Thinking about a CZ 550 American - Thoughts welcomed

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Walleyewhiz

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Been reading a lot about these lately and am thinking about picking one up, as they seem like a nice solid rifle built the way guns used to be built. For those of you that have them, why did you get it over a Model 70? How have you found the accuracy out of the box? Did the action smooth up, as the ones I have handled have seemed pretty darn rough?

All thoughts are appreciated.
 
I have both and prefer the model 70 because of the 3 position safety. I like the trigger on the cz and it does shoot accurately but the safety is too loud in my opinion. There is an audible click when it is disengaged and if you're in a tree stand and the animals are close, you're going to spook them before you get a shot. My vote is for the Model 70. No contest.
 
I just got rid of a model 70 extreme weather because of the lousy trigger and clubby feel, It was very accurate, well built and I would definetly buy another model 70 just not with the bell and carlson stock.
Personally I prefer the cz and both mine have 3 position safety's which seem more instinctive to me than reaching for the bolt shroud mounted one of the model 70. Triggers are fully adjustable both regular and set. The safetys are definetly positive and I go slow or it does have a discernable sound.
Definetly handle them well before you make your decision. Either one would be a fine rifle.
I didnt care for the hogsback stock of the cz's either but the american version comes with a stock more suited for scope use.
 
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I agree about the Bell and Carlson stock. I replaced mine with Boyd's laminate Prairie Hunter. I love that set up.
 
What calibre? My go to rifle in Canada for most hunting so far is a Sako 85 LH Hunter in 30-06 BUT I think for dangerous game a controlled feed instead of push-style feed theoretically makes sense ( although I've never had a 30-06 round just fall out). I would like to buy a LH CZ 550 Safari Magnum in 375 H&H because it has a Mauser 98 -style action with controlled feed. I may have to "clean it up" a bit...won't know til I use it. Having said that I have a CZ 452 Lux that is a very nice little bolt action 22. Alternatively instead of a bolt a nice double gun would be GREAT but the price goes up quite a bit.
 
I have a 550 magnum safari classic in 458wm and absolutely love it. So much so, that I am selling a few to replace them with other CZ's. First on the list is a 550 American in 30-06 as soon as I find one with decent wood. My 458 was a little rough in the beginning but it is as smooth as my father in laws pre-64 model 70 now. In other words, really smooth!
I think they are excellent rifles.
 
I've got a couple; a .375 that I shot out and rebarrelled to .375 Weatherby and a .416 Rigby. I spent enough on modifying and tweaking to pay for a M70 which I ended up buying anyway when production resumed. For all the hunting I've done with them, they got semi-retired about a minute after I pulled the M70 out of the box. No contest in my mind, the M70 handles like a bird-gun and the CZs handle like clubs.
 
Dogleg said:
I've got a couple; a .375 that I shot out and rebarrelled to .375 Weatherby and a .416 Rigby. I spent enough on modifying and tweaking to pay for a M70 which I ended up buying anyway when production resumed. For all the hunting I've done with them, they got semi-retired about a minute after I pulled the M70 out of the box. No contest in my mind, the M70 handles like a bird-gun and the CZs handle like clubs.
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I agree. My old Brno 602 handled like a wand, but the CZ 550 in .416 Rigby is more like a club, I sold it without firing a shot. Pretty hard to beat the new M-70s.
 
I'm not trying to argue with either of you, but for me the model 70's are too small. I'm a bigger guy and my 550 fits me like a glove and swings like my over under. From what I have read the model 70 seems to fit more people, but don't discount the 550 until you try it. For me, it's a 550 all the way.
 
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