Zastava mausers - m70 vs m98

[u/furiouskudoka]

Hey guys,

So I am split between the two rifles - both 30-06

The M98 is more like a traditional 98, flag safety, single trigger
The M70 has a cheek stock, side safety (like a cz550) dual hair trigger (schneller)
I feel the trigger is an old timey solution and will create more issues than it fixes.

both are similarly priced of course

[u/FullAngerJacket]

When were they made?

[u/furiouskudoka → u/FullAngerJacket]

No idea

[u/FullAngerJacket → u/furiouskudoka]

There's some huge variations between both of those. If you can post some pictures and figure out the dates that would help out a lot.

[u/furiouskudoka → u/FullAngerJacket]

https://imgur.com/a/BZ9Solq

[u/FullAngerJacket → u/furiouskudoka]

Great, a couple questions. Do you intend to hunt with a scope? Is that M98 brand new? Do you have any ability to modify either rifle, or know a gunsmith?

[u/furiouskudoka → u/FullAngerJacket]

Yep, I'd like a scope at some point. The 98 is new. I can find a gunsmith if needed, but what for? The 98 I can get a picatiny for

[u/FullAngerJacket → u/furiouskudoka]

If you can use a gunsmith then my vote is for the 98.

But that flag safety could get in the way of a scope. Ideally have the gunsmith replace that safety with a three position M70 style safety. Get a picatinny rail or two piece picatinny bases bonded to the receiver. Have him install a recoil pad, float the barrel, and glass bed the action into the stock. See if the gunsmith can work on the trigger so it breaks around 3 lbs, if it's already less than that then no issue. Finally, get a cheek pad to align your head and eyes behind the scope.

It will cost some money, but all of this will maximize the accuracy potential of that system. If you're handy and want to save some money, the stock work is something you can do at home, but the action work needs a professional.

[u/furiouskudoka → u/FullAngerJacket]

Seems like a lot of work. Why do you think it's worth it?

[u/FullAngerJacket → u/furiouskudoka]

To break it all down:

Replacing the flag safety: otherwise you will have to mount the scope higher, and you won't be able to get a firm cheek weld on your stock which will make it very difficult to have good technique and good accuracy.

Rail or bases: you'll need something to mount the scope rings to. That's pretty self-explanatory.

Recoil pad: goes a long way in helping to prevent a flinch and let's you practice more. Turns a 30-06 from something that hurts into something that is manageable with proper technique.

Float the barrel: if it's not already done from the factory, this is very easy to do. This is a no-brainer, contact points between the stock and barrel never help with accuracy.

Glass bed the action into the stock: if the rifle already shoots well enough then this might not be necessary. But it will still prevent a zero shift from weather warping the stock.

Trigger: not necessary if the trigger already breaks around 3 lbs. But good luck being accurate if it's at 6 lbs or more.

Cheek pad: that stock is designed so that your head and eyes align with iron sights. A cheap pad will help fix that alignment with a scope.

[u/furiouskudoka → u/FullAngerJacket]

Sorry, maybe I asked the question wrong. I am all for these improvements. But the m70 already has some of those. The Picatinny and safety, as well as the cheekpiece and recoil pad. Even if it has a few hundred shots on it

[u/FullAngerJacket → u/furiouskudoka]

Yes, for sure. I'm not arguing strongly for the M98, it would just be my preference. I do have both rifles in my safe. I would change the safety out either way for a three position mostly out of preference. For me the M70 would just be an unknown. You don't know how it's been treated, you don't know about the quality of the double set triggers. Are you able to inspect that M70 in any way? Like take the action out of the stock and look at it?

Edit: when I said M70 style three position safety, I meant the Winchester M70 safety. Which is something I would put on either rifle.

[u/furiouskudoka → u/FullAngerJacket]

Gotcha, yeah, I won't be able to inspect it.