Zastava M70 .458 Winchester Magnum

[DieJager]

Looks great. Bought a used one recently in 375 H&H in an online auction.

 

[sestoppelman]

It should be bedded in two places, the main recoil lug,, and it might or should have a second lug welded to the underside of the barrel that is also bedded. That is how they used to do it anyway. Its a good system to help avoid stock breakage.

 

[TOBY458]

Get it glass bedded!

PS....I had one awhile back and it did feed and function well, but it was extremely light for a 458 Win Mag. Recoil was tremendous!

 

[Ridge Runner]

Fishing lure paint works great and it glows at dusk! Very durable and you don’t have to be accidentally seen in the nail polish isle at Walmart!

I have been using bright red model paint on front and white liquid paper on the rear to help line my sights up.

Today I went to Walmart, before reading your post, the looks I got from the women in the nail polish isle. Not for picking out a Neon color nail polish, but how I was going about choosing from the various neon colors. Using a nearby shelf that had a black bag of some sort, stepping back just over arms length, making a "V" with two fingers, closing one eye, and looking at the nail polish. I choose a polish that resembles hunter orange.

Then I went to the arts and craft section and did the samething with neon tube paints, around half the price of the nail polish.

Left Walmart heading to the range to check out a muzzleloading rifle I picked up at last weekend's gun show. The neon hunter orange nail polish work great.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I have been using bright red model paint on front and white liquid paper on the rear to help line my sights up.

Today I went to Walmart, before reading your post, the looks I got from the women in the nail polish isle. Not for picking out a Neon color nail polish, but how I was going about choosing from the various neon colors. Using a nearby shelf that had a black bag of some sort, stepping back just over arms length, making a "V" with two fingers, closing one eye, and looking at the nail polish. I choose a polish that resembles hunter orange.

Then I went to the arts and craft section and did the samething with neon tube paints, around half the price of the nail polish.

Left Walmart heading to the range to check out a muzzleloading rifle I picked up at last weekend's gun show. The neon hunter orange nail polish work great.

Now that would have been awesome to see!
Those gals are probably still wondering what the hell you were doing!

 

[sgt_zim]

I have a Zastava in M70 in 9.3x62, with 3 gripes

1. the wood is attractive, but it really needs refinishing. I lightly sanded mine, then coated it with Behlen's gel. As it comes from the factory, sure looks to me like the wood will soak up water like a sponge.
2. my front sight didn't line up with the rear sights well at all. I ended up having to drift the front sight over by about 0.02", and the factory rear is a typical crappy buckhorn.
3. for all non-magnum cartridges smaller than 9.3x62, the magazine will hold 5 cartridges. The 9.3x62 is juuuust ever so much fatter than a 30-06, and makes for a REALLY snug fit for the 5th cartridge. So unless you flip it over and load from the bottom of the magazine, my 9.3 is a 3+1.

I used a NECG aperture for a while, and I may go back to it at some point. But for now, it has a Leupold VX-5 1-5x24 on it. It's accurate and reliable, which along with it being a LH bolt, are why I bought mine. Haven't killed anything with it yet, but soon...

 

[sestoppelman]

I don't think I have ever seen a factory Zastava sporter, even my Whitworth of mid 80's vintage, that had any noticeable finish on it. I think they probably spray it once with some form of sealant and ship it. I used a number of coats of tung oil on mine and it still has most of its sheen even today. I think your issues are relatively minor.
I am surprised that you cannot get 4 in the mag though. My .375 will take 3 down, but that is larger still.

 

[sgt_zim]

It'll hold 4 in the mag, but since it's CRF, it turns into a 3+1 unless I flip it over and stick one more in from the bottom. Not a big deal, as it's a rare day when I need more than 1 anyway.

In any case, those were all minor issues which I've remedied.

 

[sestoppelman]

But I am surprised you cannot load 4 down from the top. It really should. You state above that the 5th round down is really snug. That sounds like it will take 4 down from the top, then one in the chamber, makes 5 right? How is that 3+1? Guess I am a little confused.

 

[sestoppelman]

On second thought I think I understand what you mean. 4 down, chamber one, then its 3+1. But with these you can still put 4 down, then put one more on top of the stack and move it ahead enough for the extractor to grab it, then chamber it. 4+1. Not talking about trying to snap the claw over the rim, but its fully engaged before chambering, so no damage potential. That is how I always loaded my .375 mag.

 

[sgt_zim]

Gotcha. Never even thought to try that. Thanks!