.375 -- CZ 550 vs. Interarms Whitworth Express

13 May 2002, 10:39

John Frazer

How would you stack up the relative merits?

CZ:

-Commercially available, right now;
-Heavier;
-Advantages (theoretical?) of a true magnum action;
-Proprietary/unique parts (e.g., trigger)
-Horrendous stock.

Whitworth:

-Have to hunt up a used one (not too hard);
-Lighter;
-Ready to scope with off-the-shelf mounts;
-Uses many standard Mauser parts/accessories (e.g., Timney trigger);
-Usable stock from the factory.

Anything else?

13 May 2002, 22:01

aHunter

The Whitworth is available new in Zastava model. They made them all the time. Look around, there are some posts, somebody ( Charles Daly?? ) sells them in the US.

The Zastava is a regular Mauser action. I handled one in .375 this Friday, along a Ruger .416 and a CZ 416.

The trigger was nearly too light without any travel before. The action is coooaaarse. I had to definitely turn down the bolt on closing, no "automatic" guidance there as with the others. The action is relieved mostly in the rear btw. The stock has some drop and is nearly a Monte carlo style. Not much difference to the CZï¿½s. This ( CZ )is a real Magnum action. The best stock and the classiest sights are on the Ruger. But for precise shooting ( < 80 m ) I would take the CZ. As for accuracy I would bet on the CZ.

Hope you get some good answers, I hang around ...

Hermann

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14 May 2002, 01:33

I can only comment on the Zastava, as I've never used a CZ. My 375 is a Zastava action; it has been very accurate but it's a little rough. The trigger is adjustable, and when I bought it, it had been adjusted too light and was unsafe. Whoever had owned it had adjusted it until there was virtually no seer adjustment, easy fix and lowered the price considerably.

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JD

14 May 2002, 06:06

John Frazer

quote:
Originally posted by aHunter:
The Whitworth is available new in Zastava model. They made them all the time. Look around, there are some posts, somebody ( Charles Daly?? ) sells them in the US.

Same action but I understand the finish is a little rough. I also don't care for the new stock, and it comes with a 26" barrel and no iron sights!

15 May 2002, 00:11

aHunter

In Europe they come with open sights ...

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15 May 2002, 04:51

Atkinson

I would opt for one of the old true Whitworths out of London..You can pick one up for about $600 to $800 without much problem..In fact someone had on for sale in Classified...

A better option is an old FN in 375, thats my hunting gun and they cannot be beat. Now if I could find one of the old FN's in a 404..I have missed a couple by a hairs breath just lately.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com