Tell me about the CZ 557

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Max-4

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Hey, after looking online thru the Canadian CZ website (www.czub.ca) I came across 2 rifles that I may be interested in. The first being the CZ 557 Lux and the second is the CZ 557 Carbine. I am looking for a handy short length (under 42" overall) bolt action rifle for hunting deer, moose and black bear in Ontario. I have found that I like the more European style "humpback" stocks or at least something with a little bit of drop.

Now it looks as if the Lux may have a bit more drop than the Carbine, what do you think? Looks like the Lux has an overall length of 41.8" and the Carbine is 41" but both have the same 20.5" barrel. Do you think that the Lux is just 0.8" longer in length of pull giving it the extra length? Now the CZ 550 has a full blown Mauser style bolt with a claw extractor and all. Is the new 557 a push feed like say a Remington 700?

Then the final decision is caliber and I am only interested in the 30-06 Spfld, .308 Win and 8x57 Mauser, and here are my questions regarding them. Does the CZ 557 have the same action for all 3 calibers? In other words is it the same length of "bolt throw" or the same length of opening in the top of the receiver for the 30-06 as the .308? If the .308 is shorter it may be a shorter quicker bolt throw and have a shorter opening on top for mounting optics. If not and it is the same length of action and "bolt throw" than the .308 doesn't have any advantages over the 30-06 in my eyes. Now about the 8x57 Mauser, please educate me on this round a bit. I read that its pretty much on par with the .308 and 30-06 as far as bullet weights, velocity and foot pound energy. How is it to find here in Canada or even Ontario? I DO NOT reload my own ammo so I would be relying on over the counter ammo and want to be able to get various 150gr and 180gr hunting ammo for under say $30 per box.

I am leaning towards the 557 Lux so please help me with any information you have, I may have finally found my dream rifle!!!
 
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No info on the action other than it's push feed. It doesn't have the single set trigger. I heard that the stock on the carbine was designed to produce the proper cheek weld for both iron sights and a scope.

8x57 is an interesting beast. Has a lot a knockdown power potential. There are 2 different bore diameters. .318 and .323. North American lawyer specification ammo is really anemic as compared to the european stuff... European stuff is generally premium. General weights are 150 and 196 gr. As far as I know, tradex carries the european loaded ammo. Not sure who else... I reload, so I pay less attention to who has ammo. Couldn't tell you the price. The 8mm ammo can be tuned above factory 30-06 ammo of same bullet weight. I have never reloaded 30-06, so I can't speak to how much it can be warmed up.

Hope this helps.
 
amosfella said:
I heard that the stock on the carbine was designed to produce the proper cheek weld for both iron sights and a scope.
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You mean on the 557 Lux? Its states that right in the write up in this link I posted below. Looks like the Carbine has a more American stock configuration.

http://www.czub.cz/en/catalog/364-centerfire-rifles-cz/KM/CZ_557_lux.aspx

I would love to know for sure if the 557 is going to come in short action for the .308 and long action for the 30-06? Meaning a shorter bolt throw and shorter gap to mount a scope on with the .308.
 
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If you go onto the CZ-USA site under rifles they list the "short centerfire" and in there the 557 is offered in .243 and .308. Then if you go to the "standard centerfire" they list the 557 with the .270 and 30-06 the long calibers.

I wonder if there is a difference in action length here, would the .308 be better over the 30-06 then if its a shorter bolt throw and shorter gap to mount optics?
 
If you look at the 2014 catalog, the specs are the same for both 30-06 and 308 CZ 557 carbine. So it would appear the same action is used, cheaper to produce. 8x57 Mauser is not a good choice for a non reloader as it is not readily available and with limited choice. 30-06 has the best availability with the greatest selection. Also it rarely is sold out, as it is a hunting round and not a "tactical" round :)
 
gunaddict99: Thank you very much for your post. I'm not yet convinced that they use the same action on the short calibers as the long calibers. It says in the catalog that "both short and standard action lengths are available depending on chambering". ARRRRRGGGG what does that mean!?!?!? Does it mean that you can get short action cartridges like the .308 and long action like the 30-06 on the same action platform? Or does it mean you can get both short and standard action lengths????

In the catalog right after it lists the .308 and .243 it says (short action) in brackets...
 
what happened to the 555 ? i was hoping the new push feed would be nicer than their clunky 550 which i own in a 6.5x55 lux. i like it i just thought the new one might be better and now its disapeared, or did they rename it the 557?
 
Max-4 said:
gunaddict99: Thank you very much for your post. I'm not yet convinced that they use the same action on the short calibers as the long calibers. It says in the catalog that "both short and standard action lengths are available depending on chambering". ARRRRRGGGG what does that mean!?!?!? Does it mean that you can get short action cartridges like the .308 and long action like the 30-06 on the same action platform? Or does it mean you can get both short and standard action lengths????

In the catalog right after it lists the .308 and .243 it says (short action) in brackets...
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In general terms, Short actions are only of sufficient length to chamber the shorter calibers up to .308 (i.e. based on the short .308 case). Standard actions can support a longer cartridge and therefore can be chambered in for example .270 or 30-06 which are based on the longer 30-06 case.

Since CZ list the same overall dimensions for both I suspect they are probably doing what some other manufactures do, which is to move the bolt stop forward on "short actions". This limits the length of bolt travel but the receiver is the same overall dimension. Additionally they use the same magazines but they are blocked at the rear in the short cased calibers i.e. .243/.308. This is much simpler/cheaper to manufacture than having to produce a different second receiver and magazine. I believe Tikka T3's are a common example of this technique. I think your frustration is the result of typical marketing. They advertise both short and standard length actions as a feature. However they don't point how it is achieved as it would likely not be viewed as a positive since there is neither a savings in weight or length. Just the bolt travel would be reduced.

A true short action "machined to a shorter dimension" typically reduces the OAL by about 1/2" and saves several ounces. Does it really matter? That is really up to the individual. But it is something I think we can appreciate as we gain more firearm knowledge/experience. But are we willing to pay for the difference?
 
Hopefully you can find a store stocking this model in the different calibers and confirm for yourself. I don't see how you could go wrong with a 30-06 for its versatility. I have a CZ527 carbine and the 557 carbine looks like it would make a good bigger brother.
 
Sure. I got it off of the EE, and at a price the stellar and I agreed upon. I won't say more than that, but I'll post pics when I get it, and give you my impressions after I put my vortex Diamonback on it and take it to the range
 
gunaddict99 said:
In general terms, Short actions are only of sufficient length to chamber the shorter calibers up to .308 (i.e. based on the short .308 case). Standard actions can support a longer cartridge and therefore can be chambered in for example .270 or 30-06 which are based on the longer 30-06 case.

Since CZ list the same overall dimensions for both I suspect they are probably doing what some other manufactures do, which is to move the bolt stop forward on "short actions". This limits the length of bolt travel but the receiver is the same overall dimension. Additionally they use the same magazines but they are blocked at the rear in the short cased calibers i.e. .243/.308. This is much simpler/cheaper to manufacture than having to produce a different second receiver and magazine. I believe Tikka T3's are a common example of this technique. I think your frustration is the result of typical marketing. They advertise both short and standard length actions as a feature. However they don't point how it is achieved as it would likely not be viewed as a positive since there is neither a savings in weight or length. Just the bolt travel would be reduced.

A true short action "machined to a shorter dimension" typically reduces the OAL by about 1/2" and saves several ounces. Does it really matter? That is really up to the individual. But it is something I think we can appreciate as we gain more firearm knowledge/experience. But are we willing to pay for the difference?
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Your assumption may be true. CZ statement - "both short and standard action lengths are available depending on chambering" would be considered truly misleading if such isn't the case. However, I've a feeling that 557 Carbine receivers are scaled. Going by the variance in OAL between the 557 Carbine and Lux models - the LOP itself shouldn't be so different since there are no compact (youth) models being advertised.

Anyway, CZ (Europe) is quite prompt at responding to customer queries .......
 
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