In the market for a new .30-06 and I've narrowed it down to CZ or Browning. I'm partial to Browning (see username) but open to suggestions. I like the looks of each yet each do have their drawbacks. I don't care for the polymer magazine of the X-Bolt but prefer a detachable magazine which the CZ does not have. The recoil pad on the Browning is great but have not personally felt the CZ. I think both have a great reputation. So what are your thoughts?
CZ 550 or Browning X-Bolt .30-06
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That is a tough one, I lean a little toward the CZ because I am a sucker for a Mauser action, but that Browning is a super fine rifle too. My only hangup with the X-Bolt is the locking bolt thing, it drives me plum crazy, I am sure that I could get used to it, but every time a shoot one it throws me off. Ultra modern rifle vs classic old school sporter tough call, comes down to personal taste.
I love the lines of the CZ, although the X-bolt is handsome in a modern sort of way. Both are plenty accurate and have good triggers. That plastic mag does seem out of place on the Browning, but they do work very well. I don't think anybody can say with any degree of certainty that one is superior to the other.
I would choose the CZ for the same reasons mentioned previously. Mauser action and lack of the plastic magazine.
I know it's a competitive market out there, but I doubt any of us wouldn't mind spending a few extra bucks on a metal mag.
I think you will love either. If you can't make up your mind, there is always the flip of the coin, or the eenie, meenie minie mo method.
good luck, it's a no lose choice
I know it's a competitive market out there, but I doubt any of us wouldn't mind spending a few extra bucks on a metal mag.
I think you will love either. If you can't make up your mind, there is always the flip of the coin, or the eenie, meenie minie mo method.
good luck, it's a no lose choice
The unlock button on the top of the handle the you have press to cycle the action, it is just annoying IMHO. Everything else about the rifle I love.
Don't buy the CZ unless you get a chance to handle it.They are quite heavy and feel like a 2X4 to some folks.Some have a less than smooth action.
You might fall in love with it but I wouldn't buy anything before handling it.
You might fall in love with it but I wouldn't buy anything before handling it.
Big difference in the average weight. The Browning comes in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. and the CZ at 8 lbs.
I've got the CZ550FS and it is a dream to shoot. Accuracy is outstanding and the single set trigger feature puts it ahead of the Browning in my opinion. Most groups at 100 are sub 1" and my barrel is only 20 inches. If you have ever experienced a situation where you have a critical shot opportunity you know what I mean. That set trigger option can't be beat.
No experience with CZ, but I think the X-bolts are really nice. I have one and it is a very accurate rifle. Also very light though, so I had to put a muzzle brake on it.
Hi!
I have shot them both. They are both fine. X-bolt is a nice modern rifle but conservative as I am I dont really like modern rifle like the X-bolt,Rem SPS 700,Tikka T3 etc etc.
With CZ you will get a RIFLE. This is no plastic toy, its the hard stuff. Pure cold steel! and its very well made. You will be able to pass it to your grandchildren and so on for generations
it will last!
I dont really think that 8 lbs is a problem, its not heavy (if your not a little girl right?) See the 8 lbs for what it does. It makes you shoot better!
Good luck.
I have shot them both. They are both fine. X-bolt is a nice modern rifle but conservative as I am I dont really like modern rifle like the X-bolt,Rem SPS 700,Tikka T3 etc etc.
With CZ you will get a RIFLE. This is no plastic toy, its the hard stuff. Pure cold steel! and its very well made. You will be able to pass it to your grandchildren and so on for generations
it will last! I dont really think that 8 lbs is a problem, its not heavy (if your not a little girl right?) See the 8 lbs for what it does. It makes you shoot better!
Good luck.
armedwalleye
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Look fast, and see if you can find a new old-stock Browning A bolt. They're still out there.
I'm a lefty, and shot the 7mag stainless Browing in a LH for a long time, and longed for a LH 7mm-08 with a wood stock, but wanted yo avoid the X bolt. Found an A bolt in a LH micro, and I'm very happy.
I'm a lefty, and shot the 7mag stainless Browing in a LH for a long time, and longed for a LH 7mm-08 with a wood stock, but wanted yo avoid the X bolt. Found an A bolt in a LH micro, and I'm very happy.
8lbs does not sound really heavy until you have to hike all day with it. A 5lbs Savage ultralight or 6lbs Tikka are much nicer to tote all day, though if you are recoil shy full power 180gr 30-06 handloads will sting you a little out of a 5-6lbs rifle. My 6.5lbs 30-06 will give me a case of shooters shoulder after a couple boxes of high performance loads. My 6 1/4lbs 6.5x55 is a sissy kicker and you can shoot it all day long in a T-shirt.
A dealer on Gunbroker has a few nice new A-Bolt II Medallions for $650 but they have the 26" barrel and I want the 22".
Gtscotty
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Bingo, I was pretty excited about buying a CZ rifle at one time.... then I picked one up. Not only did it seem heavier than necessary, but the ergo's did not seem that great to me. I'm not a weak man, but If I'm faced with a choice between rifles of similar accuracy and quality.... I'll pretty much always chose the one that weighs 2 lbs less. Sure, the lighter rifle will kick more in 30-06, but you can largely mitigate that increase in recoil through the use of a limbsaver pad; There aren't a whole lot of inexpensive mods you can do to make a heavy rifle lighter.
In your position I'd definitely go with the X-bolt... probably in stainless. Every time I pick one up in the store, I'm always impressed by their light weight and sweet handling.
Edit: I would demand a CRF action in a dangerous game rifle..... in a 30-06.... meh. I've never had a push feed rifle jam up or stick on me, even if it did, your life is probably not hanging in the balance most of the time when you're deer hunting.
I bought a Browning X-Bolt this summer as my first big game rifle (7mm RM). I simply love it. The gun is very well built and I love the looks of the gun. I read you didn't like the polymer magazine? I like mine. It is very quiet being loaded and unloaded, and my spare magazine does not make very much noise in my pocket bouncing around. I wouldn't listen to the other comments about the "locking bolt thing". I love my safety on my XBolt. I love how much safer the safety and bolt release are; Compared to other bolt actions, where the safety must be turned off to cycle the bolt. The ability to unload my firearm without turning the safety off is quite a nice feature, and I really love it. The rifle shoots very accurately at 300 yards. That being said, one of the few downfalls i can think of are the X-Bolt requires its own scope mounts. (I have heard a few different companies make scope mounts that would work, but I bought the official Browning mounts because of the recoil) The mounts costed around 40 dollars, which isn't too much. Just a thought. Another thought is also unloading the gun. When the bolt is opened, no matter how slowly you slide it back, it kicks the bullet out quite hard. That being said, those are the 2 small downturns I can think of on this gun. I love it. I would definitely recommend you try it. The recoil pad is beautiful. Everything about it shines.
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