Zastava m85

[TedBrewer5]

This looks like an interesting piece for a custom barrel swap for anyone with some extra green.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/999283199

[65Carcano]

That would be an awesome classic looking set up, hope someone Grendelizes it.

[VASCAR2]

I think Kamon used that same Zastava rifle to convert to a 6.5 Grendel before any 6.5 Grendel bolt action rifles were on the market. I considered doing the same thing but never found a good donor action. I think Remington imported a version of that rifle years ago.

[mart]

I have the same in left handed thought my stock isn’t that nice. It is going to be the donor for a switch barrel set up. After I sell a few safe queens to fund it.

[stef1274]

I think Kamon used that same Zastava rifle to convert to a 6.5 Grendel before any 6.5 Grendel bolt action rifles were on the market. I considered doing the same thing but never found a good donor action. I think Remington imported a version of that rifle years ago.

Hi. This kind of Zastava action would be a good donor. For what it's worth, here in our neck of the woods, Zasatava's are trusted for their simplicity and ruggedness, albeit not for precision. Would make a great lightweight classic walk and stalk gun.

[CJW]

That is really a beautiful gun!!!!!

[Harpoon1]

I purchased a M85 5,6,7 (?) years ago, NIB, from Atlantic Firearms.7.62x39 Sporter, Monte Carlo stock with iron sights. I like the stock and the quality of the bluing was very surprising, in a good way.

Now the bad news!

My example is a 3 moa gun at its very best, with handloads! 4-5 moa would be more accurate! Trigger is not horrible but does have some noticeable creep. It’s smooth but, it’s there nonetheless. Accuracy was so bad I never even got around to trying to work on the trigger. And it’s not really a “true” control round feed, although it looks like it in the pictures. It does however have a mechanical ejector, which is a plus, at least for me! Bolt receiver interface/sloppiness is what you would expect from a $500 Eastern European firearm. It’s a two lug bolt, with the typical 90” throw and a rather large cocking shroud, which can be a problem with some scope choices.

If it were me, while this Zastava is a “nice looking” rifle, I would rather find a CZ 527 to rebarrel, convert! IMO.

[kmon]

I was about to pull the trigger on one of these but a couple days before I was going to buy one I located a CZ for just a little more and went with the CZ. Still my favorite walking hunting rifle. I just liked the feel of the CZ better and already knew that rifle well since I have a CZ 527 Prestige in 223. The Prestige is hand fitted with nicer wood than generally seen on the standard 527.

Wish in that time I had bought one of the Zastava rifles to have one. One of these days I might look for one.

[stef1274]

I purchased a M85 5,6,7 (?) years ago, NIB, from Atlantic Firearms.7.62x39 Sporter, Monte Carlo stock with iron sights. I like the stock and the quality of the bluing was very surprising, in a good way.

Now the bad news!

My example is a 3 moa gun at its very best, with handloads! 4-5 moa would be more accurate!
If it were me, while this Zastava is a “nice looking” rifle, I would rather find a CZ 527 to rebarrel, convert! IMO.

Note that, in my opinion, the accuracy here is likely a function of the barrel. This would be changed when someone converts it. Stuff like bedding and triggers are worked on daily on many brands of rifles, so not a 100% no-go for this rifle.

[Harpoon1]

Note that, in my opinion, the accuracy here is likely a function of the barrel. This would be changed when someone converts it. Stuff like bedding and triggers are worked on daily on many brands of rifles, so not a 100% no-go for this rifle.

I completely agree, the barrel is 99% of the accuracy and a new barrel would likely solve that issue. But then you still have a sloppy bolt, cocking shroud/ bolt handle clearance issues with certain scopes and not being a true control round feed that killed it for me.

[SDguy]

This looks like an interesting piece for a custom barrel swap for anyone with some extra green.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/999283199

Rather expensive donor action at the moment $850 plus $55 shipping & then we have local tax & FFL transfer fees.

[tdbru]

I built a 6.5Grendel on a Remington 799 (Zastava m85). IMHO the extractor is the weak part of the rifle. in my case it would not hold the case head against the bolt face so it would extract but not eject. I bent the extractor a bit and that helped, but eventually the rifle went down the road. I jumped on the Howa mini action when it came out. I think it's the best of the production mini actioned 6.5 Grendels IMHO. I guess I should have waited about 5 years for these CF stocked flyweight bolt guns to come along from Howa/Legacy because that is way cheaper than piece parting it like I did, but how do you know what's coming down the road?? If you can find one for sale, these CF stocked mini howa's whether steel barrel or CF are very good off the showroom floor. Not super great, IMHO as the detachable mag setup has always been, to me, a PIA. I like HPK's Oberndorf bottom metal exceedingly well. YMMV of course.
-tdbru

[richj]

how would you order bottom metal, it looks like it it is Rem 700 long or short? doesn't say howa anywhere?