CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

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CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Member-Deleted » 02 Jul 2019, 2:24 pm

walnut stock, open sights, yada yada yada, $799 new.

any one have one? what's not to love?
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by bigpete » 02 Jul 2019, 2:39 pm

Detachable box mag or hinged floorplate ?
I've got one,it's an awesome rifle,very accurate,great trigger,a bit heavy,but mine is the American model,and it has a 4 round box mag. I'd much rather a hinged floorplate magazine.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Member-Deleted » 02 Jul 2019, 2:47 pm

detachable mag but at least it's a small one at 4 rounds. my Howa 308 has a 10 round box mag and is a pain. i prefer hinged floor plates too
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by bigpete » 02 Jul 2019, 8:33 pm

Ok,same as mine then. I love mine except the magazine and the weight
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by marksman » 02 Jul 2019, 8:38 pm

yay, whats not to love :thumbsup: :drinks:
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by JimTom » 02 Jul 2019, 9:55 pm

Mate I would grab one in a heartbeat. Wished this deal was around a few years ago when I got my .308, also a CZ but a 557. It is a tack driver though.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Diamond Jim » 03 Jul 2019, 1:49 am

I paid double that a few years ago for my 550 in .270W
I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity. The 550 is a quality rifle. If you are in the market to buy then jump! I prefer the 550 to the model that replaced it.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by flutch » 03 Jul 2019, 2:50 am

mate theyre great shooters, get it.
Guns:
Rossi S/S 410
Lanber U/O 12 gauge
Adler B220PG 12 gauge
Ruger 22lr
Remington 270 win
Howa 223
Weatherby 300 Winmag

Bows:
G5 Quest Drive
G5 Prime Defy
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by gordicans » 03 Jul 2019, 10:15 pm

I see it's available in creedmore, that looks like a goody
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by mickb » 03 Jul 2019, 10:19 pm

I always rated the 550 highly. Owned them in 375H&H and 2x 416rigby long ago. Did a lot of research and was very close to getting a 308 back in 2013.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Kumaabear » 04 Jul 2019, 12:57 pm

Yay.

Make sure you function test it with a full magazine.

Magazine follower springs can be too strong, and the feed lips sharp, this can cause rough feeding especially the first 1-2 cartridges off the top of a full magazine.

Great guns, but just be aware of the above potential issue if the magazine isn't perfect. Its the kind of thing that will annoy you but that many gun stores will turn around and say "it just needs to wear in".

Can be easily fixed by a smith, or at home by adjusting the spring and sanding/polishing feed lips and the guns are great and going away soon from the look of it. well worth buying and fixing the issue even if it does have it, but might let you talk the price down.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by JimTom » 06 Jul 2019, 9:33 pm

Have you decided yet mate?
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Member-Deleted » 07 Jul 2019, 9:34 am

JimTom, not yet mate, still prevaricating... looks like no-one has had a bad word to say about the CZ and they look the goods, and at a bargain price to boot. But here's the thing, i already have a 308 and don't want 2 of them. so i was planning on a doing a like-for-like swap, knowing i'd lose on the trade and have to stump up $300 or so in cash. I'm OK with that. But then running the numbers in my head made me pause. My Howa is a "scout rifle" with 10 round mag, Williams peep sights,Pic rail, flash hider and a short [>20' varmint] barrel that will clover leaf 3 rounds of factory ammo and handloads at 100 all day... the only thing i don't like is the Hogue rubber stock. For about $300, i could swap to a Boyd laminate or Howa walnut stock and keep it. and for another $25 i could swap back to an internal mag with floorplate like the CZ.

also in the decision making mix is the strong itch to pick up a 25-06. now if i do that I'm not sure any 308 is going to see much work.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Peter988 » 07 Jul 2019, 10:29 am

Kumaabear wrote:Yay.

Make sure you function test it with a full magazine.

Magazine follower springs can be too strong, and the feed lips sharp, this can cause rough feeding especially the first 1-2 cartridges off the top of a full magazine.

.


Exact problem I’ve had with my new Sauer 223. Just jams with either 1 or 2 in the mag. It’s now back with the dealer.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by JimTom » 07 Jul 2019, 12:12 pm

Member-Deleted wrote:JimTom, not yet mate, still prevaricating... looks like no-one has had a bad word to say about the CZ and they look the goods, and at a bargain price to boot. But here's the thing, i already have a 308 and don't want 2 of them. so i was planning on a doing a like-for-like swap, knowing i'd lose on the trade and have to stump up $300 or so in cash. I'm OK with that. But then running the numbers in my head made me pause. My Howa is a "scout rifle" with 10 round mag, Williams peep sights,Pic rail, flash hider and a short [>20' varmint] barrel that will clover leaf 3 rounds of factory ammo and handloads at 100 all day... the only thing i don't like is the Hogue rubber stock. For about $300, i could swap to a Boyd laminate or Howa walnut stock and keep it. and for another $25 i could swap back to an internal mag with floorplate like the CZ.

also in the decision making mix is the strong itch to pick up a 25-06. now if i do that I'm not sure any 308 is going to see much work.


Sounds like a bit of a conundrum mate. Few things there for you to consider. If you do pull the trigger (pun intended) and decide to buy let us know mate.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 11 Jul 2019, 8:46 pm

Purchased one last week. 550/308. Yay? Today gave it back to the shop to send back to Winchester (supplier) I am hoping, really hoping it is OK, and they can fix it, but......the magazine will not hold a single, by itself, round. As soon as I noticed the problem I made some dummy rounds. Projectile no powder, no primer. Its like setting a mouse trap. You put the 1st round in v e r y c a r e f u l l y. If yr not careful, it just pops out. The second round goes in....no problem, 3rd 4th 5th. OK. Eject the rounds 1, 2, 3, and when the 4th is ejected, the 5th i.e. the 1st round you put in the mag, jumps out as well. If you load one round, and it stays, tap the stock and it jumps. aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Any ideas on that one?
P.S. 550 Rings/mounts are different. Harder to get. I have ordered a rail (Also particular to the 550) so I have the choice of Weaver style rings etc.
I also own a 527/Ebony .223. I am going to have its children
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 11 Jul 2019, 9:01 pm

Member-Deleted wrote:walnut stock, open sights, yada yada yada, $799 new.

any one have one? what's not to love?

The day I purchased mine in Melbourne, it was on the shelf for $1399/$1499, no matter. That was a couple of hours after I got a email from that shop in Brisbane, advertising for $799. It seems they (my shop) were in the process of having a "constructive conversation" with Winchester, as the one I was looking at on the shelf had only just been delivered. I got mine for the going rate plus guessed postage to Vic. Right place, right time. Does your shop have them IN STOCK??? Someone ordered 50 from Winchester. Don't pay up front unless you have it in yr hands.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by solarpak » 11 Jul 2019, 10:04 pm

Member-Deleted wrote:walnut stock, open sights, yada yada yada, $799 new.

any one have one? what's not to love?


A BIG YAY!!!
Superb Czech rifle - made the good old fashioned way.......

One rifle i regret moving on - a CZ 550 in 270 Win with the most gorgeous tiger striped walnut stock!!

For i am Costanza - lord of the idiots..........when it comes to selling guns i should have kept !!

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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by JimTom » 13 Jul 2019, 12:03 pm

madang55 wrote:Purchased one last week. 550/308. Yay? Today gave it back to the shop to send back to Winchester (supplier) I am hoping, really hoping it is OK, and they can fix it, but......the magazine will not hold a single, by itself, round. As soon as I noticed the problem I made some dummy rounds. Projectile no powder, no primer. Its like setting a mouse trap. You put the 1st round in v e r y c a r e f u l l y. If yr not careful, it just pops out. The second round goes in....no problem, 3rd 4th 5th. OK. Eject the rounds 1, 2, 3, and when the 4th is ejected, the 5th i.e. the 1st round you put in the mag, jumps out as well. If you load one round, and it stays, tap the stock and it jumps. aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Any ideas on that one?
P.S. 550 Rings/mounts are different. Harder to get. I have ordered a rail (Also particular to the 550) so I have the choice of Weaver style rings etc.
I also own a 527/Ebony .223. I am going to have its children


Mate have a think about the Warne vertical split rings. I use them almost exclusively. I have a set on my CZ557 in .308.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 22 Jul 2019, 6:32 pm

Warnes, yes I do like them. Looking at QD's though, so I can swap between scope and red dot. have same set up on the 9.3x62. Also I meant "Weaver" style mounts to fit the pic rails.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 25 Jul 2019, 7:28 pm

Got my 550 308 back from Winchester, easy fix, magazine "lifter" was out of shape...Had instructions also which basically said, DONT BE GENTLE WHEN YOU CYCLE THE ACTION, ok, I can do that. Now we go and play.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 31 Jul 2019, 6:11 pm

madang55 wrote:Warnes, yes I do like them. Looking at QD's though, so I can swap between scope and red dot. have same set up on the 9.3x62. Also I meant "Weaver" style mounts to fit the pic rails.

The rail from EGW doesn't fit. Was told to file the corners. Did that, looks ugly. Have gone with the Warnes. Looks real good. Shoots nice as well.
Is it just me or are the actions on these new CZ's stiff as...especially when the bolt is all the way back. Feel like I want to load up some polishing compound and spend a few hours cycling the action. My 527 is the same with the Magazines, not smooth at all.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by JimTom » 01 Aug 2019, 7:18 am

I have used a 550 on several occasions mate and have found the same. Controlled round feed never as smooth as a push feed in my limited experience either. Pretty sure both the 550 and 527 are both controlled round feed.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 01 Aug 2019, 10:22 am

Yup
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Kumaabear » 02 Aug 2019, 9:55 am

I spent some time polishing the feed lips on my CZ527 magazine with wet dry and then buffing compound.
It did not make it as smooth as a push feed, but it does now feed reliably and does not jam.

I also pulled the magazine follower spring out and gently bent each coil back on its self to slightly reduce the spring pressure (don't go too far do it a bit at a time) Before this I had noticed fairly deep gouges in my brass caused by the sharp feed lips and high spring pressure adding extra friction.

(the above may be specific to just my magazine)


As far as the action goes:

I have noticed you really want to make sure that when you push forwards on the bolt you are not putting upward pressure on the bottom of the bolt knob, this will cause the bolt to tilt forward slightly and want to bind.

It took some getting used to but i just make sure when I push the bolt forward I'm also pressing down and left, its hard to describe what I mean but if you play with the action a bit you will notice that running it with this motion it suddenly smooths out. Also run it like you mean it, it likes it quick and firm haha :lol:

It will take some practice but now mine runs great, I sort of like that it has quirks to it. I also find it fun that handing it to a friend leads them to have rough feeding, yet taking it back off them I can run it slick and quickly with no issues.

I just keep in mind the following

1. Its a old world gun, old design guns often had to be run in a particular way for them to work correctly, look at any of the millsurps and loads of people have little tips/tricks/tweaks to make them run nice. The counter to this is more money spent on tighter tolerances, but that's not going to be at this price point. My FN Win M70 runs as slick or slicker than any push feed ive played with.... was also twice the price of the CZ

2. The labor that went into making the gun the old world way VS the amount they charge for them is well worth having to "tune" them to run nice in my opinion anyway.

Sorry for the wall of text.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by madang55 » 03 Aug 2019, 12:43 am

Best reply I've had. Cheers
p.s.
527. . I have the original 3rd mag and a 5rd. Both have "hard to feed issues" and I have thought about exactly what you have done. I might try that now, especially the springs.
I have a Rem700 in 223 and the 527. They shoot completely differently. The Rem like a 223...The 527 like a big un, but nicer to shoot than the Rem. The Rem is for sale, going cheap if anyone wants. I will get around to advertising for real later. Too many toys in the box.
550. .I will pay more attention to the way the action cycles. I think we are all spoilt when we pick up an "old" 98 action and love the smoothness. We forget that it has been worked many thousands of times already.
Last edited by madang55 on 03 Aug 2019, 10:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by bigpete » 03 Aug 2019, 1:54 am

Funnily enough I've never had any of the above problems in mine.......
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by jovialjosie2002 » 19 Aug 2019, 9:32 pm

In my opinion, the reason why these cz's are soooooo much cheaper now is because word has got out about how bad the feeding issues are. My cz527 has been back to winchester 3 times.....I ended up getting a tool maker to look at it. He tried everything, polished the feed lips, played with the follower, loosened the spring, then tightened it. In the end he believes its the sharp taper on the 7.62x39 case, hence he installed a "wedge" (piece of wood shaped like a "V" wedge) at the bottom of the magazine so that the rounds would feed better. Amazingly this has worked.....however....it is sooooo stiff and rough. My Howa in 204 is as smooth as silk....I sure wish I'd bought the Howa and not the cz.
Cz also advertise the cz527 as "shoots steel case better than brass" .....I believe that this is salesman spin for "feeds brass poorly....try the lacquer coated Hornady steelcase and it will feed better"....Like other people have mentioned the bolt moves around when you are cycling the bolt....placing your thumb on the end of the bolt and your index finger on the bolt handle is the best way to close the bolt.....IN SHORT, DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR AND BUY A HOWA!!!!
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by jovialjosie2002 » 19 Aug 2019, 9:38 pm

Do you really want to buy something made in czech or made in Japan.....there is a reason why toyota outsells skoda 100:1 in Australia.
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Re: CZ 550 STD IN 308 - YAY OR NAY?

Post by Diamond Jim » 19 Aug 2019, 11:31 pm

Wow, a heck of a lot of BRNO and CZ rifles have given great service since the end of WW2 throughout Australia and the rest of the world so they must be doing something right.

I have a CZ550 in .270Win and a CZ527 in .223Rem both are very accurate rifles. My brother has a Howa .223Rem and it's a very accurate rifle as well - he's a better shot than I and is also more diligent with load development than me. The Howa has a truly awful trigger - it's a shocker, heavy, gritty and just awful. Brother admits it but he's learned to live with it. To fix it means sending it away for a trigger job The CZ's are fully user adjustable and both are "set trigger" designs - no contest.
Quality? - I say (my opinion only and I'm biased) CZ wins hands down. Value? The Howa cost a half of what I paid for either of my CZs and does equally well at putting rounds where you want them.

YMMV, Jim
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