A buddy is talking to me about my CZ 550 American and is in the preliminary stages of buying another big game rifle.
Right now he has a .30/30 Model 94. He will be hunting elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, possibly oryx and black bear.
I have a CZ 550 American in 7x57mm Mauser, but he is not a handloader, so I don't know if he is interested in going the 7x57mm route.
Anyway, even though I gave him all the expert advice I could muster about the cartridge and the rifle, the bum still wants other advice. I told him that I would post it on this forum and possibly another that I frequent.
If you have some negitives about the rifle, we want to hear about that as well.
So, the questions are:
1. Why did you select the CZ line of rifles?
2. What do you like about the rifle and what do you dislike about it?
3. What caliber would you select for the mentioned game from the calibers availble in the CZ 550?
I think I already have him talked into getting the CZ 550 American if he goes CZ in the first place, but even that is not a given.
Thank you for your time folks. Tom Purdom

I can comment a little here, though not regarding the 550. I have a 527 American in .223 that is a fine rifle. The safety is backwards of typical American safeties (not so on the 550s), but the fit and finish is great, the rifle carries and points perfectly for me, and the accuracy leaves nothing to be desired, even bone-stock. As far as caliber, I would have to say .30-06. Since your pal doesn't reload, the trusty old '06 will meet all of the needs you outlined with a wide variety (and ready availability) of factory ammo. For more information on the 550 American, check out a post I started when asking about it a while back: CZ 550 American Based on my experience with CZs, and the numerous posts here, I don't think your buddy can go wrong with the 550 American in .30-06.

Pros:

1. Double square bridge
2. Set trigger
3. Claw extractor
4. 3 position safety
5. I've yet to hear of an inaccurate one
6. It is not made by Remington
7. Excellent value for the price

Cons:

1. Fit, finish and checkering not perfect, (but not bad either).
2. It is not a mauser.

Thomas,

there is one major problem with CZ rifles....

They are very expensive mainly beacuse once you purchase one you will want buy one in every other calibre they make

Thye are IMHO the best rifle for the money you can buy. I have three currently

.22 hornet
.375 H&H
.416 Rigby

and hopefully by the years end I will have 2 more in 9.3x62 & .458 win mag.

All steel square bridge mauser actions, I like there triggers they all shoot accurately and they do not bust the bank. They pretty well are Mauser action aren't thye, J.Belk states that cz have taken the best features of both the M70 & the M98 and incorperated that into there action. The cz still has a bevel near the claw which grips tighter the harder the shell is to extract, I do not beleive the M70 has this feature. It also has the third lug on the bolt, does it not also have a better gas venting sytsym in the event of a case head rupture. ???

I am no expert on rifle actions and do not pretend to be I will elave that for the qualified but I am under the impression that the cz is an improved version of the M98 & M70

I think the best all round calibre for everything would be the 9.3x62 In the US don't you have companies that could develop a load for him and then he could just buy his ammo from them. The 9.3 I think is a real allrounder and thats why I am getting one. plus I like larger calibres with moderate speed heavy bullets.

Oh I also have to add it aint no stinking pushfeed...

[ 01-15-2003, 02:19: Message edited by: PC ]

I have a 550 American in 9.3x62. I love both but I can't recommend the 9.3x62 (or the 7x57) for a non-reloader. The 550 American is a no-nonsense rig for big game hunting, and is a superb value to boot. Your buddy should get one in 30-06 or 270, Talley rings and a 4x Leupold. Help him zero it and then send him hunting. The 550 is as good as a M-70 Supergrade for far less cash, and mine is extremely accurate. It's heavier than I like, but I can live with that. The factory rings are too high for my taste and they shoot loose, but that might not happen with a round that kicks less than the 9.3x62. I'd love it if they made a lightweight stainless/synthetic 30-06 on the CZ action, but you can't have everything.

You might also surf the American Hunting Rifles page. These guys put serious thought and effort into turning out a good rifle, and they use CZ's exclusively.

Hope this helps, Okie John.

Kurt,
Which models come with a 3 position safety? I have three CZ's and one Brno and all have the Sako type safety. Thanks, Bob

In Australia to purchase a 3 pos after market safety would cost between 400-450 half so I will be making do with th standard cz safety but if they were to make a 3 pos standard that would I think really make a lot more purchasers in the US go for them. In Australia a lot of shooters shoot remingtons, sako's, budget weatherby's etc. and your average ".270 Joe" is not really interested in weather he has a 3 pos safety or not. The gunshops also do not push the cz's around here much. They have not caught on how good they are, as many have in the US. Your ".270 Joe" user also automatically heads towards the stainless ruger, rem 700 (sako 75 if there splashing out) and howa on the rack as well and does not see the quality CZ crf rifle at a great price hidden among all the second hand blued/walnut rifles. Not that ".270 Joe" gives two shits if it's a crf or push feed, the most he knows is that it's a bolt action and it takes .270's. He then proceeds to put a quality scope on his rifle like a tasco or low end simmons (unless he gets the package deal)

Oh, I must add that before I knew better.... many of those traits I was guilty of Except I alway's new at the least leupolds belong on a rifle.

[ 01-15-2003, 23:01: Message edited by: PC ]

This full stock 9.3x62 has a factory 3 position safety. Rear is safe, middle for unloading, forward for fire. It is part of the trigger mechanism, not on the bolt shroud. (The handle on this one has been replaced with a butterknife).

I have a CZ 550 American in 6.5x55.

The Pluses on it are:

Free floated barrel
Very reliable trigger, crisp, a little over three lbs.
Steady hold on target due to the solid weight of the thing.
Easy field stripping bolt for cleaning.
Set trigger option.
Great value for the money

Minuses:

Modest original accuracy 1/14 to 1/112 MOA. (Now fixed with pillar-bedding to about .8 MOA)
A muted clank sound when touching off a round indicating a moving metal part -- still unidentified.
A slightly 'clunky' feel. It's more a stand gun than a stalker.

1B

PC, my rifle pilgrimage has has followed a similar course. Also, it might just be on these boards that the secret is out on the CZ's. I'm not sure the non-internet community is quite as aware of them. Which is fine by me, I hope get a couple more of them before I'm done.

Wismon,

I suppose the people that post here are "gun enthusiests" and may not be representitive of the general population of shooters. It is not all about shooting game for me, it is about the outdoor experience and also a big part for me is the rifle and calibre. I enjoy using different calibres and enjoy trying to match my equipemnt to the situation. "Joe Shooter" just wants to kill some animals and drink some beer at the end of the day while my hunting trips are about using my different rifles.

But as you say all of us who have got to the point you and I have have been down the "Tasco Track" in the long run it is a more expensive track.

okie john,

Have you gotten yours back from the smith? I've been waiting to hear about all the good things you've had done and to see pics. If you already posted same could please point me to the topic? Thanks.

The 30-06 will definitely do what he wants.

After reading all the yak on this board about Win M70, I went and bought one. All things considered I like my Rem 700 as well. If I would have known about them, I would have bought the CZ.

However, a few caveats: What Ray Atkinson says about the straight stocks is very true. I much prefer the feel of the 700. The American is about the same as the Winchester. CZ makes a "Standard" version, but it is not imported to this country. It looks to have the best drop to me. The FS looks nice for the drop, but you will have to trade a little velocity for the short barrel. Just depends on what you want. Can't have everything.

The Win safety is toooo loud in the field. A silent two position would be the best.

Dave,

CZ makes the American model which has the classic american styled stock, comes with pachymeyer pad etc.

Hobie, it's back and it's been to the range a few times. Results are smashing. It's a Frankenrifle, a mishmash of parts, and no one would mistake it for a Rigby, but I kind of expected that. I used it to work out a couple of ideas I've been pursuing for a long time, and it's definitely done that. It needs a bit of fine-tuning before I declare it finished, but on the whole I'm very happy with it and the finishing touches are pretty much gilding a lily. A full report will follow in a few weeks. In the meantime, drop me a line at okiejohn45@hotmail.com and I'll fill you in.

Okie John

Fellows,

You will have to go to the European CZ page to see the model that I am talking about. http:www.czub.cz/ZBRANEa.HTM CZ-USA says that they do not import it.

I have never had the opportunity to handle the Lux model so I can't comment. I can only go by the pictures. It may feel just right.

Dave, I see several CZ 550 models not imported here. The Basic, Scandinavia, Battue Lux, and Battue Full Stock. Everything else is. Which of those four were you referring to?

The CZ 550 is an updated Mauser design. The CZ company is the same that made the VZ-24 and the Persian Mausers called the 98/22 not to mention the slew of other mauser rifles for many other countries. So the CZ-550 is indeed a Mauser rifle. IMHO they are the best factory made rifles on this planet.

I don't believe CZ ever made a mauser. They are a relatively recent company that makes commercial firearms. Brno made the VZ-24 and the 98/22. They still produce commercial rifles on the 98 actions.

The CZ 550 is a wonderful action, but the only part designed by Paul Mauser is the extractor.

Compared to Beretta, CZ and every other firearms company is just an infant. But, at age 67 CZ has been around as long as several other well established firearms manufacturers. CZ and BRNO are, and always have been, one in the same. Until recently, all CZ firearms originally manufactured for export were marked BRNO. And as manufacturer of the VZ-24, CZ has produced mausers.

Kurt, I think I re-call J.Belk saying it is pure mauser with some improvements such as better gas venting. He said it has taken the best of the mauser 98 and M70 in it's design but it it is a close mauser derivative (I may be wrong, so please do not flame me) But I would like to hear others opinion on this matter.

PC,

I may be too strict, but I only consider an action to be a mauser if the parts are actually interchangeable. I believe the extractor to be the only part that is.

CZ markets the rifle to be a "mauser type," but I think that any two-lug turnbolt fits that description. I wouldn't doubt that Ruger, Winchester and even Remington consider their rifles to be "mauser type" for that same reason.

Either way, the CZ is still the best commercial action on the market today. I'm equally pleased that Brno is still making 98's available for purists and gunsmiths.

Kurt the lump under the shroud on my cz bolts is the third lug is it not ??

I could not work out wether you were a cz knocker or lover... Glad to see your the latter

I have a rem vssf here and my cz's kill that for better finish and machining etc. and they cost less than half what the rem 700 vssf did.

/

I guess I'll be the only one to look down a little on the CZ. I looked at several new ones last fall when looking for a new toy. I was thinking about a big bore and they are definately the cheapest way to go for a 375 H&H or 416. I thought the quality of the stocks was terrible, I could live with a plain piece of wood and a simple checkering pattern. One of the three I looked at had a really good piece of wood but the checkering on all three was horrible, looked like three blind mice and a dog did the work.

In the end I went with a custom which cost twice as much and has a composite stock but it's put together really well and shoots. I'm going to start thinking about another big bore in the spring and may look at using a CZ barrelled action, that probably puts me back in the custom price range when I get it stocked though so I'm leaning toward another custom in 375 or 416 Taylor.

The CZ's could be great rifles if they would fix a few things. 1) The safety sucks, put a M70 style on it. 2) Get rid of the HUGE gaudy engraving on the port side. 3) Fix the stocks, the hogback stock is an abortion and the american style is much too thick and heavy. It's basic design is okay but it needs about 25% of the wood rasped off to make it feel right.

The above things add up to too much expense to fix for me. I'd rather buy a M70, send it to a good gunsmith for a new barrel and squaring up the action. I'd end up with a rifle that will shoot as well (likely better) than the factory CZ and it will have a decent safety and a good stock design.

The CZ's could be great, but unfortunately the things that I find unacceptable (safety and stock) are two items that cost a lot to fix.

Each to there own I suppose, but I like them. I now have both a cz 550 in .375 & .416 as well as 527 in .22 hornet all are supurb rifles in my opinion. Admiddetly I have changed the stock on my .416, but thats because I like composites not beacuse I am so negative towards the hogs back. I have had years to get used to the hogs back as my first rifle was a Brno Model 2 .22lr which has a hogs back stock. I have only just got my .375 and due to cash shortages I will make do with the hogs back for a couple of years, therefore it has been sent off for a bed and a float up to the barrel lug.

I agree that the stocks on the 550 are a bit beefy. My fix for this was to file pistol grip and forend down some. This requires some time and a lot of sand paper. Say goodbye to the cheesy checkering too. I have cut in a shadow line around the cheek peice. It gets finished by wet sanding to 600 grit with danish oil finish.

The CZ is ten times the rifle any, and I do mean any Remington will ever be.

Why that is a huge statement. I have to admit, CZ is a better rifle by far. But 10times? As a exremington gun nut, I have to agree.

Hmmm! An article in a Gun rag made the CZ 550 look pretty appealing to me, but this thread is making it loose its luster. I guess maybe Ill just keep building my own Mausers from scratch.

/

I stand by what Apple Farmer said. CZ's are 10 times the rifle that any Remington could hope to be. I own three currently, oddly enough the exact same three that PC owns, a 22 Hornet, a 375 H&H and the almighty 416 Rigby.
Tell me where else one would find a 416 Rigby of good quality manufacture and stunning accuracy for what one would pay for a 30-06 BDL?
As for your friend's question, I'd have to agree with the 30-06 votes. Great bullet selection for the non reloader and cheap ammo to boot.
My likes and dislikes:
Likes:
1.Cost and quality.
2.Call me crazy, but I like the hogback stock
3.Accuracy- MY DEAR GOD THEY SHOOT NICE
Dislikes:
1.Packaging- I work for Gander Mountain, so I see how companies ship their rifles. CZ might as well begin shipping them in manilla envelopes. They use the thinnest, flimsiest cardboard boxes I have ever seen.
Your friend would do well to buy one. I'm sure as hell hooked.
Good luck
Andy

[ 01-24-2003, 08:57: Message edited by: CZ 550 ]

CZ 550,

the next two cz's I will get will be a 9.3x62 and a .458 win mag.

My .375 has been gone for 2 weeks now, it's getting a bedding job, but was supposed to be gone only for a week

Thank you all so very much. I'm going to print this out and the piece JBelk wrote on another forum and take both over to him. Again,thanks folks ... Tom Purdom

PC,
Excellent choices. I was thinking of getting those two as well. I think that the .458 will come 1st though, the whitetail population is getting a little too aggressive for a puny caliber. I'm really thinking of punching it out to 458 Lott just for the Hell of it. Should be fun. Keep me posted on your purchases