Cz 550 maybe sorta?

[Longshot85]

So I’ve been thinking of turning a newer production mod 70 Alaskan into a 35 Whelen. I’ve been doing a bit of gun shuffling. Was going to trade a Shiloh sharps for a pre 64 375 but that fell through. So today I stumbled on a cz 550 Amarican safari in 375. Had a set of cz rings on it. Action was smooth and single set worked. Could see some green copper fouling in the end of the barrel. Few small stock blemishes. All in all a nice rifle that looked well used and cared for. They want 2200 for it. I didn’t plan on buying anything. Should I forget it and just move ahead with my Whelen build or trade it in on the cz? Forget the calibers and just tell me what you would do. I need convincing one way or the other.

 

[pilar]

Forget the 35w , it’s a great round, just not as versatile as a 375
235 Barnes TSX @ 3100fps or 300gr @ 2550 , just kinda edges out a 35w

 

[Longshot85]

Forget the 35w , it’s a great round, just not as versatile as a 375
235 Barnes TSX @ 3100fps or 300gr @ 2550 , just kinda edges out a 35w

I know but I don’t really need a 375. I don’t know much about CZ 550 except for they are sought after. I didn’t see a whole lot of difference in one is better than the other. The cz is older for sure. I guess I’m just asking new model 70 action or cz 550. Is the 550 worth the hype?

 

[Doug3006]

I’d buy the CZ. It’s a good honest rifle in the most versitile caliber in existence. For less than the cost of building a Whelen, you can have a proper safari gun.

 

[Doug3006]

Not sure what hype you’ve read, but most experienced safari hunters consider the CZ a solid, entry-level gun. Similar to the Winchester 70 and Ruger RSM in most regards.

If it were mine, I’d send it to Matrix Gunsmithing and have them replace the set trigger with a single stage. Then replace the slide safety with a 3 position wing safety. Then you’d have a fine rifle for your next African adventure.

 

[Longshot85]

I’d buy the CZ. It’s a good honest rifle in the most versitile caliber in existence. For less than the cost of building a Whelen, you can have a proper safari gun.

Is there any recommendation on things I should have done to it right away? Didn’t look like floated. Don’t know if it’s bedded or not either.

 

[Longshot85]

Not sure what hype you’ve read, but most experienced safari hunters consider the CZ a solid, entry-level gun. Similar to the Winchester 70 and Ruger RSM in most regards.

If it were mine, I’d send it to Matrix Gunsmithing and have them replace the set trigger with a single stage. Then replace the slide safety with a 3 position wing safety. Then you’d have a fine rifle for your next African adventure.

I actually enjoyed the trigger. Are they a reliability issue? Can the wing safety be installed without doing the trigger?

 

[Doug3006]

Again, I’d replace the safety and trigger. Not too terribly expensive. If it feeds reliably and shoots straight, then call it good. Of course, there’s virtually no end to the tweaking that could be done, but it’s a good rifle as it is.

 

[Longshot85]

I actually enjoyed the trigger. Are they a reliability issue? Can the wing safety be installed without doing the trigger?

Also the hype was just that everyone seemed upset when they stoped making them. Then prices went up. I’ve only heard the later ones could be rough and not feed well. This seems to be an older example. Blueing seemed kinda grey on the barrel and had a bit of shine. I would say a solid 7 out of 10 for condition.

 

[Doug3006]

This is my opinion…shared by some but not all. I think a set trigger on a hunting rifle, especially one that might be used on dangerous game, is a liability. Let’s say you are stalking a buffalo. As is often the case, you are up and down on the sticks multiple times before a solid shot opportunity presents itself. Not only are you potentially walkiing (stumbling.?) around with a hair-triggered weapon, once you get on the sticks the final time, you are thinking, “did I set the trigger or did I unset the trigger? You have enough to think about without this added hooha.