Savage vs. CZ

T

tmnolan

Guest
I'm an occasional rimfire benchrest shooter who's thinking of making the jump to centerfire. My budget is limited and I'd like to start with a factory .223. I'm primarily interested in shooting targets out to 300 yards. There's a wealth of experience on this forum and I'd appreciate your thoughts on either a Savage 12fv or a CZ 527 varmint in the kevlar stock -- or a similarly-priced rifle. Many thanks.
 
Although the little CZ's are nice rifles, I think I'd go with the Savage. If money becomes more available in the future the Savage has lots of aftermarket goodies that can used to "improve" it, from triggers to easily changed barrels. The CZ set trigger is okay, but I think that the Accu-Trigger is superior for a varmint/paper rifle.
 
My 2 Cents Worth.

Recently I purchased a CZ550 American in 308Win. with sporter weight barrel. After epoxy bedding and trigger job, rifle shoots four different bullet weights under 1/2" for 3 shots at 100yds. This rifle not only shoots but it looks pretty as well, personally I don't think could go wrong with either of these fine rifles. Reguards Murphy.:cool:
 
Savage with "AccuStock"

Saw a piece about a new type of stock that Savage has been developing called "AccuStock" and am wondering if anyone has heard/experienced anything with these. Many thanks.
 
I have a savage model11 (.223) with a bushnell banner 6-18x50 that shoots sub dime size groups at 100yds, nope not saying thats real good, but it is for me. It's consistent and will do this all day long, even though my all day longs sometimes requie a nap break any more. blue
 
Cz

Can the 223 CZs be single fired? I had the Kevlar 308 and I couldn’t find a way to load it reliably without using the magazine.
 
I have CZ 204s and I can pretty much throw one in and close the bolt. If you choose the 223 be sure to look at the M1. It has the three round magazine and a flush bottom like the 550. Kenny
 
I've got a 527 in .222 and sometimes the extractor will snap over a rim and other times not. There is a single shot adaptor available for it, the Bob Sled, that replaces the magazine. It works pretty well. I think I got mine from Sinclair, but can't remember. Maybe someone else has ordering info on them.
 
I have both the CZ and the Savage, though not the Savage you are looking at. They are two very different rifles.

The Savage is bigger and heavier than the CZ. They both ride bags well. Personally I think the CZ makes a better overall rifle but the Savage fits in better with the range. I could see carrying the 527 Varmint out in the field while the Savage is something I only want to shoot off a rest. The Varmint is pretty much done out of the box. The Savages have a ton of ability to be upgraded in about every way. There is a lot to say for the ability to swap barrels with just a wrench and a gauge. To me the CZ looks much better. My CZ will put 5 rounds under .4" at 100 yards if I do my part. I have heard of a lot of Savage guys stating theirs will hold that as well. I have been trying a lot of different loads on my Savage and am having troubles breaking much if any below 1 MOA. Luck of the draw I guess. When it comes to the triggers I can't see how the Savage holds a candle to them. I love the set trigger. I shoot with it very well. Some don't though. Even if you hate a set trigger the regular trigger can be set very crisp, light, and with very very minimal pre or post travel. Neither are bench rest quality but the CZ to me feels better, when set correctly. If left alone the factory has been known to set a bit of creep into the triggers which turns a few people away.

With how my two have gone I would pick my CZ over my Savage every day of the week. If I want to drop another $300 on a new barrel and $100 on a new trigger Im sure it could outshoot the CZ. That said I picked the CZ 527 Varmint up used for $400 which makes it hard to beat. My 527 in .223 will single shot load every time. The extractor has never failed to grab a round that was single loaded. I don't have the magazine insert either. I just lay a round on top of the magazine, push it most of the way into the chamber, and close the bolt. It pulls it out every time. Same with the Savage.

Many people love Savage rifles and I do too. I want to swap the one I have out to a 6br before too long. That was what I bought it for, a budget build with a fairly nonfactory chambered round. They are just two different rifles built for different things. I have the laminate version of the 527 varmint and wouldn't spend extra for a different stock. It rides bags very well and it saves a bit of money as well. Either rifle should be fine.
 
Savage...

tmnolan said:
I'm an occasional rimfire benchrest shooter who's thinking of making the jump to centerfire. My budget is limited and I'd like to start with a factory .223. I'm primarily interested in shooting targets out to 300 yards. There's a wealth of experience on this forum and I'd appreciate your thoughts on either a Savage 12fv or a CZ 527 varmint in the kevlar stock -- or a similarly-priced rifle. Many thanks.
Click to expand...

I went the Savage route when I started...Got a 12FVSS in .223 and used it as a straight factory rifle up until I decided to buy a full custom - had to sell it to get the custom, but when I got enough cash again, I picked up a Savage LRPV in .223...I really enjoy shooting the factory class as much as I enjoy shooting the custom even though I'd definitely pick the custom if I had to choose...Hopefully I won't have to!

Tom
 
Thanks so much for all the comments thus far. Given me a lot to think about. Once I get past a few beginning-of-the-semester tuition payments, I may have enough saved to take the plunge. I'll keep you posted; thanks again.
 
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