What are your thoughts on the following rifles?

[Arty0802]

One of the first hunting rifles I ever purchased for myself as a poor, recent college grad was a Mossberg MVP (Mossberg Varmint/Predator) in 5.56/.223. It has a black laminate benchrest-style stock with a fluted/threaded barrel and accepts AR-pattern magazines. I put a 20yr old <$100 BEC scope on it and shot the absolute daylights out of groundhogs and coyotes with it. I've since upgraded to a nicer Vortex scope but I have no plans of ever getting rid of that gun despite the ability to get something much nicer nowadays. The only real downside I'll give it is that the push feed mechanism on the bolt is just a tiny little hinged flange that hangs down and catches on the case head as it moves forward. Looking at the flimsy construction I would have expected it break off a long time ago, but it's still chugging along. I'm not sure if the same feature is present on the higher-powered centerfire models (the MVP is the same action as the Patriot as I understand it), but that might be something to think about.

That was a very long way of saying the Mossberg should be fine for it's intended use.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I bought my nephew a savage 223 and I have a savage 25/06 as a loaner gun. Both have no business shooting as well as they do for $350. Especially the 25/06. I actually need to hunt with that gun myself just for fun and it’s as accurate as most custom rifles I’ve seen.

 

[Forage&Hunt]

They'll all work, especially if you handload or find the right factory ammo.

This is .y next learning. I want to start. But have no idea where and how.

 

[RedTag]

The Zastava rifle, being a commercial Mauser 98 action, is of intrinsically sound design, fundamentally speaking. These have been made available in various levels of fit and finish under different names over the years. It looks like they’re currently available under their own Zastava name at a competitive price. The Whitworth iteration is generally pretty well regarded. The Mark X would be next in line. Remington imported and marketed them as their model 798 some time ago. I personally owned one of the lower priced models imported by Charles Daly in 7mm Remington Magnum. For the price I think it was okay, as a starting point, and understanding that some rifles are platforms to build/rebuild on; it wasn’t perfect by any means. It wasn’t particularly accurate (flawed barrel, cheap ram line synthetic stock) nor particularly reliable (trigger/safety issues) so I set it aside for a future project which never materialized. My plan was to rebuild it with a new barrel chambered in .338 or .458 Winchester Magnum, a Timney trigger, and a good fiberglass stock. But I just lost interest and traded it in. Something about that kind trigger/safety design will never sit right with me, no matter who makes it. I prefer my bolt action rifles to have the safety on the bolt. Now that’s a matter of personal preference. If your rifle is accurate and reliable, keep it, you have a winner.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You've got a box full of tools there. Good for you. Better things to spend one's money on than a fleet of fancy guns. I have two rifles in my "battery": a Springfield 03A3 my dad built in 1962 (that I have totally rebuilt over the years since) and a 404J on Czech Mauser I built mostly for fun in the spring of 2023. Still haven't shot anything with it (missed one shot at a coyote). But the Springfield has killed a mountain of big game over the years (plus a few coyotes and grouse [in the head]).

 

[Ontario Hunter]

This is .y next learning. I want to start. But have no idea where and how.

Get on eBay and pick up a used single stage press. RCBS Rockchuck will do fine. I think the Hornady presses are okay too. Single stage presses are very simple machine so hard to find one that won't work. Avoid progressive reloaders! I have one for loading shotgun and often wish I didn't. Pay a lot more money for more stuff to go wrong and make you learn new expletives. Also look for a used digital powder scale/dispenser. Like other technocrap, guys are always "upgrading" and unloading their last version cheap. I picked up a dandy older model Lyman dispenser/scale for $150. You'll want a balance scale to check loads occasionally. Used ones can usually be had very cheap. None of your guns are particularly exotic calibers so shouldn't be hard to find to find dies. Used are usually okay. Whatever gets broke (e.g. primer decapping pins) are easily replaced. Loading data can be found online. Also, many videos to get you started if no mentor available to help you in person.

 

[Ridge Runner]

This is .y next learning. I want to start. But have no idea where and how.

LOL.....OH BOY.....you just opened a can of highly active worms wanting out of that can and looking down the entrance of a bottomless rabbit hole.

First Step find someone nearby that is willing to teach you how to reload.

If the First Step isn't an option, no problem. Make your First Step be to purchase 2 or 3 different handloading manuals and read them. You are going to need them anyway.

Start with a basic reloading kit. I recommend a Lee or Lyman reloading deluxe kit. These kits have just about everything you will need to get started into reloading at an economical cost.

I also recommend getting a turret press vs a single stage press. The turret press functions the same as a single stage press, but instead of replacing individual loading stage die you just rotate the turret to the next die, all of the dies are in one turret. When you change calibers just change out the turret.

Dies: if and when possible purchase carbon dies. These dies don't require brass to be pre lube. Regular or non carbon dies require tubing prior to inserting the brass into the dies.

Bullets, Powders, Primers, Brass....Oh My!
Welcome to the rabbit hole.

There are some good and a lot of not so good YouTube videos you can watch and learn from.

Ask questions, concerns, recommendations to reloaders here on AH.

Set up your reloading bench like an assembly line.

Nothing like the "rush" of loading and firing your very first reloaded cartridge.

You are now well on your way going deeper and deeper down the reloading rabbit hole.

JMPO...learn and gain experience before thinking about upgrading to progressive presses.

 

[Mizzou100]

I bought my my son an early M77 in 30-06, refined the stock, metal was good, put in a timney trigger, and him and i both love it, smooth and accurate. I have heard the m77 mk11"s are more consistently reliable. The 06 has killed everything on earth, and the fact that its not a flat shooter is irrelevant with leupold custom dial, just twist to 400 and it rings steel over and over.

 

[FlyGuy]

A Zastava is a modern Mauser action. What can possibly go wrong with it ? The Ruger is pretty similar. I can’t comment on the others.

+1

 

[Betterinthebush]

Before I committed completely to hunting Africa, I was nervous being new, mostly about taking my Dakota 76 or my Win M 70. So, I found a pristine Inter-Arms Whitworth .375 H&H (a Zastava) cheap and I figured I’d use it once, pull off the scope and resell it. My biggest problem with it, and it wasn’t a rifle problem, was the safety. Being so used to a Winchester three position safety for so many years I fumbled getting used to not having a definite “click,click” leading up to the shot.

That rifle is a flat out shooter. I did have to slick the action, but once that was done, I can’t sell now. So, it’s gone to my youngest boy. It’s his rifle now and he loves it.

I own(ed) M70’s, and I’m loyal to certain actions and heavier weapons, especially to my Dakotas’s. There is no comparison between them and the zastava, but, for the money that old Whitworth is sure hard to beat.

I’ve got no experience with the others listed.

 

[Sideshow]

Over the years, I couldn't justify buying rifles worth more than my home. So I tried to go in with fair priced decent reviews. Out of interest, I would like peoples' thoughts on my rifles. Nothing fancy, but wanted to sense check.

1. Old Remington Scremaster .22
2. Savage Axis .223
3. Mossberg Patriot 270 win
4. Ruger MK77 30-06
5. Zasatava 375 H&H

Let's hear it. I'm not too sensitive so say it like it is lol

Mind if I ask why the 270 30-06? They almost cancel each other out. 223 covers everything up to 06 territory, so you could skip the 270 or skip the 06 as your 375 will cover the upper side of the 06 territory. Or have I missed something?
Used 1, 2, and 4 never had any major issue apart from 4 was Bastard to bed with that tang safety.

 

[Firebird]

I bought a .270 mossberg patriot about five years ago. The wood that it came with was very pretty but required bedding to stiffen and strengthen it up. Some of the magazine parts are plastic and not built for the duration.
Accuracy was tough. I finally worked up a handload for it with Speer grand slam bullets. I bet I tried 5-6 different bullets before that one showed promise. It was very fickle!
That said I ended up selling the rifle to a nephew for what I had into it. I watched him kill a mule deer doe at 400 yards with no problems so if you can invest and tinker, it’s a serviceable rifle.

 

[RSL]

Three shots at 100 yds from my Mossberg Patriot in 7PRC. Barnes 160 LRX over H1000.
Good enough for me for a cheap rifle. I have no experience with your other rifles.

 

[steve white]

Asking us to critique your rifles is almost like asking us to tell you your baby is ugly....ain't going to happen!

 

[Bonk]

No experience with 1-3 but 4&5 are both excellent rifles.

 

[Field28]

Never cared for anything made by Mossberg!

 

[Badboymelvin]

I have a LH Zastava in 9.3x62. Fit and finish leave a bit to be desired. Like CZ, they need some gunsmith-supplied TLC.

They also don't use great quality wood - Turkish walnut, I believe. Wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the stock. My OEM one cracked right in front of the trigger, ended up replacing it with a Boyd's.

I've had a total of 3 cracked stocks on Zastavas – but they were all .458s.
I'm not sure what cartridge sgt_zim:s was chambered for, but I can definitely attest that it can be a problem with bigger cals...

Russ

 

[Trogon]

If your Remington .22 is a Scoremaster, I believe those were the predecessor to the Model 581/582.
I had a 581, great little Remington, killed a good number of tree rats and crows with mine, great bolt-action .22. Scope required for me, the 581 has a grooved receiver. I believe the Scoremaster has iron sights unless drilled and tapped. I like Remington .22's. Nice rifle choices, you look well covered.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Over the years, I couldn't justify buying rifles worth more than my home. So I tried to go in with fair priced decent reviews. Out of interest, I would like peoples' thoughts on my rifles. Nothing fancy, but wanted to sense check.

1. Old Remington Scremaster .22
2. Savage Axis .223
3. Mossberg Patriot 270 win
4. Ruger MK77 30-06
5. Zasatava 375 H&H

Let's hear it. I'm not too sensitive so say it like it is lol

I have,A Whitworth Express in .458 WM. I believe those were built by Last aca and sold by Interarms as the Mark X. I have had that rifle for more than 40 years, taken 2 cape buffalo and love it. I also have one in .300 WM. Moose, mule deer, black bear, waterbuck, bushbuck, nyala and impala have all died. I'd recommend.

My best buddy has used his Ruger 77 in 7 RM for many years. He is not known for taking great care of his firearms, but it never failed him. If I were going to buy another rifle in a similar rifle I would probably go with the Ruger.

I really don't have any experience with the other three rifles that you mentioned. So I couldn't give an opinion.

 

[Hogpatrol]

This is .y next learning. I want to start. But have no idea where and how.

Find someone who's experienced willing to teach you. It'll help you from making a lot of beginner mistakes.