CZ 550 American safari

aric84

aric84

CGN Regular
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Kanata/Ottawa
Well, taxes are done and I have a nice return coming in. Figured I'd cap off a great year with something special and after seeing this model for the first time I have been intrigued by it.

What's the going rate on these in 375 H&H roughly and how do you guys that own them like them?

I'm planning to keep it open sighted for now as most ranges I would use it at are under 100m. Hopefully the stock profile is low enough for the sight to be comfortable to use.
 
I have used the 550 Safari with the "hog's back" style comb and it works well for irons, not sure about the American. As for price, the going rate used to be about $1100- $1200 at dealers, but they seem to have creeped to the $1400- $1500 range.

They are great guns, but quite long and heavy. May be a bit heavier than a .375 H&H really needs to be. The machining is quality, but the action on a CZ mauser usually feels a little sticky right out of the box. Spend an evening watching TV while racking the action and it becomes super smooth. They are a great rifle for the price. The only competition is a used RSM if you want to spend a bit more money, or maybe a Win 70 Alaskan, if you can find one.
 
Not worried much about the weight as it will be unscoped and I'm not walking huge distances. I can use the exercise anyhow.

Rugers just don't do it for me for some reason and the M70 would be great but I like the idea of 5 round capacity, express sights and a proper magnum length action. Have an M70 extreme weather 30-06 already anyhow and want to diversify. Who knows, the Cz may just supplant it as my primary hunter if it work for me.
 
I say buy it and you wont be disappointed, I own the safari classic which I believe is the same rifle with a different stock and I wouldn't trade it for any thing. Mine prints very impressive groups with just about any ammo,its very comfortable to shoot compared to my Remington, and the capacity is actually 6+1. My wife ordered mine from Kelly's sporting goods and had great service from them,she actually ordered the American but they were out of stock and sent the classic for the same price and Prophet River usually has rings for these rifles.
 
fridge450 said:
I say buy it and you wont be disappointed, I own the safari classic which I believe is the same rifle with a different stock and I wouldn't trade it for any thing. Mine prints very impressive groups with just about any ammo,its very comfortable to shoot compared to my Remington, and the capacity is actually 6+1.
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Ditto, a bit heavy but eats any recoil well. Great rifle.
 
aric84 said:
Not worried much about the weight as it will be unscoped and I'm not walking huge distances. I can use the exercise anyhow.
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You're gonna hate luggin' it around, scope or not scope.

Find yourself a nice lightweight 35Whelen or 9.3x62 and you'll have a rifle you'll like more and carry more.
 
SuperCub said:
You're gonna hate luggin' it around, scope or not scope.

Find yourself a nice lightweight 35Whelen or 9.3x62 and you'll have a rifle you'll like more and carry more.
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You guys make it sound like I'm going to be scaling mountains. I already have a nice light M70 winchester in 30-06 for my main hunting gun and that will cover pretty much everything I do. I have lugged around an AIA enfield on snowshoes without problem and that would certainly be heavier that the Cz. I'm not worried about a couple of pounds that I can shed elsewhere in my gear.


The 35 Whelen and 9.3 are great rounds no doubt but just do not stir an ounce of interest in me. 375 H&H on the other hand... besides, I already have some brass around here ready to load.

I'm in the process of downsizing to just a few guns that I will shoot often and be very proficient with and figure I should have something interesting in the Magnum category. The CZ has a lot of well thought out features I like and would be a great hand me down to one of my kids way down the road.
 
I like the 375's that are built up off of 300 mag type action. Rather than built down from a 416 rigby platform. Just because it's a bigger cartridge doesn't mean it should handle like a railroad tie.
 
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
Sounds like a lot of guys here need to grow a pair. The rifle is heavy but its not that heavy.
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looks like you didnt see me lol .... as mentionned the cz550 was not build from a 300 but from a 416 .... there is not need for that weight but that is good to know that there is some Hulk around and among us .... my zastava are not as heavy as the cz550 ....
 
aric84 said:
Well, taxes are done and I have a nice return coming in. Figured I'd cap off a great year with something special and after seeing this model for the first time I have been intrigued by it.

What's the going rate on these in 375 H&H roughly and how do you guys that own them like them?

I'm planning to keep it open sighted for now as most ranges I would use it at are under 100m. Hopefully the stock profile is low enough for the sight to be comfortable to use.
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You're gonna love the beasty. The one I tried out fit me fine & no problems with getting onto the sights. I was just about to order one when a nice M70 Winchester build in .458 popped up on the EE & I scooped 'er. Turns out that rifle weighs about the same as the CZ due to having a Boyd's laminate stock fitted. I'm thankful for the weight when pushing big lead on extended plinking sessions.

I may get a big CZ in .458 Lott in the near future seeing that I'll be mortgage free in May.:d:d:d
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
You're gonna love the beasty. The one I tried out fit me fine & no problems with getting onto the sights.
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That was pretty much my only concern with the rifle's drop on the stock but it is doable without contorting my neck or my face that tat is great. I think the weight will be kinda nice actually both to help smooth out the recoil but I also prefer a rifle that has some heft to it, feels more solid and steadier to shoot.
 
Well, an update.

I did not get the American but instead I ended up with the 550 Lux Safari and could not be happier. I prefer the look of the Bavarian style stock but was worried about the recoil beating my cheek. Well it is not a problem at all and the rifle is a very gentle shooter for sure. First two shots ever with the rifle at 100 yards were right at point of aim and about 1.5" apart. Beautiful.

I definitely won the wood lottery too, nice tiger striping along the whole length of the stock but the photo doesn't do it justice.

Bolt is a bit stiff and gritty as I have heard elsewhere but I will see if it smooths out before sending it to Jason Spencer to get it tweaked.

Definitely going to be a go to gun from here on out!

 
Nice wood on that one!

Watch a good movie with the cz on your lap and cycle it a few hundred times. It smooths right out. All CZ centerfires need this treatment it seems.
 
I'll have to get a proper photo of it in the sun to bring out the true figure in the stock.

I've already been cycling it and it help it's just a bit sticky when the bolt is all the way back but I may stone out a small burr I can feel there on the rear bridge and see if that helps.

I'm so enamoured with this thing I may just sell off a few more rifles and buy more ammo, components and moulds to give this girl a good workout. It's a he'll of a lot less abusive than my Winchester '86 and probably more comfortable to shoot than my M70 EW in 30-06.

375 H&H is definitely a satisfying cartridge to reload.
 
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