CZ 550 Discontinued?

[spyker1982]

Hey all...I may be slow to the news on this but I just read a 2014 forum blog that said the CZ 550s were being discontinued and that the push feed 557 was the replacement?   I hope not!  I love the Mauser CRF actions. 


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[eastman]

The 550 is still listed in the 2017 catalog.

[spyker1982]

Could have been a hoax.  Read some other blogs that the CZ 550 American was discontinued. 


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[Diamond Jim]

CZ is distributed by Winchester Australia here in OzzyLand. Their website shows only six 550 models- a Full Stock in 9.3x62 (without dovetail for scope), a Lux in .270W. a Lux in .458WM (also without dovetail for scope) and a Varmint Laminate in .308W plus a couple in their Safari Magnum series in .375H&H. The full range is available in 557 series so I suspect these last six are the last remaining stock as they wind down the 550 series. It's a shame, I really like my 550 in .270W. I can't imagine why anyone would knowingly choose a rifle in a big/dangerous game calibre without CRF - I've never hunted dangerous game so I stand ready to be educated on the subject.

[painter]

Could have been a hoax.  Read some other blogs that the CZ 550 American was discontinued. 


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Check out the CZ-USA site.

Only the Sonoran and FS in standard calibers, along with the magnum/dangerous game rifles are left.

edited to correct typos

[spyker1982]

I see the catalogue and that the American is no longer listed.  Disappointed about that.  The "American" style is more featured in the 557 now.  Oh well, I guess I'll resort to GunBroker to snatch one up before they get hard to find.


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[spyker1982]

CZ is distributed by Winchester Australia here in OzzyLand. Their website shows only six 550 models- a Full Stock in 9.3x62 (without dovetail for scope), a Lux in .270W. a Lux in .458WM (also without dovetail for scope) and a Varmint Laminate in .308W plus a couple in their Safari Magnum series in .375H&H. The full range is available in 557 series so I suspect these last six are the last remaining stock as they wind down the 550 series. It's a shame, I really like my 550 in .270W. I can't imagine why anyone would knowingly choose a rifle in a big/dangerous game calibre without CRF - I've never hunted dangerous game so I stand ready to be educated on the subject.

I agree!  I too have a 550 in 270W and absolutely love it.  It's not a 550 American. Instead it's a 550 Minnesota.   Doesn't have a cheek piece on the stock and the scope area is machined like a Remington 700--rounded off, not square like other 550s you've seen.  Pulls up nicely.  CZ doesn't make the Minnesota any more either. 

Like you, I've never hunted dangerous game with the exception of hogs in the swamps of Louisiana.  For that, I carry a side arm though. 

I love the CRF.  That's all I have.  I have several resporterized Brnos.  All with CRF.  They feed every time with no issues.  I like/prefer it because of the history with Mauser and the design.  The older Mausers, to me, are considered safer because of the third lug on the bolt.  CZ's 550, Zastava's M70, and I believe Ruger's M77 are the only actions that have CRF.   CZ and Zastava machine their bolts but Ruger does a molten metal casting for their bolts.  Not sure if trust that.  Two lugs up top near breach and a third down by the bolt handle.  For big game, I'd want a CRF simply because big game hunters are hunting with powerful rounds that deliver high pressures.  You'd want something to lock that round up inside the breach. 


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[Diamond Jim]

Mine is a Lux with the Bavarian style stock. I went along with my brother to our preferred LGS when he was looking at a Howa in .223. The evil guy behind the counter turned to me and asked "Now, what can I interest you in?". I replied that I'd always thought about something in .270W and he put the rifle in my hands - I left having paid a deposit and making up a plausible story to explain to my wife why I needed another rifle. Can't say I was hard to convince. Nice walnut, great shooter. It is a bit stout for most of the shooting I do in Ozzyland - that's where my 527 in .223 is absolute poison for any critter up to fox size - but it is a hoot to consistently hit a gong at 350-400m . It also cracked the windscreen of said brother's Nissan when we were shooting over the hood. Who'd a thunk?

[spyker1982]

Mine is a Lux with the Bavarian style stock. I went along with my brother to our preferred LGS when he was looking at a Howa in .223. The evil guy behind the counter turned to me and asked "Now, what can I interest you in?". I replied that I'd always thought about something in .270W and he put the rifle in my hands - I left having paid a deposit and making up a plausible story to explain to my wife why I needed another rifle. Can't say I was hard to convince. Nice walnut, great shooter. It is a bit stout for most of the shooting I do in Ozzyland - that's where my 527 in .223 is absolute poison for any critter up to fox size - but it is a hoot to consistently hit a gong at 350-400m . It also cracked the windscreen of said brother's Nissan when we were shooting over the hood. Who'd a thunk?

Ha!  Very nice.  No matter where on earth a hunter lives (America, NZ, Ozzyland, etc)...seems like we all have to do some creative explaining to our wives. 

How is the Bavarian stock?  I don't have much experience hunting with that type of stock.  Here in the US we all have straight stocks on the butt (no hog hump or no elevated comb).  Does it pull up nicely?  I was looking at the CZ 550 Lux Medium in 7mm Rem Mag with iron sights.  Very good looking gun but here in the US most of the hunters don't use iron sights and the stocks on most of our guns don't have the hog hump.


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[Diamond Jim]

I have both conventional stocked CZs (452 Varmint and 527 Varmint) and the Bavarian style 550 which is fitted with a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 scope in Warne rings (#2BM) and I've never had any issues with not finding the scope picture instantly on the 550 - which is good because it's intended as my carry around rifle. While some say it is an issue for them, and it may be, if anything I sometimes lose the scope picture on the other rifles with cheaper, but higher magnification scopes (4-16x50 and 6-24x50 respectively). I know, a big scope on a .22 is unnecessary and a bit "urban warrior ponce" but I like it and it lets me see my bullet holes. As my budget allows, I hope to replace them with better, more appropriate glass. Maybe I've just got a big head (hat size 61cm that's about 24.5inches) and the lower comb actually lines me up better while I struggle with the higher comb of the "straight" stocks. Who knows? In any case it's a nice, classic-looking rifle in a classic calibre. I'm pretty sure the Bavarian style stock has a lower cheek weld than the traditional American style stock to align the eye with the iron sights rather than the higher scope. I stand to be corrected.