Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa It Appears That CZ is Discontinuing the 550?

OK. I never made that connection.

I have a 704 and had a Garand. Just never compared them or even thought about comparing them

DF

I have a 550 American in 9.3x62. Got it about 20 years ago and it has become my favorite rifle. Good thing s they made a lot of 550s so you can always pick one up on the used gum rack somewhere. I'd like to have one in either 7x57 or 6.5x55. Might be time to start looking around.

Yep, that's one reason factory rifles are discontinued: Enough were made to satisfy demand, and maybe even exceed demand.

Which is why Savage never started making the 99 again. When they were discontinued, there were already enough to MORE than enough to saturate the market. Which is why basic-model .300 Savages sell these days for around $500, depending on condition and locale.

I laid in 3 and am damn happy i did. Nicest factory rifles available imho in both execution and design.

Maybe for heavy working rifles like African PHs need, but for nicest factory rifles I vote for Kimber.

I just threw up in my mouth a little

You need to do something about that acid reflux issue.

Endeavor to persevere.

Me too! I have picked up (7) of them over the years. My first was a 9.3x62 which sold for $425 new. I had the CZ custom shop convert it to a safari rifle for me with open sights, barrel band sling swivel, etc. It was my retirement gift to myself.

I then bought three more in 6.5x55, 30-06, and another 9.3x62. I had Wayne at AHR convert them all to his #3 package with beautiful wood. However, the 9.3x62 was converted to a 9.3x66.

I then found two AHRs in 9.3x62 on the net that were also Wayne's #3 packages, and I had to have them!

Finally, I bought a stock 550 in 9.3x62 that I will let Wayne convert to something for me. I wonder if one can convert this caliber to a 358 Norma?

I am VERY sad to hear that CZ has discontinued the 550. Perhaps I should pick up seven more...

I could live with ALL of my rifles being "obsolete"..

I've always liked what I heard Kaywoodie say one time..

He prefers to hunt with no rifle made after 1947.....

I'd be good with that...

Only blued/steel Hawkeye you'll be looking at (if you were too look) is old stock or African models. Plain Jane regular ol wood/blued Hawkeyes are also discontinued.

I checked into a 9.3 x 62 the other day thru a LGS I do business with and they couldn't find one but told me there were still some 550 Safari's in 375H&H,416, 450 Lott and 458 Wins still available at around $1250 ea and ones with high grade wood for around $1800. MB

My 2007 vintage 550 2007 Safari 375 H&H is not for sale or trade. CZ has a world market. From my understanding Brno and CZ rifles are widely used in Africa. It's hard to believe that CZ is abruptly. leaving that market. Some months back a shooter next to us was shooting a 550 in 404 Jeffery. The gun was a custom from CZ. That rifle was a knock-out. It's hard to convince me that there was a quality problem with his rifle or mine. Another member allowed how that shooter was getting ready for his third African hunting trip. One needs to remember that CZ was housed in the Evil Empire. CZ rifles were not imported to the US until the Empire dissolved.

CZ550 American in 9.3x62 on gunbroker.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865743082

Here's another 9.3x62 CZ550 with a "Buy Now" of $910 with a replacement Boyd's laminated stock, if that is your thing.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865891811

While I understand the need and the marketing of the Ruger American Rifle, the Winchester XPR, the Browning Abolt III, CZ 557, Savage Axis, Remington 783 and others, I believe it is a mistake to ignore or fail to promote your regular line of rifles.

I believe Winchester has not properly promoted the Model 70 for many years, then they bring out the XPR. If you watch some Winchester sponsored hunting shows, it's like the host HAS to hunt with the XPR, if it is chambered in an appropriate caliber. Who in that situation would hunt with an XPR when there is a Model 70? Ruger is dropping several previously success M77 lines. Not much left of interest. Seems everything is devoted to the American Rifle. CZ keeping the 557 while allowing the 550 to expire is another example. No longer a fan of Remington rifles, so I don't care what they do. It's hard for me to decide if Savage should be building the Axis as I really don't have a clue exactly what is the difference between it and the lower end Model 10 and 110. Browning promotes the XBolt well, but they are about the only one. Kimber builds the Hunter line, but it is not really a bargain rifle. The metal work is the same (but no threaded muzzle, uses a DBM and has a high quality injection molded stock) as the Montana. You can take a Kimber and move it to a Hunter stock and vice versa.

Are we doing it to ourselves? Gleefully snapping up American Rifles etc because they are cheap and accurate and mostly ignoring the traditional lines? We probably are.
I do have a Kimber Hunter as a truck/utility rifle and my daughters have Savage Model 10s. No Axis, 783, XPR or American RIfles.

If we want the traditional rifles, we have to buy them, or the manufacturers, mostly run by bean counters, will drop them ASAP. Don't let them.

When I'm able I want a CRF Model 70. I have not given up on Remington 700s because of their design and if you put a good trigger on them and properly bed them I am here to tell you they will still out shoot most of theseothers. I have three examples in my safes, a 700 SPS .30-06, an ADL Synthetic, .22-250, and an ADL .243. They will outshoot everything I have except my old old way pre-accutrigger Model 110 Savage 7 Rem. Mag.
They, all three will outshoot me. That .22-250 will shoot under 1/2 MOA. The .243 and the 06 will shoot right at MOA with me behind the trigger, better with younger eyes.