Cz 550 maybe sorta?

[Olvast09]

I'd buy the CZ 550 American Safari right now and let the Whelen build sit on the back burner.

 

[skydiver386]

I'd buy the CZ550.

I have 5.....I mean 6 of them. Oh well, who's counting.

Good quality heavy caliber rifles like the CZ are hard to come by in decent shape.

As much as I love the CZ's, you may want to consider a new Montana rifle in 375 H&H. By the time you build a CZ to be equal to a Montana? Well, you coulda had a V-8!

If you want all the mods and upgrades, the Montana would be the better choice.

HOME

Montana Rifle Company is the premium manufacturer of American-made hunting rifles built from the action out in Memphis, MI.

montanarifleco.com

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I shot thirteen Montana elk with 30-06. And I'm guessing at least fifty deer + half a dozen moose here and there. 375 is overkill for Montana in my opinion. 35W is a great cartridge for Montana game. I killed thirty plains game also with 30-06. 375 is certainly not necessary for them (eland maybe). Unless you're planning on buffalo, 35W would do just fine in Africa. 375 is heavier rifle (it better be!), ammo is heavier, and it's much more expensive to shoot.

Seems just about everyone has to have some work done on big CZ rifles to smooth the action or make them feed properly. 3-position safety is nice but by no means essential. If the two-position safety securely locks the bolt when engaged, that's all that is important. All who are licensed to hunt know enough to point the muzzle in a safe direction when loading and unloading a rifle with safety disengaged. My 98 Mauser 404 has Model 70 style safety and never bother to use position two. Personally, I don't care for "wing" style scope relief safeties. My guns have quick release scopes and optional iron sights. A wing safety is a hazard with scope removed. It sticks up in the air unprotected and is easily disengaged by clothing or brush.

Free floating a barrel and bedding the action is stuff anyone can do in the laundry room or garage. Easily.

The 375 CZ I rented to shoot two buffalo had the set trigger option. I think I used it for one shot fired at the range to check zero. Just forgot about it after that. I do not see any pressing need to change it.

 

[Doug3006]

You do realize you don’t have to use the set trigger right? I have a CZ550 FS in 9.3x62 and I would not change the trigger or the safety. I have used the set trigger on game but only from a stand. I do not ever use the set trigger when stalking game. Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it. I have full faith and confidence in my rifle.

I understand. I just don’t see the advantage of a set trigger on a gun for dangerous game….and I do see the drawbacks, To each his own

 

[Mark458]

I've talked to several CZ owners over the years that didn't even realize that it had a set trigger option. If you don't like it just pretend it's not there.

Ignorance is bliss

 

[MS 9x56]

I've talked to several CZ owners over the years that didn't even realize that it had a set trigger option. If you don't like it just pretend it's not there.

Ignorance is bliss

The CZ set trigger is also adjustable for pull weight take up and over travel in unset mode. It is a very good trigger. I have a Timney trigger on my Ruger 77 and would be hard pressed to tell the difference if blind folded.

 

[Muskox]

Yeah the gun graders lament.

Trade value generally equals half what you think it is worth minus 20%.

A Shloh Sharps for a Pre-64 375, sounds like an absolutely horrible deal.

 

[Muskox]

Any CZ550 or Brno 602 that hasn't been rubbed by a magic Genie (super gunsmith) is heavily suspect, 2000 for a CZ550 is stupid. I know people are getting them for that, but they just are not a $2000 gun and never have been. There are plenty of other rifles for $2000 that would be a nicer rifle.

 

[wolfhunter]

Ontario Hunter said you don't need that much gun he is right I have shot quite a few critters with my CZ 375 but I have flattened way more with my 35 whelen AI I call it the hammer of thour it knocks things off there feet .both of these rifles have all weather black stocks

 

[AZDAVE]

Get your 375 and shoot it. then decide if it needs a few upgrades or is good as is.

It is a bit overkill in the lower 48 but if you wait till you are ready to hunt DG in africa the same rifle will cost 4000.

Take my overkill comments with a grain of salt as I shot a jackal with a 500 Jeff on one trip because it was causing problems and the 500 was what I had in the bakkie at the time.

 

[AZDAVE]

@MTJumbo I haven't seen a short chambered 416 taylor barrel for years. I am building one and just bought a douglas barrel and will get it threaded, chambered and headspaced but a gunsmith.

 

[Mark458]

Get your 375 and shoot it. then decide if it needs a few upgrades or is good as is.

It is a bit overkill in the lower 48 but if you wait till you are ready to hunt DG in africa the same rifle will cost 4000.

Take my overkill comments with a grain of salt as I shot a jackal with a 500 Jeff on one trip because it was causing problems and the 500 was what I had in the bakkie at the time.

I prefer the term "more than necessary" rather than "overkill" dead is dead. Many people associate meat and hide destruction with the term overkill. This is as much a choice of bullet as it is caliber choice. Like you I have shot small animals with my 458 Lott, but I always keep a few solids on hand for these encounters. I shot a beautiful steenbok years ago with my Lott and punched a nice little hole that would make any taxidermist happy.

 

[AZDAVE]

@Mark458 Understand your terminology and concur. I just used the term overkill and it is used by most folks on larger than needed by the arm chair experts on the web. I usually have a couple solids handy in 9.3 and bigger rifles for the small guys. Shot my Sunni and red diker with 400 gr solids from my 500/416. The taxidermist was happy with me.

 

[dogcat1]

CZ is dependable and a decent rifle.
Model 70 is a step above.
In the CZ you will get a poor trigger and a backwards safety that works opposite every other gun I shoot.
The 35 Whelen is a fine cartridge but what for? The .375 HH or 9.3x62 is better suited and the .338 WM hits as hard.
At the end of it all buy what you like to shoot. Sell anything that won't group or does not feel right.

 

[Mark458]

@Mark458 Understand your terminology and concur. I just used the term overkill and it is used by most folks on larger than needed by the arm chair experts on the web. I usually have a couple solids handy in 9.3 and bigger rifles for the small guys. Shot my Sunni and red diker with 400 gr solids from my 500/416. The taxidermist was happy with me.

I know what you mean. I think we're on the same page. I try not to be an "armchair expert" I just put out there what works for me.

I even keep some solids for my 338 win mag with me for those little critters that you want to be able to identify after the shot without taking a DNA sample.

 

[MS 9x56]

Any CZ550 or Brno 602 that hasn't been rubbed by a magic Genie (super gunsmith) is heavily suspect, 2000 for a CZ550 is stupid. I know people are getting them for that, but they just are not a $2000 gun and never have been. There are plenty of other rifles for $2000 that would be a nicer rifle.

When I bought my CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62 10 years ago I paid $850 for it out the door new in the box with CZ rings included. I am flabbergasted at what they are going for now. But I am still not tempted to sell it.