7x65r anyone?

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Well I picked up a early Merkel combo gun last weekend. It is a 16ga over a 7x65r, it really is a slim well balanced gun. My thought process was it would make a great southern whitetail rifle and as far as Africa is concerned, the 16ga with buckshot would be handy on up close tiny ten but the rifle conveniently there if a big kudu stepped out. Anyway I am brand new to the 7x65r and have no experience with it, what experience do you all have with it?

It's a very good caliber.

 

[markferrigno]

Great caliber, make use of the extra velocity and SD of the 7mm by using heavier bullets(160-175 gr).

16ga available in Africa but not all over.

I have a Belgium one 7x65R/12ga with QD scope, my son uses it for bush pigs and warthogs as well as general hunting.

Looking at a Heym 7x57R/16ga I can get hands on for my daughter but the 16ga is putting me off a bit at the moment....

I have a Heym Drilling, 7x65R .22 Hornet insert and 16GA for sale if you are interested. Feel free to PM me.....

https://www.africahunting.com/threa...r-16-70-with-22-hornet-insert-for-sale.47130/

 

[7x57Joe]

A great cartridge,perfect in a combined weapon.
Unfortunately the combined ones are here no longer modern, since our hunteryouth does not get along any more without R 8 and similar .
What a nonsense.

It is not just the combination guns either. A friend and I were complaining about this very thing yesterday. If it doesn't have a black composite stock it will not be looked at twice and if it looks like an AR-15 it will have drool all over it. New hunters doesn't appreciate walnut and blue steel guns. Makes me ill. Long live Mannlicher-Schoenauers, Mausers, and Haenels!

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Yeah I just don't understand the whole Tacticool wave, not my cup of tea. I'm fine with my milsurp M1 Garand and P08, P38, C96, Tokarev TT33, and Astra 400 & 600 pistols for having a true military heritage. I guess my only tacticool indulgence is a Polish PPS43C with 16" shrouded barrel and therefore functional folding stock without being classified as a SBR I picked up last year. The only polymer is in the pistol grip.

The only Tacticool stuff with wood furniture that's popular around Texas that I've seen is the various AK style weapons.

Long live Zastava offering basic true traditional Mauser controlled feed action richly blued bolt rifles with wood stocks at an everyman price!

Scrummy,

I found these truly blued commercial large ring Mauser bolt sleeves on Gunbroker. The seller had 4, I bought 3 for my 7X64mm rifle plus a few others that I have with functional side safety and non-functional wing bolt safety.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/829942548

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Here's the auction listing for my new-to-me 7X64mm rifle. Not pristine, but certainly a solid foundation. You can see the bolt I mentioned, which cycles, but I plan to replace the entire bolt. I'll keep it on hand as a spare especially with respect to the innards. I'll eBay the stock unless someonne on here expresses an interest.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/822439948

What I don't know is if a new / NOS Zastava commercial standard action bolt will work as a drop-in replacement or whether a gunsmith needs to finesse headspacing, or what, as I'm no gunsmith.

 

[bruce moulds]

zorg,
looks like a military conversion, not a modern zastava.
always a good idea to check headspace, even if it might not need it.
bruce.

 

[sestoppelman]

Here's the auction listing for my new-to-me 7X64mm rifle. Not pristine, but certainly a solid foundation. You can see the bolt I mentioned, which cycles, but I plan to replace the entire bolt. I'll keep it on hand as a spare especially with respect to the innards. I'll eBay the stock unless someonne on here expresses an interest.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/822439948

What I don't know is if a new / NOS Zastava commercial standard action bolt will work as a drop-in replacement or whether a gunsmith needs to finesse headspacing, or what, as I'm no gunsmith.

Its an early Euro version of commercial action and rifle. There has been quit a number of these on GB of late in various calibers. Lucky you saw that and I didn't or you would not now own it. I would have snagged that puppy right up! Were it me I would leave the bolt alone and shoot it as is, and changing the bolt out would be a potential problem as regards headspace. It might be fine, it might not. Dont assume it will be OK.

The 7x64 is a fav of mine and my CZ 550 Lux is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

@bruce moulds, the receiver markings are clearly Zastava commercial mauser production, and the hinged floorplate is a dead giveaway it is not a military action nor barrel. The Zastava production date stamped on the receiver is 0989 (September 1989) so commercial manufacture shortly before the breakup of former Yugoslavia. The pig back stock with the style and location of the sling swivels are commercial production. The bolt, as I originally described as "beat to fit", is the only portion that appears to be a fugly military conversion with the flag safety disabled due to the commercial two trigger action having a side safety.

Here is the commercial Zastava bolt I purchased to teplace the current bolt.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/824057822

I purchased a pristine modern Zastava commercial Monte Carlo stock on eBay to replace the commercial Zastava pig back style stock.

Considering the only other 7X64mm Mauser controlled feed rifles under US $1000 I've located for sale are quite a ways north of my South Texas casita, in Canada, which would require the whole firearm importation hassle, I count myself fortunate to snag this twin trigger example for personal customization / rehab. I passed up a NOS Ruger 77 Mk2 in 7X64 with 22" barrel at US $1200 which has since been sold, and I'm happy with my waiting for this opportunity to modify to my tastes.

https://www.shooterschoice.com/products/used-zastava-lkm70-7x64b

That Zastava has a 22" barrel instead of the 24" commercial barrel on the rigle I purchased.

https://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/parker-hale-commercial-m98-7x64

This Parker Hale is also in Canada.[/USER]

 

[sestoppelman]

I notice it has the push button mag release outside the trigger guard, this is actually a later feature on US marketed Zastava rifles. My '84 vintage Whitworth has the inside the bow style and I have seen many with the push button on later rifles. I think this crop of recent imports were simply meant for other markets, not the US.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Its an early Euro version of commercial action and rifle. There has been quit a number of these on GB of late in various calibers. Lucky you saw that and I didn't or you would not now own it. I would have snagged that puppy right up! Were it me I would leave the bolt alone and shoot it as is, and changing the bolt out would be a potential problem as regards headspace. It might be fine, it might not. Dont assume it will be OK.

The 7x64 is a fav of mine and my CZ 550 Lux is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned.

Yes, it appears like a few crates of such rifles have popped up recently with either electro-penciled import marks and M70 etched in electropencil on the bottom of the barrel, or import marks from Foxtrot in Skaneateles NY like this 7X64mm. Glad you didn't spot this!

The fugly bolt does not cycle smoothly, especially with regard to the bolt handle traveling in the vertical plane. I will use a gunsmith per your advice, there are several to choose from in San Antonio, Dury's being my likely choice.

https://www.durysguns.com/services/gunsmithing

Here's a similar .30-06 I picked up with the CAI import marks. I also have a Monte Carlo stock from eBay to transplant this barrelled action.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/824629968

These are my first forays into the realm of rifles with two triggers. I'll definitely engage a gunsmith to perform trigger adjustments.

I have corresponded with member @mark-hunter and his opinion these are likely rifles turned in / collected in Croatia as the gun laws transitioned to their current form. This rifle's stock art tipped me off in what direction to follow.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/822583540

Agreed on the magazine release design, my Interarms Mark X & Whitworth rifles have the button inside the trigger guard. These are most likely internal market supply to the former Yugoslavia, although I have seen that magazine release design on Remington 798 and Charles Daly rifles. Notably, Interarms was still in business in 1989 when the 7X64mm rifle I purchased was manufactured.

One of these days I'll post up photos of the various Mauser controlled feed action design rifles I've been purchasing. My wife is a much better photographer but it would possibly bring critical attention to the quantity as I've been in a "Life's too short" mode the last 2 years.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Some commercial Mauser rifles (or at least commercial Mauser barreled action rifles) have been popping up as well, probably from the same crates, like this 6mm Remington rifle.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/826722670

The stock design is similar but the magazine floorplate is more traditional Mauser.

 

[raimanparoni]

I have hunted 20 years with 7x65R cal. First with Valmet combi gun and then Sauer 3000 drilling. Good caliber for all kind of situations and animals
A friend of mine uses 2x12/70 +7x65 R drilling in bear hunting. First shot with 7x65R and if bear attacks he uses shotgun barrels. That way he can shoot three times without loading noise.

 

[sestoppelman]

Some commercial Mauser rifles (or at least commercial Mauser barreled action rifles) have been popping up as well, probably from the same crates, like this 6mm Remington rifle.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/826722670

The stock design is similar but the magazine floorplate is more traditional Mauser.

That one is based on an Oberndorf military action, note the thumb notch on the left wall. Wish it was something other than 6mm.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

There was one just like that in 8X57mmJS offered by that same seller in late July / early August. I think it sold between $400 & $500.

There have also been numerous configurations like this one Cabela's which Cabela's says is a factory sporterized M70. Marko cleared up things by educating me this is an example of a Zastava M98, not M70. These are built with the Yugoslavian intermediate length action like the Yugoslavian M48 military issue rifle with a commercial Zastava pig back stock. Look at the magazine design especially the detail of the fixed floorplate.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/zastava-m48-sporter-8x57mm-js/3414368.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&Ntk=GunLibrary&Ntt=Zastava&x=23&y=24&Ntt=Zastava&slotId=58

https://www.cabelas.com/product/zastava-8x57js/2972353.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&Ntk=GunLibrary&Ntt=Zastava&x=23&y=24&Ntt=Zastava&slotId=7

And rifles like these with a mix of features, like my 7X64mm having a fugly beat to fit bolt.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/zastava-model-m48-sporter-8x57mm/3072752.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&Ntk=GunLibrary&Ntt=Zastava&x=23&y=24&Ntt=Zastava&slotId=9

https://www.cabelas.com/product/zastava-m48-sporter-8x57-js/3019090.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&Ntk=GunLibrary&Ntt=Zastava&x=23&y=24&Ntt=Zastava&slotId=10

And this commercial model with pig back stock in 7X57mm, which is correctly a M70 as all the commercial M98 models are 8X57mmJS caliber.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/zastava-lkm70-standard-commercial-mauser-7x57mm/3383899.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&Ntk=GunLibrary&Ntt=Zastava&x=23&y=24&Ntt=Zastava&slotId=4

Here's a better resolution pic of the commercial M70 rifle with Croatian stock art that set me on my path to become more knowledgeable about these rifles recenty showing up for sale in the US. It was also a two trigger configuration. I asked the seller to send me a pic of the view through the scope, but someone else purchased this rifle shortly after my request.

I'm happier with my bargain priced 7X64mm & .30-06 rifles to customize to my preferences especially considering how US factory 8X57mmJS ammunition is so neutered with respect to it's potential. Plus Marko informed me many users of commercial 8X57mmJS caliber rifles used military 8X57mmJS corrosive ammunition. Most of the Zastava commercial M98 8X57mmJS rifles in the current Cabela's gun library are not described highly in terms of bore condition. However rifles in calibers other than 8X57mmJS would not have had easy access to corrosive ammunition in former Yugoslavia, like my recently purchased .30-06 and (of course) my 7X64mm rifles.

 

[sestoppelman]

Wish I had seen the 7x57, would have snagged it too. Sale pending on it now, dang it!

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I passed on that 7X57mm rifle at Cabela's before it went "Pending" as I have a custom (but not fancy) 7X57mm full stock carbine with 20" barrel, with *I think* a commercial FN action. I figured my new-to-me 7X64mm rifle with 24" barrel can do everything a 7X57mm rifle with 24" barrel can do, plus a little more. I'll keep your preferences in mind going forward @sestoppelman if I see something you might like that I pass over, but absolutely NOT if I'm interested based on your prior post this thread.

I find your assumptions on my availability of discretionary funds pretty offensive. I lived modestly throughout my career, a key factor in not having a major financial disruption when my health forced my early retirement 7 years ago. I have a fair bit of discretionary funds, but I'll usually reach a rational value point in a bidding war. Knowing your expressed position, I'll continue keeping anything I see I want to myself. I have a LOT of unstructured time on my hands to poke around looking for things I might like.

Same thing on the 8X57mmJS variants. They're difficult for me to justify, since I now have a .30-06 24" barrel two trigger version, a .30-06 Interarms Mark X full stock carbine with 20" barrel, and a Whitworth .270 Winchester full stock carbine with 20" barrel.

No real need for .308 Winchester, 8X57mm, or even .338 Federal in my current hunting rifle battery, plus the risk of less than desirable bore condition in many of the 8X57mmJS versions. My .243 Winchester Whitworth full stock carbine with 20" barrel is my only true "short action" cartridge bolt action rifle, and being manufactured by Zastava, has the same bolt travel length of my other 20" barrel length carbines.

 

[sestoppelman]

I have no interest in the 8mm's either, more of a .284 fan. Your 7x64 can do a fair amount more than any 7x57 but the Mauser is still a neat, classic round. I have the calibers pretty well covered for any hunt I might ever take, probably not too many more. I get probably more enjoyment just from buying and selling guns and working up loads, testing, shooting etc.

If I ever hunt buffalo again, I still have my .375 Whitworth that followed me to Africa my first 3 trips, I wont ever sell it, but will pass it down to my son. Will keep looking for a nice Mauser sporter in 7x57. Its a hobby.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I find no need to be deliberately impolite to someone who shares any hobby I have. I respect we're all individuals with our own choices though

 

[sestoppelman]

I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I surely meant nothing disrespectful in any of my posts to you. I thought we were having a conversation about similar interests. Perhaps I should have placed a smiley somewhere but didn't and the humor was lost?

 

[sestoppelman]

OP, sorry about the thread hijack. I seem to have offended a member and until I know why I should back off I guess. If my offensive post could be pointed out I would be happy to amend it.