CZ 550 LUX or Remington 700 BDL???

The quality of workmanship, very strong Swedish steel and modern heat treating used in the Husqvarna 1640's make them hard to beat. The wood on mine (model 3000) while not super fancy walnut, does have straight grain and the inletting is excellent, especially under the barrel. The rifles come pre-drilled from the factory for Weaver mounts, are equipped with a side safety and swept bolt handle to nicely clear my 3-9x40 scope.

The last one was made in the late 60's, so you'd have to find a clean used specimen, of which Trade-Ex has many. Mine has a nice trigger - clean break with no creep. (have not measured how heavy but it feels "right")

2479074450_b3021b015b_o.jpg


2478262485_21a547e3c7_o.jpg


Not bad-looking for a $600 rifle IMO. (just a little more work yet to lap the rings before I crank the scope rings down, range report following - already shot 3 holes touching at 50 yds with the iron sights) This one is in 6.5x55 not .30-06.

PS I don't see a lot of advantage for .308 on a long action over .30-06. If I did have to choose between your choices, CZ no question.
 
Last edited:
savage-man said:
What about a Husqvarna 1600 in 30-06?? These things can be had for like $500 for a nice one, will they be compareable to a 700 BDL or a 550 Lux?? I know they dont have adj triggers, but they seem to have evreything else im looking for. Is it smart to save $300-$400 and buy a HVA and be done with it? I havnt seen too many reviews or opinions on the 1600 so im kinda in the dark.
Click to expand...

I bought one this spring for 525 and it is a really nice gun. The stock is on the plain side and it needs some minor bedding and such to prevent tang cracks but for 500 bucks I just don't think there is a better gun out there in my opinion...
 
So my local gun shop can get either one in for me and they are about $50 apart from each other brand new. (CZ $50 more) They do not have either one in stock though so I cannot handle either before I buy it. Does the CZ LUX have a monte-carlo cheek piece or is the stock just curved downwards. I want to have the rifle for the next 50 years and make it my go to deer/moose gun.

Are the trigger guards and floorplates steel on both rifles?? Is there any other unwanted surprises I should know about for each?? Thanks
 
Savage-man, the last three Remington 700's I have handled ( two mine, one my brothers') all had some defects. One had the sights installed cocked to the right. It also had the bolt release poorly fitted so that the bolt sometimes fell out. One needed the trigger replaced since the pull was so rough no amount of adjustment could smooth it out. Another had the scope mount holes drilled off centre so that special shims were required to align the scope. No more Remingtons for me. The only defect I have noticed in the CZ550's are a plastic magazine follower, not really bad, but kinda disappointing in an otherwise nice rifle. Aftermarket followers are available in Stainless steel.
 
savage-man said:
So my local gun shop can get either one in for me and they are about $50 apart from each other brand new. (CZ $50 more) They do not have either one in stock though so I cannot handle either before I buy it. Does the CZ LUX have a monte-carlo cheek piece or is the stock just curved downwards. I want to have the rifle for the next 50 years and make it my go to deer/moose gun.

Are the trigger guards and floorplates steel on both rifles?? Is there any other unwanted surprises I should know about for each?? Thanks
Click to expand...
Go to the CZ website and check them out! My CZ floorplates arent plastic, not a piece of placcy on the rfile anywhere!
 
I have found a couple of friday guns from CZ in the last few years but not in the 550 series, I had always liked the Rem 700 and last week took a novice stalker to get his first buck, the wind prevented us making a side on approach and this buck was damaging trees in a plantation. We had the option of a neck or Texas heart shot. I told him he could clean it out if he did the latter and he took a cracking neck shot with the .243 at about 80 yards in a gloomy evening wood. Needless to say he is still smiling! Also I am very impressed with his 700!
 
TimC said:
I have found a couple of friday guns from CZ in the last few years but not in the 550 series, I had always liked the Rem 700 and last week took a novice stalker to get his first buck, the wind prevented us making a side on approach and this buck was damaging trees in a plantation. We had the option of a neck or Texas heart shot. I told him he could clean it out if he did the latter and he took a cracking neck shot with the .243 at about 80 yards in a gloomy evening wood. Needless to say he is still smiling! Also I am very impressed with his 700!
Click to expand...


Let's see some pics of that buck. Never mind. I went to your blog. They sure are small. 50lbs dressed !!! Good on you guys. I wonder if your deer are about the same sized as our coastal BlackTails here in BC?
 
Last edited:
CZ's are good rifles, but in my hands, they have always felt "clubby", so the Remington gets my nod. That being said, I am not a big lover of the BDL stock on the 700's either. I much prefer the "Classic" stock or the Mountain Rifle/CDL stock. Trouble is, The CDL comes without sights in 30-06/308, so if you want the open sights, you will need to buy the BDL. Perhaps it feels OK to you, though. You might want to handle both before making your decision to buy. Anyone who gets three 700's with defects is walking around with a black cloud over his head. I have yet to buy a 700 with such issues, and I own/have owned more of them than most guys here. [this includes newly manufactured ones, of which I have 4] Regards, Eagleye.
 
Here's my 2 cents worth. Not a ton of experience but certainly went through a mind numbing process on which rifle to buy.

I am a CZ and BRNO fan in .22 rimfire so had my heart set on a CZ or BRNO .30-06 or .300 magnum. I decided against and ordered a .300 WM Winchester in the Super Grade. I don't know when I'll ever see it, but its OK cause I have a .308 Parker Hale that has a Mauser Action CRF and a .30-06 push feed Winchester model 70 Feartherweight. Both 22 inch barrels.

I think the .30-06 is a great choice. I would choose it over the .308 as my first choice.

I didn't like the drop in comb and heel in the CZ or the plastic that I had read about. Barrel length and sights was a selling point with me.

I'd go with the Rem CDL over the BDL cause the barrel is 2 inches longer which helps in the velocity department. I like its straight stock style. But it has no sights.

I went with the Model 70 cause I like a heavy rifle, a straight stock, all steel, classic CRF action (although I must say I like my push feed). It should be well built. Its being made in the same plant where U.S. military sniper rifles are built. State of the art equipment. FN is running the show. There roots are in Belguim and also own Winchester and Browning. Its something I have always wanted. And the barrel will be 26 inches. The .30-06 in this model is 24 inches. The sporter or featherweight would be awesome in my books (the featherweight is 22 inches).

oh well they don't have sights. Seems tough to find a rifle that has it all (unless you have deep pockets).

I think I might like the browning action, but the barrel is 22 inches in the .30-06 and it has no sights. I'd be tempted to consider a rem cdl and add sights. those are my thoughts with little experience.

I would like them all but that was my choice. A Husky and BRNO would be awesome. Maybe even an old Browning Mauser Action Type. In the end I also like to support America and ilke the fact that many parts would exist for Winchester firearms (ring mounts etc).
 
We do get Fallow and Reds which are closer to Whitetails in size but they arent in season until August! Still that will be a busy month!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom