Best work rifle option?

Best work rifle option?

  • Remington 700 BDL

  • Zastava M70


Results are only viewable after voting.

Alexandro Faria

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So the SO is in the market for work rifle and we've got it down to two contenders: A zastava m70, brand new, or a remington BDL, both in 308 win.

Requirements:
A tool that is accurate and one that can be used and abused (not intentionally, but s### happens. Preferably synthetic and capable of a magpul conversion. Not worried about pretty, it's a work FA and therefore the focus is on practicality and effectiveness regarding getting the job done.

The firearm will be fitted with a suppressor

Details

M70:
Brand new
4 round mag
Apparently quite accurate out the box
Control feed (nice action on the one we found. Slick indeed)
Wood stock
$800-Third of the price of the Rem

Remington BDL
Second hand
Converted from a 30-06 (5 round mag)
Comes with sling, scope and rings, 2 boxes of ammo
Aftermarket Bell and Carlson Stock
Blue printed action- push feed
Accuracy is apparently decent
$1200

Need help choosing, please???
 
Mossberg patriot. $300-600 depending on model and as accurate, if not more so than either of the 2 you listed. It really is crazy what this company is putting out for a rifle with the price they are getting
 
Of the two, I’d go with the zastava, but neither would be what I’d recommend. For a great 308, look at the Steyr Scout. For more traditional lines, go with a Winchester Featherweight or Winchester All Weather Stainless.
 
Those are the two options... Can't go into why, but that's sadly how it is at present.
 
I’m not a fan of short (308) chamberings in long actions. I also dislike Remy 700s and their clones for anything but range work.

So I wouldn’t get the Remy.
 
Those are the two options... Can't go into why, but that's sadly how it is at present.
In that case the zastava. Why spend more money on something to be "used and abused"? There is nothing special about a rem 700 and the company is going downhill. With the crf the zastava is probably actually the better rifle anyway
 
Those are the two options... Can't go into why, but that's sadly how it is at present.

I know nothing about the Zastava M70, is the a Winchester knockoff?

The rem is okay, I would definitely make sure it has a good trigger in it and nothing like a jewel (they are not field friendly).
 
I’m not a fan of short (308) chamberings in long actions. I also dislike Remy 700s and their clones for anything but range work.

So I wouldn’t get the Remy.

Agreed that in itself can cause more problems than needed. Especially in a high stress situation.
 
I know nothing about the Zastava M70, is the a Winchester knockoff?

Zastava is one very old rifle maker, dating back to middle 19-hundreds.
Based in Serbia. Initially cannon making factory.

By the end of 19th century, Serbian army major Kosta Koka Milovanovic was in charge for commisioning new rifle for Serbian Army.
He was also a firearm constructor and designer.
He made some design changes on the mauser rifle, model 1978 / 80.
Privately, he also married one of Wilhelm Mausers daughters.
This is how mausers rifles came in Serbia.

After WW1 - the the factory signed in 1920 ties, contract with FN Herstal factory to start producing masuer m24 rifles. and some time later obtained machinery for producing factory rifles from belgians. Ever since, they are producing mauser system rifles.

After the ww2, they continued production of yugo mauser m48 (clone od mauser 98K) on military contracts.

By the end of 1960 ties - they started production of sporting m70, mauser style hunting rifles, with mauser action and with modern thumb safety switch, as opposed to classic "butterlfy" mauser clasic safety, plus options with set triggers, either german of french style.

During and after balkans wars, the quality of rifles is said to be lower then the rifles made before 1991.

Year of production, in most cases can be esatblished by checking 4 digit number stamped on receiver, in format MMYY.

Some are exported to US, have stamp Charles Daly, and / or Interarms mark X.
They also had some actions exported to Remington, who fitted new rifles under model name remington 798 (on mauser style actions)

So, by now they are producing mauser rifles almost 100 years, and posibly they are cheapest masuer rifles on the market today.
 
Thanks all, I really appreciate it! I feel like the decision is clear, based on the reactions above. Anyone know of a conversion kit that will allow me to turn the zastava into a magazine fed FA?
 

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I don't know how current Zastava's are compared to the Interarms Mark X which was a solid low cost rifle. If they are close, I would go with the Zastava.

For me it would be hard to believe that a Remington is worth 50% more than any rifle.
 
Ruger Hawkeye African 300 Win Mag would be my choice..
 
Zastava is one very old rifle maker, dating back to middle 19-hundreds.
Based in Serbia. Initially cannon making factory.

By the end of 19th century, Serbian army major Kosta Koka Milovanovic was in charge for commisioning new rifle for Serbian Army.
He was also a firearm constructor and designer.
He made some design changes on the mauser rifle, model 1978 / 80.
Privately, he also married one of Wilhelm Mausers daughters.
This is how mausers rifles came in Serbia.

After WW1 - the the factory signed in 1920 ties, contract with FN Herstal factory to start producing masuer m24 rifles. and some time later obtained machinery for producing factory rifles from belgians. Ever since, they are producing mauser system rifles.

After the ww2, they continued production of yugo mauser m48 (clone od mauser 98K) on military contracts.

By the end of 1960 ties - they started production of sporting m70, mauser style hunting rifles, with mauser action and with modern thumb safety switch, as opposed to classic "butterlfy" mauser clasic safety, plus options with set triggers, either german of french style.

During and after balkans wars, the quality of rifles is said to be lower then the rifles made before 1991.

Year of production, in most cases can be esatblished by checking 4 digit number stamped on receiver, in format MMYY.

Some are exported to US, have stamp Charles Daly, and / or Interarms mark X.
They also had some actions exported to Remington, who fitted new rifles under model name remington 798 (on mauser style actions)

So, by now they are producing mauser rifles almost 100 years, and posibly they are cheapest masuer rifles on the market today.
Thanks for sharing.
 
I own a few Zastava's they are not fancy and the action needs some cycling to smooth out, the stocks could use a little clean up but I'd buy another one if the need presented itself, My 375HH MK X was a great shooting rifle sorry I ever parted with it
 
Key word: CRF in a Mauser action. Go Zastava.
 

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