Decision for deer rifle:CZ 550 American vs Savage 14 classic and caliber help

[MattB]

Hi All,
I am trying to decide on a deer rifle for next season and would like some opinions/suggestions. I already have an 1895GS in .45-70, a remington .300wby mag with a VXII 4-12AO, and a .30-30win pre 64 1894 with a 4x sidemount scope. I want another bolt action rifle in a better caliber for deer as the .300wby is overkill and the other calibers are not really suiting for an open feild hunt. I am limiting myself to a cartridge than can take a deer out to 400 effectively (Yeah I know the .300 wby can but I do not have access to a range locally that will let me shoot it as the one I go to only allows 3500ft lbs of muzzle energy). I went to the gun shop yesterday and looked at a couple different rifles. I handled a CZ 550FS Manlicher in 6.5x55SE and a few tactical savages in .308 just to get a feel for the action,etc. I really liked the way the CZ felt and also liked the action but I would not get the manlicher stock. I also liked the savage action but they didn't feel as nice (probably due to the synthetic stock and heavy barrel). I have narrowed my choices down to 2 rifles but I have not narrowed down to what caliber I would prefer. I do not handload yet but I will start once I get the funds this summer and finally get a rockchucker. I am going to use a bushneel elite 4200 2.5-10x 40mm scope on the rifle I choose. The 2 rifles I have narrowed down to are:

CZ 550 American in either 6.5x55SE, .270Win, or .308Win

Savage 14 Classic in 7mm-08 or .308Win.

Any experiences or opinions that would help me decide will be appreciated. Such as accuracy, maintenance, action advantages, trigger advantages, fit and finish (the CZ looked nice but I have not seen the new savage 14 classic's finish in person). I also would like some advice on caliber chooce. Again this will be an under 400 yard whitetail deer rifle.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

 

[BozemanMT]

CZ550 without a doubt. The CZ is the best value in rifles currently. hammer forged barrels, the set trigger (which is awesome BTW), the wonderful wood, and teh amazing accuracy. (I own more than one CZ rifle).

.270 Win should be able to do everything you ask of it without tons of overkill and building a flinch.

 

[steve4102]

CZ 550 American is a great rifle. I have a 550 Am in 9.3x62 and this cannon will shoot sub 1/2 inch groups all day long. The trigger on the CZ is very easy to adjust, just follow the instructions provided. I have mine set at a crisp #3. I don't use the set trigger much, still trying to get used to it. The 550 American comes with scope rings the Full Stock does not.

I also have a 550 FS in 6.5X55SE. Can't comment on accuracy yet, it is still unfired.

The 6.5 Swede has a world wide reputation as an Animal Killer. They just drop-em dead. The 6.5 is also very easy to shoot. My 11 year old son shoots his M70 6.5x55 without any fear of recoil at all. Even loaded up to modern day pressures and velocities the Swede has very little recoil. My first choice would be the CZ in 6.5X55. I have no use for the 270, my second choice would be the CZ in .308. The .308 can be loaded light, heavy, fast, slow and everything in between, put that together with the accuracy of the 550 and you have a nice combo. But, it is still not a Swede!

If I were to purchase the Savage I would go with the 7MM-08. It is also a great caliber and very versatile.

 

[guidosarducci]

I have a Savage model 10 in 7 REM SAUM. It shoots very good, and doesn't have the accutrigger that the model 14 has. The accutrigger is better than mine. Savage has the model 114 which is a long action available in 270, but the 308 or the 7mm-08 will do as well with more bullet choices if you handload. Someone recommended the 308 over the 7mm-08 saying that there wasmore bullet choices in 308, but the very lightest are meant for the 30 carbine, and the heaviest for the 300 magnums. The 308 probably has more choices of factory ammo available in most shops. I haven't fired the CZ, but either rifle would be a good choice, the model 14 has a shorter action than the CZ in 270. My Savage is in stainless with a laminated stock, and it had the longest barrel available, 24", at the time, Remington 700 was 22" and I thought with large capacity cases the barrel should be as long as possible to get the maximum velocity with slower burning powders. It's the only Savage I own, but shoots as well as my Remingtons and Rugers, it was not as expensive as them either.

 

[CB900F]

MattB;

My personal choices would be either the 550 American in 6.5 Swede or .30-06. In point of fact, I have enough guns in 06 now, & would buy the Swede except for one point.

I'm a left handed shooter & CZ hasn't decided to provide us Americans with LHB centerfire's yet. Bah!! Humbug!!!

900F

 

[Sulaco]

Well, since I am currently saving for a CZ 550 American in .270 Winchester, I think you know what my answer is. I just finished researching and that is the absolute best gun going right now for what I want (a Whitetail Deer rifle that is affordable, extremely well made, all "iron and wood" and accurate!).

 

[MattB]

Thanks for the replies guys..good input. I am leaning towards that CZ in 6.5x55 SE. What is a good price range to pay for one and also can you get glossy finish rings? What rings would you recommend?

Thanks again!!

Matt

BTW...CB900F I did not forget about you...the safe pics look good. I was waiting on a answer from you for freight costs to a local hub to see how much that could save me and also I am waiting to sell my car trailer to come up with the funds for it.

 

[Sulaco]

budsgunshop.com

the CZ's come with rings that fit the integrated bases on the receiver

 

[Ash]

The Savage 14 Classic is a mighty fine rifle.

Ash

 

[Ifishsum]

I'm with Ash on this one...American Classic in 7mm-08 is my next deer rifle.

 

[kennyboy]

.270, .30-06, .308, 7mm rem. mag., and .300win mag. are all suitable for deer. I would not go any bigger than .300win mag. if you feel your .300 wby is overkill. The calibers I listed are the most common. I have a .30-06 and it works fine. The rounds I listed can shoot far and leave fairly big holes in deer. I like more power so I would not go much smaller than .270. My neighbor has a .25-06. He has downed deer at 500yds with it, but the hole is smaller.