Action Length, Zastava .375 H&H

[typilotguy]

Good day, fellow members of the greatest forum on earth! Restocking my Zastava LK M70 in .375H&H. Without going full custom, the number of stockmakers that offer a fine piece of wood for this left-handed rifle is very limited. I believe I have one lined up, but I do have a question. I am wondering about the action length on this particular rifle. I have read conflicting information online. Some say that this is a true magnum-length action. Others state that Zastava opened up their standard-length action. I tend to believe the latter option, as the other larger bore cartridge offered was the .458 Winchester. As I cannot find diminsions listed anywhere, and I do not have a similar rifle in another caliber to compare it to, I am casting my net to you.

So, does anybody know if the Zastva LK M70 (same as the Whitworth/Interarms Mark X Mauser, Remington 798, and for all intents and purposes M98), in .375 Holland & Holland, has a standard or magnum length action?

 

[cash_tx]

I have two Interarms Whitworth Express rifles in 375H&H, and they both measure 8 3/4" from the front of the receiver ring to the rear of the tang; which i believe indicates a Standard length M98 action. For comparisons sake, I measured three other rifles with M98 actions from FN in calibers like 270 Winchester and 30-06, and they were 8 3/4" as well. Hope this helps!

 

[roklok]

The Zastava 375s are built on a standard length 98 action.

 

[cajunchefray]

Good day, fellow members of the greatest forum on earth! Restocking my Zastava LK M70 in .375H&H. Without going full custom, the number of stockmakers that offer a fine piece of wood for this left-handed rifle is very limited. I believe I have one lined up, but I do have a question. I am wondering about the action length on this particular rifle. I have read conflicting information online. Some say that this is a true magnum-length action. Others state that Zastava opened up their standard-length action. I tend to believe the latter option, as the other larger bore cartridge offered was the .458 Winchester. As I cannot find diminsions listed anywhere, and I do not have a similar rifle in another caliber to compare it to, I am casting my net to you.

So, does anybody know if the Zastva LK M70 (same as the Whitworth/Interarms Mark X Mauser, Remington 798, and for all intents and purposes M98), in .375 Holland & Holland, has a standard or magnum length action?

Zastava M98 actions are all built on standard length Mauser action, 7 7/8" action screw spacing. Stock makers will specify this dimension.
I've owned a few and still have a couple. To my knowledge, Zastava never built Magnum length actions, as they initially used FN Herstal, Belgium tooling and FN made standard length actions. FN Herstal "opened up" standard M98 actions internally to handles the .300 H&H and 375 H&H Magnum (3.34" to 3.6" length) Mauser Magnum length actions are much less common and a lot more expensive.
The mix up was when Remington imported Zasatava Mauser 98's in .375 H&H and .458 Win Mag and some marketing idiot described these as "magnum double square bridge Mausers". Complete bullsh*t, just some internet warrior that didn't inspect the actual contracted, imported Zastava rifles. or even understand bridge, receiver ring and action length, but I digress.

For reference of action dimensions, and a wealth of information,
"Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles" ney Mausers by Jon Speed covers this in detail.
This chart may help.
Zastava, Interarms Mark X, FN, M98 are Series 3, as are K98, VZ 24 and a bunch of other Mausers.
I would order that stock.

 

[mark-hunter]

So, does anybody know if the Zastva LK M70 (same as the Whitworth/Interarms Mark X Mauser, Remington 798, and for all intents and purposes M98), in .375 Holland & Holland, has a standard or magnum length action?

If Zastava had magnum length action they would offer also 6.5x68 and 8x68 chambering, and then anything else above 375. And they do not. (number of calibers they offer is quite long listed, so this is good indication of action length,. considering overall historical popularity of first European magnums of 68 mm casings )
They offer 375 H&H (adjusted), and 458 Win mag, which is medium length action. Basically the same idead the Winchester 70 was made in the beginning.

I did shoot Zastava m70 in 375 some years ago, but forgot exact details of their 375 design. Except, I remember it was a light rifle with significant recoil.

For further upgrades, usual Mauser 98 safeties of Winchester type can be installed. EAW makes them and other workshops. (not ZKK or CZ safeties, these are not compatible)

 

[typilotguy]

Guys, thank you all so very much! This is exactly what I suspected, but had no sound data to back it. Thank you all for taking the time to share your valuable insight. I just knew that somebody here would have the golden eggs I was looking for, and you did not disappoint.

I’ve already had the front ramp dovetail milled out to 3/8” and installed another, more visible front sight.

OEM rear sight removed, holes filled with plug screws. Installed a Reknagel “Running Boar” sight from NECG.

Jim Wisner 3-position Winchester-type safety.

Timney trigger.

Talley bases with QR rings holding a Leupold.

Only thing I need (ok want) is to swap the stock. One to my dimensions and taste. You guys have confirmed the path that I will take.

This setup is certainly functional, but I think it would look better with an ebony tip and grip cap, a classic red recoil pad, and a hand applied oil finish. Guess it’s time for me to submit my order and get my elbows greased up to apply that oil!

I would like to note that the machine work (milling the ramp, drilling/tapping sight holes, and fitting the safety) was done by Andy Welshan of Southern Precision Tool of Maryville, TN. While the guys at SPT are all wonderful machinists and gunsmiths, their real claim to fame is their HuDu muzzle brakes and their Church Mouse suppressors. If you are in the market for such things, check them out.

Again, I thank you all.