Just took delivery of my new CZ 550 in .458 Lott. Haven't gotten the opportunity to shoot it yet, but will hopefully remedy that in a few days. I've never owned or shot a CZ before, so I don't know what to expect from a reliability and accuracy standpoint. Anyone here have a CZ in Lott or Win Mag? How accurate are they? The rifle has some heft to it and feels good.

Whitworth

All the ones I have had were excellent shooters, for their purpose.

They were more repeatedly accurate than I could hold them. But then I could never see commiting suicide over a rifle that didn't have the first three touching.

WW,
if you haven't fired a true big bore, my advice is to hold the rifle firmly, with a tight grip on your right hand, and just put three down range off hand. where it hits is unimportant.

then set the rifle down, and rest a bit.

then take out some 458 winmag, and put 2 down....

rest

then AIM 3 lotts at a 25 yard target, and squeeze them off... aim them, notice the point of aim, and repeat.

then go home for the day, as you will have taken a good initial beating

don't even worry about true accuracy until you get comfortable at 50, and regardless of were the bullets hit the paper, that they are consistent, before you start adjusting the sights.

on sights, NO SCOPE until you are comfortable with the recoil

jeffe

Thanks for the advice, Jeff. I've shot a few big bores and have owned a couple of "medium" bores such as a .375 H&H and a .416 Rem Mag, both in rifles weighing a bit over 8 lbs. The .416 will give you a bit of a beating on the bench, but offhand is a pleasure. I do realize that the Lott is a definite step up from the .416, just not sure how much of a step. Sighting it in should be fun....hope it's fairly close! Haven't even bought any Win Mag for it as I intend to jump right into Lott territory. I never claimed to be too smart....

Whitworth

With the CZ, just be sure and curl your thumb over the grip as opposed to letting it lay on top of the grip behind the bolt shroud...I have a permenent ring on the end of my thumb and a split thumbnail and that was from a 404!

I shall heed your advice, Ray!

Whitworth

These guys gave you some good advice about shooting the Lott. What stock style did you get? I have one in the American version....The bit of advice I would give you in addition to what has already been provided...is have that rifle's stock reinforced and bedded before you shoot it!

The CZ in generally can be very accurate rifles...the Lott I have is more than accurate for its intended use..

Good luck!

JJS -- not quite sure what stock it has. I traded a rifle for this one, and it is pretty much brand new. How can I tell what stock it has? Why aren't these things bedded from the factory when the manufacturer know what kind of recoil they produce? Doesn't seem to make much sense. I will have it bedded to preserve it.

Whitworth

The best way to tell the difference is to go to CZ's web site and look at the American vs Euro stocked 550 Safari's.
The Euro has more drop in the stock than the American version.

I am not sure why CZ does not bed the rifles...I think the Euro has some reinforcement (may be bolted,not sure). I saw a post by someone on this site that advised CZ would bed the rifle for $80 or so...not real sure about that. I had a Gun Smith do mine...including reinforcement...

I had my Lott reinforced (cross bolted) and bedded as well as several other things I wanted done to that rifle. I would suggest that if you have the American version to have the thing reinforced and bedded...if in factory form.

jjs -- I do believe it is the American Safari Magnum as the stock is straight and doesn't have that drop in it that I think is the Euro-version. Which one is better at taming recoil?

Whitworth

Whitworth:

I guess that would depend on the shooter. My preception is that the American stock version is somewhat better for mounting a scope and traditional for the U.S. market. However, there seem to be a large group of folks who prefer the Euro stock version based upon what I have seen posted here.

The Euro stock version comes in Turkish Walnut which seems to have a better look than the standard American version. My three CZ 550 Safari's have the fancy American stock and all are very nice looking. I just could not get over the cheek pad design of the Euro...and for me the American version worked better with scope mounting...

I just sent my 416 Rigby to a Gun Smith to have the stock reinforced and bed as well as having a few extra touches done.

The Lott is a real hammer... with 500 grain bullets @ 2250 fps it knocked the snot out of the two Cape Buffalo I shot...now that is fun!! I think I will work up a load with 500 grain Barnes TSX to 2300 fps.

Problem with big bores is they tend to sit on shelves, and, as the stocks dry, the wood pulls away from the action.
Given a running start, a 458 Lott is going to break a stock, so is a 416.

CZ's are sort of raw products, requireing gunsmiths to finish at destination. Considering they are the only game in town, at that price, and the incredible quality of the action, and value, quit bitching about it. Even with the on destination gunsmithing, you get a great action, cheap, and a very accurate rifle. As long as you want a wood stock, you are stuck. I wouldn't buy a big bore without taking it to a gunsmith prior to shooting, to make sure the wood hasn't been damaged, or shrunk.

I have a 375,and, it's got a beautiful piece of wood, if not finished beautifully. If you want to spend the money, get a dried and finished, and fitted stock, and buy the action seperate. You'll be at least 500 bucks behind buying a stock CZ, and having it checked by a smith.

If you don't like it, email me, and we can discuss shipping it to me. I have no problems with a 458 lott to compliment my 375;-)


s

Socrates, I think I'll hang on to it, but thanks for offering to take it off my hands!

Who's bitching? It just seems a bit ridiculous to me that a rifle would be fitted with a stock that can't take the punishment of a caliber that is being offered by the manufacturer of said rifle. I'm wondering out load. That said, I've already made arrangements to have it cross bolted and bedded next week. Might as well prevent it from happening. Thanks for the advice, gentlemen.

Whit,

All this "hypothetical" stock cracking stuff is just that, stuff.

There has been no American stocks crack that I have heard of...one of those urban legends that get started here.

I'm up to 110, with the last forty all 500grainers.

Still no cracks, and I looked with my dissecting scope. By the way, Will is probably right again, mines an American stock. I know, Never tell Will he is Right...