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Winchester Model 70 or CZ 550

flivver35
Can anyone tell me about the new Safari Model 70's made in Columbia, SC? (quality, accuracy, reliabilty, etc.)

I have been looking for a new rifle and narrowed it down to a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby and the new Model 70 in 416 Rem. I currently own both a CZ 550 and an older Model 70. I am leaning toward the CZ but I like the feel of the Model 70.

I already have a 375 ruger in the Hawkeye African but I have been told that .400 is the floor for Cape Buffalo. Is this the case or are the stores that I have visited only trying to sell me another rifle?

I am planning on going to Africa in 3 years and would like to become familiar with the rifle before I go.

Thanks
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • Hollywood
    Can't tell you about the mod. 70, but I can tell you that CZ's are the most used rifle in Africa. Thats gotta tell you something.[;)]
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  • sandwarrior
    I like both a lot. The only leaner to the Winchester to me is the safety. However, that is offset by the set trigger of the CZ.

    For me it pretty much comes down to price. but you wouldn't go wrong either way.
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  • beantownshootah
    I've heard that legal minimum everywhere in Africa for dangerous game is .375, but you'd have to check the specific regulations for where you were hunting to know what's allowed. Its possible that its more in certain jurisdictions.

    That said, Cape Buffalo is a likely 1500+lb animal with big horns, a notoriously bad temper, and a tendency to charge hunters if wounded (in some cases fatally). So whatever the minimum legal requirement, I think going to .400+ caliber is probably not bad advice!

    I sort of doubt that FN in Columbia is putting out a bad product.

    So my take on this is that either rifle will likely serve you well, and whichever one you like better (for reason of price, features, and especially "feel") is probably the better gun for YOU.

    If you don't feel strongly about one or the other, then it probably doesn't really matter.
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  • dfletcher
    Most of my CZs, including the 416 Rigby, are of the Euro stock design. I suppose it helps with cheek weld when using a scope but for me it has a habit of increasing felt recoil. I have a Ruger No1 in 458 that doesn't pop me as much as the CZ. The CZ 550 trigger is nice, but I don't see it being of great value on a 416 - at least, I don't use it much if at all.

    Just supposing from slightly lesser 70s I've fired, but I think the Winchester will have a more "straight back" recoil impulse

    I think I'd throw the Ruger 77 Magnum in for consideration too:

    http://ruger.com/products/m77MarkIIMagnum/models.html
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