Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Ok, finally got it narrowed to two. Now before I spend 800 dollars (way more after you include optics), I need a final suggestion.

I'm ready to buy a rifle, but I'm just so hesitant now because I can't pick between these two rifles. My primary use is target shooting (yes I only want .30-06, if i have to i'll take .308), & therefore I will be shooting many more shots in a day than a hunter would. I have it narrowed down to two rifles, and just can't decide. CZ 550 American or CZ 550 Varmint.

Here is a picture of both of them with the American at the top.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3131/cz550sxj1.jpg

What I like about the American is that it is available in .30-06 which is what I want! And also it has a 5 round fixed magazine. Plus it looks better out of the two in my opinion. The thing I don't like about it is that it is not a heavy barrel, which is better for my purposes.

The thing I like about the Varmint is that it is longer with a heavier barrel, which makes it better for shooting a lot of rounds in one day. The thing I don't like is that it is available in .308 only and has a detachable magazine.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

The 550's are quite nice. SS trigger is nifty. For your purposes, I'd go with the heavier barreled varmint. I'd not be concerned with a DM, and the .308 is a great caliber. What scopes are your considering? The Zeiss Conquests with the Rapid Z reticles are dandy. Personally, I like the Z 600 but the 800 is also doable. Good luck with your selection.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

But what suits the shooting needs not so much how it looks. Looks don't make the gun shoot better. I'd actually opt for a .308 given the chocies if my pimary use was target shooting. Look at the other target rifles and see what they're chambered in - .308, not .30-06.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

American sure is purddddy

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

The American looks very similar to the Remington 798/799 Mauser. I'm sure the quality is better or about the same as the Rem. 798/799. Good looking guns. I'd get it in 30.06 b/c of the large line up of bullets you can get and the large amount of animals you could use it for. Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you do.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Both are .30 cal so they'd both use the same bullets. Choices in loadedammo aren't exactly lackingfor either cartridge. Can't see that one hasmuch distinct advantage over the other regarding huntingeither.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

For target shooting or most hunting in the US, i'd grab the .308 every time... For hunting the bigger animials, like moose, elk or bigger bears where heavier bullets are needed, i'd grab the 30-06 every time.

DM

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Correction- the CZ 550s are similar to the Rem 798 in that they are both mauser 98 based actions, the similarity ends there, the CZ rifles are far and away much higher in quality than the remington imports.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

If your talking target shooting get the varmint model. .308 is the better round for targets in my opinion, plus it has the heavy barrel and is heavier over all. The longer barrel really doesn't mean anything though, especially not for target shooting.

And magazine capacity means nothing in target shooting, single shots work just as well off from the bench. I rarely load my magazine on my bolt guns unless I'm hunting.

Paul

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Is there any reason that you MUST have a 30/06 or .308 for your first rifle?

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Well you're comparing 2 different things here......a .30-06 in a hunting rifle configuration, and a .308 in a varmint set up, which would be a better target setup, ie more weight....heavier barrel.

Since you stated mainly or only target shooting? I think the answer is clear, the .308, which is much more known as a target round than the .30-06, also its in more of a target rifle setup!

But now if you do plan to do more hunting, I am partial to the .30-06 over the .308, though both aparently can do great and most ranges. I was surprised to see how much energy the .308 had out to 500yds.

Also I think those rifles may be less than 800, isn't MSRP 800? or 750? so take another $100 off of that price?

Less you hate synthetics CZ makes a 550 varmint kevlar in .308 which IMO is better looking than the wood version, something you may consider.

You may ask for suggestions of other rifles in .30-06, I'm trying to think who else makes a nice .30-06 like you may want.....someone else may have some suggestions out there for you. I think though you're running into the problem of a .30-06 almost being exclusively used to hunt with, vs. target shoot with, whereas the .308 has been used for target, varmints, bigger game, I think you can find a .308 in a target setup much more easily than you can a .30-06.

Still wondering why you want a .30-06 so badly after all you want to target shoot? Do tell use more....less you plan to use it for more hunting/certain types of hunts?

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

See his other thread- he wants a 30-06 because he wants recoil and he thinks recoil is soooo cool. [:-]

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Ok, I realized that the varmint will be better for my purposes. And yes these guns will be less than 700, because their retail is mid 700s. As for synthetic stocks, I'm not a big fan. If the varmint was in 30-06, that would have been ideal. And I don't want to do any after market barrel work to change it, so considering all this I will take everyone's advice and stick with the Varmint.

Here is why I initially wanted a .30-06
1) More power at longer distances
2) I can handle recoil without much problem (strong shoulder ), and like Briman said I think shooting is more fun with recoil. I've shot .22 Lrs and it gets so boring because I can shoot them one handed and it feels like a kid's rifle.
3) So my bullets look bigger and cooler than my friend's .308 bullets ;)
4) It's more fun loading a round with a longer action IMO.

Despite that, I think i'll go with .308 Varmint because that seems to be the consensus where I ask this question. I'll have to see which local dealers give me the best price. After that is bought, I'll have to send a few weeks online going on forums and asking about which optics are ideal in the 150-300 range.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

1) Paper targets could care less and the animal won't notice the small amount of difference. Shot placement in both activities is what matters.

2) To each thier own when it's recoil. As with #1, it's shot placement not recoil that a prospective buyer should be concerned with.

3) Same bullets, different cases/cartridges. If it's the attempt to look cooler :eek:why not go with larger cartridge altogether?

4) Someone is hung up on size andthevisual again. :(;)

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Get a 300 win mag then.

Paul

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Or a 338-378. ;)

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

.300 win mag isn't available on the CZ 550 American, and even though I want recoil a good amount of recoil, i think the .300 mag would be just a bit more than what I'm looking for. I realize that a .308 and .30-06 are the same bullet almost, however for an uniformed shooter a .30-06 would seem like the "bigger" bullet comapred to .308 because of the larger case. So for my buddies who think shooting stuff is cool, and aren't too informed about bullet calibers, the .30-06 being the visually larger bullet will get more "ooohs and ahhhs and wows". To the uninformed a .270 win mag would appear to be a "bigger/more powerful" bullet than the .308 winchester because of the short casing. And yes Maine Shooter, size and visual are important. Spending 700 plus is a significant amount of change for me because I'm a college student, so if I'm spending 700 I want to make sure I get something that is visually appealing in addition to functionality and accuracy. But I can live with the .308 CZ 550 Varmint, Since it's probably not a good idea to spend a day at the range with the 550 American in .30-06.

But if I had the gigantic .30-06 cartridge, It's more likely at the range would .

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Get something like a .223 or .243 at the most if you are only shooting targets....
The .243 could double as a good deer rifle as well...If you get bored from lack of recoil, try shooting that '06 from your "off" shoulder, video it as well, I need another good laugh...

I did get a good laugh out of you thinking a .22 is a kids rifls...I've killed about 30 deer with a .22...It's actually an "experts" rifle...:D

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

The bullets ARE the same. Bullet = that little projectile that isprojected from the bbl of the firearm. The loaded ammo is a CARTRIDGE. So with both CARTRIDGES being .308 CALIBER, they do indeed have the same bullet but different CASES.
Color me different but I'd rather have performance or function over pretty and machismo-boosting ooohs, ahhhs and wows anyday. To each thier own. happy recoil!

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

This thread is absolutely amazing!

I'd give ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhs and aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhs at the range for someone that can lay out some impressive groups, not someone that shoots a 30-06 because of its LOOOOONG MASCULINE case..... :eek:

My vote would be for the Varmint in 204, 223, or 22-250 if you just going to be punching paper out to 300 yards.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Why do you want recoil?

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

I know that the bullet is the same, the case however is bigger on the .30-06.

I want recoil because it is simply part of the fun of shooting. Also because
1) shooting a .22 LR was quite boring, I'm sure you can kill deer with them with proper placement but that's not the point. I enjoy shooting, and recoil is a part of shooting. If I just wanted to punch holes at a target and get good groups without recoil, I could just get an airgun and I know of some that do hole in hole accuracy almost to 50 yards, and very tight groups at 100 yards.
2) I realize recoil decreases your accuracy, but I'm more concerned about the fun of shooting instead of how close my groups will be. Besides, I'm pretty sure the recoil from a 9 lb rifle in .308 win like the CZ 550 can't be too bad at all.
3) To make a video of my unsuspecting friend who has never shot before shooting the rifle and be entertained by it. The more the recoil, the funnier the video.


P.S. Out of Hilary and Obama, who is more lenient on gun laws? (no, definitely not voting for that idiot McCain)

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

+ 1 it appears the REmingtons aren't worth a

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Yeah, that's errr great. :eek: Just be prepared in case something goes not quite right. Really poor way to introduce a newcomer to the shooting sports.

I'm getting a pretty clear picture that I wish I hadn't seen now.:(

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

So let me get this straight your throwing out 700-800 bucks on a rifle cal for the purpose of recoil and to falsely impress who people don't shoot at all,and who know nothing about cals.
Got news for you dude, its gonna get old very very fast..
YOU ARE ALREADY LOOKING LIKE A FOOL ON THIS THREAD,
YOUR GOING TO LOOK LIKE ONE IN FRONT OF THE WORLD WITH THIS ATTITUDE..YOU WILL BE THE BUTT OF ALL JOKES AT THE RANGE..
It doesn't matter what cal of gun you have, if all you have is the one cal gun, and you don't appreciate it for all the the right reasons, you'll think its the worst caliber made in history..
I don't know why you want to do this,but target practicing is a sport to be taken seriously,not for your own personal entertaiment atthe expense of your friend..
Ranges too have rules and ethics,and your expected toadhere to them.If you don't,they will kick your @$$ off the range for life. THIS IS THE EXACT PATH YOUR HEADING DOWN SO GROW UP..

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

I'll appreciate the caliber I have by taking advantage of what it is capable off. I never said my main purpose was to falsely impress friends and recoil, main purpose is to target shoot, and maybe shooting phonebooks, milk jugs etc. Also the rifle will be a decorative piece in the house as well. I have been shooting targets since middle school (although never with a centerfire rifle), and I think it won't get old anytime soon. Asides from that, nothing wrong with letting your friend try a .308/.30-06 and videotaping it and then laughing about it:D. I know how to responsibly handle firearms but hey I'm 21, let me have my fun now. I'm sure a lot of you have seen the video of people trying to shoot the .577 t-rex on youtube, this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-KaUl_olo&fmt=18

Now don't tell me if you had a video of that happening to your unsuspecting buddy, you wouldn't get a good laugh out of it .

althought i doubt the .308 would have that much, but still.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Well I can tell you right now, safe gun practices are more than just how you handle your own gun at home or in the field.Its also about how you interact with fellow gun handlers as well..
I don't care what age you are this should have been taught to you at the beginning of your hunting and shooting days.

Intentionally handing over a dangerous weapon to an inexperienced shooter just so you can tape video tape and laugh at at his exspense(the way he unexpectedly handles the recoil) is just down right retarded..
That shooter is responsible for everything that bullet does until it stops.

I've see videos where bullets ricochet straight back at the after the shooter missed his intended target and hit a rock..
Thatnot funny its reality..It happens, damage is done,
and all gun owners pay the price..
It doesn't take much a blade or grass, a branch, a rock for that bullet to deflect and do some damage..

The first thing that shoulddoneis proper and safe firearm handling and once that is mastered than, and only than is a firearm handed to him..
I personally have never ever,ever, seen anyteacher or mentor purposely give his pupil a caliber of gun he knowsthe pupilmay or will a difficulttime handling.
ONLY ON YOU TUBE WOULD YOU GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT..[:-]

I don't live in the U.S. but if I did I'd do everything in my power to prevent you from getting your hands on one.
Your the very reason resposible gun owners are having to fight tooth and nail from having their gun rights taken..
Anti's and Democrats, are looking for those very videos
your thinking of taping..
And theywon't hesitate usingthose videos, against all the responsible gun owners in America..
I hope you think twice about it because you are affecting the outcome to the right to bare arms.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

My local indoor range hosts a St. Valentine's Day full auto shoot every February. They have 8 or 10 guys with fully automatic rifles (pistol cartridges only: < 2,000 fps) who let the public come & shoot their guns at the range. It's only $5 per shooter, but you have to buy all the ammo from the range.

I tried it... once. Firstly, I thought it was just a b!tch to have to load a 50 round Thompson magazine over & over again, when I was emptying it in 3 to 5 seconds. Mainly, though, I found the whole exercise to be just plain stupid, because I couldn't put the little holes in a man-sized target at 15 yards! The muzzle rise, even on the little Uzis, took the bullet right up off the target, often into the ceiling of the indoor range!

I also have an AR in .223 that I bought back when some Knucklehead in Washington DC was offing people with a Bushmaster. I figured I should buy one while I could. At the time of purchase, I gave them even more $$$ for two 30 round magazines: get 'em before they're banned, dontcha know.

What I didn't know, though, was that it's virtually impossible to find a bench rest that will accommodate a long-a$$ed magazine that sticks out of the bottom of a rifle. Or that firing 30 rounds out of a rifle, even with a bull barrel, heats up the barrel so much that accuracy goes to [excrement]. So, you're reduced to firing offhand, or standing from a supported rest (forget about prone with those magazines), and likely not emptying the clip in one string, unless you just want to make lots of noise, & you don't care about barrel life.

My point? If you're looking to make noise, & you don't care about where the bullets go, then go get a 12 ga. It's only$250,it has plenty of recoil, lots of noise, & it will put your friend on the ground. Fun, fun, fun!

As for myself, I've discovered that shooting's only fun when the bullets go where you want them to go. Whether that's into paper, or into a game animal of any size. I have yet to meet anyone, or see any posts on these types of forums, where someone's bragging about how much fun they had shooting a 8" group.

I'd still recommend that you spend 2 or 3 outings at a range WITHOUT A RIFLE. See what they people are doing, shoot their rifles a time or two, & get an idea of the safety rules used, & the respect the shooters pay to them, and to one another. You might just decide to save $800.

FC

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Talk about an oxyMORON. Man, this is the type of garbge that gives a bad image to all responsible firearm folks. Idiot stunts like this one rank up there with shooting into a surface of water. (another thread here now)A firearm is not a simple toy for one's amusement. If you can't take the use of them seriously, you have no business owning or shooting one - period.

21 eh? Act it! Show some of this responsible firearms handling.

I knew I missed the writing on the wall with this one at the start. [:@]

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

Come back when you are a grownup.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

I certainly agree that the varmint style is closer to a target rifle than the sporter is. I would opt for .308 if your use will primarily be paper punching. The .308 round is slightly more consistent.

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

I didn't think that video was all that funny myself. I will point out though that those guys were most likely experienced shooters ( to some degree), it was in a controlled environment and it was not a scoped rifle.

I personally think handing someone a gun that kicks hard that has no real experience shooting is pretty stupid. It's a good way to either turn them off of shooting, or ingrain some really bad habits that are hard to fix later on down the road. Not to mention getting hurt.

If do want to do something that mean to someone use a shotgun while they are shooting off hand. Turkey loads kick HARD, but they don't have as much range and there is no scope on the gun. Handing someone a high powered rifle with a scope is just retarded. The scope could actually hurt the person causing a nasty gash, concussion or a serious eye injury. And these guns have a very long range which doesn't help either if you miss the target or back stop. You could also damage your scope and mounts, maybe even your gun if they drop it. I am actually not keen on other people shooting my weapons, guns or bows if I have a lot of money invested in the them.

I think you are the only person I have met that wanted a larger gun just for the extra recoil?

If your looking for the cool factor I would suggest a good AR15. They look cool, the ammo is fairly affordable and the good ones are pretty darn accurate. Plus there is a lot you can do with them.

After reading some of you comments though I would rather see you get an AirSoft version though;).

Paul

RE: Which of these two centerfire rifles would you suggest for my use?
 

"Besides, I'm pretty sure the recoil from a 9 lb rifle in .308 win like the CZ 550 can't be too bad at all."

9-pound rifle, cal . 308: 54 grains of powder, 180 grain bullet, MV 2650 FPS: Recoil = 18.8 foot pounds
same gun & bullet weight, 30/'06 59 grains powder, MV 2750 FPS: recoil = 21.0 foot pounds. BIG DIFFERENCE -NOT!!

You want recoil? Get a 7.5 pound Ruger No. 1 single-shot in 45/70. Shoot 400-grain bullets with 60 grains of IMR3031! MV 2200 FPS, recoil = 58 foot pounds.....