Trying to decide on next rifle. Choosing between Ruger, CZ550, and Winchester Safari Express. Most likely will be in a 416.

Would like to know to pros and cons of all and why you chose one over the other. Which will require the least mods. Right now I am leaning towards the CZ or Winchester.

Thanks

I would take the one that handled the best for me, the one that feels like it fits.. Pick the one I liked and get the needed modifications done...

I like the Rugers in factory form, they are a lot of gun for the money and don't need much modifications...It has the integral quarter rib, barrel band sling swivel and barral band front sight, that is some spendy stuff on a rifle...but the CZ and Win are good guns also..they all have rejects and problems because they are mass produced and any DGR should be gone over and checked out carefully prior to hunting DG with it, even a custom rifle...

My new 404 is a CZ 550 simi custom in that it has a Walther Lother barrel, sights and barrel sling, and I am stocking it with a Laminate stock off Jim Brockmans pattern that he made from my pattern...It was going to be Turkish but that got changed unfortunatly..

t

I prefer the Rugers myself. If you haven't read of the problems with the new Winchesters, just check out the threads in this column. It's 50-50 whether you'll get a good Winnie or not. They are not the quality that the pre-64's were. Of course, the CZ's seem to be cheaper at first glance, but you're going to have to do some work on the stock to keep it from splitting the wood if you're going bigger than the 375. It seems pillar and glass bedding is in order for prevention of the wood splitting at the wrist or the magazine area.

I never thought I�d say it but here it comes: The CZ seems like a good deal. Boha bought one in .416 a while back and after some work on the stock etc it seems to have a lot of potential. I�ve always liked the Ruger, shoots well (as does the CZ) out of the box. I�d never buy a new Win or Sako -they just aren�t what they used to be.

I think, as Mr. Atkinson does, that any rifle you choose is likely to need a lot of TLC before it becomes a DGR. I prefer the Winchester as it has all of the essential elements of the DGR included in the package. With the CZ you will have bedding/safety/trigger issues that will double the original purchase cost. The Ruger is OK but needs trigger work usually and a different safety-does anyone make an aftermarket Ruger safety lever. The original seems very small to me. Harder to manipulate than the Winchester. The price of the Ruger will be at least $500.00 more than the Winchester and a lot more than the CZ. The only production rifle that seems to have worked through all of its isssues is Sako. I am not a fan of Sako's.IMHO

I was thinking about a Weatherby Fibermark. This also might need some work and I dont think it comes with open sights. Just another thought...