I bought this rifle a while ago when they first came out earlier this year, it was a bit cheaper then (less $250).. and so far it's been a great bolt action. I really wanted that Ranger 'utility style' all purpose gun that was missing from my stable. And although I'm not an F-class guy I love shooting irons when given the chance.
I'd been shopping around for a while comparing everything from the FNAR Semi-auto to the SAKO to the Ruger Scout and Ruger Predator to this CZ. I also considered waiting for the Tikka Canadian Ranger rifle, but I just don't like that funky multi-color puke rainbow pattern that seems to be all over several guns this year... not my taste. Also the ever present Remi 700 was on the line, but my two shooting buddies have Remi's and I just couldnt steal their thunder.
I also reload .308 already, so with a 1:10 twist you can't get a more versatile and readily available cartridge - basically anywhere.
Likes- it's a Ranger rifle with a 10 round mag, and is designed to work hard as a daily shooter, trapping, quadding, hiking, hunting SHTF etc. and is definitely there with the CZ reputation, it feels really well built even for the weight, so if you dropped it off the tail gate etc you most likely wont hurt it. (another reason I like the full wrap front sight)
- After 200+ rounds there's been no malfunctions. Also the mag installs and removes very easily, although I had to put some grip tape on it as it feels a little slippery in sweaty hands.
- The fibre optic front sight is great, highly visible for my bad eyes, with the first 40-50 rounds of various 150gr just to see what I could do outta the box, it hit the mark very easily out to 250m. It came zeroed for 100 nearly bang on. I wouldn't say I was doing anything sub MOA, but constantly hit the 10" gong on irons even out to the 300m mark on a hot windy day, without adjusting them. I think the illuminated front sight is a real bonus, and justified the overall price over a cheaper .308 like a Ruger Predator. I've since put a cheap Walmart optic on it, a Bushnell 4-12x, and was quickly stretching the .308 out to 500 meters. - except with the scope, in the medium mounts, on the pic rail - it was way to high. And not having a cheek rest meant I was getting a stiff neck in a hurry. The easy fix would be to take the removable pic rail off, and mount the scope right on the factory dovetail. Haven't had the time though.
- Also like the advertising says, the pic rail has a groove down the center so even when there's a scope mounted you can actually see down the site line to the irons (barely). I wouldnt say I was able to effectively use that setup though.
- For weight, it's lite, really lite, - I don't have an actual weight of the gun alone, but with the scope, a sling, and a caldwell bipod it's only 8.4 lbs. Needless to say when I fired some 180gr Federal SP through it - it really bucks. And no the butt pad isn't much of a consolation. I'm guessing it's somewhere around 6.8 - 7lbs bare, unloaded ?
- The safety feels very positive and solid, and the bolt cycles without any difficulty, even for a pushfeed style, versus controlled feed. Personally I would have liked to see the controlled feed on this, as being a Ranger rifle and the possibility of dynamic shooting situations, controlled would be a nice plus - but also more expensive. Either way no issues with picking or ejecting.
- The fully adjustable trigger - for length of pull, and weight of pull - Well what can I say I haven't even tinkered with it yet - but wow what an option, certainly a Bonus that I plan on working with when time permits!
- On a serious range day, shooting prone using some 165 & 168gr handload Noslers, I was grouping MOA at 300, with the cheap bushnell optic, so I'm certain as far as a Ranger rifle goes in .308, this rifle makes the mark. In time I'm excited to see just how well I can make this thing perform, but there's no doubt it's worthy of moose or elk of any other big game if you dare.
Cons- It's a medium weight barrel, and it heats up fast. After getting a little too happy on range day, I realized it takes some serious time between groups to cool off (of course). So even though it comes with only 1 magazine - no worries, 10 rounds is enough! Unless you plan on completely blowing it out ? But yes it requires a cooling period, especially if you're shooting 168 gr or anything hotter or heavier.
- The finish isn't exactly aluminum oxide or even Duracoat worthy, so the wood already has some scratches on it, but I'm ok with that.
- It would be nice to have a little more ergonomic bolt release, instead it's a sharp metal tab style that you almost need a flat blade screwdriver to press down on, without risking a slip and gouging the stock- but it functions as designed.
- Would be nice to have a threaded barrel option too.
That's about it really, like I said - haven't adjusted the adjustable trigger, and still have the too high cheap optic on it, but wow it's an end of days rifle like any other reputable Ranger, and since it's a CZ as well it matches my 858 beautifully on the wall.
Cheers
