I've wanted a .404 Jeffery for awhile. Now that CZ has them available in their SC550, I'm tempted to place an order.

Has anyone purchased a Safari Classic? I'm interested in the stock specifically. For those that have one, how would you rate the wood and the finish? Typical CZ....in that the crappy factory finish needs to be removed?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Just bought a CZ550 in .416 Rigby and the wood on it is very nice. Jeffeosso can attest to the wood since he helped me bed and cross bolt it. Not sure if my stock is the exception but there is nothing wrong with the wood on my rifle.

Thanks Mike. Could you by chance post a picture or two?

Thanks!

Well . . . let me give that a try. I am not the most proficient internet user out there. I will give it a try though.

Mike,

If you want, email the photo(s) to me and I will post them for you. [Click on my name to the left and then click on my Public Profile for my email address].

Regards,

Terry

FO:

My hunting partner, LHowell here on AR, ordered one, a .404, after they were introduced at the 2005 SCI and SHOT Shows. After waiting 8 months or so it arrived.

The fit was terrible. The inletting was very erratic. The bottom of the magazine was not flush with the wood and he could not open the floor plate due to pressure on the magazine box. The area around the bolt was so tight that he was unable to work the release and remove the bolt.

He talked to someone at CZ and they said since it was machined turned, the stock must be OK! Finally, he spoke with Jason, the PM for the Safari Classics, and he said return it for inspection. Basically they said that was all they could do and he asked for a refund and promptly got one. Jason,by the way, was very fair in his dealings and help.


These actions, I believe, are made in the Czech Republic then finished over here. The quality control certainly lacked on his.

LHowell is currently at the SHOT Show but I will make sure he is aware of this thread.

Sorry to be negative on the rifle but do a search on them and you will find many instances of poor quality control with this line. The .505 had chambering issues IIRC,etc.

Feel free to PM LHowell and I am sure he will give you his thoughts.

Regards,

RCG

Terry,

Thanks, will do.

Mike

Sent the pictures to Terry. Hard for the pictures to really do justice to the stock but it is actually quite pretty.

Mike's Photos:

Thanks Terry. I need to go to remedial computer school.

The wood really varies, if the above was on one of the safari classics. Here are my two, in .404 Jeffery and .505 Gibbs.







Come on folks, they are about $9,000 USD (each) less than a Johannsen.

Mine are pretty basic, off the shelf models. At least they put an NECG front sight on the .505.

The .404 Jeffery is a functional and reliable feeder and shooter right out of the box. Holds 5 in the box.

The .505 Gibbs has "under-sized-box" issues but feeds roundnose bullets well, and jams on the left side with flatnose bullets. Holds three in the box.

The .404 Jeffery requires crossbolts, but a Winchester-style wing safety and new trigger would be nice.

The .505 Gibbs needs that and a new magazine box.

The "American" style stocks on these are a disappointment in the way the bottom metal is recessed into the wood. That "wood" be a major woodworking chore and complete strip and refinish job.

They do have a better finish and better wood than the run-of-the-mill CZ.

They are project guns from the factory, like any other CZ, or Ruger, or Winchester, or Dakota. They are not full-blown custom guns. Duh.

Thanks Mike and Rip for posting up your CZ's (and Terry for helping out Mike).

I've heard from a couple others concerning fit. I think I may just wait abit and have Ed at AHR build me another rifle.

quote:

They are not full-blown custom guns. Duh.

RIP,

And people wonder why Winchester went belly-up.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:

quote:

They are not full-blown custom guns. Duh.

RIP,

And people wonder why Winchester went belly-up.

Will,
I can fix'em up eventually, just like I did the Winchesters.

PS: Your book was great. When I grow up I want to be just like you.

So do folks like the looks/feel of this stock (American) The forend of the Hogsback feels so nice and lively this stock looks a little fat ??

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
So do folks like the looks/feel of this stock (American) The forend of the Hogsback feels so nice and lively this stock looks a little fat ??

PC,
The American stock is shorter in LOP , fatter, and heavier than the Lux Hogback, true. But, you won't catch me whining about such trivia, nor extending my pinky fingers while shhooting, even though I do like the Hogback better. If I add a slip-on Limb Saver or Pachmayr pad it almost makes it long enough for me, and sure makes it comfortable to shoot: A decelerator plus a Limb Saver is very gentle.

Anyone who owns too many tools soon learns to adapt

In Australia you no longer get a choice it's all American stocks.....................my beloved Hogsback has died, the LOP issue is a pain as the 14"or so length of pull on the Hogsback was perfect for me ! The slim forend is what I really love about the hogsback.

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
So do folks like the looks/feel of this stock (American) The forend of the Hogsback feels so nice and lively this stock looks a little fat ??

It is a little fat. I tried both and much prefer the hogback. Too me it turns a clubby rifle in to liviely rifle.

quote:

In Australia you no longer get a choice it's all American stocks.....................my beloved Hogsback has died, the LOP issue is a pain as the 14"or so length of pull on the Hogsback was perfect for me ! The slim forend is what I really love about the hogsback.

Hey PC,
A lot of Americans have taken off their hog back stocks to use after market handles. If you post a request to purchase unused hogback stocks I believe you will get some for a reasonable price. No problems shipping a piece of wood to OZ. Sorry, you can't have any of my hogback stocks, I just love them with iron sights.

lawndart