Curious about the CZ 550 American in 7x57.
How long is the magazine box on these rifles in 7x57 and are they good shooters.Any opinions or comments on these rifles in 7x57 would be appreciated

I own a CZ 550 American in 7x57mm. It is by far the best, and most accurate rifle I have ever owned. The magazine length is 3.47 inches. The barrel twist is a euro twist, meaning it is 1x8.66 inches, which stabilizes the heavier 7mm bullets well. I shoot the 162 grain Hornady SST backed by 48.9 grains of H414 powder seated .01 inch off the lands in a Remington case and Federal primer, and it leaves the muzzle at 2,855 fps. The best group I have shot with the rifle is .216 inches. It usually is sub half minute with this load. I love to putz around with rifles anyway, but on mine I freefloated the barrel, glassbedded the action and about 1.5 inchs of the chamber area. I re-finished the Turkish Walnut stock with GB Lindspeed Oil, had the bolt jewelled and the bolt handle polished, then got some Talley Rings and put a Leupold 4x12 VariX-1 on it. This rifle is my one big game outfit that I use for deer, elk, antelope, black bear and the like. Even used it on a pig hunt in Texas in August and guide was absolutely awed by what this combo did to a hog from just over 100 yards away. I cannot tell you if it will shoot the 120-154 grain bullets well with that twist. First, the only bullet I have found that I can seat in the case and still have enough bullet to get .01 inch off the lands is the 162 grain Hornady SSTs. The loaded cartridge looks funny as hell with all that bullet sticking out of the case neck. But funny or not, the darn thing shoots like a dream. The only drawback I can think of is that it is a bit more heavy than I would like, but, you cannot have everything. Good luck. If you want to talk more about it, look up my profile. Have a nice day ... Tom Purdom

So Tom,

Are you trying to say you like that rifle?

JBabcock: Absodamnlutely I like that rifle. I really like that single-set trigger. It is really easy to adjust. I understand from some of the posters, however, that the wood ont he CZs is a crapshoot. It is all Turkish Walnut, but some is really fine pieces, and some are not so fine. I liked the rifle and cartridge so well, that I talked my little brother into getting a CZ, but he opted for the CZ 550 Full Stock instead. That puppy will put five 160 grain Nosler Partitions into an inch at 100 yards with 48.3 grains of H414. As far as the cartridge itself, I am getting a kick out of the post about the 7x57mm and Bell. First off, I would not shoot an elephant, but, if I were living among them and the only rifle I had was a 7x57mm you can bet I'd use it, though I would prefer something larger. I think, though, that the 7x57mm must scare the hell out of them. Since I moved to Grants, NM with my 7x57mm in 1998, not one damned elephant has moved into the area! Seriously, though, I know my rifle well, I know my limitations and I would not hesitate one bit to use it on elk, even a huge 7x7, with a properly loaded and proper-grain weight bullet. But that is entirely another subject and I'm sorry for getting off track. By the way, I said to look up my profile, but my computer is having fits on the e-mail part. So if anyone wants to know more about this rifle or caliber and wants an unbiased account of both, you can use your dime and call me. Have a tolerable day folks ... Tom Purdom

Thanks for the info!!!!
Just mulling the idea around.Iwas really wanting a 7x57 that shoots 140gr. bullets well and these may or maynot with this fast twist but I can sure live with 160s at 2850.
Oh whats your rifle w/scope weigh?

[ 10-03-2003, 13:53: Message edited by: rws2 ]

My rifle with the Talley rings, a leather sling, the added weight for the bedding and even a tad more thrown in for the stock refinishing, plus the Leupold 4x12 VariX-1 scope tips the scales at 8 pounds and 13 ounces. Stoke it with five loaded rounds and I've went over the edge of 9 pounds. As far as the lighter bullets are concerned I just started out feeding mine 160-grain-class bullets because they could reach the lands and still give me enough bullet to seat well in the case neck. I could not do that with the lighter bullets I had on hand, such as the Hornady 139gr SST. Just as examples, the overall cartridge length of a cartridge loaded with 160 grain Nosler Partitions seated to .01 inch off the lands is 3.262 and the 162 gr. Hornady SST is 3.295. Tom Purdom

Guys, just being curious, what do you pay for a CZ-550 in the US and UK ?

Regards

You can buy them from Phil in Atlanta, Ga., for $439 plus $18 shipping and handling. That is the CZ 550 American. Tom Purdom

The original european loadings in the standard fast twist 7x57s were 139 grains and the 173/175 grainers so if the light bullets worked then, they'll work now in a fast twist. I know that my 1 n 9 twist 7x57 can shoot 0.3" three shot groups with factory federal 140 grain pro-hunters.

Lot's of room in mag box. I rechambered to 7x64.
Bob

Thomas,
I started to post how much H414 I use in my long throated Brno 21F, but thought better of it...Just wanted to say thats sure the right powder for the 7x57, kinda like the 270 and 4831, it just has to be...

Ray: It is because of you that I first tried H414 when I owned a 7x57mm in a Ruger Mark II. Have been floating with the stuff ever since. My brother uses is in his 7x57mm (the nifty little CZ 550 Full Stock), his buddy in El Paso uses it (he has the same rifle as my brother), my friend here in Grants used it in his Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 7x57mm, but seems to like H4350 (hell, there has to be one in every crowd). The stuff is remarkable for the 7x57mm. Have a nice day all! Tom Purdom

I haven't tried H-414 in my 7x57, but it's close cousin, W760 has been a good powder for me. Accurate, good velocity, and mild on my bursitus plagued shoulder. I've got a good deer load worked up and now I have to figure out what bullet I'll use for elk. Probably something in the 160 gr. weight range, if the rifle likes them.
Paul B.

See my comments on reloading 7 x 57!
I had a BRNO but a zkk 600 in 7 x 57
The cz 550's are upgraded zkk's
I only sold mine to a friend since i do most of my hunting with a 270 Winchester SS, a superior caliber.
Anyway i liked it very much because it was a very rugged and reliable gun with amazing accuracy !
I prefer the mannlicher-style stutzen rifle
Dirk scout from Flanders