Thoughts on CZ 550 American Safari Rifle?

NorthernPF

NorthernPF

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Hey guys!!
Thinking about getting myself a .375 H&H this fall and was looking at rifles that chamber it.

I like the CZ 550 American Safari but was wondering if anyone has experience with this rifle in particular.

Any opinions or comment regarding a good rifle in .375 H&H would be appreciated aswell!
 
I almost bought one a month or so ago. Nice guns, handled well and very well built. It was a toss up between the 550 or the Model 70 in 375 H&H. I ended up with the Model 70 as it was a little bit nicer for the same money. I don't think you'll go wrong with the 550 IMO.
 
I've been using one for 3 years no problems other than Barnes bullets copper it up pretty fast, shoots well and recoil is not to bad. The copper problem seem to happen in all CZ rifles.
 
DIGGER2 said:
I almost bought one a month or so ago. Nice guns, handled well and very well built. It was a toss up between the 550 or the Model 70 in 375 H&H. I ended up with the Model 70 as it was a little bit nicer for the same money. I don't think you'll go wrong with the 550 IMO.
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Those new CRF M-70s are nice looking rifles.
 
Demonical said:
Those new CRF M-70s are nice looking rifles.
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I have to agree the Model 70 just had a little bit better looks. The fit and finish was just a little nicer. Here's a picture of the one I bought.
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NorthernPF said:
this might be a noob question but what does CRF stand for?
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Controlled round feed. Mauser actions and their derivatives like the CZ550 and the pre-64 and Classic M70s are CRFs. The external claw extractor grabs the cartridge rim as soon as it makes contact with the cartridge. This makes double feed jams impossible and allows the rifle to be cycled in all orientations.

Some people consider it essential on dangerous game rifles, others disagree.
 
NorthernPF said:
this might be a noob question but what does CRF stand for?
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The Mauser guys think it means getting a firm grip on the rim and then pushing it into the chamber. They get the grip by pushing the rim under the extractor just in case gravity takes a holiday. The push feed guys do the same without the firm grip stuff. They think that gravity never takes a rest and dangerous game is mostly over at The Lion Safari anyway.

But the only true Controlled Round Feed belongs to us single shot guys who grab the round firmly in our sweaty fingers and then place it into the chamber.

I really think this repeating rifle stuff is just a fad.

edit:
oops ... geologist came up with a better answer than mine whilst I was typing ... pretend you're a teenager and ignore me
 
I own that exact rifle in a laminate stock and absolutely love it. The best group I've ever shot with it was about 1.25" at 100m with factory 270gr Federal soft points. Most average about 1.5" so far. I'm positive I could tighten up accuracy even more with custom ammo.

There are only two issues that I've found with it. The stock is designed for use with a scope, so when using the irons you really have to mash your cheek down onto the stock to get a proper sight picture. With a .375 that results in quite a smack to your cheekbone. However, with a scope on it, everything lines up beautifully, and is very, very comfortable to shoot. The stock design, 1" recoil pad and weight of the rifle really soaks up the recoil. I've found it more pleasant to shoot than any of the lightweight .300 Win mag rifles I've shot.

The other thing is that the magazine is optimized for the really monster cartridges like the various .416's and .458's, so the .375's can rattle around a bit. If I load 5 in the mag with an empty chamber they rattle a bit, but as soon as I strip the top on off and chamber it, the mag is nice and quiet. Something to do with the mag geometry and floorplate design. That being said you can stuff 6 rounds in the mag and a 7th in the chamber if you really want to. Feeding is as smooth as oiled glass. :D

In short, its my favorite rifle and I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Thinking about loading it with some lighter-grain Accupoints and taking it out for whitetails this fall. R:d:
 
I have the older BRNO 602, the predecesor of the CZ550. It's very accurate and reliable too. Shot the group below with the express sights using the set trigger! And yes the magazine holds 6 and does not rattle.

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I would prefer the CZ (or BRNO) myself - but I dont know the Winchester at all (so what do I know then).

I find the questions to ask is : 1. iron vs. scope? 2. How powerful? I like the "hogback" stock designs for the 416 Rigby and up. The 375 is on the border. I find that while you need to have a little more upright head position, you dont get slapped as hard by the rifle, especially if you use the iron sights.

My BRNO 450 Ackley with a straight stock beat me to a pulp until I modified it to leave my cheek alone.

Im sure the Win is a fine rifle as well - but I feel they are both more suited to a scope than iron sights.
 
geologist said:
Controlled round feed. Mauser actions and their derivatives like the CZ550 and the pre-64 and Classic M70s are CRFs. The external claw extractor grabs the cartridge rim as soon as it makes contact with the cartridge. This makes double feed jams impossible and allows the rifle to be cycled in all orientations.

Some people consider it essential on dangerous game rifles, others disagree.
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I mentioned this while looking at a CZ 550 at LeBaron's. The clerk promtly told me it was BS and proceed to cycle a remington 700 with a dummy round, upside down, behind his back :eek: . It cycles fine if you do it quickly.
 
diemaco said:
I mentioned this while looking at a CZ 550 at LeBaron's. The clerk promtly told me it was BS and proceed to cycle a remington 700 with a dummy round, upside down, behind his back :eek: . It cycles fine if you do it quickly.
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True and the majority of 700 owners say the same thing.

Next time have the clerk load 2 dummy rounds into the 700s magazine. Tell him to chamber a dummy round by pushing the bolt forward but don't close the bolt, have him pull the bolt all the way back and then push the bolt forward again. it will strip another dummy round out of the magazine while at the same time your first dummy round will still be in the chamber.

A CRF won't let you jam your rifle with a double feed.

TBS if you have a DGR push feed and it feeds 100% then really you have no worries. Better a push feed that works 100% than a CRF that feeds poorly.
 
I just got the new WSS catalogue and they are listing those new M-70s in .375H&H, .416RM and .458WM for only $1,170.

That's a pretty nice price IMHO.

They come with crossbolts, barrel band, iron sights. Pretty much all you need is an excuse to take one hunting... anything.


Btw, back to the OP, I am a fan of the Brno's. I've got a ZKK-602 in .416RM and a CZ-550 in .458Lott.
 
NorthernPF said:
Hey guys!!
Thinking about getting myself a .375 H&H this fall and was looking at rifles that chamber it.

I like the CZ 550 American Safari but was wondering if anyone has experience with this rifle in particular.

Any opinions or comment regarding a good rifle in .375 H&H would be appreciated aswell!
Click to expand...

I have a CZ 550 Manum in 416 Rigby. Nice rifle, well made, accurate. I would buy another one, although with the new Winchester M 70's coming out...
 
375 h&h

Seeing as how you asked, I've got an older Sako AV in the H&H. Can't comment on how it shoots yet but it is a pretty sweet handling rifle and shoulders/cycles like a dream. Gorgeous tiger striped wood too and my only complaint so far is that it doesn't have sights. I will post a couple pictures of it tomorrow.
 
The BRNO 602 and 550s are far heavier and bigger than needed for a 375H&H. I've owned a couple 602s in the past. Currently own a Rem 700 in 375 and the weight is perfect for the chambering.


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