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.

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

I understand that the trigger can be adjusted to be “unsettable” and function like a single stage, glass break trigger, and that the 3pos safety can be installed on both the stock trigger or an aftermarket

 

[Longshot85]

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.

Absolutely agree with you there 110%. But my reality is it will be a long time before I can do dangerous game in Africa. I’m more so just looking for an Elk/deer rifle for here in Montana. More of an extra rifle I take out occasionally. I have a Shiloh with double set as well as a Hawken. I’m used to playing with triggers and typically have the time. That said when I go to Africa even for planes game it would come with me. But I do love a wing
Safety. So I’d love to keep the trigger “for now” but change the safety. My guy is the head smith at c sharps. I’m sure he could handle the job. I hate shipping rifles if I don’t have too.

 

[wolfhunter]

If you intend to go to Africa by the CZ or maybe buy it anyway the 375 is a great caliber . I have used a 35 whelen on many hunts I think you should have both . My CZ has the same trigger never been a problem

 

[Longshot85]

If you intend to go to Africa by the CZ or maybe buy it anyway the 375 is a great caliber . I have used a 35 whelen on many hunts I think you should have both . My CZ has the same trigger never been a problem

Thanks. I may just have to do that

 

[MTJumbo]

My CZ 550 in 375 was a little rough when I got it. Working the action about 100 times smoothed it out. Out of the box, mine shot 1" groups with 300 gr. Barnes solids. I sighted in 4 of the 375's in one day at the range. Of course I used the Caldwell lead sled. Barnes 235 gr. and some solids. I took 4 rifles in 375 to New Mexico for an Oryx hunt for my son and me. He carried one also. We each had a back up 375. The rifles all shoot 1" groups. The CZ will shoot well with or without use of the set trigger. I also have thought about building a 35 Whelen but quickly dismissed it. I have one .416 Taylor and I am thinking about building another Taylor. The problem is I cannot find an inexpensive short chambered barrel for the Mauser InterArms action. Oh well, I guess I'll just stick with what I've got. As my old cowboy friends say, "You dance with one you brung."

 

[MS 9x56]

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.

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.

 

[Mark458]

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.

Hard to argue with that logic. I'm a big fan of the CZ's. I own several of them and have hunted with them for 25 years and have never had any problems. Most PH's love them because they are reliable and tough as nails. Truth is I don't use the set trigger while hunting, but that being said I don't think they're bad triggers to begin with. It's whatever you're comfortable with. The custom 404 Jeffery I recently acquired is built on a CZ action, but the builder put a Timney trigger on it and it seems very crisp. As far as the safety is concerned I feel the same way. I'm just used to it and have never had any issues.

The long and short of it is you have to be completely comfortable with the rifle you are hunting with. If any part of it doesn't seem just right you then you need to change it until it feels perfect.

 

[Jhsmith]

There are a lot of rifles chambered in 35 W.
Maybe buy one of those.

You can always have a custom rifle built at a later point in time if you fall in love with a cartridge.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Timmy makes a nice trigger for the 550 I have one on my 458

 

[Mark458]

Timmy makes a nice trigger for the 550 I have one on my 458

Timney does make a good product. I have a few of their triggers and very happy with them.