Thread: Vanguard vs Zastava vs Howa

Stay away from the blued Weatherby/Howa's (they are the same rifle just different stock) as they rust!!! This one did this overnight, and they all do it once the bluing wears thin. I guess when they copied the Sako - they also copied the Sako's amazing ability to rust overnight as well...hahaha. The Zastava’s are made with good steel that doesn’t rust the same as the Howa.


If I were after a new .223 it would be the Zastava, which is basically a copy of the Sako Vixen. The Zastava is not actually mini mauser as its often called. It’s a push feed the same as the Vixen is, and you can literally put a Zastava bolt alongside a Vixen’s and if you covered the bolt handles you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

The Zastava is also a true small action, whereas the Howa/Weatherby is a medium action...and hence its build to take .308 pressures and hence its weighs a lot more than it needs too when using it for a .223.

Only negative on the Zastava is the tiny wee bolt handle, which can have a thread turned on it and a aftermarket one put on. This would be money well spent.

Note: Not all Zastava’s are built equal and apparently back a few years ago the factory burnt down and they made them in Grease(?) for a while and these were all rubbish! They used softer steel and the throats wore out real fast. A lot of these ones had those repulsive square synthetic stocks that break in half (yuk!!!) or very plain beach stocks. If you’re looking for one, choose carefully and avoid these ones.

kj