Anyone shooting a CZ550?

[threejones]

I've been eyeing a used CZ 550 Varmint in 22-250. It's got a Kevlar stock, but seems to be original otherwise. The price seems to be about right, but I don't know much about the 550 (I own a 452 in 22lr and love it) So I'm expecting good things. I'm wondering if there's anything about them that might sway my decision, such as the detachable box mag on it, I'm worried it's going to limit bullet choices etc. CZs seem to have a good track record for accuracy but no one seems to know much about durrability, triggers, pet loads, etc. I'd love to hear what people who have some experience (good or bad) with these things have to say about em. The action is buttery smooth and the fit and finish is outstanding, just worried I might be missing something.

Thanx,
Cody

 

[luke]

I dont have alot of knowledge about these guns but a close friend of mine bought one a few years ago. I have shoot several hundred rounds through it since he got it and really enjoy shooting it. We have never loaded for it because he got it chambered in 7.62 x 39. not really any need to reload for it because about 2 months before he bought that gun he came across a deal on ammo for his AK and bought 10 thousand rounds for 400 bucks. The 2 stage trigger is awesome and the accuracy is outstanding. The only complaint that I would have for this gun is the caliber. If I could find one in a 22-250 or a 243 I would have a new coyote gun.

 

[captacademy]

I have a CZ 550 in a 375 H&H mag and it shot very well. I have since had it bored out to a 416 Rem mag and the accuracy is still very good! With reloads the rifle will shoot 3/4 MOA from a bench with sand bags and a rest. For the money, it's a good rifle. I have taken it on several safaris.

 

[benchracer]

With a CZ, you get a lot of rifle for the money: controlled feed, set trigger, nice fit and finish, they tend to have pretty good barrels.

Compare that to most other rifles in their price range, plastic everything, made as cheaply as possible, mediocre fit and finish and questionable quality control.

IMO, you have to spend a lot more money to get a better rifle. You can buy a CZ for about the same money as you would pay for a Remington 700 CDL. I would buy a CZ any day of the week over just about anything else being made.

I own a CZ452 Lux and a CZ 550 Safari in .375 H&H. If I buy another off the shelf rifle, it will be a CZ.

I own two Remingtons, both have been good rifles and shoot well. Both have been a PITA to mount a scope on because neither one has a straight receiver. They are nowhere near the rifles that my CZ's are and they would have cost about the same when new. I won't ever buy another Remington.

 

[threejones]

I think I'm gonna go ahead and buy it. If it's even close to the quality of my 425 lux, I'm sure I'll love it. It's a bit more than I wanted to spend on a rifle in 22-250, but the bang-for-the-buck factor makes the deal for me... Coyotes Be Ware!!! Anyone out there have any other good pet loads to start out with?

Thanks,
Cody

 

[Lapua guy]

I've been eyeing a used CZ 550 Varmint in 22-250. It's got a Kevlar stock, but seems to be original otherwise. The price seems to be about right, but I don't know much about the 550 (I own a 452 in 22lr and love it) So I'm expecting good things. I'm wondering if there's anything about them that might sway my decision, such as the detachable box mag on it, I'm worried it's going to limit bullet choices etc. CZs seem to have a good track record for accuracy but no one seems to know much about durrability, triggers, pet loads, etc. I'd love to hear what people who have some experience (good or bad) with these things have to say about em. The action is buttery smooth and the fit and finish is outstanding, just worried I might be missing something.

Thanx,
Cody

I have a 375 HH 550 Safari Classic. It is a GREAT gun.

 

[luke]

I load for 2 weatherby's, a ruger. and a savage 22-250. All of them shoot under an inch at 200 yards with 39gr of H380, a cci small magnum primer and seirra 52gr match bullets.

 

[threejones]

I load for 2 weatherby's, a ruger. and a savage 22-250. All of them shoot under an inch at 200 yards with 39gr of H380, a cci small magnum primer and seirra 52gr match bullets.

Thanks, that's one of the first loads I'll run. The 52gr Seirra seems to be a sweet one in 22-250, what kind of brass are you running?

 

[threejones]

Does anyone have a good coyote load for the 22-250 (especially for a CZ would be even better)? 223 is the only thing I've ever vamint hunted with, so this 22-250 thing is kinda new for me.

 

[luke]

Thanks, that's one of the first loads I'll run. The 52gr Seirra seems to be a sweet one in 22-250, what kind of brass are you running?

I usa a mix or federal and winchester brass.

 

[benchracer]

I am in the process of load development for my 22-250 (not a CZ, but a sporterized BRNO 98 mauser).

One thing to pay close attention to is the max COAL needed to reach the rifling. I checked my chamber dimensions and found that I need to load my bullets seated pretty long in order to minimize the jump to the rifling. Factory loads seated to SAAMI specs have so far not shot particularly well in my rifle. My long seated handloads, on the other hand, are showing promise.

I have done some research online and it appears that 22-250's with long chamber throats are common.

I have not shot anything but paper with my rifle, so I cannot comment on terminal performance. So far, it is showing a definite preference for 50 and 52 grain bullets (I am shooting V-MAX and A-MAX, respectively). Barrel twist rate is 1:14. It stabilizes 55gr bullets with no problem, but does not shoot them as well as the lighter weights. Ditto for the 60gr Hornady spire points that I tried.

I use Remington and Winchester brass and CCI Large Rifle primers.

 

[threejones]

I am in the process of load development for my 22-250 (not a CZ, but a sporterized BRNO 98 mauser).

One thing to pay close attention to is the max COAL needed to reach the rifling. I checked my chamber dimensions and found that I need to load my bullets seated pretty long in order to minimize the jump to the rifling. Factory loads seated to SAAMI specs have so far not shot particularly well in my rifle. My long seated handloads, on the other hand, are showing promise.

I have done some research online and it appears that 22-250's with long chamber throats are common.

I have not shot anything but paper with my rifle, so I cannot comment on terminal performance. So far, it is showing a definite preference for 50 and 52 grain bullets (I am shooting V-MAX and A-MAX, respectively). Barrel twist rate is 1:14. It stabilizes 55gr bullets with no problem, but does not shoot them as well as the lighter weights. Ditto for the 60gr Hornady spire points that I tried.

I use Remington and Winchester brass and CCI Large Rifle primers.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. My Dad has been having some issues with his 22-250 as well(not sure what make) I'm betting that he's seating his bullets a bit deep.

On a side note, I got to handle a BRNO, for the first time, a couple days ago. Very impressive! So much so, that a BRNO will definately be my next gun. I'll have to keep you in mind once I've saved enough to pick one up.

Thanks again
Cody

 

[benchracer]

A few years ago, I happened upon a small gun shop that had a bunch of BRNO 98/22 mausers for sale for about $80 each. I bought two of them. Even then, the same rifles in the same condition were selling for about twice that online.

About the same time, a good friend of mine scored a pristine 98/22 at a roadside sale for $40. He nicknamed that rifle "Bubba." "Bubba" will never be sporterized. The 98/22's are not as commonly seen these days, but they do show up once in awhile.

The BRNO made VZ-24 actions seem to be fairly common these days and are known to be quality actions as well. Here are some examples of what is commonly available right now:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214460561

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214655227

From an economic standpoint, the Mark X commercial mausers are a better platform for a build.

However, I have a sentimental soft spot for my BRNO mausers. As long as you know going into the build that it will cost more to build on the BRNO (and you are OK with that), you will likely be very happy with the end result.

Good luck scratching the BRNO itch. Let me know if I can help.

 

[threejones]

A few years ago, I happened upon a small gun shop that had a bunch of BRNO 98/22 mausers for sale for about $80 each. I bought two of them. Even then, the same rifles in the same condition were selling for about twice that online.

About the same time, a good friend of mine scored a pristine 98/22 at a roadside sale for $40. He nicknamed that rifle "Bubba." "Bubba" will never be sporterized. The 98/22's are not as commonly seen these days, but they do show up once in awhile.

The BRNO made VZ-24 actions seem to be fairly common these days and are known to be quality actions as well. Here are some examples of what is commonly available right now:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214460561

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214655227

From an economic standpoint, the Mark X commercial mausers are a better platform for a build.

However, I have a sentimental soft spot for my BRNO mausers. As long as you know going into the build that it will cost more to build on the BRNO (and you are OK with that), you will likely be very happy with the end result.

Good luck scratching the BRNO itch. Let me know if I can help.

I hear ya on the "soft spot." I'd love to track down a really old one just to have around as well. Those european boys turn out some really neat guns. The guy who owned the BNRO had a newer Blaser as well. It had a cool kind of arc motion to cycle the bolt. They seem to come up with some really clever designs. I seem to be a sucker for weird, hard to deal with, guns.