I checked the CZ website and the rifles are handsome at least on my screen. We have no local dealers, and I was wondering if anyone has seen and or shot these Czech marvels for any length of time! I read an Outdoor Life review that seems to leave something to be desired! Just wondering!

boy the Manlicher stocked piece surely looks nice!

r :D

They are very accurate out of the box rifles. From what I understand they put a lot into their actions and barrels and not as much into their stocks but they look fine to me. The only CZ I have is a 22LR but is it a very accurate rifle and I wouldn't hesitate to get one in any centerfire cartridge.

Tarheel catfish:

CZ rifles are well designed, based on the mauser action, and are accurate. The finish on the stock sometimes leaves something to be desired and sometimes is very nice. Some folks like the set trigger and others do not. The recent Outdoor Life article, if I recall correctly, was a review of the CZ Model 3 which is a USA manufacture rifle. There are rumors that the model 3 will so be discontinued. IMO one is much better served by the Czech manufactured rifle - which is everything but the model 3. You may wish to check out the CZForum.com. I own and have owned CZ rifles and am very pleased with them.

I don't have a CZ and I haven't shot one either, but I have handled a number of them at one of my favorite gun shops. All of the ones I looked at had nice triggers and metal work. They were smooth, and seemed like good quality guns for a reasonable price. If there was something I didn't like, it usually had to do with the stocks. It's just kind of a European look and feel that doesn't really appeal to me - not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not my thing.

I did look at a CZ Model 3 in 270 WSM. That was one nice looking rifle! It put me in mind of a Winchester M70 Featherweight Super Grade. About the same price range too. I didn't buy it because I really didn't need another rifle of that type, but it sure would have made a nice addition to the family.

I own a CZ 550 American in .270 Winchester topped with a Leupold 3x9 VX-II scope (see photo). It's a beautifully made rifle that shoots very well (sub 1-inch groups are easily obtainable). The bluing is superb, the stock fits me very well (has a little longer length of pull that I like and a nice recoil pad), and I like the Mauser action. I love the set trigger - you can hardly feel it when in set mode, while the standard pull is comparable to other rifles. The action is a little stiffer than something like a Rem. 700 or Win. 70, but not unusual for a 98 Mauser. The wood on my stock is fairly straight grained, but nicely finished with well cut checkering. Another thing I like is the extra barrel length in .270 - many manufacturers send the .270's out the door with a 22 inch tube, but I prefer something along the lines of 24 inches. I think the CZ is 23.6 inches (metric equivalent). All in all I'm very pleased with mine, and feel it's an excellent value.

I keep a CZ 527 Lux in my pickup in 223 all the time. A nice handy little rifle that shoots very well with most any kind a ammo except for the cheap russian stuff.

Flashhole just bought a 550 full stock and it is a pretty rifle except for the stock finish. I've looked at several in the Sportsman Warehouse up in Spokane WA and they had a 550 African in 375 H&H that had a beautiful finish. One of the nicest I've seen on a factory gun.

It's strange how the CZ finishes differ from gun to gun. Some are beautiful, some look like they been sprayed with brown stuff, though it is nice brown stuff.

I have a 452 and am looking at the 527 in 204 Ruger calibre as a squirrel gun. I am really happy with my 452 Lux, both in the finish and in the way it shoots.

I checked the CZ website and the rifles are handsome at least on my screen. We have no local dealers, and I was wondering if anyone has seen and or shot these Czech marvels for any length of time! I read an Outdoor Life review that seems to leave something to be desired! Just wondering!

boy the Manlicher stocked piece surely looks nice!

r :D Tarheel catfish - CZ rifles are available at Mace Sports in Mebane, right off of I40/85 at exit 157 (you can see the store from the interstate on the north side). They mostly have various .22s in stock but can order other models.

I own a CZ 550 American in .270 Winchester topped with a Leupold 3x9 VX-II scope (see photo). It's a beautifully made rifle that shoots very well (sub 1-inch groups are easily obtainable). The bluing is superb, the stock fits me very well (has a little longer length of pull that I like and a nice recoil pad), and I like the Mauser action. I love the set trigger - you can hardly feel it when in set mode, while the standard pull is comparable to other rifles. The action is a little stiffer than something like a Rem. 700 or Win. 70, but not unusual for a 98 Mauser. The wood on my stock is fairly straight grained, but nicely finished with well cut checkering. Another thing I like is the extra barrel length in .270 - many manufacturers send the .270's out the door with a 22 inch tube, but I prefer something along the lines of 24 inches. I think the CZ is 23.6 inches (metric equivalent). All in all I'm very pleased with mine, and feel it's an excellent value.
I'm glad you brought up the length of pull.
I am very pleased with my CZ550 in 30-06. The only change I made is to take off the 1" pad that came with the gun and install a 1/2" rubber butt plate. That little bit of difference made it settle in to my grip and shooting position much better.
Blueing, wood to metal fit, and accuracy is very good.
The length was an easy fix.

My oldest son has a CZ 452 FS .22LR. Beautiful wood in the stock. Excellent fit of wood to metal. Exceptionally smooth action. Light, smooth trigger/short pull. Extremely accurate.

I'm going to have to get one!!!!!!

I own the 550 Full Stock version in 243 Win with the detachable magazine. I b!+c#ed a little about the crummy finish on the stock but since I've had a chance to shoot it more I'm more forgiving of the brown yuck. I still plan to refinish it this winter after hunting season. It's a shooter. The 550 action is very nice and I have nothing but praise for the set trigger. I like the detachable magazine too.

I recently put a Remington 700 Light Varmint Stainless Steel in 221 Fireball on lay-away. The two guns that were in the running were the 700 and the CZ 527, both chambered for the Fireball. The action on my 550 is very impressive for the money, I just wasn't enamoured with the action on the 527. For that matter, I really don't care for the synthetic stock on the Remington either and will replace it with a thumb-hole varmint stock.

I'm glad to see others make comments about the length of pull on the CZ. I think mine is a tad too long too and will replace the butt pad with a thinner butt plate when I refinish it. I was woried that I might be physically misshapen.....no stubby arm fat jokes please :)

I have a friend who bought a CZ in 375 H&H. His comments to me.....nobody will diss you if you tote a CZ.

All things considered I would not hesitate to buy another CZ if I found the cartridge/model combination I was looking for. I know I would get good value for the money spent.

I have a 527 carbine in 7.62x39, finish is great and shoots even better than it looks! LOP is a little short on this one but it lends itself well to quick handling yet using the sling wrap it does well off hand at distance. Only thing I really don't care for is the scope mounts which make the scope sit a little too high for my likes. Fixed the open sights more to my likes and did away with the scope for now. Just a personal thing with me, others don't seem to have any problems with the scope mounts?

Friend of mine just got a 550 full stock in 9.3x62. Beautiful finish on this stock as well and really high amount of figure too, quite a sweet rifle! Didn't start handloading yet but the rifle out of the box ate the 285gr S&B factory loads and printed four consecutive five round groups in 1.1" @ 100 yds

I have several CZ's and all are gems in the shooting department. I have a 452 FS in .22 mag that is a lot of fun. I have seen a lot of .22 mags that struggle, but this one just put 10 of those Remington 33 gr plastic tipped beauties in 1.5 inches at 50 yards with the issue open sights. I put a 4x Burris on it and cut the group in half. Stock except some trigger work.
I have a 550 FS in 6.5x55 SM that shoots everything. The set trigger on this rifle is a delight, along with the light recoil I can't miss with it. This one will always put 3 140 Partitions into1.1 inches @100 yrds. It does better with 155-160 grainers, but I like the 140 better.
Next is a 550 FS in 9.3x62 Mauser that will put 3 286 gr Partitions into a 5/8 in group @100 yds.
Last is a 550 Safari in 416 Rigby that shoots well, but needs to be restocked for fit more than anything (I also find it unattractive). This one has only had some Federal 400 gr factory loads through it (12 so far) and three 3 shot groups were 1.5 ish with the express sights @60 yards.
The 6.5 has a 2x7 Kahles and the 9.3 a 4x Zeiss. I am very happy with them all and am sure that more are in the future. In fact a 452 in .22 LR will be purchased for son number two on his birthday, he is due August 19th. I am sorry son number one didn't get one for his 1st birthday, he got a 9422 Win. because dad wanted to break one in for him.

Idoc

I don't own a CZ but my mate has a Brno Model 2 in .22lr.
It shoots disgusting small groups and the wood is great.
The new rifles I've seen are also nice, handle well and shoot superbly.
And flashhole is right about CZ Safari rifles having cred: here in Australia most the 375 H&Hs, 458 Win Mags and 416 Rigbys available were CZs.
As such the standard is set by CZ rifles.

just checked out a FS 9.3x62 and just was amazed how simply clean the rifle was and how easily it "fit". Handled a 550 9.3x62 and for 529.00 w/o irons was a good buy. Hefted a .416 Rigby and decided it was too much a good thing. Even the 458Lott was amazing-some very good buys! Nice looking wood and smooth action. Figure maybe I can sell my scoped .375 RUM 700 BDL and get me a CZ. They have an excellent rep. for accuracy and reliability.

The only CZ I currently own is a CZ527 Lux in .22 and I really like it. The wood has a nice fit as well as finish. Some people are bothered by the extended magazine. How much it extends will depend on whether its a 5 or 10 round magazine. Mine is quite accurate. My next move is to get a centerfire 550 later in the year. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I have a CZ527 Varmint Laminate in .223 and a 452 in 17HMR.

The 527 is a darned fine rifle. The set trigger is just plain sweet. It shoots quite well and I will be using it for Factory Class Benchrest shooting (Yes, it shoots that good) at my local range. An odd thing about my rifle is that it doesn't actually match any specifications listed by CZ, but it is quite well built and shoots very well too.

I don't like my 452. The bolt is sloppy. The trigger is sloppy, stiff, and rough. I could make a better fitting stock with a draw-knife from a pine 2x4. The scope rail is some wierd size that defies fitting rings available in the US. The barrel fouls beyond belief in less than 50 rds and is real pain to clean. 17 HMR is the most worthless, useless, pathetic cartridge ever invented, IMHO. I'd trade it in, but nobody else seems to want it either...

There is likely a CZ 550 in my future, and possibly a 527 in 7.62x39, but I won't ever again buy one of their rimfires.

I don't like my 452. The bolt is sloppy. The trigger is sloppy, stiff, and rough. I could make a better fitting stock with a draw-knife from a pine 2x4. The scope rail is some wierd size that defies fitting rings available in the US. The barrel fouls beyond belief in less than 50 rds and is real pain to clean.

About your 452. I have the same rifle in .22lr. My barrel is fine. Very accurate. My trigger did need a little work I did myself, but they make a kit that will make it very light a crisp for you. My grooved reciever is a standard 3/8 groove. I wonder if its possible you got one with a metric groove. They do make rings for it, or you can also use Millet Angle-loc rings will fit either.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=298742

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=649154

The Milletts say 3/8ths, but since they are windage adjustable, they have plenty of adjustment in them for the 26mm grooved recievers.

What 17HMR ammo are you using in your 452?

About your 452. I have the same rifle in .22lr. My barrel is fine. Very accurate. My trigger did need a little work I did myself, but they make a kit that will make it very light a crisp for you. My grooved reciever is a standard 3/8 groove. I wonder if its possible you got one with a metric groove. They do make rings for it, or you can also use Millet Angle-loc rings will fit either.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=298742

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=649154

The Milletts say 3/8ths, but since they are windage adjustable, they have plenty of adjustment in them for the 26mm grooved recievers.

What 17HMR ammo are you using in your 452?

I bought a sleeve and spring kit for the trigger, but the procedure to install it looks to be very prone to causing damage to the trigger/sear and will require a new pin of some <odd> size to complete. Looks like a lot more trouble than it is worth.

I finally found a set of Leupold rings for a 13mm(?) rail that clamped well enough to hold the scope. It isn't perfect, but good enough.

I have tried both of the Hornady loads and the Remington loads with the same results. After 20 rounds or so, the barrel needs to be cleaned in order to keep the groups on the paper at 100yds. I haven't found a solvent yet that takes less than a dozen patches to get the barrel clean.

I bought CZ rings. They're not cheap, but you don't need a base.... also WAY high for my taste. However, a 4x12 AO Leupold *just* fits the gun now, and it's a real pleasure to shoot at the range.

Trigger needs a bit of work, though, but it's already superbly accurate, more than any of my other .22s.

I have a CZ452 .22mag and love it. Very accurate out of the box. The action needed a little work in front of the tv but after a couple hours of cycling it is real smooth, no more roughness at all. My father has the .22lr and is also very pleased. Excellent wood on both. Mine loves the remington v-max bullets. If I do my part, 5 stay within an inch from center at 100 yds.
Kurt

ive got the 527 in 204 ruger it shoots great, easily shoots sub moa groups at a 100 yards as long as i do my part. the set trigger is a big help for that. the ring set up is a different story though, when i ordered the rifle i ordered a medium set of rings got the rifle home mounted a 4.5 x 14 nikon and the rings were to short so i ended up going with the high rings and the bolt barely clears. i prefer to keep the scope as low as possible. the fit and finish are very good and and the wood is nice looking to but not much figure in it.

ive got the 527 in 204 ruger it shoots great, easily shoots sub moa groups at a 100 yards as long as i do my part. the set trigger is a big help for that. the ring set up is a different story though, when i ordered the rifle i ordered a medium set of rings got the rifle home mounted a 4.5 x 14 nikon and the rings were to short so i ended up going with the high rings and the bolt barely clears. i prefer to keep the scope as low as possible. the fit and finish are very good and and the wood is nice looking to but not much figure in it.


I have noticed that all the newer scopes out, well most of them anyway are going to a large eyepiece. I personally don't like the looks of them. This is going to be a problem for those of us wanting the scope as low to the barrel as possible. Maybe a good idea to buy a few Normal eyepiece scopes and keep them handy, and keep the ones you have and not let them go with a gun that you trade off.

My CZ 452 is a 22LR is a tack-driver, especially with the CCI standard velocity target ammo. Makes one very small ragged hole at 50 yards. Overall I am very pleased with it. I would not hesitate to take a CZ in a centerfire chambering based on my experience with the 452.

My best friend has a Brno .22 Hornet (forerunner of CZ), and he amazes me with that rifle. When we hunt woodchuck I take the longer shots with my .22-250 and aything under 125yds. goes to him and his .22 Hornet. It's rare I've ever seen him miss with that rifle over almost 10 years. Brno made their reputation in N. America with that Hornet. I think my next CZ will be the .22Hornet. It's a winner. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I think that the CZ's are about the best buy out there at present. My .22 is used to shoot silhouette and was less than 1/2 the cost of a comparable .22.
Woody

I looked long and hard at the CZ when I was shopping for my 416. I did finally go with the Ruger 77 Magnum but I still want a CZ. Well, two actually. ;) A 550 FS in 30-06 and a 550 SAfari Magnum in .375 H&H. Although Id give up both to get a CZ 55FS in 7x57 Mauser. Then all would be right with the world.