Found an AHR CZ 550 in 375 H&H for US4000, anyone has info or opinions?

[Av8or]

Found an AHR CZ 550 in 375 H&H for 4000.00$ seems like a good price. Anyone have info or opinions?
It is the full upgrade which costs 3750 on the website.
Thanks

 

[Rob404]

Look for a Whitworth, Remington or a Winchester in the 1k range a save the rest for a Safari

 

[TTundra]

If you were going to buy a CZ550 in 375 H&H and send it to Wayne for that upgrade, then yes, not a bad price.
There are a few 375's on GB that are nice that Im sure can be talked down a bit. A pretty JP, a Frank Wells custom built, and some others.

 

[enysse]

I bought my CZ 375 H&H when they first came on the market. They were a little rough but there is no way I would have paid $3000 dollars more to turn it into a custom rifle. I just oiled, shot and cycled my CZ until it functioned perfect. A nice Win Model 70 would be a dreamy rifle. I have one in a .416 Rem and it’s beautiful!

 

[K E Johnson]

Toby sold a Winchester 70 stainless classic made in New Haven on here not long ago for just north of a grand. I already have one or I would have jumped on it.

I put a McMillan stock stock on mine as I prefer a longer length of pull and they will build to your length. About $650 and I bedded it. Thinking seriously about having it nitride coated.

That would be my choice.

I bought a used custom 416 Rigby built by Wiseman on a Dakota 76 action for quite a bit less than that CZ. I really like it as well. I won’t be selling it.

It just depends on what you want and where you want to put your money.

 

[scoober78]

Yeah, just my two cents, having handled the CZ a lot in my hunt for my .375...no way I spend 4K to customize one.

If you’re willing to spend 4K on a rifle pre-glass, my opinion is you should dream bigger than the CZ550. You’re approaching Blaser money for crying out loud...either buy the 550 (or a nice Model 70 for less than a grand more) and put the money toward a trip, or buy a real “Go #%^* yourself nice” rifle.

 

[Tanks]

For $4K you can order an action, have a gunsmith of your choice barrel it and have the stock maker of your choice build a custom stock for it.

That is like buying a $600 Glock and spending $2,500 to customize it (yes, I know people do it).

 

[Av8or]

Thank you for the replies. I already have a Montana rifle company 375 that is perfect for my safari needs. Just bored during this downtime and looking at nice wood and guns. I was thinking I would be better off going big if I could. Thanks

 

[roverandbrew]

For $4K you can order an action, have a gunsmith of your choice barrel it and have the stock maker of your choice build a custom stock for it.

That is like buying a $600 Glock and spending $2,500 to customize it (yes, I know people do it).

What is the difference between a CZ 550 AHR Upgrade # 3 and spending about the same if not more on purchasing an action and going through the build process? Are you saying the CZ action post upgrade is less reliable than another double square bridge action? I have not noticed a real difference in regards to reliability/ function between an upgraded CZ and similarly priced builds.

 

[Ed Lally]

For that much money buy an R8. Safari Stock $1600, bolt carrier and bolt $750, mag $160, .375 Bkaser barrel w sights $1050. Less than $4000.

 

[Tanks]

What is the difference between a CZ 550 AHR Upgrade # 3 and spending about the same if not more on purchasing an action and going through the build process? Are you saying the CZ action post upgrade is less reliable than another double square bridge action? I have not noticed a real difference in regards to reliability/ function between an upgraded CZ and similarly priced builds.

Upgrade # 3 is $3,795 and you have to provide the donor barreled CZ action So, not as cost effective and also it does not provide a barrel of your choice if you have a preference (Douglas etc.). But you are looking at 6 months or more, so if time is of the essence going for the deal OP mentioned would make sense especially seeing he is saving the cost of the barreled action.

 

[scoober78]

What is the difference between a CZ 550 AHR Upgrade # 3 and spending about the same if not more on purchasing an action and going through the build process? Are you saying the CZ action post upgrade is less reliable than another double square bridge action? I have not noticed a real difference in regards to reliability/ function between an upgraded CZ and similarly priced builds.

Namely, from most custom guys, at that price you are getting a blueprinted, squared, trued action...the barrel of your choice in the length you want and contour you want...more than likely an accuracy guarantee. Don’t get me wrong, they do nice work, but the vast majority of it is ergonomic and aesthetic (excepting the trigger). For $4500 you can buy a real tack driving custom, or start to talk Blaser, JP Sauer, Frank Wells for a custom Mauser etc...

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

I've 2 CZ550's with Waynes Upgrade #2. I like them a LOT. They both shoot very well. I bought second hand rifles for around $600 each, stocks from B&C for $275 (i believe....), and around $2000 for the upgrade. For less than 3K each, I am very happy. Whether the AHR stock is worth the extra $1000 is your call.

 

[Longwalker]

I have that same model and paid approximately that price, but added more $$$ to have it imported to Canada. I found the rifle was a good value for the money spent.
I also have a Sako Kodiak .375. It cost me about half the money, but needed some $50 in gunsmithing to replace the claw extractor with a tighter fitting one in order to correct the angle of ejection.
I like them about equally. One is a functional tool that is a product of industrial efficiency and engineering expertise. It handles correctly for me and is very accurate and is not fussy about the ammunition I shoot. I feeds and ejects so smoothly I can do so from the shoulder with no problems. It is not beautiful.
The other is a piece of functional art, has no significant flaws other than slightly excessive size and weight, and it only likes 300 gr. bullets. I prefer to dismount between shots and work the bolt from a lower position because the bolt binds slightly and is not so smooth. And it exudes "panache" - fitting for a safari in Africa.

 

[Tanks]

...I prefer to dismount between shots and work the bolt from a lower position because the bolt binds slightly and is not so smooth. And it exudes "panache" - fitting for a safari in Africa.

If you ever do take it to Africa for DG I'd strongly suggest having a gunsmith look at that, Dismounting between shots can mean the difference between life and death, literally. I wouldn't have been able to taken the second shot (turns out I didn't need it) if I had dismounted. The elephant was at 15 meters when he came for us and the PH was blocked by the tracker as we were looking for another elephant so didn't have a shot to back me up.

 

[roverandbrew]

Upgrade # 3 is $3,795 and you have to provide the donor barreled CZ action So, not as cost effective and also it does not provide a barrel of your choice if you have a preference (Douglas etc.). But you are looking at 6 months or more, so if time is of the essence going for the deal OP mentioned would make sense especially seeing he is saving the cost of the barreled action.

I have done an AHR upgrade #3 on my 374 H&H over time as money allowed. Initial investment was rifle, working the action, cut the barrel + barrel band, and straight bolt handle. I used that for a few years and have saved up enough to complete the build. My plains game rifle (CZ550 30-06) is built along the same lines by AHR. I have been very happy with both and never had an issue on any Hunt from Colorado in the winter to Africa. At some point I would like to do a custom build for a 404J.

 

[roverandbrew]

Namely, from most custom guys, at that price you are getting a blueprinted, squared, trued action...the barrel of your choice in the length you want and contour you want...more than likely an accuracy guarantee. Don’t get me wrong, they do nice work, but the vast majority of it is ergonomic and aesthetic (excepting the trigger). For $4500 you can buy a real tack driving custom, or start to talk Blaser, JP Sauer, Frank Wells for a custom Mauser etc...

Can you recommend a gunsmith who will do a custom Mauser build complete for $4500? I honestly am not to smart on the custom scene. Most gunsmiths where I live are well over AHR prices and take a year.

 

[Longwalker]

If you ever do take it to Africa for DG I'd strongly suggest having a gunsmith look at that, Dismounting between shots can mean the difference between life and death, literally. I wouldn't have been able to taken the second shot (turns out I didn't need it) if I had dismounted. The elephant was at 15 meters when he came for us and the PH was blocked by the tracker as we were looking for another elephant so didn't have a shot to back me up.

Considering one the finest gunsmiths in the USA and the one with the most experience with this model has already worked on it, I don't think I'm going to send it to anyone else to smooth the action. It's already as smooth as the design allows. If speed is such an issue, I'll use my Merkel double instead.

 

[Red Leg]

I just don't get paying that kind of money for any firearm that required extensive tuning by a gunsmith to make it ready for hunting. That strikes me as a little crazy. In this case, you are paying four grand for a basic mauser that has been "fixed" by a gunsmith. Four grand - as in four thousand dollars. Why not take that potential investment and purchase a Blaser R8 in .375? I own something north of a dozen rifles in dangerous game calibers, several of which are superb mausers of one form or another. The R8 has become my go to African rifle because it is inherently superior - as in a better rifle. Moreover, it will perform exactly to specifications right out of the box. You won't have to send it anywhere except to checked baggage for your hunt.

 

[roverandbrew]

I just don't get paying that kind of money for any firearm that requires expensive tuning by a gunsmith to make it ready for hunting. That strikes me as insane. Go take your total potential investment and purchase a Blaser R8 in .375. I own something north of a dozen rifles in dangerous game calibers, several of which are superb mausers of one form or another. The R8 has become my go to African rifle because it is inherently superior - as in a better rifle. Moreover, it will perform exactly to specifications right out of the box.

I absolutely see your logic in regards to “extensive tuning”. Mine functioned flawlessly out of the box. I have worked on cosmetics and ergonomics over time. I guess I enjoy that. I also restore series Land a rovers and travel with them when I could just buy a new Toyota. Regarding the R8 it’s just not my style. Your logic is sound just not my thing I guess.