CZ Rifles in 308/30-06/300 Win Magnum

[CA Raider]

Would like to get some thoughts on the loads for the CZ rifles. I have been looking at purchasing one of the CZ-550 line. There is a basic CZ rifle with Mannlicher stock that is available in either 308 or 30-06 (there are a couple of other calibers as well). They also have an upgraded long-distance rifle that they offer exclusively in 300 Win magnum.

My purpose is owning the rifle is a mixture of hunting and campsite defense for overseas use (Africa). I'm not planning on taking really big game, hence I do not need the 375H&H cartridges. I'd like to hear thoughts on caliber choices 308 vs 30-06 vs 300 Win magnum.

thanks,
CA-R

 

[rcmodel]

The .308 uses a detachable mag and holds 4 rounds.

The 30-06 is an internal box mag and holds 5 rounds.

The .300 Mag holds 3 rounds.

I believe if it was me I'd get the 30-06.

You can't beat that caliber with a stick for ammo availability anywhere in the world either.

rc

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Campsite defense? Could you elaborate a bit on that please.

It would have to be the 30-06, I have a CZ550 with the dropped comb, try get the American stock, the dropped comb changes the felt recoil.

I use a local powder so it would not help you, I now exclusively use 180gr. Accubonds, Remington cases, CCI200 primers and 52.2gr of S365 to get around the 2620fps mark. The S365 is almost identical to IMR-4350 so 51.3 or 51.8gr of IMR-4350 could be a good start.

 

[stubbicatt]

The one thing that the 308 has going for it is the availability of 10 round detachable box magazines of a quality that will cause your eyes to pop. I have one of the "Varmint" rifles in 308 and those 10 round magazines are really very nice.

Everybody has something they like, and for what you describe iron sights are most likely the best choice, as there is nothing to go wrong. This suggests either the "Lux" if you can find it or the "FS" model.

Good luck, and I hope you are as happy with yours as I have been with mine.

 

[MaterDei]

I have a 550 Premium in .270. Being just a necked down 30-06, it too has a 5 round internal box mag, which I prefer to a detachable mag in these calibers, ymmv.

The single set trigger is very nice too.

 

[Captcurt]

JMHO!

30-06 is hard to beat. If I can't kill it with an 06 I don't need to be shooting at it. And like Andrew said, go with the American for less felt recoil. It pushes straight back into your shoulder and not up into your cheek.

 

[BigBore44]

I too have been looking at the 550 with the Mannlicher. I hopped on buds and read the reviews. I wasn't too happy with what I found. I love the looks of that rifle. But the bad reviews were BAD. I'm considering the Ruger MkII International if for no other reason than the awesom customer service of Ruger. But those who like their CZ's, REALLY like them.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

The 300 WM is my favorite 30 caliber. That being said the 30-06 will stop anything you need to stop. I would pick the 06 just because of ammo and honestly how good of a caliber they are.

 

[Robert]

Honestly, I'd get the 375. It will do everything the others will do and then some. You can down load it to near 06 levels or load it with 300gr solids for nearly anything on the planet. It really is a true do all cartridge. The versatility of 375 H&H is often over looked.

 

[I6turbo]

I too have been looking at the 550 with the Mannlicher. I hopped on buds and read the reviews. I wasn't too happy with what I found. I love the looks of that rifle. But the bad reviews were BAD. I'm considering the Ruger MkII International if for no other reason than the awesom customer service of Ruger. But those who like their CZ's, REALLY like them.

What Bud's reviews are your talking about? With a quick click-through of the CZ 550 models on Bud's page I counted a total of 18 reviews. Seventeen (17) 5-Star reviews (highest possible rating) and one (1) 1-Star (lowest possible rating) review. The single bad review was because the owner wasn't happy with how CZ-USA was handling a complaint/warranty request about the gun. (For second opinion of CZ-USA warranty service, check out RFC where they get very good ratings). Perhaps I missed a model or two, but I attempted to click on all 550s because I have been very happy with my two 550 FS guns as well as all my other CZs, so I wanted to see what other people were complaining about. Turns out, by and large, they're not.

If anyone wants to see the Bud's reviews just click on an individual gun and then scroll to the bottom of the page to see if there's been any reviews posted for that particular gun.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_63_971/sort/6a/page/1

 

[BigBore44]

I6turbo,

CZ 550 American Safari in 458= one star rating
CZ 550FS in 6.5x55 Mannlicher= one star rating

Both complaints were about the rifle and the Customer Service.

I will admit that everyone makes a lemon from time to time. It happens. I also admit that the customer's review didn't tell exactly, in detail, how the interaction with CZ's customer service transpired. I just know what I read. And both customers stated they will NEVER buy another CZ product again. So it "reads like" it was a pretty bad experience. I did not count all the reviews as I have been up for 20 hours as of now, but lets say it was 17 good/excellent reviews and 2 terrible reviews. That means 11% of the reviews were complaints about both the rifle and the customer service. That's not real good... In fact, from a QC and PR standard it's absolutely horrible.

However, there is another thread here about "your go to brand of firearm". There were so many that said "Ruger", I stopped counting. I'm not diehard Ruger. I own many other brands also. And I love them as much as you love CZ. So we're both happy with our purchases. If the OP is set on CZ, by golly get a CZ. But based on reviews I read, and my personal opinion and many other THR member's opinions about Ruger, I personally, will choose a Ruger when I decide to buy.

 

[claiborne]

Cz 550 fs 30-06

I purchased a NIB CZ 550 FS 30-06, sight unseen some years back. It was a very nice and accurate rifle with great looking wood. It fired my IMR 4895, Barnes 165 XXX, handloads into 3/4 inch at 100 meters with open sights.
It was hard for me to shoot with a scope mounted. I could not get an adequate cheek weld.
I purchased an NECG peep sight that was really trick, but I could not figure out how to remove the factory rear sight ramp. Even with the screws removed and a little heat, it would not budge. The sight ramp was interferring with my line of sight from the peep to the front blade.
So I though why not just keep it for fun instead of hunting as I own a small handful of CZ rifles and like them. After about 100 rounds the stock cracked behind the action down through the grip. I sent the rifle to CZ for repair.
Customer service was pleasant, they only kept my rifle a few weeks, I think it was about a four week turn around including shipping time. My beautiful swan was returned an ugly duckling. I don't know where they found the piece of wood my new stock was carved from, but it looked to have come out of a peanut butter jar.
CZ customer service refused to take the rifle back and put another new stock on it that was at least as pretty as the original. I do not have the rifle any longer.
I still have 2 CZ 452's, 2 CZ 527's and I have sold 2 CZ 452's as well as that 550.

 

[Col. Plink]

30'06 more common than .308?

Am a little confused... '06 hasn't been used by our military in 50+ yrs, 308 still is and was made by all the NATO-aligned countries too.

Is 30'06 really still more available? I'll admit I have 2 of both...

Opinions, thoughts?

 

[TexAg]

.30-06 has been way more available during the worst of the "ammo scare" here. Often, the '06, .270, 7mag or .300 mag were the only rifle rounds on the shelf. I see .308/7.62 now, but there still seems to be more and greater variety of '06.

 

[I6turbo]

I'm not diehard Ruger. I own many other brands also. And I love them as much as you love CZ. So we're both happy with our purchases. If the OP is set on CZ, by golly get a CZ. But based on reviews I read, and my personal opinion and many other THR member's opinions about Ruger, I personally, will choose a Ruger when I decide to buy.

True, people should buy whatever they like and are comfortable with. I own a couple of Rugers and have owned several over the years past. They are/were good guns as is virtually every other gun in their price range. I currently have only one Ruger. I have 10 CZs, 7 of which were purchased new and 3 used. I sent one of the used CZs (a 550) to CZ-USA because I didn't like the way the safety felt. They made it work the way I wanted and sent it back to me in less than a week's time (shipped it within a week of having received it, that is), and they paid all the shipping. I love the way the guns feel and how accurate they are, customer service works just fine for me, so I'm happy.

 

[BigBore44]

I6turbo,
Sure do like being able to settle things like gentlemen. It doesn't always happen, but it's why I love THR.

Col. Plink,
The '06 is more available because of the a couple reasons.
1. It's been around forever.
2. It's hands down the most popular big game hunting cartridge ever produced.
3. When the AR's became popular there was this NATO cartridge that big game hunters/competition shooters had to have it in. It was the .308/7.62x51mm. Then there were these panics. And everyone bought up .223 and .308. To my knowledge there isn't an AR chambered in '06. So it is only logical that the '06 is always more readily available during a "black rifle" panic.

 

[CA Raider]

no I'm not dead set on CZ. have also looked at Browning BAR II Safari. Still thinking about that rifle. And just to add total confusion to my mind - even took a careful look at the 6.5mm Swede cartridge. so ... still thinking.

CA R

 

[BigBore44]

CA R,
What are you using the the rifle for? You said camp protection. If I'm in a situation where I need a rifle to protect my family, I would want the biggest, hardest hitting cartridge I could get. Of the 3 you mentioned, the hardest hitting is the 300 win mag. BUT, your camp defense is going to be under 50 yards. I would discount the 6.5 Swede. And would probably discount the bolt action all together (for camp defense). I have 2 firearms I use for camp defense besides my SBH 44mag. My SA M1A with 20 round mag, and my lever 45-70. Both are VERY capable here and would be capable in Africa.

I'm really torn about how to answer your question of caliber (for hunting) choice though. I think most people never need more than an '06. They buy the 300 because its a "mag" so it must be better. True, it shoots flatter, but that really only comes into play taking shots at 400+ yards. Does the 300 have more energy. Yes. Is it needed? Not under really 400 yards.

Personal opinion: There are few animals on the planet that can take a well placed shot with a quality bullet from any of the 3 you mentioned at a reasonable distance. If I were going to Africa and not going after Elephant, Hippo, or Buffalo, my rifle of choice would be my 30'06. And I wouldn't be a bit concerned about performance.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

There is no escaping class and the 6.5mm is really nice. It simply punches well above it's weight. These are agonising decisions.

Great for Impala and if you can shoot Kudu as well with premium bullets.

If Blue Wildebeest were on the menu or Eland then the 30-06 would have to be the calibre of choice.