Rifle selection

[Dwight Beagle]

I’ve sold a few of the new Zastava’s and the fit and finish on them is not anywhere near what it was on the Mark X. I know two people who bought the new ones and they said they slick up nice.

It’s funny how we have preferences that are hard to put logic to. The Ruger CRF platform is excellent. But for some reason they don’t float my boat. I have two CZ rifles and love them though I don’t have any factual basis to state they are better than Ruger. If I had the bucks though I’d take a Winchester over a CZ.

 

[Rob404]

I’ve sold a few of the new Zastava’s and the fit and finish on them is not anywhere near what it was on the Mark X. I know two people who bought the new ones and they said they slick up nice.

It’s funny how we have preferences that are hard to put logic to. The Ruger CRF platform is excellent. But for some reason they don’t float my boat. I have two CZ rifles and love them though I don’t have any factual basis to state they are better than Ruger. If I had the bucks though I’d take a Winchester over a CZ.

They do slick up nice, I bought a Zastava in 7-08 For the price I couldn't pass it up (new 299.00) I took it home pulled it apart and cleaned and slicked it up a bit, while I had it apart I used some Tru-Oil on the wood and it came out very nice, at the range it performed quite well

 

[7x57Joe]

Wow Rob, I hope you didn't take your mask off too soon!

 

[Rob404]

Wow Rob, I hope you didn't take your mask off too soon!

I didn't think the folks at Cabelas Woodbury MN were to nuts about Zastavas,

 

[IvW]

CZ or Ruger, in that order.

 

[ack]

Nothing wrong at all with a Model 70 win..New ones are same as pre-64s..I bought one awhile back (300Win)and would buy another in a minute...that would be plenty for any plains game

 

[Dr Ray]

Hi all,
Looking for some advise on rifle selection. On a bit of a budget so no double rifles at this point.
I have access to zastava, cz and ruger. In USD the zastava is about half the price of the other two. I can swing one of the three. In Canada ruger has horrible customer service. Not sure about the other two.
I’m guessing most of my hunting would be PG but definitely want to hunt DG. This will be my one rifle for Africa (for now lol).

So what’s the seasoned veterans opinions of these rifles and why they would choose one over the other?

I appreciate and look forward to your replies.

I suggest that you go a little bit higher in price & get a Sako 85 Hunter. The quality is very, very good & Sakos have control feed and will shoot very good groups. I'm getting my 5th soon & maybe even my 6th Sako. I buy the stainless steel ones with the walnut stock except for a 270 which has a synthetic stock (soft I might add) because of where I go hunting with it.
You may consider the Kodiak (s/stainless steel) say in 375 or the Brown Bear say in 375 or 416 Rigby or (I think) 450 Rigby. The Bears have short barrels for rapid response shooting.
Top with the best scope you can afford because you will want reliability AND clarity. After all you won;t get many chances to bag that once-in-a-lifetime trophy so consider the Sako.

 

[Graham Hunter]

My only concern is a Sako is not CRF. Not that big a deal but still! Also though the Sako is a quality firearm I don't think for the extra money you are gaining that much quality.Hard to beat the CZ, Win. or Ruger and all CRF.

 

[Doc25]

Well they replaced the stock on the Zastava and it came back yesterday. I cleaned it hastily. Steel chips came out during the cleaning.
I cycled some dummy rounds I had made up and it cycled fine. The dummy rounds were made with 300 gr dgs’s.
Went out in the back yard and shot a couple of starting loads with 250gr sierras. Rifle functioned well other than the spent brass gets a dent in the case mouth upon ejection.
Waiting on some bedding compound and warne bases to show up and will get it set up.
Now it’s time to figure out what scope to pick up.

 

[Milan]

I would go with Zastava in your case. 1) You're on a budget and 2) I'm assuming .375 H&H as the largest caliber you're getting for now. The Zastava will be lighter and slimmer than the CZ (and I am a CZ fan). In medium calibers, it will be a wash weight and dimension-wise.

The Rugers I always like but they are more expensive here in Canada and their stocks never fit me. So all Rugers I have had so far kicked more that their caliber would suggest they should.

If and when you go to .40+ caliber, get a CZ.
Both Zastava and CZ will slick up very nicely with use. Just shoot'em a lot.

 

[Doc25]

Well the zastava it is. Just picked up a 3x9 conquest to scope it with as well.
Will see what’s around if I go bigger. Going to hold off until after the first trip anyways.

 

[fourfive8]

..."Rifle functioned well other than the spent brass gets a dent in the case mouth upon ejection."...

That may or may not cause unpredictable ejection issues. If that is without a scope mounted- sounds like the cartridge base is hitting the standing ejector before the case mouth has cleared the receiver. If the ejector is slightly long then easy fix/adjustment by gunsmith.

 

[Doc25]

..."Rifle functioned well other than the spent brass gets a dent in the case mouth upon ejection."...

That may or may not cause unpredictable ejection issues. If that is without a scope mounted- sounds like the cartridge base is hitting the standing ejector before the case mouth has cleared the receiver. If the ejector is slightly long then easy fix/adjustment by gunsmith.

You may be right. I was wondering if it was spinning around and hitting the receiver but it may be going the other way and hitting the receiver before ejecting. The only thing I know at this point is a slow ejection does not do this.
The zastava is a standard length action modified at the factory to accept the longer round.

 

[siutis]

416 ruger but practice at least twice a week 12 weeks before you depart. Backup is 375 Ruger.

 

[Newboomer]

Hi all,
Looking for some advise on rifle selection. On a bit of a budget so no double rifles at this point.
I have access to zastava, cz and ruger. In USD the zastava is about half the price of the other two. I can swing one of the three. In Canada ruger has horrible customer service. Not sure about the other two.
I’m guessing most of my hunting would be PG but definitely want to hunt DG. This will be my one rifle for Africa (for now lol).

So what’s the seasoned veterans opinions of these rifles and why they would choose one over the other?

I appreciate and look forward to your replies.

375HH hands down. There is a good range of bullet weights and configurations. It will handle anything on the continent.