Remington/Zastava 789 375H&H

[CP392]

I've been on the lookout for a host rifle/bare action to either build or convert to .458 Lott. While looking through the online classified ads, I came across a very nice looking Remington stamped Zastava in 375H&H. Listed as "excellent condition, looking as though it has never been fired." I quickly decided that I had to have it.

A quick Google search has revealed some good and some bad reviews all across the different importers of the Zastava made barreled actions. I have no first had experience with any of them so I was hoping to hear from the experienced members, what to expect when my new rifle arrives in a few days.

As mentioned, I would like to build out a .458 Lott. Would this rifle be a good host for that endeavor? Or is it best to leave it original and not butcher it and continue looking for something better suited?

 

[cash_tx]

I know of a rifle that I think may be a better candidate for making a 458 Lott. Guns N More in Howe, Texas had a pretty good Interarms Mark X in 458WM on their used rack for $800 that had a small crack behind the tang that had been nicely repaired. They still had it when I was up there about a month ago, and it had been on their shelf for awhile. I would think it is worth your while to check in with them on the availability of this rifle.

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[CP392]

I know of a rifle that I think may be a better candidate for making a 458 Lott. Guns N More in Howe, Texas had a pretty good Interarms Mark X in 458WM on their used rack for $800 that had a small crack behind the tang that had been nicely repaired. They still had it when I was up there about a month ago, and it had been on their shelf for awhile. I would think it is worth your while to check in with them on the availability of this rifle.

Gunsmithing & Custom Builds | Guns N More

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What would the benefit be of using that as the host rifle? I've been researching and was under the assumption that a 375H&H would be better to start with due to the OAL being the same for the two cartridges. Meaning less work to make the conversion than starting with a .458WM which would require the magazine box lengthened, bolt stop changed etc.

 

[cash_tx]

What would the benefit be of using that as the host rifle? I've been researching and was under the assumption that a 375H&H would be better to start with due to the OAL being the same for the two cartridges. Meaning less work to make the conversion than starting with a .458WM which would require the magazine box lengthened, bolt stop changed etc.

I could be wrong about this, because I am far from an expert, but I thought all a 458WM would need to be a 458 Lott was the chamber reamed, but I could certainly be wrong about that.

 

[roklok]

I like the 798s. I have one in a 375 H&H, and it is a solid choice for a DG rifle(that's it in my profile picture against the buffalo.) It may require a bit of magazine work for a 458 Lott conversion however. Yes, the 375 magazine is a bit over 3.6 inches long, but it is rather narrow at the front, and the welded magazine box extension at the front is thin material. So the front of the magazine will be a bit tight for three .458 diameter bullets. Not only that, with the recoil of the Lott, I think the front of the mag box will need to be reinforced. In fact I reinforced the front of my magazine box on my 375, as the cartridges in magazine under recoil were putting divots in the front of the magazine, something that could cause feeding issues. I welded in a piece of hardened sawzall blade to the front of my mag box. If you weld in a wider front to your mag box to accompany three Lott cartridges, then your stock inletting will necessarily have a gap that the floorplate won't cover (the front extension is forward of the front of the floorplate). The 798 could handle a Lott conversion, but probably will entail more than a simple re-barrel to end up with something you are happy with.

 

[roklok]

I could be wrong about this, because I am far from an expert, but I thought all a 458WM would need to be a 458 Lott was the chamber reamed, but I could certainly be wrong about that.

That is the case if the rifle has a long enough magazine box(such as CZ 550), the Zastava .458s don't.

 

[CP392]

Thanks for the insight! Is there a gunsmith you could recommend to do the work that is familiar with this particular rifle and conversion I'm looking for? Or perhaps a better host rifle and starting point all together? I'm completely okay with leaving this rifle as it is and starting with a different rifle if need be. I was trying to get ahold of a new production Model 70 Safari Express until I found the Zastava.

 

[roklok]

Not really, sorry. I tend to do most of my gunsmithing myself, at least the small stuff that I have the equipment for. For re-barreling I have used both PacNor and McGowen. Once you have the rifle in hand you can see what I am talking about. The front mag box extension is a bit narrower than the rest of the box so that it will fit in the stock inletting for the bottom metal without leaving a large gap. They cut the front of the milled box out and weld in a sheet steel extension. It would be interesting to try to put loaded Lott rounds in magazine and see how they fit.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I know of a rifle that I think may be a better candidate for making a 458 Lott. Guns N More in Howe, Texas had a pretty good Interarms Mark X in 458WM on their used rack for $800 that had a small crack behind the tang that had been nicely repaired. They still had it when I was up there about a month ago, and it had been on their shelf for awhile. I would think it is worth your while to check in with them on the availability of this rifle.

Gunsmithing & Custom Builds | Guns N More

Expert gunsmithing & custom firearm builds since 2017. Learn more!

www.gunsnmore.net

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That's a nasty crack repaired or not. I'd offer them $700 and if they agreed, I would buy it and re stock it with a Bell and Carlson.