means it could easily crowd 10 pounds loaded with a scope and a sling. That's a LOT for a deer rifle, especially if you still hunt and you have the rifle in your hands at port arms all day. I once spent a week still-hunting deer in thick brush with a 10-lb. 30/06. That hunt ended on a Sunday, which is the only reason that I didn't get rid of the damned thing on the way home--all of the pawnshops were closed. A rifle that weighs more like 7 or 8 pounds ready to hunt is a lot more fun to lug around.


Okie John

Thanks for the info.Yeap Im a big Zastava fan,have had several firearms they made over the years from various importers,and several variations of milsurp Yugo Mausers.Especially fond of the CZ999/EZ9 pistols Ive got.
I typically use an old 700 BDL 7mm Rem Mag or a 742 BDL in 30-06 Ive had for a few decades,so weight,muzzle blast etc. isn't an issue,Im use to it.I do want the short barrel, and the muzzle blast couldn't be any worse than my old 742 in 30-06.Ive got one ordered at the LGS,so I'll give a report on how I like it,if it ever comes in that is.

[Blankwaffe]

I have nothing constructvice except to ask, "Are these guys seriously going to name half the things they make Zastava M70???"

http://shop.velocityworks.net/images/ZASTAVA2520M-70A25209mm2520252822529.jpg

http://www.hausofguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/M70AB2.jpg

https://4b1e874935ea5d25a97e-f099844d0e354c7ab50c55a966be6870.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/product/resized/F1CAKPAP5.jpg

http://www.gunsgame.com/images/apr_jun2012_issue74/big/p114.jpg

Yeap its a bit confusing especially with all the different importers models over the years.One other one that caught my eye is the M92 PAP.