Unless I get cold feet I will more than likely have my gunsmith order me a CZ550 in a 416 Rigby (I get buyers remorse real bad don't laugh). I do have a 375, and just completed my first plains game hunt and will go back next year, but the year after I want to hunt cape buff.

I understand out of the box they needs some work done for the most part. I want to have a better understanding of what needs to be done. And I don't mean take the motor out of the new vette and rebuild just for the sake of it.

I understand they have sgl set triggers, can my gun smith modify or does it have to be replaced.

I also understand its not a bad idea to install a cross bolt at the front lug, such as a Win safari model.

What else within reason, second lug, bedding, pillars etc.

I'm sure the modifications are endless, but what makes sense and is necessary for the most part.

Gringo,

I got mine after all the necessary stock work had been done to it throough Heritage Arms. (Aleko Jenson is a good guy!)

I believe they added a second recoil lug, pillared and bedded the stock, and added internal cross bolts. A very good Kick-eze recoil pad was added. The also reshaped the stock a little ... I'd suggest you drop him a note about exactly what they did there.

They did not change the safety ... and I have no problems with the original one.

The smith remilled the magazine follower to lighten it (original was very, very thick) which also allowed another round in the magazine.

They also did one other thing I've not seen done. The built a steel weaver rail that bridges the receiver top. It is recoil lugged at both ends to assure that the rail moves with the rifle under recoil. I use Leupold QD rings with it ... and it has worked very well.

This was an early CZ 550 and has only a standard trigger that has been cleaned up. Breaks like a microscope slide at 2 1/2 pounds.

The .416 Rigby caliber is pretty amazing. Shoots 400 gr NEI RN cast bullets to 1 1/2" at 100 yds (Norma brass, Fed 215 primers, 105.0 grains of 8700 => 1998 fps for 3526 lb-ft of energy)

350 gr Barnes X bullets driven at 2687 fps (Norma brass, Fed 215 primers, 98.0 gr IMR 4350) hold 3/4" at 100 yards.

Might do better with a bigger scope ... only have a 2.5X Leupold Compact on it now.

I find the rifle to be amazing ... deliver a HUGE amount of energy on the target at a recoil that is tolerable but definitely exciting.

Do the stock work before you shoot it ... too many stories about these rifles breaking stocks. Then enjoy the daylights out of it!

What about ordering the AHR DGR model from American Hunting Rifles (Ed Plummer)?

They know how to handle the CZ550, that way you'll get all the knowledge that build up for years.

Can take ages to get your gunsmith doing all features on the CZ - mine is in the works since 1 1/2 years....

Franz

Get it... bed it... relieve the tang, shoot the fire out of it...

i would suggest a new safety and a new stock, but those can come later.

jeffe

I'd say for the amount of money it would take to spiff up the CZ550, you could go with the Ruger Magnum and only have to replace the recoil pad and trigger and save a descent chunk of change.

I gotta disagree...
a cz if 650, delivered,
100 for bedding...

the other stuff can wait

ruger is 1300 delivered...

jeffe

Does anybody offer the CZ online? If so, who's the best supplier?

www.gunbroker.com

ask for one with a great target and nice wood.

jeffe

Try: http://pdmall.com/CZC/cz~1.htm

Thanks guys.

Best price so far is $619.00 for the 416 Rigby rifle.

[ 07-11-2003, 22:55: Message edited by: Scrollcutter ]

I agree with Randy720. Call Phil at the Gun Shop just north of Atlanta. Always has the best prices and is a good guy to do business with. Bob

jeffeosso

Thanks for the info, the best price I found so far is $619. In your comment, about great target, I take it they come with test targets like the old weatherbys. Are they 50 or 100 metr targets. Also on the safety, I take it you mean a 3 position, which I would like. Also on replacing the stock down the road, what is your suggestion, syn, lam, or walnut. I take it the factory stock can be reshaped somewhat, or is that a waist, just replace it.

You might find that you like the way that the CZ "hogback" stock fit's you (I find the one on my CZ416 Rigby to be quite comfortable). Sure it's a little unusual to most Americians, but the same thing was true of the early Weatherby stocks and now there considered classics.

Yes, they come with 3 shot 100 meter targets.

Tailgunner is corect give the hogs back a go before you can it. I have only replaced the stock on my .416 Rigby but in hindsight after using it on my other cz's I now like them and would have rathered purcase another cz than a replacement stock.

PC and Tailgunner are correct give the hog back stock a try, they work pretty good, there just ugly as a mud fence, but a good rasp can fix that in 20 minutes and a day or two of matching the finish. Glass bedding is always a must in factory rifles, but that no biggie...glass will hold any 416 without stock bolts...Cross bolts are pretty and even necessary on bigger guns.

the targets are "representative"... and if you have a sub inch to start, it's likely to STAY that way... a 2" is crap!!!

619 is a good price.. best i've seen is 599... but it was buttugly.

if it where mine, I would restock with a piece of high grade english or turkish(can't spell curcassian) with a correct lop. since my lop is bigger than most, lenghtening (UGH!) or a new stock is generally in order. finish it with a nice pad. I like leather covered kickeze, and will be trying the f990 pachmayr on my restocked 500 jeffe and mikes 470 mbogo.

the safety can be either a 3 or 2 pos side safety.. both work well...

give the stock setup a try.... and ffor the red god's sake, BED IT... mike's 458 cz602 broke the stock after less than a box of shellls... i shot it 6 times one evening, and got a thumb full of splinters.

i'm with ray on the bolts... look great a 416, but steel bed should keep things right, with proper rear clearance.

jeffe