Go get em boys and girls ! Before its to late

Heard from a reliable source yesterday than CZ will stop production of the 550 sporting rifle range ( if they have not done so already ! )

The reason is a slow down in sales world wide and they will retool those production lines to their more lucrative Semi Auto pistols and auto rifles production !

According to my source the rifles we now see on sale in South Africa will be the last shipment from CZ in the Czech Republic !

Our world in rapidly shrinking !

Thanks for the news, Alf.
Another epoch is marked.
We live in interesting times,
like the old Chinese curse.

This is indeed true. I heard that the last 400 that was produced was bought up by a wholesaler here in South Africa.

Wow.

Don't know the pricing deal in America but no doubt they let a lot of blokes in Australia into their 375 H&H and 458.

This has been doing the rounds in Australia forat least six years, spread by the distributor who has a higher profit margin on other manufacturers.

I just took shipment of a new cz 550 .505 gibbs.
Took them like four months to build it.

Maybe they will pick up where the pre-64 cult left off!

I wouldn’t be surprised if that sting operation about all those CZ rifles getting in the hands of poaching syndicates has something to do with it.

That whole diversion thing with CZ/CZ-USA left the company with a black eye.

It’s a shame, as they were an affordable big bore option.

I have never owned a CZ, but I have BRNO 602's in .500 Jeffrey, .450 Watts, .416 Rigby, .375 H&H and 6.5X64 Brenneke, plus 601's in .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester and .223 Remington. I think I could go anywhere and hunt anything with that selection to choose from.

xausa,
Are you suggesting that the sport of hunting may continue without CZ Big Bore Rifles?

mmm, sounds probable to me also.

Sad news, indeed. I’m glad I already have a nice set of 4 (308 win, 300 win mag, 375 h&h, and 458 Lott).

This sport and lifestyle is not dying because of loss of interest.
It is dying for one reason that could be seen from a mile away.
Greed. Plain and simple. Greed.

Glad I got my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery when I did, it's a beautiful and eminently functional rifle. Sorry to see CZ getting out of the big bores.

Maybe something like a 505 gibbs is not a big seller but I wouldn't think very many other rifles makers offer it outside of their custom shop. The 375 h&h will always sell well so don't understand dropping it.

quote:

Originally posted by 376 steyr:
Maybe something like a 505 gibbs is not a big seller but I wouldn't think very many other rifles makers offer it outside of their custom shop. The 375 h&h will always sell well so don't understand dropping it.

The M70 375 should be a high profit rifle as last time I looked it cost more than a Super Grade and comes with the shit standard M70 wood.

With the 505 I reckon CZ could have had a fair bit higher price and would have sold the same number.

The market for calibres like 505, 500 Jeffery, the 378 based Weatherby calibres and also the 375 H&H will bear much higher pricing.

I spoke to the CZ girl at our recent Shot Show and she admitted that the rumour is true. However, she claimed that they are doing this because the tooling for those rifles was very old and needed to be scrapped; but that big-bore production would resume when a new action is got up.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
I spoke to the CZ girl at our recent Shot Show and she admitted that the rumour is true. However, she claimed that they are doing this because the tooling for those rifles was very old and needed to be scrapped; but that big-bore production would resume when a new action is got up.

you made my day -- though i would expect them to come in at a higher finish .. and price point

New action? Simplified, easier and cheaper to produce? Pushfeed as CZ557? No, thank you.

I am pretty fine with my custom made CZ-550 in .375 H&H.

Jiri

quote:

Originally posted by Jiri:
New action? Simplified, easier and cheaper to produce? Pushfeed as CZ557? No, thank you.

I am pretty fine with my custom made CZ-550 in .375 H&H.

Jiri

Yes, if they truly know the big bore market, they should be smart enough not to “post-64” the 550.

Glad I got a couple with a big old claw extractor

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Originally posted by Jiri:
New action? Simplified, easier and cheaper to produce? Pushfeed as CZ557? No, thank you.

I am pretty fine with my custom made CZ-550 in .375 H&H.

Jiri

Yes, if they truly know the big bore market, they should be smart enough not to “post-64” the 550.

Basically cz is (correctly in my view) saying there is no real big bore market left.

It is over saturated and there is no shortage of old cz floating around for anyone to build a proper crf bolt.

The mass market for guns is ruger America entry point. All of Europe shooting high end guns are probably shooting blasers.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Originally posted by Jiri:
New action? Simplified, easier and cheaper to produce? Pushfeed as CZ557? No, thank you.

I am pretty fine with my custom made CZ-550 in .375 H&H.

Jiri

Yes, if they truly know the big bore market, they should be smart enough not to “post-64” the 550.

Basically cz is (correctly in my view) saying there is no real big bore market left.

It is over saturated and there is no shortage of old cz floating around for anyone to build a proper crf bolt.

The mass market for guns is ruger America entry point. All of Europe shooting high end guns are probably shooting blasers.

Mike

It’s really been over for a long time. Just saying if they retool, for the very limited market that IS there, they would be wise to not screw the pooch.

There are plenty of .375+ guns out there, and with the modern trend going toward 6.5xxx, there will be plenty for a very long time.

I would be surprised if the market was truly that soft. The CZ 550 is a great rifle.

What a pitty czs are my favourite rifles ,and my guides favourites too.I own severals in different calibers .
Cheers Juan

quote:

Originally posted by juanpozzi:
What a pitty czs are my favourite rifles ,and my guides favourites too.I own severals in different calibers .
Cheers Juan

Because of this I have just secured a.375 and .458.......cz's that I foolishly sold a few years back and regretted. A few more coming to Australia and that's it.

They'll be hogs back stocks I believe, which I'm happy about as they point better than the American for mine.

I'm glad I've Aiken the plunge despite $$ being tight at h moment.

It's disappointing they are stopping them.

The production of CZ 550's with new tooling may already be under way

I purchased two CZ 550 Safari's recently, Lux stocks, a 416 Rigby about 2 months ago and a 375 H&H about 2 weeks ago

The 375 is unnfired and is going to become a 375/404 Jeffery/Saeed when Mr. Lija delivers my barrel

The 416 has about 50 rounds thru it for load development

Fit and finish on both rifles is much better than any of the older CZ 550's I have had; these are really nice, good looking, well made rifles

The caliber and twist markings on the barrel are much neater and less obtrusive



The font used on the side of the receiver is smaller and not as obnoxious, the picture makes it look worse that it really is



The barrel on the 416 is greatly improved ; no visible tooling chatter marks on the rifling lands at the muzzle, very little copper foulng with Barnes TSX bullets
My old CZ's in 375 and 416 were copper mines with Barnes TSX bullets; they shot well but copper fouled like crazy

The 416 is stupid accurate with Barnes TSX or CEB bullets

No bad deal, they will go sky high in value, sell'em and buy Ruger Africans at $800 or so..keep the change and go hunting!