My first, CZ 550 Medium Magnum

[cyotz]

I just got my first CZ. It is the CZ 550 Medium Magnum in 7mm Rem Mag. It is very nice looking and I really like the idea of the set trigger. With my Remington 710 in 30-06 I'm always telling myself not to pull too hard and drag the shot off to the right but I always do. I am hoping that the set trigger helps this. The regular trigger on the CZ is lighter than the Remington too so I hope it will be a better shooting rifle all the way around. I will go this weekend to shoot both together for a little sidebyside comparison.

Any advice on break in etc.?

Since I haven't shot a 7mm Rem Mag, does anyone know how the recoil compares to the 30-06?

Thanks,
Chris Yotz

[Fred Flinstone]

This rifle can handle any North American big game with ease, the recoil factor is very similar to your Rem. .30-06. The ballistics of the 7mm Rem. Mag. is superb. You'll notice the recoil more if shooting during a long period (your shoulder will get bashed to a lovely purple & a few days later yellow/green with your shoulder left tender to the touch) of time(ex.: complete after-noon).

The best way to control trigger pressure is to have a buddy load or dummy load your rifle(you'll have to be unaware of condition). You'll be very surprised to see the results. Reverse roles, start back again.

I'm sure your Remington will fall second after trying your CZ at the range. Please leave us feedback from your range session.

[cyotz]

Thanks for the response. I am expecting some discomfort from the recoil. I bought a lace on recoil pad for the Remington which also adds about 3/4" to the stock. Since I'm tall my face was a little close to the scope.

Have you or anyone tried a recoil reducer that straps to your shoulder? I'm thinking this may be a way to go which might also help prevent flinching from the expectation of the recoil. Or maybe I should just toughen up some.

Thanks,
Chris Yotz

[Frank in Montana]

Cyotz,

  Unless you are 4'-5" and weigh 80 pounds the 7mm mag shouldn't be a huge problem.
  There are ways to mitigate recoil; hold the gun firmly to your shoulder with the butt nestled in with as much of a "footprint" possible on your shoulder. The more square inches of the buttpad you can have on your shoulder the less you will feel the recoil.
  If the gun has a hard rubber butt pad have one of the Pachmayer Decelerator pads installed. They really soften the "sharpness" of the recoil.
  Lean into the gun a bit when shooting from sitting or standing. Stay firm but NOT stiff,so that you can roll with the punch so to speak.
  Mentally prepare yourself that its going to kick. Tell yourself  that  its NOT unpleasant or impossible for you to withstand. Shoot only a few rds each session until you get accustomed to the gun.
  Recoil is mostly mental. I've seen inexperienced shooters shoot .375 H&H mags and not feel threatened as they didn't KNOW they should be afraid of the gun.
  Download your ammo. No need for fullhouse 175 gr loads, try some lighter 140's or 120's loaded to .280 Rem or even 7mm-08 velocity.

 My first thought though is if your recoil sensitive WHY even buy this gun?? You would be far better served with a .270/.280 or 7mm-08.

 Just my 2 cents....... FN

[cyotz]

I don't think I'm necessarily recoil sensative as much as inexperienced.  I had never shot a more powerful rifle than a .22 until 2 weeks ago when I got the Remington 30-06. I think I was trying to compensate for the short butt stock to scope distance on the Remington by not keeping the gun pulled in tight. Now I have the additional pad/extender on the butt and moved the scope forward in its' rings. This should help me keep it pulled in tighter. The same day I shot the 30-06 I also shot a .50 muzzleloader with a standard load and a 303 enfield. Neither of these bothered me but I was able to keep them pulled in tighter since they didn't have a scope right in front of my eye.

The reason I got the CZ in 7mm Rem Mag is that 1. it was just too good a deal to pass up 2. many sites I've visited have listed 7mm Rem Mag as a good all round hunting cartridge along with the 30-06 but shoots with a flatter trajectory than the 30-06. I'm sure I'll be fine with it after getting more experience in how to handle it correctly.

Thanks,
Chris Yotz

[Frank in Montana]

What are you going to put on the 7mm for a scope?? As you've mention eye relief IS very important. Get popped ONCE with a scope in the eye and you'll have a flinch for a year. Leupolds are noted for generous eye relief. ALWAYS get a good, quality  scope. Cheap scopes are a VERY false economy.

 The 7mm IS a great all arounder,especially if you reload. I've used both a .280 rem and the near 7mm peformer the .280 Rem Ackley Improved 40 degree. I've taken several elk and lots of deer and antelope with those two .280's. Also shot a truly large black wildebeest bull in South Africa with a 175 gr Nosler partition. The mag is just more of the same.

 Didn't purposely try to paint you as "recoil sensitive", you just mentioned it a few times and thought that was the main point.

 I think your going to do fine. Enjoy.

FN in MT

[troublemaker71]

Congratulations on your latest acquisition.  If I were not a leftie I would have bought a Medium Mag a long time ago.  I believe you are the first person on this forum to mention owning one...Something I've been waiting for.

Of all the nice rifles CZ makes this is the one I like the most.  A close second would be the traditional CZ 550 Magnum Standard or Lux chambered in 7mag and listed on CZUBs site but inexplicably unavailable to us in the states in anything smaller than 300 Win Mag.  I'm a big, tall guy who likes guns with some heft, but not necessarily chambered for the larger magnum rounds.

Haven't made up my mind yet about the CZ USA Mod. 3 even though it is available in left handed config.  Just not fully convinced it's actually a CZ.

Tristan

[cyotz]

I shot the Medium Mag today. It was very nice. Recoil was about the same as my 30-06 which has an additional strap-on recoil pad. I was very impressed with the CZ. The set trigger helped a lot with my pulling to the right. Everything about the CZ was good. Now I just need to get a scope.

BTW, if anyone ever looks at a Remington 710 and wonders whether it is a good gun or not, I can tell you it is accurate as hell. After getting the scope dialed in I shot the last clip of four shots all touching in about 7/8" at 70 yards from a bipod. This from a person who hasn't shot a rifle in 17 years. Can't wait to see how accurate the CZ is with a scope.

Chris Yotz