I saw interarms on cabelas and started searching around google. Why is this first time I'm hearing of the company? Obviously i am new to the big boy calibers but dont seem to pop up that much on this forum or others. Everything i see online is they shoot great but is there a catch? Why are the CZ and M70 the most discussed?
Interarms is an importer of firearms and yes, they are still in business. I talked to the owner last summer at Camp Perry. They offer a modern manufacture Luger in stainless steel.
Here is a Gun Digest on the Mark X in 375 H&H;
https://gundigest.com/gun-reviews/r...75-hh-market-mauser-grade-proves-a-true-value
@dailordasailor I have owned Interarms rifles for more than 40 years. They are good rifles, but that little tiny sliding safety on the right can be hard to find it you're in a hurry....which you might be with a 375. I replaced them with a model 70 style wing safeties........other than that, they were pretty much ready to go. I can't say that about my CZ...................FWB
Roger that FWB!
Here's a rundown from lowest to highest priced guns.
All those mentioned, Interarms mark X, M70 and CZ 550M are Controlled Round Feed (CRF). A push feed action is okay but CFR has more control.
1. Mark X has a Mauser action made by Zapata. "The end result here is a German design from 1898—licensed from a Belgian company in 1924, machined by a Yugoslavian manufacturer in the 1970s and imported soon after by an American entrepreneur" from the Gun Digest article.
Very good out of the box rifle. Add a $300 M70 safety and it will serve you for many years.
2. Winchester Model 70, Based on the Mauser 98 action modified to be The Riflemans Rifle. The push feed versions were made between 1964 and 1991. "Recognizing that many shooters would quickly embrace a re-introduction of the pre-’64 action, Winchester introduced the Classic series in 1992. Retaining many of the key features of the pre-’64, the Classic is a great rifle, and the used
Classic Stainless .300 Winchester Magnum I picked up at the local gun shop fifteen years ago or so has become a dear friend. It’s been across America with me, taking bear and deer here in my native New York, pronghorn in Wyoming, aoudad in Texas and more. I've seen African Professional Hunters carry a Classic in .375 H&H for backup work, and I've handloaded for at least a half-dozen Classics; all were wonderfully accurate." From American Hunter;
https://www.americanhunter.org/content/an-ode-to-the-winchester-model-70/
Also see from Guns and Ammo;
https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/winchester-model-70-evolution/391985
3. CZ 550M, "The beast", my words... A magnum length action based on the Mauser 98. This is a Safari Rifle with large capacity drop magazine and while in production available in the largest dangerous game cartridges.
The 550M safety IMO should be changed over to the M70 style safety and the front sling stub removed from the stock and a barrel band sling stud installed. This allows the muzzle to travel lower when carried by a sling. Some also shorten the barrel to 22".
From CZ's website:
https://cz-usa.com/cz-550-big-bore-rifles-designed-for-american-hunters-available-in-14-calibers/
I believe all are currently out of production. Winchester or however owns the company will probably resume production once there is significant demand. The CZ was probably too expensive to produce. We will be lucky if it ever is produced again.
I own many M70's, most being pre-64 custom guns and a couple Classic CRF models. All are great!
I also own a couple of CZ 550's just because they are out of production. My 375 H&H' magazine holds six rounds! My M70's only hold four. I also own a CZ in 416 Rigby just because. The M70 action isn't "practically" large enough for this gigunda cartridge! The magazine holds only 3 rounds. The M70's were available in 416 Remington Magnum which duplicates the Rigby performance in a smaller diameter cartridge case. This is achieved at high pressure. My M70 416 Rem magazing holds four rounds.
That's a quick run down...
