Do any of you gentlemen have experience with the CZ upgrade packages offered by American Hunting Rifles? I just puchased a CZ 550 American Safari in .458 Win Mag (I think I got a nice deal... $799 NIB). This is my 1st really big bore (I have a .375 H&H in a RSM that is a joy to shoot but weighs a ton especially with a 3X9-40MM Zeiss on top) Anyway, I took it out for the 1st time today... 25 rounds offhand at 50yards. Nothing to write home about in the accuracy dept. (my fault) to start with but my last 6 off hand was a max spread of 3.5 ". So... I think it'll be good once I get it figured out... But the action was pretty rough, and the bolt handle was not easy to grab (too close to the stock), and the safety could be a lot better..but it seems to be a solid starter... Anyway, in looking for improvements I noticed the AHR Website. I am particularly interested in the Upgrade Package #2... its about $1200. Have any of you had experience with this package? Is it a good value? I mean I have spent this kind of money customizing a 1911, but this to me is more critical..

As far as the package, I like the following:

>Includes tuning and smoothing of the action so it feeds and functions every time.
>We install our 3-postion safety
>Straighten and fill the bolt handle.
>Install barrel band sling mount
>Install custom banded front sight with hood (factory front is hard to see)
>Change factory recoil lug on barrel to AHR lug
>Glass bed action
>Gunkote all metal


Things that I see as less beneficial
>Cut barrel and re-crown (BFG not a MOA rifle.. but is it necessary for the barrel band sling mount & front sight??)
>Install fixed / 1 folding rear sight blade (Factory rears seem pretty darn good to me...)
>Install crisp single-stage trigger (Factory trigger seems decent to me...)

Will they wheel & deal if you don't want everything in the package? Thanks for your input!!!

quote:

>Cut barrel and re-crown (BFG not a MOA rifle.. but is it necessary for the barrel band sling mount & front sight??)

Good observation.

I have never had that done by AHR but the changes they do in that modification are hard to argue with. Just call them to find out.

I think changing out the rear sight (and front sight) is a good idea. Changing the front sight will hopefully give you more options on types and sizes of beads. And their new trigger is better because it sits back further in the trigger bow.

My personal preference is that the factory safety is fine the way it is.

Report back if eliminating any feature is going to save any money!

The other alternative is just to get a smith to install a new bolt handle.

I have several AHR rifles some full custom and others upgrade. They do a great job and having done so many they are very good with CZ. I would not hesitate and I would do safety and bolt on all CZ.Call Wayne or Ed and ask them I have found them to not do things that you don't need to be done for money.If they think it needs doing it generally does

I have both NECG and factory CZ banded fore sights I don,t find one easier to use than the other , other than the hood , and I vastly prefer the factory CZ,,, it lets light in without creating a shadow ......Perhaps NECG has a simular hood but mine is solid ....
one way to avoid the barrel band sling stud is have a super grade style sling stud soldered on ... ... The existing fore sight can be reused also ., No way would I replace the rear sight .......
. I know they do great work ,, For myself I would spend the money on fitting the rifle to myself by a professional , as rifle fit is one of the most important things to comfortable ,fast ,field accurate shooting ....

JMHO

My CZ Safari Classic is with Ed Plummer at AHR right now for the CZ#1 upgrade. It should be back in a few weeks. I've only heard good things about them so I'm hopeful.

Chuck

Thanks for the input guys! It sounds like what I need to do is give them a call this week! The more I think, the better the # 1 upgrade sounds, they still do the following for $500:

>Includes tuning and smoothing of the action so it feeds and functions every time.
>We install our 3-postion safety
>Straighten and fill the bolt handle.
>Install crisp single-stage trigger

Those items give me two of the 3 items I would like to change.

As gumboot mentioned, I do need to get the stock fit too. The LOP is a little too long for my 5'10 frame and I did get smacked in the cheek a good deal even with 400 grain medium loads... That & a bedding job should do me.

I was out shooting my CZ Lott today ...400 gr bullet @ 2560 fps from my 9 lb rifle...My cheek feels fine ,, my shoulder feels fine....after about 30 rounds including a dozen or so rounds of 416 Rem mag thru another CZ at the same time ......I fitted both to myself .....One of them isn,t the prettiest but an off hand 4 1/2 " ,75 yard express sight group with a near 6k ft lb load from a 9 lb rifle with no distress means it is worth it ........ I am going to really look at the AHR synthetic stock . ..I have gotten used to the mid guard trigger ....................

Maybe the NECG sight would be best if a "fire sight insert is available for it ....

Just spoke to Ed at AHR, my 375 should be on it's way back this week after the CZ #1 upgrade. I'll shoot some pictures and post them.

Chuck