Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Opinions on CZ550 FS

Hello All,

Well this will be my first post at the campfire.
Posted on Shooters since '98 but I guess that site
is history now. Anyway it looks like a lot of the
familiar names from there are all here too.
So, does anyone have experience with or opinions
on the CZ550 full stock rifles? I've been considering
one for a while now and I usually read positive
opinions on the 550 American but rarely hear much about
the full stock models. I think the action is the same
in both and would expect similar quality. Mannlicher
stocked guns can be less accurate I believe than
regular stocks but they sure look nice and there really aren't many options with full stock rifles to pick from.
Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
Sean

Hey Sean..Welcome to the fire!

Check out This thread from down below..

Mike

I've collected full stock rifles for years and never found one that wasn't accurate. A friend has a 550FS in 9.3x62 that he loves. We upgraded the sights, installed a butterknife handle, Old English pad and refinished the stock. It's accurate and comfortable to shoot.

I have more than a couple of reservations on the CZ's, especially at the prices they are trying to sell them at.

The wood quality is marginal, the checkering is marginal, the safety is loud and a pain to operate [on the 3 that I tried anyways], The trigger guard is a sheet metal joke.

I'm no Ruger champion by far, but for a IC mannlicher, I think a 77 kII is by far a more refined

I purchased a CZ550 FS in .30-06 last fall. Without mincing words, it is one of the nicest rifles that I have ever owned. The wood is better than average in grade and finished in a well done matt lacquer. The metal work is first rate, and the action is very smooth to operate. The action also has machined grooves to accommodate a set of scope rings, which can be obtained from CZ, Millet, and Talley.

During its first trip to the range, I used American Eagle 150-grain FMJ to get the rifle zeroed. This is certainly not advertised as target ammunition, but the rifle fired a couple of three-shot groups that measured 5/8's of an inch at 100 yards. So much for the idea that full-stock rifles won't shoot.

I can unhesitatingly recommend buying one of these rifles. They are a bargain given their quality level.

Mine is a FS 308. Very accurate with Remington 150gr core-lokt and GI Ball. Nicely finished. I think it is a great rifle for the price. If you go to huntamerica.com and do a search, Jack Belk (Idaho gunsmith) wrote a detailed evaluation. That will tell you most of what you wish to know. For what its worth he keeps the bbls for other stuff because they are very good. Hope this helps. LOL

O.k. guys;

Went shopping some more.

What am I missing? I've seen (in hand); 527's, even the "Lux" grade is pretty plain, 550 FS's, Battue's, Americans', Premiums; I still don't get it. Where is all this "quality" your seeing?

Bluing is o.k., the shotgun pads on rifles is a major turn off to me, esp. on a Mannlicher, wood is on par w/ a 110E unless you get the "American" version(the reason the line was established, the American market didn't like "soviet bloc looks" of the European CZ's and their "2X4" grained wood.) the stipple stamped nomenclature is cheesy looking and often crooked, the tolerances in the rear ring could be snugged several thousands so that bolt slop would be less than a 100 year old 98. And AGAIN, could the safety get any noisier???

Do they shoot? Yeah, but with the cost of labor where these things are made, they should be much lower priced, or WAAAAAYYY more refined for what you get. There are plenty of Winchester, Howa's and Ruger Mannlicher's and some Custom Mannlichers that you can find in the racks or at auctions that will shoot as well or better, in excellent to NIB condition, and are much more appealing to the eye IMO for similar money or less.

If you "got to have" a Mannlicher style, save your coin and build one (which is a labor of love, and a money pit - been there done that) or get a real one (MS). I think there you will find the truest Mannlicher pleasure, but if your just looking for a rifle, and are opting for "possibly" a full stock, but it is not required, I think there are far better values than the CZ's in the rifle market. Like Tikka, Weatherby, Howa, Savage, Charles Daley, & SIG to name but a few.

You minced them anyway. We have no point of referance. What else have you owned? My Roadking is the nicest Harley I have ever owned., Its also only the second one I have ever owned. The first was a AMF era SX125 when I was 10.

See what I mean?

Over the years I have owned full stock rifles by:
Mannlicher-Schoenauer
Brno (original)
Brno (current)
CZ
Heym
Husqvarna
Ruger
Winchester
Zoli

The highest quality by far goes to Mannlicher-Schoenauer. They take some getting used to, but they are exquisite.

The original Brno (22F) comes in next. Everthing you want from a 98 Mauser, in a lightwieght small ring rifle. Very accurate as well.

After that the current Brno 98's get the nod. Mainly because they are true 98's and can be easily altered to ones preferences. The bad news is that are not imported into the US on a regular basis.

The CZ is next, because it has a true 98 self-locking extractor. I don't like the lack of a bolt safety, but that can be replaced.

The Husqvarna was a nice small ring (modified) 98. Just replace the trigger safety with a bolt style.

The Ruger has too short of a barrel. 18" is alright for a .308, but the rest of it's chamberings are over-bore. It has controlled feed, but lacks controlled extraction.

The Winchester was a post-64 abomination.

The Heym and Zoli are not imported on a regular basis.

Guys,

Thanks for all the responses. I guess like anything else
everyone will have an opinion. Sounds like those that own
one like it but I have heard negative responses in the past
on the fit and finish of CZ products. The only dealer
that I know in my area is about 50 miles away and only
occasionaly gets one of these full stock guns in. Supposed to have one in .30-06 in next week so I will be taking a ride to see if this will be my next purchase. I also agree the Ruger RSI is a nice piece but an 18" barrel on a .30-06 or even a .308 is a bit short for my taste. Well if this
particular gun dosn't do it; my second choice is the model
70 Featherweight which is always a nice gun. Just not ready to lay out over a grand for a full stock at this point.

Thanks Again,
Sean

I completely forgot about Sako and Remington.

I've had about 6 of the Sako mannlichers, mostly in .375 H&H. The quality varied slightly from year to year, but definitely the best of the full stock push feeds.

I've had 3 or 4 of the full stock Remingtons in .350 Rem Mag. Nice fit and finish, but underneath they are still brazed together pot metal. I never did find an extractor on them.

I think for the money the CZ is the best value, but every full stock fan needs to own at least one original Mannlicher-Schoenauer. The damn things feel almost alive.

I own 5 cz's and have a 6th on lay away. Without a doubt they are streaks ahead IMHO of Tikk'a, Rem 700's and SOME M70 classics depending if you get one that was made properly.

My cz's shoot well to. There will be more in my future, read J.Belks review on Hunt America, I know eher you can stick a Rem 700 with it's filthy brazed on bolt handle and pot metal trigger guard and floorplate and crappy push feed action <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I do own a rem 700 as well in a vssf 22/250 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> but it is not a quality arm like my cz's.

Tikkas (the new ones) have a little to much plastic form my likeing. The older Tikka's where very nice.