OK, I have just purchased a CZ 550 Safari Rifle in .416 Rigby. I am having CZ-USA in Kansas City perform a bunch of work. Does anyone here have experience good or bad with CZ-USA ?

Thanks,

GDOG:

Welcome. There have been a number of threads regarding CZ quality both pro and con. I suggest you do a search on this forum, "Gunsmithing" and perhaps "African Big Game Hunting" for more input.

My hunting partner recently received one of the new CZ Safari Classics in .404 and was very disappointed in the fit and finish. It went back and they refunded his money. Others have been extremely happy with the 550 series.

Good luck. They seem to have a loyal following here at AR.

Regards,

RCG

GDOG, My newly purchased (4-5 yr old) used, .416 is there now for a stock "upgrade". It has fired only 15 rds. There master gunsmith (Mike) seems honest enough through e-mails and over the phone. Will post when "Lil thumper" returns home....there were NO cracks etc. when sent....HCB

I had someone else do work on my rifles, so unable to comment on the quality of their gunsmith work...but CZ's customer service, based on my experience, is first rate.

If you have not shot that gun, you may want to ask them what they will charge to upgrade the wood stock (if you have not done that)...I sent a rifle into them to have something changed...they upgrade the stock for not much, considering it was a much nicer stock...

Sorry, I forgot to ask what you are having done...I would bed and cross-bolt that rifle...

Cross bed it and bed it yourself. Don't trust CZ with your gun! It's not hard and the results will be impressive.-Rob

A week ago I orderd a new 550 American safari and was not expecting much due to all the reading ive been doing on this site. However, the metalwork seems to be fine exept for the blueing might be a bit thin. The wood stock looks good although the grain looks just plain simple. The action did surprise me. The bolt was actually smooth operating back and forth. I figured it would need work but it seems just fine. Overall, im very happy with my .375. Just one question should a .375 be bedded and crossbolted like its larger bretheren?

My opinon, I would bed it...I did put one cross-bolt in my 375 but they may not be necessary.

My shoots extremely well...

I to am anxious to see what my cz American .416 will be like.....................I tried nailing down a hogs back one as I had heard so many poor reports of the Americans so it's fingers crossed.

I was also worried about the American wood but my fears are unfounded as the wood to metal finnish are pretty darn good, way better than I even hoped. Ill try to post a pic this p.m. Now does anyone know where I can get quick detachable mounts?

I have Leupold QRW mounts. They work pretty good.

I've been shooting a 550 American Safari Magnum in .375 for the last year. First thing I did was send in the stock for an upgrade along with $165.00. Got a beautiful stock in return. I glassed the stock but did not install a cross bolt. I would with anything larger. Next I slicked up the bolt with some compound from Brownell's and installed a heavier magazine spring. I also adjusted the trigger. The result is the most comfortable and best shooting .375 I have ever owned. I can't speak for any of CZ's other rifles but the one I have is just one hell of a rifle for the money. I would take it anywhere after anything. I would also recommend Talley detachable mounts they are lower than any others I know of and they do return to zero. The scope I use is a Leupold VXIII with a German #4 reticle.

Thanks to all for the info.

Just a little extra info as fodder. I did opt for the "fancy wood" upgrade. I have asked Mike at CZ to jewell the bolt, install 2 xbolts( I love the look), shorten the barrel to 22", and do the glass bedding. I have a call in as we speak to see if Mike can install an H&H style front site from NECG.

I also plan to shorten the LOP(I am pretty short), install a mauser-type 3-position saftey, and maybe replace the trigger. I want to get it my hands to shoot and feel before performing these additional items.

I am aslo thinking about some basic engraving( maybe just my name?)

My hope is to come out the other end(someday) with a very nice, semi-custom big bore for under $3K.

Opps, forgot. Mike is also installing a barrel-band front swing swivel. That is why I think the time is right to install an H&H front as he will need to remove the current front to install the swivel.

In oz we have not got the luxury of suing the cz custom shop, so I suppose I will have to send mine off to my smith for bedding and adding a couple of cross bolts and maybe a barrel band and plug up the front swivel hole, or maybe I will just get it bedded by the local guy here.

PC,
Why did you choose .416?

I think .416 is the most versatile bigbore or heavy medium going around and that Rigby case is cool. Flat as a 30/06 as far as shooting goes and heaps of power.

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
I think .416 is the most versatile bigbore or heavy medium going around and that Rigby case is cool. Flat as a 30/06 as far as shooting goes and heaps of power.

Load a 325 gr. X and push it with 110 grs. of RL-22 out of that 27" CZ barrel and you get 2900 fps, and the trajectory of a .300 Win Mag shooting a 200 grainer, and bookoos more KO energy!

quote:

Originally posted by GDOG:

My hope is to come out the other end(someday) with a very nice, semi-custom big bore for under $3K.

Help!! Will it still be called a CZ? And I don't know if your name engraved on it will help with resale value. Still, you should end up with something worth keeping.

Lets all hope PC gets a good one. He deserves it.

quote:

Originally posted by JAL:

quote:

Originally posted by GDOG:

My hope is to come out the other end(someday) with a very nice, semi-custom big bore for under $3K.

Help!! Will it still be called a CZ? And I don't know if your name engraved on it will help with resale value. Still, you should end up with something worth keeping.

Lets all hope PC gets a good one. He deserves it.

Thanks Jal !! I hope I do as it seems hit and miss, but probably nothing Kudu Bob can't fix if need be.

Ordered a set of Talley Q.D. mounts for my 550 .375 Finnaly got to shoot it this weekend and Im impressed! It funtions very well, I may lap the action a bit as it is a hair rough, but overall Im happy with the fit of the American stock. It is not a fashion statement as it has very straight grain though I did not buy it for looks. I think it will work just perfect. It even recoils alot less than my M70 >375. Im sold!