Ruger No. 1 vs CZ-550 Safari

[Southern Raider]

I've been considering a new rifle purchase in a large magnum caliber. The two main contenders are the Ruger No. 1 action and the CZ-550 Safari Magnum. I have experience with neither of these and was hoping others here did.

Both are very nice and I was able to inspect them at the gun store. Stainless versions of the Ruger are about $50 less than the CZ. The CZ is bolt action and has a set trigger, which is nice. They are of similar weights as well.

Any comments on comparable accuracy or anything else to sway my opinion? Based on what I have seen, I am tilting towards the CZ.

Thanks+

 

[Float Pilot]

I have owned a couple CZs and they are good rifles. The stocks on mine were a little on the pretty side for what I do to them. The wood finish seemed a little soft and the scratches really showed up fast after a couple weeks of crawling up and down the hills around here.

The CZ might need a little more cleaning and care because of the nice blue jobs they have applied. The machining on my CZs are all better than the two or three Rugers I have around the house.

What caliber were you thinking about?

 

[aspade]

I can't say much about the Ruger #1.

The CZ is a nice rifle. The Safari comes in two different stock styles, try shouldering them both before buying one.

I wouldn't give a lot of thought to accuracy, neither of these are bench guns and nobody I know can tell a 2" from a 1" gun from field positions - other than prone which is even more fun with a .458 than benchresting is.

 

[phantomak47]

After doing a lot of reading about hunting rifles and professional hunters in Africa, I found that the CZ although sometimes a little rough is the desired rifle/action of PHs.

Now if your talking about Dangerous Game caliber, CZ is one of the few actions that you should even consider. No 700s in DG country for a good reason. Get the CZ

 

[BobMcG]

The Ruger No1 is one of my favorite rifles but you haven't stated the main intended purpose of the rifle.
IMO Unless you're being backed up by another experienced hunter you'd probably be better off with a bolt repeater if you intend to be going after dangerous game in thick brush or otherwise close quarters.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Now if your talking about Dangerous Game caliber, CZ is one of the few actions that you should even consider. No 700s in DG country for a good reason. Get the CZ

Oh, I think my 700 BDL SS .375 Ultra is just dandy for the big nasty critters, with loads that devlop more energy at all ranges than the .416 Rigby or .458 Win Mag. factory ammo (5,870 muzzle and well over 4,000 at 200 yards). And I still have the trajectory of a .270 Win. 150 gr. load.

To the original query, I would go with the Ruger #1. No good reason, other than I'm really drawn to that rifle. Just personal preference. I have fired the CZ 550 magnum in .416 Rigby, and it is a very nice rifle. Easier on the shoulder than my .375 RUM, too.

 

[Bartkowski]

Oh, I think my 700 BDL SS .375 Ultra is just dandy for the big nasty critters, with loads that devlop more energy at all ranges than the .416 Rigby or .458 Win Mag

I don't think that they are saying that your rifle doesn't have the power required, I think they are saying that it is a push feed rather than control round feed which is obviously preferrable when hunting something that could kill you.

 

[Southern Raider]

What caliber were you thinking about?

Something loud and powerful, such as 375 H&H or 458 Win Mag. I suppose if I went with the Ruger I could entertain 45-70 loaded to the higher pressure levels.

..you haven't stated the main intended purpose of the rifle

I don't hunt. This would mostly be a nice looking, big bore rifle that turns big rocks into little ones.

Sounds like it's a personal preference thing and both are good guns.

 

[zinj]

Oh, I think my 700 BDL SS .375 Ultra is just dandy for the big nasty critters, with loads that devlop more energy at all ranges than the .416 Rigby or .458 Win Mag. factory ammo (5,870 muzzle and well over 4,000 at 200 yards). And I still have the trajectory of a .270 Win. 150 gr. load.

It isn't the the chambering, its the fact that the 700 extractor is a bit on the measley side. You don't want the extractor slipping off a stuck case when something big is bearing down on you.

 

[Eightball]

Something loud and powerful, such as 375 H&H or 458 Win Mag. I suppose if I went with the Ruger I could entertain 45-70 loaded to the higher pressure levels.

I don't hunt. This would mostly be a nice looking, big bore rifle that turns big rocks into little ones.

Get the Ruger, then. If you aren't hunting game where your life depends on it, and it's just for fun, get what you think you'll enjoy the most; if this were an actual Safari gun we were talking about, your primary concern should be function rather than form, in which case some of the upgunned CZs are actually quite interesting; I hear they can't keep the .505 version on shelves.

But yes, it does boil down to personal prefrence.

 

[rangerruck]

accurACY IS NOT A comparison , really. the cz will smoke a ruger, and the 550 will come with sights, not sure of the ruger, and you can get a smokin tactical aftermarket stock from cz for it as well.

 

[pinotguy]

Is a big, belted magnum cartridge an absolute necessity ? Were it me, and given your non-hunting criteria, I'd look at the CZ-550 American in 9.3x62 or the Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74R. Ammunition for both is no less difficult to find when compared to the belted mags (no less costly as well) and each of these calibers will

turn big rocks into little ones.

 

[Sagetown]

You can't help but love those CZ's, they're great.

 

[phantomak47]

I don't think that they are saying that your rifle doesn't have the power required, I think they are saying that it is a push feed rather than control round feed which is obviously preferrable when hunting something that could kill you.

Thats exactly what I meant, I suggest Craig Boddingtons ," Safari Rifles" to examine this topic some more. That is why you will never see a PH with a 700.

 

[Southern Raider]

Is a big, belted magnum cartridge an absolute necessity ? Were it me, and given your non-hunting criteria, I'd look at the CZ-550 American in 9.3x62 or the Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74R.

No, a belted magnum is not a requirement. Being a military rifle enthusiast, any caliber other than that used by militaries or the typical deer rifle is an unknown to me. Untimate caliber selection would be driven by availability of reloading components and the ease of reloading.

For me, this rifle is as practical as owning a 50BMG. I have no real need for it other than the sheer joy of touching off a round.

 

[critter]

I have a Ruger #1 in 45-70. No info on the CZ. The Ruger is a wonderful rifle. That chambering is power aplenty, accuracy aplenty, good looks, a handy rifle and a really fun gun. It has all the horsepower I'll ever need and all I want to pull the trigger on 'for fun'. Good, stiff 'Ruger loads' in the 45-70 will surely keep you from wondering if you had a failure to fire when you pull the trigger!

I just wouldn't go after biting game with a one-holer, so if that is ever in your future, you might look at something else.

 

[Float Pilot]

My oldest daughter (Army Combat Engineer) just came back from South Africa where she made a (later measured) 400 meter shot with a 375 HH.
The locals were somewhat surprised.

(There are times when accuracy does count in a big bore).


Kimber's new 375 HH got good reviews in the last issue of Rifleman.

 

[aspade]

I wasn't trying to say that accuracy doesn't count, just that on the rifle side of the equation you're looking at 'accurate enough' or 'also accurate enough'.

Good shooting by your daughter! What'd she tag?

 

[Gordon]

My SS 700 Brown Precision prepped .375 feeds upside down. I have campaigned Rem 600s and 700 enough to trust that 'flimsy' extractor, course I clean and maintain them. I trust it for Africa, but won't be shooting buffs.I have shot a bear with it in Alaska though!
Get the CZ! I like my #1s, (and #3s) but an all round hunting gun in a heavy caliber they aren't. The CZ has pretty much eclipsed the old Whitworth (yes I like Mauser CF actions and agree they are the most fool proof ) as an inexpensive reliable heavy and everyone I know who has one is pleased.