CZ550 fs 308win

R

RichardSlinger

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I'd like to buy one of these rifles to use with open sights for deer, my 243 has a scope but i'd like to try to hunt with open sights.

Will this be a good caliber?
Can I shoot at 150 yards with open sights?
What ammo would be best for deer in 308?
Is the CZ550FS a quality rifle? Are there other's that I should look at?

thank you
 
RichardSlinger said:
I'd like to buy one of these rifles to use with open sights for deer, my 243 has a scope but i'd like to try to hunt with open sights.

1-Will this be a good caliber?
2-Can I shoot at 150 yards with open sights?
3-What ammo would be best for deer in 308?
4Is the CZ550FS a quality rifle?
5-Are there other's that I should look at?

thank you
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1- I am not 308's biggest fan but yes, fine for deer.
2- I don't know about you but the gun is certainly capable.
3-150gr is a solid choice.
4- yes
5- With open sights you are limited in choice, a RSI ruger would be nice and has full stock. (unsure if any are around tho) Maybe a gunsite scout by ruger?
 
bollox said:
1- I am not 308's biggest fan but yes, fine for deer.
2- I don't know about you but the gun is certainly capable.
3-150gr is a solid choice.
4- yes
5- With open sights you are limited in choice, a RSI ruger would be nice and has full stock. (unsure if any are around tho) Maybe a gunsite scout by ruger?
Click to expand...

Would you suggest something better than 308?
Thanks
 
Not really better but I prefer 243 in short action then cartridges like 30-06, 270 up to 300 wby.

Just straight personal preference. Nothing wrong with 308 at all.
 
If open sights and CZ550 is your preference, can also consider CZ527 in 7.62 x 39. Also open sights and has straight comb useful if decide to scope it but for open sights the 7.62 x 39 is effective (and low cost to train with). The mag release is so-so, the bolt may require higher rings than would other wise use (though not an issue if open sight rifle), trigger very good, accuracy very good, ergonomics work for me (won't be selling CZ452, CZ453, CZ527 and am looking for one in .375 H&H). The Lux models / European comb great for open sight but fairly committed then as in conjunction with higher ring requirement may not work as well scoped.

Personal preference for deer with .308 is TSX 150. If want to go fancy then TTSX 150 :). SST also shoot well and ballistically very close to TSX if want to build up load / practice with lower cost round.
 
I just sold a CZ 550 FS in .308... very nice rifle... for deer, the 550 in .308 is miles ahead of the 527 in 7.62X39.
 
hoytcanon said:
I just sold a CZ 550 FS in .308... very nice rifle... for deer, the 550 in .308 is miles ahead of the 527 in 7.62X39.
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.308 may be miles ahead but miles don't matter much when shooting < 150 yards with open sights. Shot placement always matters and easy to work on when $250 for 1,000 rounds non-corrosive hollow point...

At open sights range 7.62x39 not much different than 30/30 which has proven its effectiveness on deer about as much or more than any other cartridge. .308 works well, use it and .300WSM on deer too but 7.62x39 bang flop just fine. Question for OP though, why .308 for deer when already shooting .243 - same ballistics / reloading components... CZ 550 Lux in .243 at Corlanes h ttp://corlanes.com/cz-550-lux-243-win-400490900833/
 
I have/had both... and I agree with a preference for the Ruger... but the CZ was a nice rifle also... my one and only beef with it, was the thickness of the grip... I have very large (3XL) hands and still found it mildly uncomfortable. The Ruger RSI is a MUCH lighter and wieldy rifle... I let the 550 FS go and kept the Ruger's... but found a 452 FS HMR to keep the CZ FS set balanced.



 
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RichardSlinger said:
Is the CZ550FS a quality rifle? Are there other's that I should look at?
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At its price point, at this time, I believe CZ is the only brand offering a quality built rifle with iron sights (existing Tikka T3 Battue models are not really up for direct comparison anyway).

IMHO, with proper form/practice and ammo matched to the rifle, it won’t be a challenge to consistently achieve < 2 inch groups @ 150 yards with irons which is adequate for big game. However, a small issue may be encountered in terms of precision shooting when using optics on a Bavarian stocked rifle even though it won’t adversely impact hunting scenarios.

First, use of anything lower than medium rings won’t allow sufficient clearance for the (factory) bolt. Secondly, achieving consistent cheek weld shot to shot could be a challenge due to that ring height coupled with such stock configuration – particularly in the case of an individual with smaller features (well, personally I found that a problem). The matter would have been much simpler if a variety of the CZ550 Standard model was more readily available here.

My CZs are not scoped and I am able to shoot both the Standard and Lux models well. However, recently, I needed to zero a friend’s scoped 550 Lux (.270 Win) for the first time and I struggled quite a bit to achieve consistency of proper cheek weld. In terms of accuracy, the rifle performed very well at 100 yards with the less expensive 150gr factory ammo (Federal Power Shok and Win Super X).

 
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hoytcanon said:
I have/had both... and I agree with a preference for the Ruger... but the CZ was a nice rifle also... my one and only beef with it, was the thickness of the grip... I have very large (3XL) hands and still found it mildly uncomfortable. The Ruger RSI is a MUCH lighter and wieldy rifle... I let the 550 FS go and kept the Ruger's... but found a 452 FS HMR to keep the CZ FS set balanced.

Click to expand...

I concur the grip is a tad thick on the CZ. That's a handsome set of Rugers you've there.
 
RHall said:
The CZ'FS's are nice looking rifles, been looking for one for awhile in 223
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The middle rifle in the picture above is a 527 FS .223... also have a 452 FS LR and a 452 FS HMR... they are all much slimmer and more comfortable to handle than the 550's.
 
I'd like to buy one of these rifles to use with open sights for deer, my 243 has a scope but i'd like to try to hunt with open sights.

Will this be a good caliber?

Yes

Can I shoot at 150 yards with open sights?

Easily

What ammo would be best for deer in 308?

Anything soft point around the 150gr - 168gr mark.

Is the CZ550FS a quality rifle? Are there other's that I should look at?

There are many rifles in the price category of a CZ. None of them come with a set trigger.

thank you
 
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