CZ “Western Series” 550 Sonoran

Discontinued 2017. The rifle that inspired the Western Series, the Sonoran is ideal for stalking mulies through a desert valley or taking elk across a canyon. Built to be more of a long-range tack-driver than mountain rifle, the Sonoran still comes in at under 8 lbs, thanks to its Manners 100% carbon fiber stock and fluted barrel.

Meant to take a licking, the Sonoran is ferritic nitrocarburized inside and out, meaning this rifle is near impervious to wear as well as corrosion. Not only does the surface treatment bring the hardness up to a Rockwell of 72, it also increases lubricity, meaning a little oil keeps the Sonoran running smooth as butter. Clad in its olive drab carbon fiber stock, it’s the rifle built to weather the toughest hunts on the planet.

Magnum chamberings wear a fluted, 26-inch barrel in a #4 contour, while non-magnums have a 24-inch #3. Besides its extreme corrosion and wear resistance, this surface treatment more than doubles the barrel’s expected life. When combined with the right ammo and a good scope/mount combination, the Sonoran is guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA or better.