M70 Safari Express 458 Win Mag vs CZ550 458 Lott

nksmfamjp

nksmfamjp

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Any preference between these 2 rifles? What is your experience? I really like the cz’s 5 round mag and 458 Lott chambering, but the Winchester has the 3 position safety and better trigger straight out of the box.

I basically looking for a traditional crf big game rifle in 458 Lott to shoot with open sights out to maybe 75 yds. I want a 3 position safety, decent trigger and good enough bedding that it won’t shoot it self apart in 50 rounds.

If I go with the Winchester, I will be looking to rechamber to 458 Lott. I keep hearing this is relatively easy. That won’t be me doing it, so who could I go to? Recommendations, especially in Ohio?
 
IMHO Winchesters general work, CZs generally have feeding issues. You "do the math." Why limit yourself to an Ohio gunsmith? UPS will take it to any destination in the country for a small fee.
 
I had the metal work on my Model 70’s done by Gary Junk of Arctic Gunworks in Fairbanks. I had my M-70 in .458 WM converted to Lott. It functions flawlessly.
 
nksmfamjp said:
Any preference between these 2 rifles? What is your experience? I really like the cz’s 5 round mag and 458 Lott chambering, but the Winchester has the 3 position safety and better trigger straight out of the box.

I basically looking for a traditional crf big game rifle in 458 Lott to shoot with open sights out to maybe 75 yds. I want a 3 position safety, decent trigger and good enough bedding that it won’t shoot it self apart in 50 rounds.

If I go with the Winchester, I will be looking to rechamber to 458 Lott. I keep hearing this is relatively easy. That won’t be me doing it, so who could I go to? Recommendations, especially in Ohio?
Click to expand...

I'm a M70 guy through and through, but that's me. I recommend you handle both and decide which you prefer. For me however if I went the CZ route, I'd be sending that rifle immediately to American Hunting Rifles to have them do at least the first upgrade. I realize that may be out of your initial budget, but something to consider.

You might want to check out the .458 Lott's that Wayne has on offer now: https://americanhuntingrifles.com/available-now/
 

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Buy the model 70. If you NEED the Lott, which you really don't, it's a rechamber and magazine/follower swap to make it a Lott. I have both a 416 Rem Mag and a 458 WM in the Safari Express. The 416 will feed 458 Lott ammo, so I assume a magazine and follower for the 416 model will work in converting to Lott.
The 458 variant of these rifles is a bit on the lightweight side, so the Lott may need a little weight added to the stock if the recoil bothers you. That's why I just stick with the Win Mag version and shoot 450-480 gr bullets at 2200-2250fps.
 
PHOENIX PHIL said:
I'm a M70 guy through and through, but that's me. I recommend you handle both and decide which you prefer. For me however if I went the CZ route, I'd be sending that rifle immediately to American Hunting Rifles to have them do at least the first upgrade. I realize that may be out of your initial budget, but something to consider.

You might want to check out the .458 Lott's that Wayne has on offer now: https://americanhuntingrifles.com/available-now/
Click to expand...

+1 on AHR. Great work.
 
PHOENIX PHIL said:
I'm a M70 guy through and through, but that's me. I recommend you handle both and decide which you prefer. For me however if I went the CZ route, I'd be sending that rifle immediately to American Hunting Rifles to have them do at least the first upgrade. I realize that may be out of your initial budget, but something to consider.

You might want to check out the .458 Lott's that Wayne has on offer now: https://americanhuntingrifles.com/available-now/
Click to expand...

Forget the Lott and go for the 500 Jeffery that's for sale there :D....or the 404.....;)
 
I’m pretty set on the Lott....i bought dies!

What if I added Kimber and Montana Rifle to the list I’m looking at?
 
nksmfamjp said:
I’m pretty set on the Lott....i bought dies!

What if I added Kimber and Montana Rifle to the list I’m looking at?
Click to expand...
Both Kimber and Montana would fill your needs. The Kimber will be the more refined and more expensive of the two. Both should work right out of the box. Kimber has an excellent wood to metal fit and great machine work. Montana uses a cast action, and stock fit is more like what you'd see on a factory Winchester.
 
My M-70 Lott conversion is outstanding. Mine is a full custom job with metalwork by Gary Junk and wood by LeRoy Barry. I don’t know how much money you want to spend but I’d put mine up against anything at twice the price.
 
Well you can definitely pick up a new M70 and have it converted to Lott for under $2
 
Gotta go with the guys above recommending AHR.
I have a CZ550 with a #2 upgrade from Wayne at AHR and it's awesome.
nksmfamjp said:
I’m pretty set on the Lott....i bought dies!
Click to expand...
Don't let this be the critical deciding factor to the caliber you choose.
You can always sell the dies, probably pretty easily to a member here.
 
Last edited:
You should handle both the M70 and the CZ550 as PHOENIX PHIL recommended, preferably at the same shop.
Do a side by side and you will come to a decision pretty quick.

Although I will say that the AHR CZ's feel much slimmer than the ones from the factory and more like a M70.
But they have the added bonus of higher magazine capacity and DG Safari ready.

Can you tell what camp I'm in?
 
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