CZ 550 vs FN Winchester SC Model 70

[E304life]

Please answer this first. Objectively, who makes the better gun, FN/Winchester or CZ?

Now that that is out of the way, I am casually considering a .308 bolt gun when the money tree buds out again. This would be a target and possibly hunting rifle. This doesn't have to be a .25MOA gun. I'd like to be able to ring steel gongs way out there some day, (if I can find a range big enough), as well as humanely take game as big as whitetail. I am a big fan of CRF and fixed blade ejectors. High reliability makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside even if I don't need it.

Here are some options: CZ makes a 550 varmint with a walnut stock that seems to be an exceptional value. Winchester makes a walnut stocked featherweight for slightly less money, but not with a heavy barrel. FN and winchester also make synthetic stocked, heavy barrel guns (M70 Stealth and tactical sports rifle) that are more expensive than the CZ, but I'd rather have beautiful wood than flimsy plastic. The only non wood stock I would consider would be fiberglass/CF stocks (Manners, Mcmillan ect...) that would come on the much pricier FN SPR models, or as an upgrade to add on to one of these rifles. CZ is a little limited in aftermarket stock options, but i may be pleased enough with the walnut.

So what would you go with? I believe in buy once cry once. Is the CZ good enough? Should I start with a lower tier FN/winchester and upgrade stocks? Should I wait a while and go all out with the SPR?

The answer to the first question is what matters most.

Thank you!

 

[Uncle Mike]

I wouldn't say one is any 'better' than the other, but 9 out of 10 times, I would choose the CZ over the Winchester any day!

I think you answered your own question in your text.

The SPR is not a super accurate rifle, they routinely don't shoot any better than the sporter barreled Winchesters.

Some of the CZ's in the past, have been somewhat picky as to the ammo you feed them, but once the load was found that the rifle liked, they would shoot nicely, often well below MOA.

My vote is for the CZ550.....

 

[Abel]

I'd take the M70 Featherweight over a CZ of similar price.

 

[desidog]

They are both very good rifle makes, and are quite comparable.

My advice would be to stop looking at pictures online and go to a gun shop and shoulder as many flavors of each as they'll let you touch. See which one fits you better, and which one you like the controls on better. You can't compare a gun with a bull-barrel and synthetic stock against a wood stocked sporter contour gun well, except for the action itself. and that's only one of the elements that make up a rifle.

 

[Captcurt]

If you are talking better finish, CZ. The wood finish is fantastic, the metal is highly polished and has the gorgeous deep blue that American guns used to have before they went cheap. Wood to metal fit is good and they have a fantastic trigger. As for accuracy, it is a question that cannot be answered. One CZ might out shoot a Mod 70 and another might not. But at least you won't need to do a trigger job on the 550. You will have to decide if you want beauty and function or just function. Personally I would go with the CZ, and this is from a man who has drooled all over a Model 70 Super Grade for years.

 

[USSR]

The SPR is not a super accurate rifle, they routinely don't shoot any better than the sporter barreled Winchesters.

Yeah, Uncle Mike, those FN SPR's just can't quite make the grade.



Must have been some kind of anomaly beating guys with GAP-built sticks on occasion.



Don

 

[E304life]

So if barrels are about even for accuracy, which action is stouter? Which trigger is more rugged? Which trigger breaks in a more glasslike fashion?

I own a CZ 453 in .17 hmr, but don't have own any other brands of bolt action rifles to compare it against. I've handled rimfire savages, and they leave a lot to be desired as far as "perceived quality".

Thanks for the replies!

 

[stubbicatt]

I don't know which you prefer. There is much more to owning or enjoying a rifle than accuracy. Truly I've read about barreled actions bolted into heavy steel blocks being used to determine great accuracy. But add a wood stock to the action and who knows what happens next. To me there is fit and finish, there is the way the rifle fits me, how it feels in the hands, how smooth the action feels, other acoutrements such as detachable box magazines (if you like that sort of thing), the way scope rings mount up, the length of the barrel, the density of the wood stock, all of these sorts of things.

I have never held the FN, although the pre64 Winchesters are well known for being super quality actions. I have held and own the CZ550 Varmint rifle you speak of. I really enjoy mine. It really is a nicely made and nicely finished rifle. I love the set trigger, although the standard trigger is also very nice just the way it is.

I hope whichever you choose gives you many years of enjoyment.

 

[USSR]

Cannot speak for the CZ, but a guy I know did a test regarding the stiffness of the M700 and M70. He found that the M70 was nearly twice as stiff as the M700 receiver. Winchester went to a new trigger about a year or two ago, but prior to that, the Winchester trigger was easily adjustable and safe with a light let off. Also, there are a lot more after market parts for the M70.

Don

 

[Uncle Mike]

Yeah, Uncle Mike, those FN SPR's just can't quite make the grade

Nice shootin' USSR!

I often refer to a completely stock, as from the manufacturer firearm. Most folks are not going to modify their rifle with stocks, triggers, lapping, so on....

Most folks asking the type of questions the OP asked are not going to use reloads either but will often times elect to use the cheap stuff in the rifle. Hence my post.


I have a SPR that will shoot similar to yours, but it has had a tiny bit of work done to it, so....

 

[Geno]

My CZs were nice, but my new Winchesters are nicer. The Winchesters are more refined than my CZs were. The Winchesters have better fit, and better finish and are more accurate. What's not to like about that and to boot, made in the good ol' US of A!

Geno

 

[c919]

I was in your boat about a month ago. I went with the CZ 550 American in 308, but guess what....

... come tax return time, I will own a Win. 70 as well.

The CZ is pretty much just going to be a beautiful range toy, whereas the M70 will be hopefully become my new deer gun.

I don't think you'll find a gun with the aesthetic qualities of the CZ in it's price range (of course much of that is quite subjective). Mine has gorgeous wood, great fit, and the metal is perfect.

I do, however, think that the Win. 70 fits me better in terms of hunting (which might have something to do with the pound and a half weight difference). This is also very subjective.

To be honest, I don't think you will find anyone who will give you a credible, objective answer as to whether one is better because there really isn't a right answer. They are both quite close in quality. So its really just a matter of little things that will appeal to different people. Do you want European made gun with a set trigger, Turkish Walnut, integral mounting base, and detachable mag? Or do you want an American made classic that weighs less, has a three position safety, a non-set trigger, and average stock? Those are a few points of difference between the two that are worth considering. Both will be plenty accurate and fun to shoot.

Both are great guns. You can't go wrong with either. Perhaps you'll end up getting both as I plan to do...

 

[Captcurt]

My CZs were nice, but my new Winchesters are nicer. The Winchesters are more refined than my CZs were. The Winchesters have better fit, and better finish and are more accurate. What's not to like about that and to boot, made in the good ol' US of A!

Geno

I guess I need to look the new Winchesters over, guys. The last time I looked CZ had them beat.

USSR,
It's a shame your rifle will only shot one-hole. Maybe you can keep them from touching next time.

 

[E304life]

Is the Bell and Carlson stock on the M70 stealth a decent stock? Is it fiberglass or tupperware? The internet makes it seem like anything that isn't McMillan should be avoided and isn't worth owning because it will crack in half and be as stiff as a wet noodle. Both rifles seem good. I'm not sure what trigger is better, but I imagine the M70 has more potential for upgrades.

 

[Geno]

The B&C stock is very nice, and has an aluminum bedding block the full receiver length. The forend is nice and wide, and the pistol grip is very comfortable. No tupperware in that stock.

Geno