CZ 550 Safari in .375 H & H

[npm352]

Got one last year in .375. Killed am ele and buff with it. I like it. I didnt do anything except work the bolt to smooth it while watching hunting videos. I did not find a perfect load but got 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards with detachable Leopold. Shot ele at 12 yards open sights and buff at 25 yards so accuracy worked out. Also got bushbuck and hyena. Great economical gun. Build like a tank and have never had feeding problems which was my biggest concern.

 

[redriverjake]

I'm having absolute hell trying to get my CZ 550 .375 to shoot strait. It was fine for a long time but this last year it's gone "crazy". I've never had any issues with the stock, trigger, or the action. I've got a brand new leupold VX 3 on talley rings. My grouping the day before yesterday was about 1 1/2 feet and in any given direction. Looked like a buckshot pattern from 30 yards. I loved the rifle and shot everything from deer up with it. I'm vexed and terribly disappointed. So much so that I'm looking I'm thinking of selling the rifle that has tremendous sentimental value and possibly replacing it with a new Winchester Safari Express. If a rifle doesn't shoot strait every time it's worse than useless. Thoughts gentlemen ?

 

[ActionBob]

Check that the action screws are tight? I would probably take it apart, clean everything really well, and then put it back together and be sure to torque the screws down properly. If that does not do, check the scope. And possibly try different ammo?

First things first though, if shot good in the past, ask why not now? Something changed so figure it out.

 

[redriverjake]

Yes sir, I've been through those steps several times over the last couple of months. Swapped scopes, rings, ammo, I've gone muzzle to recoil pad like I was checking my woman for ticks.
Being a guide I don't get the kind of trigger time I enjoyed previously. I've had this rifle quite some time and it's the only one I typically use for my personal hunting and occasionally as back up. What I'm saying is once I got over the initial hard romance with her as all true loves begin, we settled into a a deeply comfortable and trusting relationship. I've been lucky to get 100 rounds a year through her since 07'. Only thing that seems to make any kind of sense is that the barrel is shot out. Not having an exact round count through it I can only guess that it's not exceeding 1,500 by many of any . Being that over the last 11 years when I ordered it, its's hard to believe that's the case.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Like Bob said I'd clean it down to the steel. See if that changes anything.

Quick look down the barrel with a scope will determine that one quickly.

Did the crown of the barrel get dinged?

 

[redriverjake]

It seems to be possessed by the worst of the Devils own succubi. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, seemingly wrong with it.

 

[Adam S]

You probably already have thought of this, but have you thoroughly gotten copper out of the bore? On some rifles, this doesn't seem to matter much, but I've also seen significant improvement after a good cleaning with something like Sweet's and Kroil/JB bore compound.

 

[redriverjake]

I have not tried any compound but been at it with good solvents.

 

[redriverjake]

Do any of y'all have any experience with the current model 70 safari express in .375 ?

 

[ActionBob]

Do any of y'all have any experience with the current model 70 safari express in .375 ?

Great gun!

 

[redriverjake]

That's great news. What's the skinny on em' ? I've seen a few, not enough to make my own educated opinion but enough to respect them so far. I've seen a couple shoot wonderfully and have also read mixed reviews.

 

[ActionBob]

Most common complaint seems to be that it only holds 3 down in the magazine. Very smooth bolt right out of the box, mine was very accurate, as was the 416 rem mag version I got a few months later. Another complaint by some might be that other than the venerable 375 H&H... It comes in 416 rem mag, not 416 Rigby, and 458 Win Mag, not the Lott version. But in 375, it is superb! And nothing wrong with a 416 Rem Mag!

They come with the trigger a bit heavy for a hunting rifle and I shoot mine more accurately now that I've turned it down to 3 pounds, which is as low as it goes (by backing out the screw all the way). You need to add scope bases such as weaver mounts where a CZ or Ruger have integral bases machined in... But on the other hand this lets you use any rings you like. Only one rear sight, no flip up... but hey, it is an economically priced gun that is inherently, accurate, comes with a barrel band swivel, express sights, CRF, and works right out of the box!

 

[redriverjake]

That's better than good to hear and is exactly what I need from a rifle. 3+1 should be enough, if I know the rifle is doing its job and a situation calls for more than that, I'll accept responsibility for the rest. The truth is, it's all my responsibility to begin and end with, I just want to know my equipment did its part when called upon. Confidence in someone's chosen instrument, among other things, makes a world of difference.

 

[Marshall T Farr]

Thank you all for your advice and opinionf on this subject...most helpful!!!!

 

[Redruff]

You'll like the CZ in 375H&H. Mine right out of the box had no issues. The problem you will have is you'll want to go by her big sister in 458 Lott just in case she does give you an issue will out in the bush. You'll then want the romantic African calibers and find yourself ordering a custom paid pair in 7x57 and 9.3x62. And when you get those you'll just have to bite the bullet one day and get a double 600NE because that "one more safari" you promised your wife would be the last deserves to be completed with that new double.

All the best with the future scheming!

R.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I agree with Redruff.
I had the same.
Witold

 

[Milan]

You'll like the CZ in 375H&H. Mine right out of the box had no issues. The problem you will have is you'll want to go by her big sister in 458 Lott just in case she does give you an issue will out in the bush. You'll then want the romantic African calibers and find yourself ordering a custom paid pair in 7x57 and 9.3x62. And when you get those you'll just have to bite the bullet one day and get a double 600NE because that "one more safari" you promised your wife would be the last deserves to be completed with that new double.

All the best with the future scheming!

R.

LOL...very true.

 

[bassasdaindia]

I have both CZ and M70 in 375 , both are great rifles .

both need trigger jobs out of the box . IMHO

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I think the same as Bassasdaindia.
Witold

 

[matt85]

Do any of y'all have any experience with the current model 70 safari express in .375 ?

as mentioned, I love my M70 in 416 RM! @ActionBob is right on the money with his description of Winchester Safari express rifles.

one thing you should keep in mind is that Winchester uses the same barrel for all three cartridges. so the barrel is a little heavy for a 375 and a little light for the 458 but just right for a 416 RM. I haven't fired the M70 in 375 but I have the 416 and the 458 and found the 458 to be too light to be comfortable.

-matt