I think that's the reasons why it fit me so well, I have pretty big mits. Model 70's all seem too small to me. And I often carry around a 11 pound 300WM so the weight doesn't bother me either. Thanks for the input though!
Your opinions on the CZ550 Safari Magnum
- Thread starter blueoval56
- Start date
I think that's the reasons why it fit me so well, I have pretty big mits. Model 70's all seem too small to me. And I often carry around a 11 pound 300WM so the weight doesn't bother me either. Thanks for the input though!
I agree with everything said ...LOL
The CZs feel like a bigger, beefier rifle, and Dogleg's assessment is very accurate. They work very very well though. I wish i had a new Winchester to compare to as I have not handled one. I suspect they do balance nicely and have less "heft" to them.
I have and have had BRNO and CZs in 416 Rigby, 375, 450 Ackley, 300 mag, 30-06, and on and on in the smaller calibers. When using iron sights (the peep sights of NEGW with a higher front bread are excellent) I prefer the hogback style. However, the Rigby and the 450 has the hogback with low power scopes - as the scopes can be removed to use the iron sights.
They do tend to lift a bit more that a straight stock, but I accept that to enable me to use the iron sights without cheek smash.
I dont think you would go wrong with either brand - try them and see what you like.
BTW - at 6' 3", the LOP on the CZs are almost perfect for me..... everything depends on how a rifle fits, especially the bigger bores.
The CZs feel like a bigger, beefier rifle, and Dogleg's assessment is very accurate. They work very very well though. I wish i had a new Winchester to compare to as I have not handled one. I suspect they do balance nicely and have less "heft" to them.
I have and have had BRNO and CZs in 416 Rigby, 375, 450 Ackley, 300 mag, 30-06, and on and on in the smaller calibers. When using iron sights (the peep sights of NEGW with a higher front bread are excellent) I prefer the hogback style. However, the Rigby and the 450 has the hogback with low power scopes - as the scopes can be removed to use the iron sights.
They do tend to lift a bit more that a straight stock, but I accept that to enable me to use the iron sights without cheek smash.
I dont think you would go wrong with either brand - try them and see what you like.
BTW - at 6' 3", the LOP on the CZs are almost perfect for me..... everything depends on how a rifle fits, especially the bigger bores.
As simple as I can make it. A striker locking safety is like a deadbolt on a door, securely preventing it from opening or popping a cap. The trigger has nothing to do with it, just like the doorknob has nothing to do with the deadbolt.
A trigger blocking safety is like putting some tape on the doorknob in the hopes that nobody turns it very hard. It doesn't lock the door, it locks the doorknob.
A sear blocking safety is like propping a chair up against the door.
The 3 Position safety.
1. Fire. Easily my favorite.
2. On safe, bolt unlocked. I'm quite sure I can get the shell out of the chamber without shooting myself, but millions of rifles have been made that the safety doesn't lock the bolt. Someone must like it, and it doesn't really hurt anything. Did you know that the 550 has similar feature where you can take the safety off, lift the bolt then put the safety back on and work the cartridges through the action on safe? Sort of a 2 1/2 position safety.
Position 2 is handy for test chambering a couple hundred hunting handloads, but so is taking the striker out of the bolt. That only takes seconds with either the M70 or 550.
3. On safe, striker and bolt handle locked. I like this one, because I've had bolts open when carrying on a sling. The one that really bugs me is the bolt handle getting partially lifted resulting in a click when you wanted a bang. I could live with only 1 and 3 but the Weatherby Mark V is the only one I can think of that gives me that option.
The 3 position M70 or Mauser safety should be able to make everyone happy since everyone gets what they want. Strangely it doesn't.
I agree that the new model 70 safari is a good rifle. I had one in .375 H&H but found it was a bit heavier than necessary for a .375 and not balanced quite right for me due to having the same barrel profile as the .416 and .458 versions. In the end I replaced it with a custom mauser that is lighter and suits me better. I would buy another model 70, but in .416, or in .458 win mag and convert it to a 458 Lott. The feeding on those rifles is amazing right out of the box, very slick. In terms of the safety though I don't like the three position as much as the two position that is on my mauser.
I was going to rechamber my M70 in .458 Win to Lott, but tried A2230 powder. It cranks 500s out at 2200 and 450s at 2350 fps chronographed speeds, so I put the project on hold until such a time as I need more pain in my life. So far, so good.
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
I've got a 550 Magnum in 416 Rigby and like it. Mine has more of a straight stock with reasonable wood. I have found CZ's to well made and accurate. IIRC mine weighs about 10 pounds.
I find the length and weight to my liking, I wouldn't want to shorten or lighten it any. Not sure I understand the need for a barrel band sling, each to their own I guess. Mine holds 5 which should be good for about anything.
I had mine bedded and had crossbolts installed to safeguard the stock. Never had any issues though. The safety is a standard two position, while I love my Winchesters and the three position wing safety I have not had issues with the safety on my CZ, or my parker Hale, or my FN browning, or my BRNO 602.
I certainly would buy another, I find the CZ's to a very well made and accurate rifle. Is it right for you? Well, as others have mentioned, if it hefts right for you it will probably be fine.
I find the length and weight to my liking, I wouldn't want to shorten or lighten it any. Not sure I understand the need for a barrel band sling, each to their own I guess. Mine holds 5 which should be good for about anything.
I had mine bedded and had crossbolts installed to safeguard the stock. Never had any issues though. The safety is a standard two position, while I love my Winchesters and the three position wing safety I have not had issues with the safety on my CZ, or my parker Hale, or my FN browning, or my BRNO 602.
I certainly would buy another, I find the CZ's to a very well made and accurate rifle. Is it right for you? Well, as others have mentioned, if it hefts right for you it will probably be fine.
Guys I just want to say thanks for all the replies. Your opinions and likes/ dislikes has made this decision a whole lot easier.
I'll be leaving on a road trip tomorrow, but when I get back I'll be buying a 375H&H with the hogsback stock. And if I like it as much as I think I will, I'll be selling a certain pistol that never gets used to buy the 458 too
I'll be leaving on a road trip tomorrow, but when I get back I'll be buying a 375H&H with the hogsback stock. And if I like it as much as I think I will, I'll be selling a certain pistol that never gets used to buy the 458 too
Give Clay at Prophet River a call, he has the American style CZ 550's in stock..
Guys here are complainng about the draw backs between CZ/BRNO vursis Win 70, you will never be abe to purswade a model 70 guy to come over to a CZ, but most guys with CZ's have a few Win 70's, just seem to be the way things go, HAHA!
My CZ/BRNO ZKK 602 I just bought is a 300 Win Mag, the heaviest due to same barrel profile, and I love it! From the 1986 CZ/BRNO cataloge I have it seems that after this they eliminated the barrel band for awhile as my 300 WM is dated 1987 and it also has no barrel band?
Good luck!
Guys here are complainng about the draw backs between CZ/BRNO vursis Win 70, you will never be abe to purswade a model 70 guy to come over to a CZ, but most guys with CZ's have a few Win 70's, just seem to be the way things go, HAHA!
My CZ/BRNO ZKK 602 I just bought is a 300 Win Mag, the heaviest due to same barrel profile, and I love it! From the 1986 CZ/BRNO cataloge I have it seems that after this they eliminated the barrel band for awhile as my 300 WM is dated 1987 and it also has no barrel band?
Good luck!
No, I did not know that about the 550 safety.
Btw, my beef with the 3-pos safety is only regarding the belief that it should be a standard modification to the CZ rifles. I'm leery of getting it done to my rifles. You said you had your CZ's done Dogleg?
Since I got my M70, I love the 3-pos safety on it. Very intuitive to use.
My A.G. Zella-Mehlis 9.3x62, has the original 3-pos safety, and that one, I find every time I take the rifle out, I have to cycle through the safety positions to verify the function. The only position I know for certain is with the safety straight up. Lol.
If you are asking about the RSM, I don't like those, because in my opinion, the barrel is far too heavy. My buddy has a .416Rigby RSM, and I don't like the balance of the rifle, due to the massive barrel. I also know that famous Buzz Charlton elephant hunter PH etraordinaire, ran into problems with his RSM jamming on him (watch: Hunting the African Elephant, or The Essence of Elephant Hunting). He had a couple bad deals, where guys were nearly killed, while he tried to get his rifle magazine cleared.
As to the new Rugers, I don't know, haven't handled them. A lot of guys really like them; only issue with them, to me, is that they are only chambered in these new Ruger proprietary cartridges, which I am not interested in.
Appreciate the response. Just curious how the ruger is any different than any other Mauser for feeding? I have cz's and rugers and all feed beautifully. I realize its not your experience necessarily but just curious if there is a difference.
People's opinions are often a product of their differing experience's or situation. A mountain hunter may be used to carrying with an empty chamber. He could easily conclude that a rifle doesn't need a safety. Someone who hunts by himself, carrying his rifle on a sling may not care much either way, and the solitary still hunter may just prefer whatever he can take off the fastest.
Much African hunting is done with rifles cocked and locked, all day, everyday. Inevitably you are expected to have the rifle in your hands, ready to go at all times. You'll be on and off vehicles, still with the loaded rifle that is as often as not covered and filled with dust. You will be surrounded by trackers, a driver, perhaps a game scout or area rep, and PH, most of which seem determined to get shot. Some are carrying rifles of their own, sometimes with a rather cavalier or perhaps fatalistic approach to which way that 1/2" hole is pointing. After awhile a preference for the most securely locking safeties developes. Its not an absolute thing, I've used different rifles with different systems but when I've got a M70 type safety its like someone took a weight off me.
I just converted the one CZ .375, with Gentry parts. I've got a custom shop Remington that I'll switch one of these days. The .416 is sort of perma-parked so it doesn't matter much. Many of my other rifles came with their version of the M70 safety, some are M70s, some like the Mark Vs do at least block the striker and the rest, well I pick and choose where they get used.
I would think if you wanted to order a Classic with the 3 pos safety, that they can do it. All the Classics for CZ USA are done at Triple River guns now, shouldn't be a big deal for them to do that along with the other mods they do to them. If the OP was looking at the ones at WSS in Calgary, that is what he was looking at I believe.
Is that something you can install yourself, or is it a gunsmith install only thing? In which case, Ed LaPour wouldn't sell them to you or me?
