Question about CZ550 Varmint in .308

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jon_in_wv

Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
3,816
A local shop has one of these for sale at a good price:

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=21

My question is, what do you think of it? I know everyone talks about Remington model 700s, Savages, Winchesters, etc.....But how do you think this one stacks up?

Keep in mind I'm just asking YOUR opinion of what YOU think of it. NOT how it fits ME, what I'M going to use it for, or any factors like that just simply what you think of the rifle and / or the CZ rifles in general and how they compare to the others. I you have any info on the quality of the stock on that model I would like to hear about it too. If seems really nice and it fits me nicely.
 
I own one of their 527 Varmint models in .223 and am very fond of it. Behind my Garand it is my favorite rifle. The accuracy is great though many of the manufacturers today are putting out sub-MOA rifles. I'm not sure its the absolute most accurate option out there but I'm getting .5-.75" groups with mine and the handload it likes best. I figure from there a lot of the group size is my lack of ability.

The real winning point of this rifle to me over the field is the trigger. When set the pull is very crisp and can be adjusted under a pound. When unset you can adjust for pre travel, post travel, and weight down to about 1.5lbs up to whatever you may want. Its a great system that I really enjoy. Like I said a lot of manufacturers today are putting out good rifles that probably will shoot just about like this does. That said the trigger to me set this rifle in a class by itself. It really is even better for the hunter that shoots paper as you can use the set trigger at the bench and the unset part in the field for a little safer pull. Only real issue is that it takes Metric rings that are a little hard to find and not always the cheapest though the rifle may come with a set.
 
My neighbor bought a used one. The gun store salesman claimed that it had never been fired. After a couple of times at the range, a part fell out of the trigger assembly. He returned it to CZ and they gave him a brand new rifle no questions asked! Before it broke, I spent some time shooting it to sight in the scope and it shot very well at 100yds. It has a two-stage trigger which you can use to make it a hair-trigger pull if you wish. Very nice. We haven't had a chance to break in (no pun intended his new CZ, but I'm looking forward to it.
 
I have one with the walnut stock that I purchased used last year. It turned out to be a woodchuck slayer, can really reach out and touch targets, and has a superb trigger. I think they are wonderful rifles if you can stand the heft of it around in the field.
 
I've had mine now for just over a month. I got the excellent walnut stock because I appreciate the thin wrist section.

It shoots better than I do. Cold hammer forged barrel. Single set trigger. Controlled round feed. Detachable box magazine. All blued steel. Pillar bedded. Really a nice rifle.

Be aware that unlike other short actioned rifles chambered in 308, this one is a standard length action (i.e. 30-06 length) and the bolt will come back a bit further towards your nose. If there were one single change I would make it is the action length.

The claw type extractor also sort of slows down the action some vis the Remington or the Savage.

It is fairly heavy, but it shoots like a dream. If you have heard the expression "old world craftsmanship," I think it was directed towards this particular rifle.
 
I like the CZ rifles and own several.

But a varmint 308? What kind of varmints do you need to shoot?
 
While I'm a fan of CZ rimfire rifles, I do not particularly favor their centerfire rifles.

Not that there is anything wrong with them... there just not my preference.

We sell a few CZ centerfires now and again with favorable opinions from the owners.:D
 
To answer the question, I think that the CZ 550 is an excellent, well made rifle, and one of the best values going in a rifle - the best value among mannlicher stock rifles.

Never understood though why everyone and their dog includes .308 win as a caliber choice for their "varmint" designated models. Who hunts varmints with a .308? Now nothing wrong with getting a good precision rifle in .308 - it's just the choice of the term "varmint" as the marketing tool to describe them that is a bit puzzling. Sure, you can load up 100-110 grain screamers out of a .30 cal, and some people do this, but most choose a smaller bore for varmints.
 
Uncle Mike any reasons why you don't like the CZ centerfires?

They just toss varmint on all their heavy barrel models to keep consistency through the models. Ask a barrel manufacturer for a varmint contour, be that in a .22 caliber or a .30 and you'll get a heavy barrel with a taper. Its no different than Remington or Savage. Savage has their varmint low profile available in 300wsm. Remington has their 700 SPS Varmint in .308.
 
I have 2 550's, one in American configuration and is 6.5x55mm, the other in Medium (9.3x62mm - they don't sell this one anymore, but it's basically the Lux stock with the crossbolts for added strength). Both have taken elk and both are totally awesome shooters (they are both capable of better accuracy than I am anyway). I love the triggers.
 
Uncle Mike any reasons why you don't like the CZ centerfires?
Click to expand...

No reason other than I prefer dark roast over mild coffee.

The CZ is by anyones standard an excellent made, superbly accurate rifle.
I have nothing but praise for such, however there are items that I don't particularly care for such as the proximity of the bolt handle to ones trigger finger or the bolt shroud itself.

Some of the floorplate designs I would not agree with, and so on.....
The safety on more than one of CZ's rifles I don't care for.....
...And let us not forget the triggers... not to my fancy....

Other than that... I have, and will own more, CZ centerfire rifles-:D

Never understood though why everyone and their dog includes .308 win as a caliber choice for their "varmint" designated models. Who hunts varmints with a .308?
Click to expand...

Not that one can't 'varmint' hunt with a .308 as the doc said... but....
I guess if your so called varmint weighs 300lb the 308 might be a excellent varmint round... I prefer a high speed .22 or .25 caliber for my varmint duties.

I think the correlation may stem from all the... dare I say it... Tactical lingo that graces most conversations now days.... because you all know... if it aint tactical... it aint tacticool! :neener:

Peace:D
 
It would be more for target punching out to about 600 yards. Its also offered in 22-250 but I have a Savage I will probably convert to a smaller caliber. I like the 308 as a good mid ranged power weapon that is a little softer shooting than my 7mm. I though the 550 was actually rather light for a heavy barreled 308. The dealer is asking 660 for the rifle and it comes with a single shot setup and a mag. Overall I just really like the feel and look of it. I thought it would make a decent bench and long range rifle that could be pressed into hunting duty if I so desired. I realize it wouldn't be optimum for hunting but I don't really hunt anyhow. I'm more of a target shooter really.
 
I have one and have had no issues with it. Typical (good) CZ fit and and finish. I haven't shot it much so I'm not quite sure what it might be capable of. It is on the heavy side. You won't want to be lugging it around very much.
 
Took mine to the range this morning.With handloads, it is capable of one hole groups at 100 yards. Mine likes 165-180gr bullets. The groups open up significantly with 150gr and lighter bullets, but I might not have hit the right load yet. Stock quality with all CZ's is variable. The wood on my .308 Varmint is okay while my CZ-550 in .30-06 has a very nice stock with lots of figure in the wood grain. This rifle is made for shooting, not carrying. I like mine a lot.
 
I have 2 BRNO's, the CZ550's predecessor. They are excellent quality rifles. Since they are true Mauser CRF actions, you will have to feed them from the magazine as the claw extractor may break if you load a round directly into the chamber and force the bolt closed.

This can be remedied by altering the extractor or by pressing down on the external metal portion of the extractor body. I just load my BRNO CRFs through the magazine since they are big game calibers 30-06 and .375 H&H.
 
CZ's are well worth the purchase.
Varminter in .308? Chalk that up to English as a second language or odd marketing.
It's a Mauser in .308 with a nice stock and bull barrel. That's a good thing. :)
 
geologist, I remember reading in the instruction manual which came with mine you can single load the cartridges by placing them in front of the chamber. I've done so and my extractor hasn't yet broken.

I hope I'm not wrecking it.
 
It comes with a magazine with an aluminum plate on the top to make it a single shot. I can't imagine they would sell it with that if that would break it would they?
 
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_49/ai_105642917/pg_2/

Mauser actions are designed to feed from the magazine. When firing single shots on the range, proper procedure is to load the cartridge into the magazine, so as the bolt is closed the cartridge rim can slide behind the extractor claw. However on the CZ rifles the extractor claw is beveled and relieved. In an emergency situation a single cartridge can simply be dropped into the chamber and the bolt slapped shut. The extractor will snap over the cartridge rim.

This procedure does stress the extractor and should be avoided when time permits. Generally with my Mauser-type rifles I load the magazine to capacity and then close the bolt to chamber a round. If I want the rifle loaded to full capacity the procedure is a bit different.

Load the magazine to capacity; drop a round into the chamber; depress the top round in the magazine while pushing the bolt forward so the bolt doesn't pick up another round. With the bolt forward, reach under and around the receiver with the left hand and press the external extractor tight against the bolt, then lower the bolt handle with the right hand. Pressing the extractor against the bolt cams the extractor claw outward, making it easier to slip over the cartridge rim.
Click to expand...
 
The aluminum plate seems a little dished out too. Its possible that it holds the round low enough that it slides up under the extractor like it was fed from the magazine?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
CZ 452 varmint vs 453 varmint
Replies
8
Views
17K
Jaim03
J
R
  • Locked
CZ 527 Varmint Kevlar
Replies
15
Views
6K
rection47
R
CZF
  • Locked
452 American makes Outdoor Life's Editor's Choice!
Replies
6
Views
582
jefnvk
J
A
  • Locked
which 22 LR rifle?
Replies
14
Views
796
alexanderplatz
A
T
  • Locked
Lend me your knowledge....CZ or Browning
Replies
2
Views
400
Smith357
Smith357
Back
Top