I have not had any experience with the cz 550, but I have had a model 70 featherweight in .270 WSM, and it is a quality gun in my opinion. It does tend to kick a good bit because of the light weight of the featherweight, and it will probably kick worse in the .300 WSM.
Ole Miss Rebel
Posts: 27 | Location: Mississippi | Registered: 12 September 2003
i have only seen 1 cz3 but it was rough & poorly finished. i have & love a cz527 & 9 m70's.. i'd go with a m70, preferably a super grade and not look back
Posts: 1125 | Location: near atlanta,ga,usa | Registered: 26 September 2001
Personally I would forget the .300 wsm...and opt for the plain old .300 win mag...I felt a win M-70 in .300 winnie and it was light and felt good...I also like the cz550 .300 although it's a big rifle for a .300.
IMHO in the long run the .300 winnie will be the better choice and I also feel it may do better if you want to use 220 gr bullets over the lighter bullets.
Just my opinion for what it's worth...may not be worth anything
Posts: 7505 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
I'm in the same shoes you are, but I also added the Kimber 8400 into my selection. I, however, am leaning towards a 300 win mag. The long range accuracy is a 0.2" difference. Why I went towards the win mag is cheaper ammo and it is easier to find in some of the more remote places like Africa. I did not jump on this hype about the WSM cartridges. I preffer the older, time tested, cartridges. My choice would be the m70 of whatever variation you like in 300 win mag. (What I'd really like is a traditional looking big bore, but they have no place in ibex hunting.)
First off I would go with the M 70 in whatever caliber you choose. If I wanted a short mag (and I have contemplated one) it would be the 7MM WSM for the diversity of bullet selection and the 7MM's are simply a superior ballistic performer without the recoil. If I went to a 300 WSM or Win Mag then I would (and have) go to a 338WM. The 338 will do everything the 300 can but the 300 can't perform like a 338. I have taken numerous big game animals from Moose and Grizzly to the huge Elands with the 338 and never had a problem.
Quote: It does tend to kick a good bit because of the light weight of the featherweight, and it will probably kick worse in the .300 WSM.
"Featherweight" is just a name. These rifles are the same size and weight as a Remington 700 BDL. They're a bit lighter (mainly because of a shorter barrel) than the Winchester M70 Classic Sporter and Super Grade, hence the name.
The M70 Featherwieght is a full-sized rifle and should not be avoided as a heavy kicker. Blame that recoil on the cartridge in question.
RSY
Posts: 785 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: 01 October 2001
I have owned both the M70 featherweight and the CZ 550 FS. Both are very beautiful rifles aesthetically, but I must recommend the Winchester.
The unfortunate truth about my CZ was that the bolt had a terrible tendency to bind, and 'worked' very hard. I blame the spring loaded ejector that rides heavily against the bolt, and excessive clearance (slop) between the bolt and receiver that allowed the bolt to tip and "dig in" to the receiver. Yes, I tried some polishing, but to no avail. Too bad, the rifle was gorgeous.
My M70 featherweight was one of the best operating rifles I have owned. Smooth and very accurate. It would place 3 shots inside a quarter at 100 yds. At 6-3/4 pounds (standard calibers) it is considerably lighter than full-size M70s, hence the name. I believe the WSM models are a bit heavier. I would not hesitate to own another.
Good fortune to you on your choice.
Live well
Posts: 75 | Location: Michigan, USA | Registered: 03 April 2003
Never owned a CZ, But that F/W Winchester chambered for those WSM rounds is simply beautiful. I really like the heavier contour barrel on the F/W stock. Just the ticket in my book.
Terry
Posts: 6315 | Location: Mississippi | Registered: 18 May 2002
At last count I have 7 M70s and 2 550s. I like the 550s a lot and have taken a good deal of african game with one of them. That said however I'm a big M70 advocate in that they just seem to fit me better and I like their action a little better. I should add that only one of the M70 is a push feed. Several of the last M70s I bought needed tuning but so did the CZs. All of them needed trigger adjustment and I had a rear sight problem with a 416 Rem Mag M70 (an absolutly great rifle IMO). I just accept the fact that most rifles today need some adjustment to meet my expectations. Grown fussy have I.
Posts: 740 | Location: CT/AZ USA | Registered: 14 February 2001
Since the poster inquired about the WSM, comparing the 550 to the Model 70 is moot as the 550 is not chambered in those cartridges. The CZ model 3 is however and is essentially a modified model 70.
Posts: 4870 | Location: Lakewood, CO | Registered: 07 February 2002
