CZ discontinuing the 550 series

[Hammz]

I am surprised there hasn't been any talk here about this, unless I missed a thread somewhere?  Saw a thread on another forum that CZ is discontinuing their 550 series for good meaning the axe will fall soon for the beloved Magnum safari rifles.  Truly disappointing if true.  I've had a few 550s but foolishly sold them.  Wish I could still find a Rigby for sale, but unfortunately they seem to be gone from all online dealers.  So I just ordered a 458 Lott to get one back in the stable.

Here's the thread in question: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/is-the-cz-550-gone-or-not.55123/

...and the post:

I am right now in Reno at the SCI show and I have personal friends in both CZ USA and Triple River Gunsmithing.

Here are the facts as related by these sources:
CZ as eight times (8 X) more business in pistols than in rifles.
CZ has stopped production of ALL 550 actions and rifles.
CZ USA does not have any - zero - CZ 550 medium length (30-06) actions left.
Whatever CZ 550 rifles are offered by CZ and existing dealers, in shops or on line, is all there is. There will not be any more after that. Period. By my rough count on Gunbroker.com etc. a few months ago, it seems like there are less than 1,000 African caliber rifles for sale in calibers .375 , .416, .458 in the USA.
CZ USA has ~100 magnum length actions with .375 bolt faces and ~25 actions with .416 Rigby bolt faces left for custom builds at Triple River Gunsmithing.

[jwc007]

It's true......................the end.       Once the existing stock is sold off, that's it.

If you want one, you'ld better buy it now!!!

https://youtu.be/5O5WrOIc0Ho

[rdcinhou]

I should have picked up that CZ 550 in .458 Lott at the gun show in Kerrville a couple of years ago!

I do know where there are still some around, but I'm not telling!

The only problem is ammo is $12.50/round for those things and where can you go to shoot them?

[david s]

It seems that the Magnum Safari Rifles will be the last of the 550 lot. A fair number of these in various African cartridges began hitting dealers a month or two ago.

[Hammz]

I should have picked up that CZ 550 in .458 Lott at the gun show in Kerrville a couple of years ago!

I do know where there are still some around, but I'm not telling!

The only problem is ammo is $12.50/round for those things and where can you go to shoot them?

I got one in .458 Lott on order.  You can also get ammo for $90 for 20/rd so less than $5/rd.  An indoor range by me will allow you to shoot them as it is rated for 50 BMG, as well as you can shoot them on state land.  Most people think they're way overpowered for any NA game including the great bears, but the African calibers actually are recommended for bison/American buffalo.  They're supposed to be harder to kill than a Cape buff.  Not as aggressive, but tougher from what I have heard.

[david s]

The 458 Lott ought to do it. One of my hunting rifles is a 375 H&H. In my hands it's never been used on anything bigger than a coyote. It's a great grouse rifle though. The scope set for a 200 yard zero is also exactly on at 20 yards so sniping grouse heads is easy. Our welder at work is a Native American whos tribal rights allow them to hunt the bison/buffalo that wander out side of Yellowstone park. He thinks my 375 is just dandy.

[ElkHorn]

I am so happy I saw this thread. I had been meaning to purchase a new 6.5 x 55 Swede for some time now, and when I saw this, I ordered a new 557 American through Sportsmans Warehouse. I am delighted with the rifle. Looking through the barrel with a bore scope showed very nice lapping. I mounted a Nikon scope I had in the safe, Warne Maxima rings. The first trip to the range with some factory loads on hand shot well. Then I went to handloading, 95 Gr V-Max, and it was sub-moa easily. I really have no use for the big bore rifles, as I already have a custom M70 in 375 H&H.
Thanks for the heads up!

Regards,
Bill

[crosstimbers]

I am so happy I saw this thread. I had been meaning to purchase a new 6.5 x 55 Swede for some time now, and when I saw this, I ordered a new 557 American through Sportsmans Warehouse. I am delighted with the rifle. Looking through the barrel with a bore scope showed very nice lapping. I mounted a Nikon scope I had in the safe, Warne Maxima rings. The first trip to the range with some factory loads on hand shot well. Then I went to handloading, 95 Gr V-Max, and it was sub-moa easily. I really have no use for the big bore rifles, as I already have a custom M70 in 375 H&H.
Thanks for the heads up!

Regards,
Bill

I thought it was just the 550 series that was being discontinued. Are the 557s included? I sure hope the 527s are not! There are still a couple I want to pick up.

[alp3367]

I am so happy I saw this thread. I had been meaning to purchase a new 6.5 x 55 Swede for some time now, and when I saw this, I ordered a new 557 American through Sportsmans Warehouse. I am delighted with the rifle. Looking through the barrel with a bore scope showed very nice lapping. I mounted a Nikon scope I had in the safe, Warne Maxima rings. The first trip to the range with some factory loads on hand shot well. Then I went to handloading, 95 Gr V-Max, and it was sub-moa easily. I really have no use for the big bore rifles, as I already have a custom M70 in 375 H&H.
Thanks for the heads up!

Regards,
Bill

I thought it was just the 550 series that was being discontinued. Are the 557s included? I sure hope the 527s are not! There are still a couple I want to pick up.

 Just the 550.

[doc187]

I'm glad I read this!  I was about to put mine up for sale. Didn't really want to let it go and now that I know they are soon to be gone I'm holding onto it.

[Hammz]

Thinking more on this I am surprised CZ at least didn't try to keep the 550 Magnum series going.  Them and Winchester were the only game in town for affordable safari rifles, and CZ seemed to have a stronger hold on the market than Winchester.  Between the two I think the Model 70 Safari Express is the better rifle overall.  It has a much smoother action, better fit/finish, and adjustable iron sights.  But the CZ has this real rugged feeling to it that I liked, and the set trigger blows the stock Model 70 trigger out of the water.  I'd also give the accuracy edge to the CZ, plus the fact the CZ is a true magnum action where-as the Model 70 is just an "enhanced" long action.

But now with CZ gone it pretty much leaves Winchester as the only game in town and from what I gather they make way less Safari Magnum series rifles than CZ made 550 Magnums.  The Winchesters are hard to come by even in a normal market where-as the CZs were always plentiful.

[Cachec]

I am very sad about the discontinue of the 550 line. In my opinion they are the best bleep rifle money can buy for a factory offering. The 557 is nice but definitely not the quality and craftsmanship of the 550.


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[ShotgunAg]

I have a CZ 550 FS in 243... Love this rifle.  My daughter has been shooting this rifle for years.  The single set trigger is great for kids learning to shoot.  Have a most Blessed day

[timetofly]

I’m Sorry to have this attitude but with 12 obsolete CZ firearms in my safe, I’m glad I didn’t buy a 550 last year when I had a chance. I love my CZs but it seems like CZ obsoletes good products too quickly. Going forward Before I buy another CZ, I’ll look into if they are. Looking into obsoleting that firearm.

[crosstimbers]

Im not so sure that "obsolete" is the correct term. True they are out of production, so obsolete in that sense, but not because they are less capable than current production rifles....which is generally a part of something being "obsolete".

Semantics I guess.

The one 557 I own doesnt strike me as less well built than my 550, just corners cut to make it more cheaply. Sadly a sign of the times we live in.