Views: Weatherby - Savage - Zasatava ?

[RPRNY]

So, these are pretty widely different rifles, but they are currently under scrutiny by me for several reasons that mean these three make good sense to me (if not perhaps to you) within budget constraints. We are looking at caliber 30-06 for deer and bear (black, northeast).

Weatherby: Big fan, always have been. Hype or otherwise, these were sexy rifles to me as a kid growing up. I have a Weatherby SAS shotgun and have had extremely positive dealings with customer service. Can't stretch to to a Mark V or, realistically, even the new Vanguard II at this time. The basic Vanguard DBM synthetic will do what I need it to do and comes in under $400 leaving room for reasonable glass.

Zasatava M70 Mannlicher stock: If I can locate one. Love a Mannlicher stock. Love a tried and tested, 3 lug Mauser action. 20" barrel convenient for NE woods but LOUD. Wood looks pretty decent oil finished Walnut. Would I prefer a CZ550 ? Yes, but that's @ $300 more. Mixed reviews. "Good enough" seems to be the consensus. Will be pushing the budget to get one and reasonable glass at the same time.

Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP: If the two above are driven by my heart tempered by budget, this one is all head. Well regarded, well reviewed, solid performer and it comes in under budget with good enough glass for me (Nikon Prostaff w/BDC). Just kind of uninspiring.

Your thoughts/experiences on these rifles most welcome.

 

[powder]

IIRC, there's some great SHOT Show footage of the Zastava rifles-beautiful work...

 

[greyling22]

I have a charles daly zastava mini mauser. beautiful blueing, rough action, shoots great, pretty nice trigger, parts are hard to get and importation is erratic. I learned an important lesson with it and won't be buying another gun, (or any product that might someday require parts or service) that doesn't have a good and stable CS department.

 

[Captcurt]

RP,

We have similar taste. I bought a Vanguard 257 mag last year. Excellent trigger and shot sub -moa out of the box with factory ammo. Very impressive. Now I have 2 more that I grabbed for resale. The only downside that I can see with the Vanguard is weight. They are heavy.

The Savage is a utility gun that is a bargain at $400. The only thing missing is the accutrigger and the existing trigger can be made to work just fine. I have 2 ultralite Sierras with the old triggers. Both triggers are set at 3#. Works swell.

The Zastava is more like the guns of yesteryear. Nice metal finish, proven Mauser action, but I have no personal experience with them. Two smiths that I know do not think too highly of them.

 

[helotaxi]

All Savage 1X/11X rifles have the Accutrigger now, including the budget package guns. The Stevens and Axis models do not. The only drawback to the Savage model that you're looking at is the stock. It's very flexible in the forearm area which makes shooting it consistently a bit of a challenge.

 

[bobnob]

I have a Zastava sporter in 270 with synthetic stock and 24 inch barrel. The action slicks up with a little use. The thing groups most things under 1 moa, even when the barrel is getting real hot no stringing. Great steel and blueing.

Never had a fail to feed, jam or other malfunction of any sort.

Kind of rough and rustic. Not flash but an honest rifle with a nostalgic feel. I will never trade or sell it, one of my kids will get it.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I have the Interarms Zastava mini Mauser. Sweet rifle, accurate, deer and yotes hate it.

.223 Remington.

 

[greyling22]

mustard, did you have any issues scoping your rifle? Bolt handle hitting the scope?

 

[meanmrmustard]

mustard, did you have any issues scoping your rifle? Bolt handle hitting the scope?

It's close, pretty dang close, but it doesn't hit. Since its a small handle anyway, it gets a three fingered grab.

It's wearing a 3x9x40 Burris, and I can work the bolt without taking my eyes off the scope.

 

[greyling22]

I had a terrible time with mine. Finally used high rings and ground the bolt flat on top. Had to be careful about what scope I used too. The bolt is really floppy. Sure does shoot well though. I've toyed with cutting the handle off and having a larger handle welded on.

 

[tahoe2]

As partial as I am to Mausers; I would go with the Vanguard(1st), Savage(2nd), and Zastava(3rd). I have dealt with Weatherby's and they all come with a factory proven target, I owned a Savage 110 in .270 Win that would put a full mag (5 rounds) under a Quarter @ 100 yds. Wish I still had it. The only Zastava I have had experience with, I still own it, a Yugo M48a mauser in military dress, that is a joy to shoot, but the sights are primitive, so groups are just fair(4"-6" @ 100), I refuse to scope it. Just my .02 cents.