Rem 798 (Zastava Mauser) info please

[shaneman153D]

Hello,

So recently I was reading a thread on another forum about a gun a guy had picked up.  It was a Rem 799 in 7.62x39.  It got me thinking about those Remington 798s that I always see in the CDNN catalog, for such low prices.  From what I understand, they're a Mauser action, made in Croatia by Zastava mfg., imported and re-branded Remington. 

They run about $399, so this got me thinking maybe it would be a good donor action for a custom rig.  So since I'm cheap, I went straight to Gunbroker looking for one in 7mm Rem Mag, used, for REALLY cheap.

What a great day that was.  I found one, that had already been re-barreled with a fluted no. 3 bbl (trued, lugs lapped, etc.), Bell & Carlson Medalist stock (FL bedding block), and a 3lb trigger job.  Apparently, the guy ordered it 8 mos ago, just got it, and an unexpected bill came up.  He never even fired it, I got it pretty cheap.

I'm trying to find out a little bit more about it.  I've had limited experience with Mausers.  I know they feed from a controlled-box, have a HUGE extractor, and these features make them extremely reliable.  My stepdad will go on and on about how great Mausers are.  I can't wait to show him this bad-boy!

Are they designated 798 because it actually is a Mauser 98 action?  If so, that would be great, as I know there's got to be a s%$t ton of parts out there.  I know the M98's I've fired were very accurate for surplus guns, I'm hoping the design is just inherently accurate.

Does anyone have any experience with these Rem-Mausers?

[MountainWalk]

they are really just model 98's, for sure. any shrouds, stock, triggers, bottom metal, anything for 98's will work.

[Sporting_Man]

They are made in Serbia, not Croatia. Yes, they have tradition and hopefully quality of real Mausers. However, everybody goes for CZ over there - because they are better rifles. No barrel changes are needed, since their barrels are superior among regular production guns.

[bucklucky]

My opinion was that they look like the old mauser, but dont feel nothing like them. I had thought the same thing origionally till I played with one of the rifles at cabelas.

[fremont]

They are Mark X style Mauser actions.  (The 798's, not the 799's.)

[shaneman153D]

They are made in Serbia, not Croatia.

Yikes, thanks.

Yes, they have tradition and hopefully quality of real Mausers. However, everybody goes for CZ over there - because they are better rifles. No barrel changes are needed, since their barrels are superior among regular production guns.

But it would be needed.  As far as I know, CZ doesn't make a heavy barreled 7mm.  I definitely do not think they deserve the high prices they pull in.  Never been a fan.

Except for the CZ75B, and all it's copies.  Though I doubt it's the same folks who make their rifles?

[BigGoonTuna]

most certainly the same guys that build the CZ75.  they aren't outsourced like their shotguns, they're made in brno.

i love CZs, but don't really care for the configurations that their big game rifles come in.  the "short action" calibers like 308 are still a long action, but take an expensive detachable magazine unlike just having a drop floorplate like the long action calibers.  prices weren't too bad until the big obama gun rush.  my rifle's retail price went up over $100 in a single year after i bought it, now cabelas is selling them "on closeout" for $50 more than i paid new!

[Sporting_Man]

To reply about CZ "overpricing" - it was not about CZ pricing them high, it was a $American - Euro relation. Our Dollar was weak to Euro. However, tables are turning again, so European stuff should not be overly expensive from now on, maybe will show year from now.
I like CZ rifles a lot - those that are available (long actions only in my case). They make a lot more stuff, than what's showing on this market. It is about the importer who picks what to sell here.

Serbian mausers, on the other hand, have a true Mauser actions, but stocks are Remington's choice and many people found out that their accuracy is not great. On the other hand, CZs are dead-on (I have experience with 2 of them)...

[shaneman153D]

Yeah I only know of one person shooting one, it's a "mini-mauser" (mod 799) in x39.  he's not getting great accuracy, but he's shooting x39 surplus, so whatev.  Mine OTOH has a B&C stock, and has been trued and lapped.  I'm gonna be pissed if it won't do better than .75 off a bipod with handloads.  But I won't be surprised....