Does anyone have any comparison type information on these two? I am thinking of using one or the other to set up a new 7x57 project. I realize that the CZ is already available in the 7x57 chambering but was considering starting with one of the unbarreled actions. Any thoughts?

Yes, Either find a good older FN or Military Mauser action or go with the CZ550 but don't waste your time on the CD action. The machining is piss poor and the scope base holes may be mis-drilled and CD will not correct or replace it.

Z1R makes good points. The FN commercial is arguably the finest 98 Mauser action ever mass produced, definitely one of the best if not the best, and can usually be had for $250-$350 or less. I'd choose it for a custom project.

I've got a Daly Mauser in 458 Win Mag, bought as a bare action, barrelled with a Douglas tube, bedded in a Boyds JRS laminate stock. Shoots less than MOA with factory Federal loads and a Leupold 2-7 scope. The gunsmith that built it said he just trued the face and lapped the lugs, nothing else needed. Mine also has a KG Gunkote finish so that makes perfect polishing less of an issue. I had to spend about 15 minutes with a dremel tool to get the follower just right so it would feed smoother than snot, but other than that absolutely no complaints with a couple of hundred full power loads through it.


I've also got a custom 7x57 that I had built on a VZ 24 action, also a Douglas barrel but with a B&C composite stock. I think you can still pick up decent VZ'z for $100 or less but you do need to do some polishing to get them to look decent even with the gunkote, they were better machined in my opinion than either of the new ones you mentioned but they are all old and used now so will need to be spiffed up a bit.

I don't own a CZ currently but looked at them pretty hard when deciding, and I've shot several of them. I'd rate their finished rifle quite a bit better than the Daly but the actions seem pretty similar in quality to me. Some of them have a better finish than the Daly but not enough to make a real difference for my projects.

At the end of the day I think any of the three are perfectly usable and will wind up costing nearly the same. You are going to need to lap lugs and true any of them, and if going for a fine quality blueing they will all need polishing, perhaps a little less on the CZ but not a significant amount of time or money savings.

There's a piece of shit target from a Daly in 458 Win, sitting at 50 yards, Federal Factory loads . My piece of shit cost about $650 not including the scope. The gunsmith got a deal on some of the actions (not sure but I think he only paid around $150 for them), a Douglas barrel, a Boyds JRS laminate on sale for I think $75 or $80, barrel band, front and rear sight and very little other work.

For the price it's one of the best pieces of shit I have.

browningguy,

I'm sorry you've taken offence at my remarks. I was not directing them at you but I can see how you could be offended. People get sensitive when some one is knocking something they have.

My point was that with such an iffy record as the Daly actions have why risk disappointment or worse? There are numerous GOOD actions out there to use. Why buy something that you may regret later. Yours works and hasn't come apart yet, great. I'm very happy for you! For the peace of mind that I would get from using a known GOOD action I'd gladly invest another hundred more dollars, two hundred even. If for no other reason than to avoid the buyer's remorse that comes from having to read others disparage the quality of the action I used. I'd rather not have that nagging "what if" question in the back of my mind.

Besides, it really doesn't cost much more to use a good military action. Especially if you end up having to fix the factory D&T job.

Anyway, I'm glad yours works browningguy and I hope that you get many good years of pleasure out of it.

I'm sold on CZs. If what I wanted were available as a CZ, I'd stop right there. Unless CD has enormously improved since the days when it was the Mark X, there is no comparison at all.

Buy a cz you will not regret it....spend some moeny on a nice scope. I have 5 cz's now and I really like them, they are solid and accurate.

F.A.O. "Zach" & "Browninguy"

Throw a stone at a hornets' nest.....

I do not know anything about Charles Daly and their products.I live in England, Europe. I had hoped to test shooters' opinions on these actions.

Years back, the Mark X action rifles, known in the UK as the "Whitworth Windsor & Express", was well received. Yes, it was not a custom rifle but the finishing was ok and the stock design is pleasing. They shot adequately also.

The ones I saw back then were better finished than the BRNO 600 Series rifles. The new CZ 550 etc rifles are good, especially the classic ones without the hogs back stock. A friend of mine has one chambered for .416Rigby. It is a genuine one inch / 3 shot rifle at 100 yards.

I think I have my answer concerning the KBI Daly left hand Mausers. I hope Global Trading will bring one out