Anybody had a chance to compare the two - especially the new FN? Which do you rather, and why?

The "Winchester" it seems to weigh less.

Lot of steel in the CZ. There built like a tank. I have 2 CZ 550 now in .308 Winchester with a full lenght stock and a .270 with a Kevlar stock. Both are very accurate. I think the Winchester is everything the CZ Model 550 is and more. I have a Win. feather weight coming in 22-250

I have never owned a CZ but have heard and read too many good things about them to think that they are not a great rifle. However, I have owned and still own the new FN M70 and KNOW they are great rifles and... They are made in the USA by American workers. Important right now I think.

Had a CZ - HEAVY, well made, accurate - this particlular rifle was extremely sensitive on bolt position on extraction and reload. Sold it.

Replaced with a new FN Winchester Featherweigth. Best swap in and out rifle decision I've made in years. Great fit n finish, smooth bolt, accurate etc etc etc. This one will be passed down to the boys when I can't get out to hunt anymore.

Within the past year, I have purchased a new CZ 550 FS and a FN fwt. 70. The 550 is a decent rifle, but by virtually all measures it is not the equal of the FN. For an �old world manufactured rifle�, the out of the box CZ had piss-poor cartridge control and only a fair finish. On a go forward basis, I�ll be buying FNs. CP.

My CZ, a 527, was a truly beautiful rifle. Super-sticky/rough bolt operation. Extremely sensitive to bolt position and operator movement thereof. Sold it and bought a Ruger Hawkeye. Somehow, it also has a beautiful piece of wood on it. It also has a sticky/sensitive bolt, but has smoothed up while I sit there watching a TV show or listening to the radio and operating the bolt, significantly more than the CZ ever did. The CZ also had a very pointy firing pin, which pierced a couple primers (which caused gas cutting on the bolt face). Now, the CZ gunsmiths were very willing to talk to me and help me work out the issue and what to do. However, I had to _purchase_ a replacement firing pin (which was actually a replacement assembly that includes the blued cocking piece out back) and install it myself. The blueing on the tail section wasn't even similar to the factory piece, and the new pin was a different length so I couldn't just put it in the old tail section.

That gun also had some inletting/bedding issues I had to work through to get it to group consistently.

I know the question was about FN Winchesters, but I wanted to share my experience with that CZ. I don't really look at them any more.

M-70 all the way, some CZ's, especially the larger calibers have to have extensive work to make right.

Gunner

I have a CZ 527 7.62x39 Carbine I bought when they first came out maybe in 2003 or so that I am very pleased with, no issues. Same for an older ZKK 602 375 H&H though I am currently getting the barrel snipped to 23". I prefer it over the M70 equivalent having owned one. Mine is smooth as can be and feeds and ejects anything flawlessly. I prefer my NH Win 416 Rem over the new CZ though. While I don't own a SC gun, I do believe that Winchester is and will continue to put a serious hurt on CZ sales.

I have a owned couple of both over the last 20 years, still have a model 70 in pre 64 form and my go to DGR is a 550 in 416 Rigby.

I agree completely that to make a CZ what it ought to be often requires a bit of TLC. Mine has been re-worked quite a bit and is featured in an article I wrote and was published in African Hunter Magazine a few years ago called "converting the CZ 550 into a world class Dangerous Game rifle" Basically what I did was turn my CZ into an overgrown Model 70 with upgrades to the safety, trigger, etc and some polishing and tuning by a good gunsmith. I am now looking into the feasability of having the breechface coned a la model 70 so that it will feed better with pointy nosed projectiles. I wanted a 416 Rigby and the Winchesters are not big enough for cartridges of this size but if one wants to just go buy a nice DGR and hunt with it pretty much out of the box I would point them to a Model 70 or Kimber Caprivi or perhpas a Ruger African and be done with it. Now that we have cartidges like the 416 Remington, Ruger and similar getting one's hands on a ready to rock mid bore DGR is much easier and simpler than when I went down the CZ road about 20 years ago. To be sure, I really love my CZ now, and dig the integral scope bases and its beefiness and love the old 416 Rigby cartridge which I can handload to exceed what the other 416's are capable of but the CZ is not, in my opinion, as good of an out of the box ready to rock and roll option as a model 70 or Kimber.

agree, i owned a cz .243 that had serious bedding and accuracy problems before and after i fixed the bedding

As already pointed out, the CZ while a great platform, needs tweaking. The M70 is the best currently available "out of the box".

Would you not throw the Rugers in with the M70 and CZ comparism? I just picked up a MKII and really like it.

I sure would, but I really think that Ruger needs to re think thier safety that hides too deeply into the bolt when activated and would be hard to get de activated in a hurry under stress. If I had a Mk ll I would have the safety re shaped as job number 1.

Bingo!

The Ruger models prior to the Hawkeye African/Alaskan were also TOO heavy. A 10+ pound .375 H&H naked is ridiculous.

Once again, great minds think alike

10 + lbs is a tad heavy for a 375, but is about right for a hot loaded 416 Rigby, IMO.

For a magnum-sized action, CZ seems to one of few options. One of the models has a pop-up aperture sight in the bridge. The dovetails that allow direct scope ring attachment seem like a plus, esp for hard kicking calibers. Single set trigger. I find the stocks low with medium rings. The magazine box shell has flutes, and the follower has notches to clear them - at least on the 6.5x55 models. They look as if they might prevent cartridges from sliding forward on recoil, whether to aid cartridge feed, or keep bullet tips pointed - for cartridges with enough shoulder. Bolt movement is rough on new ones, anyway. CZ does not chamber short mags as far as I know.

The couple of FN M70's that I handled were well finished and operated very smooth. As others point out M70 is lighter than 550. M70 in .264 Win Mag may be my next purchase.

Ruger's new .375 and .416 allow them to get around need for a magnum-sized action.

With everything, it's subjective. Definitely depends on the hand and shoulder of the beholder.

I have a M70 .458WM that naked trips my digital scale at just under 8 3/4 pounds that is jusssssst right.

Well I guess I wasn't thinking in lines with the magnums like the H&H and 416, but yes I agree that is too heavy.

My 270 in its boatpaddle stock with a VXII 3-9 feels about right though.

I'm not sure that there is actually a significant difference between the CZ and the M70 with respect to weight. I think the actions would be within a few ounces of each other. But the featherweight M70 barrel is obviously much lighter than the CZ. I checked list weights, and the CZ is 'sposed to be the same weight as the M70 sporter.

I thought the "old" Winchester fit and finish was similar to the CZ. It wasn't universally bad but there were clear quality control issues. I rather the CZ safety (that'll be controversial) and trigger (more controversial). The M70 stock was better, and they felt smoother. Sounds like now FN/Winchester has a clear ascendancy. Dissapointing to still here a lot of stories of folks having to work the CZ w.r.t. feed issues - i thought this may have improved.

CZ 550's are heavy in most chamberings, but my FS in 9.3X62 is just right. It is a great shooter; the bolt was rough but smoothed up fairly quickly with use; I plan on keeping it forever. I had a CZ527 in .223 it was very smooth and fairly accurate, but I didn't shoot it very well offhand and I wanted a faster rifling twist, so I traded it.

I haven't shot a recent M70 but they feel nice and look good. I would make my choice depending on cartridge and the feel of the individual rifle.

Had one of those 550 'Mediums' in 9,3x62 with Mannlicher stock. I traded that "boulder" for Remington 660 in .350. I could not be happier with this swap. If the 550 was the one with black polymer stock and 23" barrel I would probably have kept the rifle. The difference from FS to that one is as great as night and day.

The CZ is great for Mini-Mauser .22lr or cavernous rounds like .416 Rigby, .450 Rigby,.... that require magnum action for everything else there are better choices out there.

Charlie Sisk opines that the CZ trigger mechanism is very complicated and has lots of parts. Otherwise great rifles

No direct experience there, but he certainly has lots of experience with various actions.

I have a pre CZ-USA CZ 550 that is absolutely wonderful. Has the set trigger and a 3 position safety. Its a little heavy but I absolutely love it. I also have a Classic Featherweight. Another great rifle, no complaints but when hunting the CZ seems to always go with me.

That is my opinion as well, which I wrote about. My 416 Rigby CZ has a NECG two pivot trigger mechanism that was designed for a M-98 Mauser and which is totally encased in a steel enclosure.

That said, the CZ 550, trigger and all, have a stellar reputaion for reliability and dependability here as well as in Africa so some of this is rifle looneys straining at nats.

Does either have stock cracking issues, esp. in bigger calibers?

I've got a CZ 9.3x62. It's accurate and the trigger is very crisp (after a trigger job). It also feeds well. The CZ is definitely on the heavy side which is great for shooting but not so fun carrying all day up and down the mountains.

I also own an FN M70 (the FN SPR A3G heavy barreled tactical type). This rifle shoots very well, however there were some issues with it. They made these with a heavy trigger, and warrranty is void if you have it modified. The pull was just too heavy for this type of a rifle so I have had that fixed. This rifle is a 308, but use's their 300 WSM action. I believe this caused feeding problems. I've had that worked on and it is now pretty good for my purposes but not really 100%. The stock comes with an adjustable cheek piece anchored by two screws, one of which stripped out quickly under normal use. Now use an Eagle stock pack which works better anyway. Not a fan of the McMillan adjustable cheekpieces.

I know this isn't about the older M70's but by way of comparison, I also have three of the older M70 Classics, which were purchased used and unseen over the net. Two of these are for future projects. One doesn't feed well at all and came with a 7 plus pound trigger pull, the other has a stripped action screw (probably by the owner). The third is good to go. A friend has a supergrade which came with a 9lb plus trigger pull! Pretty rifle but jeez.

I haven't had the best luck with rifles and over all I'm less than thrilled with QC of any of the makers and even less than impresssed with a gunsmith or two. If you have a good rifle don't take it for granted. It's encouraging to hear good things about the newer M70's. Just wish they still had the old trigger design.

The Model 70 is a more refined product. The integral dovetail on the CZ would be a great feature if there were decent LOW rings available for them. Also, they could use a better recoil stop system for the rings.
The CZ trigger is complex. Complexity in trigger mechanisms seems to be a European tendency. GD

I'd take a Ruger over a CZ any day. I'd take a Ruger over a Winchester if I wanted a "tough" gun, but I usually just run my Winchesters.

I have a CZ 550 and a couple of New Haven Classic 70's.

The CZ is in 416 Rigby. On mine the bolt was a little stiff when I first got it - a few hours while I watched a football game cured that. I have done some work to tweak mine although as far as accuracy mine was pretty good out of the box. No issues, great fit and finish. Is CZ slipping? I was thinking of picking up a 9.3x62.

My Model 70's are great. Both are accurate. I have looked at, shot, and worked on the new FN Model 70's. Don't care for the trigger much, thought they should have left that alone. Apart from that - good fit and finish - and once we set the trigger up on my friends extreme weather in 3006 it's accuracy was impressive.

Based on my experience with both I wouldn't hesitate to buy either again.

I'm reading this with some interest. I still think about picking up a Rigby in a 550, realizing that it will be a bit of a project rifle. I think with Ruger offering the African in a 9.3x62, I've talked myself out of that one from CZ. If I do get a .416 Rigby, Mark you better be prepared for a flood of PMs!

(I'd also be interested in finding a copy of your article somehow.)

Had both(Classic Model 70 x 4 & 3 x CZ550's). Winchester wins this battle without working up a sweat.
I still prefer the new FN over the 550's.

The 550's are a good solid dependable action but ........

I have color re prints on hand.

Neither are Mausers..

I'd cast my lot for the Model 70. Some quibble over the new trigger assembly with the move to FN, though I've not seen nor heard any trouble. The swamp gas is that because it's enclosed all manner of gunk will build up there (including gumming of WD40) ruining hunts, getting hunters gored by angry Cape buffalo, eaten by lions, and overlooked by lovely lasses. That may well be true, but then it's similarly true of a multitude of rifle triggers that have been successfully proven in the game fields for decades.

I'd also favor a Ruger over the CZ, but that's shaving a bit closer.

Id take a 70 over a CZ any day of the week too. CZ's that I have handled were crude clubs. Id probaly take a Ruger over a CZ as well, but its less clear cut in that case.

Gunsmith Lon Paul dose real magic on the CZ's or Brno's. They are a bit rough but some TLC and a little chipping around the corners can turn them into something ver special. Out of the box with min amount of tinkering, a M-70 is a good place to look. All in all there is good value with either one.

AHR (American Hunting Rifles) can take that sow's ear CZ 550 and make it into a silk purse.

Just recieved my Winchester model 70 22-250 yesterday and WOW what a rifle! The fit and finish is perfect. I own 2 CZ Model 550 and will never sell them but,they don't hold a candle to the model 70 in fit and finish. Both my CZ's will shoot MOA easy enough so hopefully the Winchester model 70 will shoot as good as it looks.