CZ 550, Remington 798, or ???

[CapoWard]

Hi all.  I’ve been reading the various threads on the board for some time now and thought it time that I throw something to the community for comments…..Sorry beforehand for the length and disjointedness of the post.

I’m getting the bug for a new rifle and I’m partial to Mauser 98 action based rifles.  I don’t want to sink $4-$8K in a rifle (sans scope) though I figure I’ll have around $2k in a new rifle (sans scope) before I’m finished.

A few things I’d like to have in a new Mauser 98 based rifle are: Blackburn’ or Sony Hill’ trigger guard floorplate assembly, Blackburn’ trigger, a Satterlee Arms’ left-side 3-position safety and traditional-classic style walnut stock (I’m looking at Serengeti Stockworks, Accurate Innovations, Boyds, and Great American Gunstock Company now).

A few things I don’t want in a new Mauser 98 based rifle are: right-side sliding thumb safety (I’m used to a modified Mauser low-scope safety), a multi-piece, pot metal, or aluminum trigger guard floorplate assembly, or a modern flat-bottom Monte Carlo/California style stock.

In the past (quite a few years ago) I’ve used surplus M98 action as the basis for a number of new rifles.  However the current surplus M98 actions/rifle offerings are poor condition and I don’t want to destroy a collector grade Mauser in order to get a nice action….so I’m looking to use a new action/barreled action.

So….has anyone used both the CZ 550 American and the Remington 798?  What did you like and what didn’t you like?  I’m thinking that buying either a CZ 550 American or a Remington 798 – pulling the barreled action and everything except the barrel and receiver/bolt would be better/cheaper than starting solely with an action.

I appreciate your comments!

Jim

[Mikey]

Jim:  Unless you are the kind of guy who just has to fiddle with, tinker with, or improve upon something that has had better than millions of dollars in research spent on its development I surely wouldn't want to spend upwards of $2k for something I will need or want to work on. 

I'm not familiar with the aftermarket parts you mentioned except for Boyd's stocks.

If there are things in a Mauser action you don't want, don't get a Mauser action.  Think Kimber or possibly one of the new Thompson Contender Icons, er sumptin.  Mikey.

[CapoWard]

Mikey,

Guess I didn’t explain very well….my estimated final cost of the rifle would be in $2K range after all modifications.  I wouldn’t start with a $2K rifle and drop another $1,300 to $1,500 into it either…unless money was no object and if that was the case I’d just go ahead and spend the $6K to $8K for a custom built to begin with.

I do really like the Mauser 98 action there are just a few “modern” modifications to the action that I don’t particularly care for.  I prefer a one-piece trigger guard floorplate assembly with the inside-bow (inside-the-trigger-guard) floorplate release and a left-side low-wing safety modification of the military M98 wing safety for scope clearance.

The DWM and Oberndorf manufactured M98 military rifles as well as USA available in the FN/Browning, Mark X, or Parker Hale versions of the commercial Mauser M98 rifles had my preferred style of trigger guard floorplate assembly.  Unfortunately there just aren’t many of the Oberndorf or DWM manufactured military surplus actions currently available unless one purchase and strip a collector’ grade M98 rifle.   The CZ 550 and the Remington 798 have right-side sliding safeties, as do all of the previously noted commercial M98 Mauser rifles, and neither have my preferred style of trigger guard floorplate assembly.

Both Blackburn and Sony Hill produce the Oberndorf-style one-piece steel trigger guard floorplate assemblies that I prefer as well as steel dropped-box versions.  Blackburn also produces a simple high quality single stage trigger that is rated better than the original Winchester M70 single stage trigger.  Satterlee Arms produces a left-side version of the Winchester M70 three-position wing safety for the M98 action…. the only M98 low position wing safeties I find today are right-side varieties rather than left side so the Satterlee Arms safety seems a great alternative.
Here are some hyperlinks to their websites:
http://www.blackburnmachine.com/index.html
http://www.sunny-hill.com/products/assemblies/index.html
http://www.satterleearms.com/gunsmithing.htm
 
Jim

[Mikey]

jim - gotcha!  Or, now I understand..............  Well, between the CZ and the 798 I understand the CZ is a better quality rifle.  True, the 798 is a Mauser, no bout adoubt it but the only write-up I have seen on the 798s wasn't all that favorable.  I think they could have done better in writing up the rifle but they didn't.  I had thought of gettin' myself a new Mauser when I first heard they were coming out, and might still, but I think I would wait a bit and see if I can fondle any from the rack first - don't see any around here yet. 

The CZs are supposed to be a fine, smooth action and most folks who have written about them speak (write) very favorably of them. 

I would have to handle at least one of each before I could be more definitive, but I don't think you can go wrong with either the CZ or the 798.  Mikey.

[CapoWard]

Thanks Mickey.  I plan to handle the 550 and 798, hopefully more than one rifle of each model, before purchasing but was just hoping that someone on the forum had experience with both and could provide their personal perspective.  Jim

[hannah]

i sent you a PM about a CZ 550 heavy barrel varmint i have .... heres what i know about them, personally only fired about 50 rounds through mine...it is a cz550 grey laminate varmint gun, i mounted a bushnell 7-21x40 mildot on her, i too bought it for it's superior mauser k98 action, the gun shoots sub moa with prvi match 168 gr hp ammo... i also had a box of south african .308 surplus, brass boxer... it does about an inch to 1.5 inch group at 100 yrs with this ammo, i probably could have got tighter but just used it to get on paper and then went to the match ammo... once sight in at 100, i skipped all the bull and was shooting out to the 500 yard range, with the rest of the box, and maxing out the elevation on scope... it's 40 inch max scope for elevation... anyway 3 rd mildot down i could easily shoot rocks that ranged for 6-8 inches square that i had previously set up on the poles out at 500 yrs...yes they are accurate, people post 1/4 inch groups at 200 yrds often with these but you usually have to handload for that... great guns and CZ's are about the best value in my opinion when it comes to bolt guns... true k98 action with 3rd locking lug and all...also mag holds only 3 rounds not 4 like advertised..........

[hannah]

also the reason i am selling is simple... i have a .223 and like to watch the rocks get hit at 500yrds, through the scope...this is what makes it fun for me, with the .308 cz, while it is easier to more accuratly hit the rocks, the fact is for me the recoil moves my sight picture too much to actually watch the rock fall, i have to readjust my position and look through the scope to see if rock was blasted or not... with the .223 theres no recoil at all so i can watch the rock fall... thats the fun part to me and it why once i fired the .308 even though i could nail the rocks it just wasnt fun for me anymore like the .223... so put her on the rack and pretty much just left her be....

also unique to the cz is the trigger, i would say my trigger has a 3.8 pound trigger, it is nice and smooth and consistant...i never adjusted from factory but it is fully adjustable if one wanterd, but you can also push the trigger forward after cocked, this turns it into a set trigger, it is wild and only about 1/2 pound pull if that..... i shot like this a few times but it was just too freaky.... for me the regular pull was fine... but i admit it is a great option for someone more experienced than me........

[CapoWard]

Hannah,
Just received your email and responded - unfortunately have already emptied out the wallet with other rifle and shotgun purchases, can't do anything till at least next spring.
Jim

[Rangr44]

The CZ is the better rifle, if you were going to use it pretty much as issued - but not, IMHO,as a custom rifle.
For one thing, and I've owned them, is that you'll be limited in your scope ring selection to ones that fit the receiver dovetails.

If I was going to spend $2K, give/take - I'd be lookin real hard at the new Cooper Model 52 repeater in .270 or somesuch.  Cooper's option list looks juicy, too.

 http://www.cooperfirearms.com/

http://www.cooperfirearms.com/52.htm

http://www.cooperfirearms.com/upgrade.html

[JimP.]

there is a third rifle to look at, they are being made for Charles Daly and are original mausers made in Yugoslavia just like the Mark X, infact they are made by the same factory that made Mark X mausers, I have one in 416 Taylor and it is one of the nicest well made mauser rifles I have seen lately, check them out, you might just be supprised as how well made these rifles are. JimP.

[CapoWard]

Remington uses the same Zastava factory that Daly used - Remington’s the multiyear import winner making Daly the loser.

[mcwoodduck]

CZ has a custom shop and will build you what ever you want on any of the actions they make.
Want a .300 Weatherby bean field rifle.  They will build it and stock it too for a whole lot less than you were willing to spend.  There are a lot of other options that they offer.  Plus they all have a single set trigger standard.  If you push forward on the trigger till it clicks it is now a set trigger.  The only bad thing is that the CZ 550 action is only a long action so if you want something  based on .308 it will have a long throw.  Being European they chamber some really odd ball rounds.
www.cz-usa.com
The Remington 798's are crude in comparison.