This made for some good morning reading! Any idea why CZ stopped production of the 550? I went to look at their website a couple weeks ago and saw the news.
They joined the mainstream of commercial gun factories, and invested in automated producation line, based on CNC machinery.
Once, in the eastern block they at least had cheap labor. But now, in EU, things change.
Secondly, it could be worn out old machinery - but, note, renewal of machinery is not the only answer for mauser type action, as it needs skilled labor, and man hours as well in order to keep production.
This all makes costs very high. Then, consider two lines of production, for medium lenght action and for magnum action? O, man! Any sane economy prudent gun making managment will not go this route.
So, they made decision, similar what Winchester made in 1964.
They (CZ) went to push feed rifle production. New Model cz 557.
Then, they also phased out magnum action line of production.
Then, they heavily reduced calibers,in new CZ 557 down to 308 win and 30-06. (and maybe 6.5 CM for some models)
Then, they reduced CZ 527 (short action) down to two calibers in production 223 rem, and 7.62x39
And they are now focusing on pistol market, with ever increasing number of models in pistol line.
22lr rifle production still holds acceptable quality.
And, latest news: they bought american Colt company. (Earlier, CZ USA had Dan Wesson as well)
What will come out of all this, I dont know. But I doubt, that new baby of next decade will be affordable CRF rifle, by CZ.
In the meantime you have, following factories making mauser 98 rifles, clones. Medium action.
Zastava m70, medium action, up to 375 H&H and 458 win mag. Zastava keeps production traditionally, higher manhours dont bother them much because: they employ the cheapest labor in gun making world, plus, lower quality control standard (since 1990-is), older guns are good, newer guns, is matter of luck what you will get. So rifles keep getting out from production line.
Winchester m70, well, I cant say anymore that it has already been said about new in m70, made in portugal. Its an option.
Then,
Voere - Austrian company, still advertises m98 type of hunting rifles, for acceptable working man prices, medium action, but only up to 9.3x62 caliber, while 458 or 375 are not available.
Then
Ruger guide gun. With DG calibers available in 375 Ruger and 416 Ruger.
And finally CZ rifle, 2nd hand CZ 550, or ZKK line.
(start looking around, if you plan to buy)
Then we have all this modern hype about high end push feed rifles, modular rifles, etc in all kinds of calibers, which sounds interesting and way to go for modern hunting men (and novellle class), and probably it is OK, but keep in mind that companies such as Holland and Holland, Westley Richards, Rigby, and others of similar reputation like continental Austrian Ferlach workshops, make exlusively m98 action in their workshops, for the worlds elite and royalties. (I wonder why is that???, since other actions are so good??? well I guess I will never know)
Bottom line, mauser system is expensive to produce, and gun makers cannot compete in demanding market with mauser action, while in the same time, cheaper push feed models are almost quite as relible and possibly more accurate. (endless subject of numeorus debates on the forum, and elswhere)
Dangerous game hunters market is comparativley small, in entire hunting industry market, so mauser 98 is melting to remain in higher end DG market class. (for those who know what m98 action really is, and are willing to pay for it)
Recently, Mauser company (part of group of companies Mauser-Blaser-Sauer), has restarted production od mauser 98, including magnum action.
Its definetley good news, but the rifle commands high price. starting at 7-8k eur, and have seen them in more then 10k range.
Rigby, after its short american affair, came back to UK, is bought (if I am not mistaken) by same group of companies Mauser-Sauer-Blaser, and once again is importing original mauser actions, for their wonderful, fine DG bolt actions, as they did traditionally at the beggining of XX century.
Thats the present situation.
You want CRF, magnum, for DG? Start looking now for 2nd hand options, or start saving money.
