New Rifle Dilema (CZ For Sure, But...)

[Sporting_Man]

I want a rifle in 9.3X62 caliber... now, should I go with the CZ550 FS (full stock), or wait - save money and buy a custom Safari Express rifle by CZ, in that same caliber? The FS is a short rifle, has 20.5 inch barrel, while the express rifle is at 24 inch barrel. There are pros and cons for both. FS is about $800, while Express rifle is not less than $1900 (it has to be ordered through the dealer)... There are a couple of reviews of FS in that very caliber, and they seem to be dandy pieces... I lean towards the FS, but still doubt... This is practically something like Ruger Alaskan... CZ even has a carbine with kevlar stock that is the same as FS...
Oh, I forgot - that would be my "dangerous game" rifle (can be well used for West side Elk, Bear)... Do I need it???... hmmm, I know that I want it. I otherwise use CZ550 American in 30-06 and love it...

[Heredoggydoggy]

I know where there's a CZ in .416 Rigby for sale.  If Washington ever imports Cape Buffalo, you'll be ready! 

[wadu1]

I love my CZ 550FS it is in 9.3X63 great bear gun, have not got to use it on Moose or Elk yet.

[GoldTip]

I've always been a sucker for a full length stock, especially in carbine type calibers, 308win and such.  Don't know much about the 9.3x62, but if it would be well suited for a shorter (20.5") barrel, then I'd go with the FS.

[Sporting_Man]

Yeah, it is little bit less than .375 in diameter, but more than .338 - (actually, .366 cal) well proven in Africa, apparently picking up popularity here. The barrel length of 20.5 inches is as adequate for 9.3X62 as it is for 30-06, probably - that is my dilema, there... Brass is in the same ballpark, and therefore the capacity as well.
Wadu1, does your rifle kick too hard?

[Sporting_Man]

I know where there's a CZ in .416 Rigby for sale.  If Washington ever imports Cape Buffalo, you'll be ready! 

  Yeah, we may import Cape Buff to feed wolves, once everything else is gone... but then, they will be protected too... 

[addicted]

I originally ordered my CZ 550 stutzen(full stock) in 9.3x62.  i really wanted the caliber and over here cz's are the most bang for your buck, super accurate and very reliable.  The guy I ordered it through said that it would take 6-8 months for the 9.3 to come in though because cz only makes a couple calibers at a time for a few months. 

I had him look into it and he could get me an 8x57(another caliber i wanted) within the week so i had him put the order in.  It's no 9.3 but it gets the job done great. It has almost worked out better because it is a much more forgiving caliber while hunting roh deer while still big enough to bag a few boar and red stag.

I am still going to get a 9.3, but probably not till after my deployment.

On my rifle i have adjusted the trigger, It is something like adjusting an aftermarked timney i would guess. I took out all the creep, all the pull, a lot of the weight, while moving the trigger further back.  Even the set trigger is lighter now. I dont generally use the set trigger hunting simply because the regular pull is so crisp. 



I vote for the full stock the short barrel makes it a dream to handle while maintaining classy good looks. gotta love the full stock.

[addicted]

and for you guys who dont know.

the 9.3x62 is like a 35 whelen on horse steroids.  In africa where they have a minimum cartridge requirement of 375 H&H, they generally make an exception for the 9.3 

I already picked up some ammo for one even though i dont own one yet. a 285 grain .366 bullet will get any bears attention.

[Sporting_Man]

Addicted, thank you for your post... I knew somehow that you would chime in on this. I follow your posts.
And, yes, I am very familiar with 8X57 (we used to call it 7.9mm). Not available here, though... I think that is a great Elk caliber as well.
I am just a step away from ordering it... Federal Way Gun will do it for $780, I think... last time I checked...
I have 2 CZ550 rifles already. I love their triggers, heft and accuracy.

[carpsniperg2]

if the caiber has a "." in it addicted will be all over it

[SeaRun1]

I didn't realize there were so many CZ fans on the board.  I love them and was considering a new FS in 30.06 or 6.5 Swedish.

I have a few CZ's and my full stock is the most accurate gun that I own.  My .223 Rem American is not very far behind it and shoots almost everything very, very well.  I love that gun as well.

I vote for the Full Stock and put some pictures up when you get it.  Many times the FS guns get the best wood.

SeaRun1

[Sporting_Man]

Sure, I will post pic or two. Only thing is that wood quality on them is "hit and miss". I only wish it comes straight, because if FS comes warped, it is hard to fix it, it can cause a lot of pressure on the barrel. On the sporter, a guy can just shave it little bit... 

[addicted]

I have heard hit and miss on the wood as well. i have also read that if you strip it down and do the stain again it looks fantastic because the coating that CZ uses doesnt bring out the grain in the wood very well.  when i get back to the states, i was planning on glass bedding mine from bolt to muzzle.

I think i paid 850$ for mine.

I'm thinking a sauer 202, steyr mannlicher, or blaser R93 for my 9.3. then an interchangable 7x64 barrel 

I think CZ's are about the cheapest gun out there that you can still get a forged receiver with other than savage. cast receivers have no soul.

[Sporting_Man]

I think CZ's are about the cheapest gun out there that you can still get a forged receiver with other than savage. cast receivers have no soul.

I agree. I have tried a couple of new winchester 70 rifles, and they did not feel like CZs, not even close. I learned the hard way that CZ is the best bang for the money, even now, when they increased in price (due to the dollar - euro ratio)... Of course, this is my opinion, I wouldn't want to enter a pissing contest with anyone who likes other stuff.

[quadrafire]

dumb question------What does the full length stock do to the barrel "float"?

[Sporting_Man]

The question is not dumb. In FS rifle (at least CZ), there is still a floating barrel, by design. There is no contact anywhere. Now, if the wood is warped, or something, it presses naturally to the very end of the tube, which is bad for accuracy.

[quadrafire]

I really like the looks of the full length stock. I have never seen a cz, but always like the ruger model that had it.
Would imagine a synthetic full length would allow for more accuracy with extreme weather swings, but would never look as good as the all wood.

[Sporting_Man]

That is why CZ came up with a new Carbine with Kevlar stock (same hardware as FS, with sporter stock). Looks like Ruger Alaskan, just a little sleeker.

[addicted]

mine has 3 points of contact so guess it is not completely "floated" even though it is touching a screw that goes into the front sight assembly the bareel is still floating ast he contact can neither push up or down on the barrel. it is simple touching the screw in a lateral fashion. my cz shoots better than i can thats for sure. the reticle i have on top doesnt exactly warrant tight groups either.  My wife is bad ass with her CZ. she has a CZ 550 LUXUS(nice wood) 30.06 and she can shoot like this all day. even with the cheap prostaff on top.

[Sporting_Man]

Lux is what they call it here. I wish I can find something like that. I would rather have this 9.3 mauser in Lux config, than in FS (I am a big guy, so long/er rifle is not a problem to handle)... There is only one caliber available in Lux configuration - 7mm Rem Mag. I used to have that one too, but sold it to a good friend who liked it so much... and I didn't appreciate the caliber. 
I have my CZ American in 30-06 glass bedded. I did not need that, but I am glad I did it. This rifle is a tack driver. Capable of printing clover leaves all day long. I hope that the new FS gets there too.

[addicted]

the butt stock measurements of mine and my wife's were the same as far as shouldering measurements go. I had mine shorted by the students of the buchsemacher schul ferlacher in austria, but only the barrel was shorter when we got them.   The grips on them definately appreciate large hands. before i moved my trigger back i could not properly use the set trigger and even the regular trigger wasnt fitting me well.

[Sporting_Man]

I like them because of those big grips. I could not shoot Ruger Hawkeye, because that grip was curved and somehow smallish in my hand and sometimes it would hurt from recoil...
I like those buttstocks on Lux and FS, with sharp angled cheekpiece. Some people think they are uncomfy, but I think that they are beautiful and fit me well for sure...
 Enough said, damn it, I am going to order this rifle tomorrow!

[quadrafire]

That is one SWEET looking gun.

I had never looked at CZ before. Well I will be now. Thanks for the post.

[addicted]

That is one SWEET looking gun.

I had never looked at CZ before. Well I will be now. Thanks for the post.

check out their pistols too lol

[Sporting_Man]

Their pistols are top-notch weapons...

Brno 602 (former name brand for what is today's CZ) was THE rifle in Africa, and still is (now it is CZ Safari Magnum)...

[ribka]

I have 2 CS 550's one in 6.5 ( Kevlar stock ) and a 270. Great guns for the money

Go with the full stock in 9.3 for the "kewl factor"

[Sporting_Man]

Ribka, those two are fairly similar calibers.. I might get the 270 in a distant future. My Win 70 Sporter was that, but I didn't like it... Should have picked CZ American in 270Win last year for $400 used (like new)...

[addicted]

this would be a pig killing machine. The bolt handle is a brass boar.


http://egun.de/market/item.php?id=3132525

[addicted]

oh baby

http://egun.de/market/item.php?id=3161735

[Sporting_Man]

That CZ from the first link - that is the one!

[addicted]

the buy now price is around $1490.  I think that scope costs about 800 euros but i'm not sure if it's included or not. if you live in germany they mail to your front door.

I think i would take the steyr myself. Thats 5,000+ euros of gun and glass with the current bid at 1,500 and 13 hours left. 

[addicted]

here is one in the states.

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=215787460

[Sporting_Man]

Yeah, but I have one CZ550 American and those with iron sights would work better for me. Lux models... I really don't understand why don't they have that line of rifles here, in the US... They used to, but not any more.

[addicted]

because Americans generally aren't interested in having a gun that can shoot in a drive hunt with palm swell, a flanged Bavarian forestock and iron sights. they want a generic cast receiver rem700 in 7mm mag that they will put permanent rings and a scope that will only come off when it breaks.  Many only hunt one 3 day weekend a year and don't have or put the time in to really learn iron sights proficiently therefor a simple scope is practical and easy for them. I'm not saying Americans are a bunch of weekend warrior office junkies, infact i have met several people especially on this site who I would hit the mountains with any day.

90% of the rifles i see set up over here have true return to zero QD rings/mounts so that they can either use iron sights or switch to some sort of red dot. frankonia usually has a sale on the rifle you want with schwenkmontage rings/bases which have to be hand tooled differently for each rifle-scope set up by a proffessional machinist/buchsemacher and a meopta scope as kind of a package deal.

at the end of the day its all still just     

[Sporting_Man]

Agree to most of it, Addicted, but I still think that further you go out there, more it makes sense to have iron sights for a back-up. That would be a logical reason, on the other hand, I want an "adventure" rifle, that would be counted on for everything that happens out there in the woods... That one has to be with iron sights. You probably have even better reasons, since you obviously have them as well.

[addicted]

I orginally purchased Warne QD rings for mine and i intended to use my irons for close hunts but i found a sweet deal on the one piece steel mount i have it it currently that was a prototype from meopta. This made it a czeck scope on czeck rings on a czeck rifle. The mount has worked well and it is super beefy as i use it for a carrying handle.

[Miles]

because Americans generally aren't interested in having a gun that can shoot in a drive hunt with palm swell, a flanged Bavarian forestock and iron sights. they want a generic cast receiver rem700 in 7mm mag that they will put permanent rings and a scope that will only come off when it breaks.  Many only hunt one 3 day weekend a year and don't have or put the time in to really learn iron sights proficiently therefor a simple scope is practical and easy for them.

If you had hunted on the eastern portion of the US, drives and open sights are very common.  That's not just stuff they do in Germany.

And just because Washington has a short season and some people only get out and hunt one 3 day weekend, that doesn't mean the majority of the US hunting population does the same.

[Miles]

I guess my next gun is going to have to be a Rem 700 in 7mm Mag...

[addicted]

i dont think you could take the kick. thats why you got the swede 

[Miles]

i dont think you could take the kick. thats why you got the swede 

True...I wouldn't want to develop a flinch just to make next years deer "more dead".

[Sporting_Man]

Funny, but I returned to hunting with 7mm Rem Mag caliber... Made my shoulder more dead only... while I was practicing. I could tolerate 20-25 rounds a day, that was it. 

[addicted]

my buddy put 75 rounds through his 338 mag a couple months back.  the next day he didnt even want to go sit in a stand because he was afraid something would come out and he would have to shoot again.

[Sporting_Man]

my buddy put 75 rounds through his 338 mag a couple months back.  the next day he didnt even want to go sit in a stand because he was afraid something would come out and he would have to shoot again.

 
75 rounds even from the 30-06 sporter is  IMHO 

[addicted]

Alright Sporting man, lets see pics of your new rifle.