I was at a gun show this past weekend and found a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby for a great price that I could not pass up. It is the European hogsback stock and has had a good bed job done on it. I just relieved the tang area for peace of mind. The rifle has been shot very little and I am going to play with the Rigby a bit but I have plans for something bigger.

I would like to have a barrel made with integral quarter rib, swivel stud and front sight. Who does this work on a CZ and about how much would it cost? I am torn between something like a 450 Rigby, 460 Weatherby or maybe Rob's favorite stepping stone.....a 500 A-Sqaure. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Wayne at AHR, (American Hunting Rifles).

Sid,

I really like the Hogback CZs. Even with a scope. Maybe the hogback keeps the head a little more vertical to prevent eyebrow creeping towards the scope?

On a new cartridge, it all depends of its future. If elk will be considered, then the 416 is already about as good as it gets. hartebeest to eland in Africa will be covered with authority and at any African distance. (An opportunity to shoot something at 300-400 yards without a chance to get significantly closer is very rare, maybe 2% of hunting opportunities.

If the gun is for heavy dangerous game, buffalo, hippo, elephant, then diameter beats trajectory and the .510" will be preferred over a 450 Rigby. You will then need to decide on belted (A-Square) or non-belted (Mbogo) designs, or unusable capacity (Gibbs, Jeffrey). (Unusable is in the eye of the beholder, of course. I see no need for 8000-9000ftlbs of muzzle energy. But that's just me. and both the Mbogo and AQuare can already do 8000.)

I just want to build a bigger rifle for the enjoyment of it. I already have a 375 Ruger and 416 Remington that cover the smaller bores. I just love the Rigby case and want to make something special out of it.

And you are certainly right about the stock. I plan on buying the synthetic for a larger caliber but for now the hogback will be nice to shoot with.

Look at Ammo Guide...a 20 buck subscription will give you tons of information, and there are several 50 cal Rigby's there to peruse. I built my own blown out 50 Rigby called the 510 Makatak(MY own named wildcat ) and shoot weights from ~450 to ~800 gr cast lead and jacketed. It's an easy conversion with the CZ...just a barrel change and chamber job.

I would pick something that is supported like the 500 AHR that also has dies, brass, load information unless you just want to wildcat. Lots of into on Rigby wildcats scattered on this and the wildcat threads.

Luck

As already mentioned above, Wayne at AHR is THE specialist in converting CZs to beautiful safari rifles. Look at his website at American Hunting Rifles.

Why fiddle around? Do a 585 HE. Contact Ed Hubel via PM;
he's one of us! He is hubel458 here. Check out this Ammo
Guide site entry: http://ammoguide.com/?catid=699
and a thread from this Accurate Reloading site:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...4711043/m/1871066971

Building a 500a2 on a CZ550 is easy and will work reliably. It will do everything you can possibly ask from it. This is a logical next step and you won't regret it. AHR can easily do this although it's not beyond any competent gunsmith.-Rob

Rob is like the voice in your head that tells you it's OK to do crazy stuff. Unfortunately I really like his advice and am really leaning toward the 500 A2. I just don't know if I can pay for all the work at once. I guess I need to email Wayne to see what the barrel will cost.

Well I couldn't resist and got dies and brass for 416 Rigby. I was pleasantly surprised that it holds 4 down in the magazine. Is this normal or is 3 down the standard?

4 in mine, but it's a squeeze.

AHR for CZ's is like taking your Mustang to Shelby...

I'm glad your listening. The 500a2 is a fantastic round. No problems making cases as one pass through a 500 a2 die easily converts a 460 wby case. I load full power with no issues as the belt does all the work. Load some .50 Bmg 647gr bullets for long range fun! The ramp and feeding work takes 5 minutes or less and the conversion flat works unlike so many horror stories out there. Make sure to crossbolt the stock and add a forward recoil lug followed by glass bedding. No bolt issues to deal with just screw on a new barrel and headspace. I'd add a good brake but your choice. I assure you this conversion will work well. I certainly recommend Wayne at AHR to do this. The smile on your face when
You first shoot this gun will be priceless.-Rob

RGB absolutely knows what he is talking about here. He has the experience to know whereof he speaks.

RGB's advise is always perfectly sound, always...