Guys,

You fellas sure have me interested in something bigger than the .375 H&H I own.

And you all have me pretty much convinced that the CZ550 Magnum is the way to go. As I have limited funding and can't really afford to goof on a purchase, some questions:

0) How much worse does this fella beat you up than a .375 H&H?

1) Who are the stocking distributors and what is the FFL cost of the rifle most likely to be?

2) RCBS dies OK? Any need to go with "premium" dies?

3) Is the factory safety so obnoxious that it would have to be immediately replaced?

4) Any source of .416 Rigby brass at a more reasonable price than $180/100?

5) Are there any "reasonbly priced" rings and bases for the CZ550 Magnum (something like the Luepold QC mount)? Who has them and what do they cost?

I expect that I'll have to try to live with the factory stock for at least a while.

Sure do appreciate the help, Fellas. Thanks!

Any big distributor such as AcuSport or Bangers should have some CZ 550 rifles in stock. Have your dealer order one for you. It should be around $650. Gunbroker has tons of them for sale if you do not mind buying one from the Internet. There is nothing wrong with the factory 2-position safety so it is really not needed for a replacement. It would be nice to have a bolt mounted 3-position safety though however. Felt recoil is pretty subjective but it should not be a lot more than a 375 H&H. My RCBS dies work just fine on the 416 Rigby. Good luck.

[ 02-04-2003, 06:42: Message edited by: Mingo ]

Mike,
Are you planning on doing something BIGGER later? If so, go with the 416, if not, just do the 458 and punch it out to a lott or express. Gunbroker sells em for 600, plus shipping and whatever your ffl would charge ($10 to 20 is the going rate) and NO SALES TAX.

www.gunbroker.com

I dislike the stock, but it works, I prefer a mod70 safety, but the stock on works.

jeffe

Go with the 416 Rigby, its unbelievable. It does kick quite a bit, but honestly if you can handle the 375, you can stomach the 416. I work at Gander Mountain and we carry the CZ, which retails for $729. If there are none around you follow Mingo's advice. The saftey is weird, but not sooooooooooooo terrible that one couldn't possibly live with it. For brass try Quality Cartridge @ www.qual-cart.com . RCBS dies work just fine. Happy hunting.
Andy

[ 02-04-2003, 05:52: Message edited by: CZ 550 ]

I talked to the guy who sells the CZ's on gunbroker.com the other day and he is selling them for $629-$639 as of last week--he usually stocks a couple, but he basically orders them as the orders come in---it's the best price I've found---chris

[ 02-04-2003, 09:07: Message edited by: csutton7 ]

mstarling:

I have been looking into the CZ 550 chambered in 416 Rigby. A friend gave me the opportunity to shoot his. My first response after shooting his factory CZ 416 was that the folks here at AR have good reason to speak highly of the CZ! Bear in mind however that you can "goof" no matter how much effort you put in or how much input you get.

I'll attempt to offer my perspective to your questions:
0) Felt recoil was not uncomfortable. I shot the rifle with scope and Federal 410 grain Woodleigh's soft and solid. Accuracy was MOA at 100 yards and in one case three shots all touched and the group was made up of two solids and one soft. I think the Bavarian stock design had a lot to do with the felt recoil not being uncomfortable. With the Bavarian stock, the rifle rotates upward instead of straight back. I liked the factory stock.

1)Purchase price approximately $650.00 USD.

2)RCBS dies are excellent.

3)I liked the factory safety. I would not change it. I liked it much better than a M70 type.

4)I don't know.

5)Millets are the least expensive I know of; approximately $30.00 USD.

Give the factory Bavarian stock a chance. You may like it quite a bit. I did. The rifle I shot was stock factory. It's action was smooth and it fed, fired, and ejected every round like it was supposed too. CZ sends a test target with each rifle. The CZ 550 creates value for the owner!

Regards,
Buliwyf

Buliwyf,
I agree with everything you say, but you must warn that the Millett rings are not to be used on the CZ 550 Safari Magnum. Millett rings are trash, or will be after a few shots on the 416 Rigby. They are O.K. for 22 rimfire.

My factory test target from CZ was 3 shots into 0.75" at 100 meters. This can be bettered with GSC FN 380 grainers if one cares to try ... oh, yes, don't forget the 105 grains of H4831 and a Federal GM215M primer in a Norma case.

Myself, I like the case capacity of the H&H and its ilk. Most guys are getting 5 and almost 6 in the mag! What does the Rigby get, 3? 4?
What on earth are you gonna be able to kill with only 4-5 416 Rigbys?
Some of the deer around here are pretty mean.
I would head for the 458 WM.
Some day poke it out to Lott-sized if you like. Or get a Shilen .416-bore barrel chambered in 416 Remington for about the same price.

[just reread your post; you weren't asking for suggestion - apologies!]

[ 02-04-2003, 11:57: Message edited by: youngun ]

I have a CZ .375 & .416 and love them so much I want a cz .458 to make a lott out of. There great value, and I feel quite African when I shoot with mine Give the stock a go before you can it, I do not mind them. Just get it bedded properly.

DaggaRon:

Thanks for taking the time to comment on the Millett Rings. I will take your advice.

B

Again...

I have trashed a pair of Millet after about 20-30 shoots of light loaded 416 Rigby.

The factory stock needs bedding but I guess you can live with it othervice.

[ 02-04-2003, 21:38: Message edited by: Thomas M ]

Another vote for going to 458 here Mike.
You said you are on a tight budget which sounds more to me like you are going for that 'once only monster'. Something to pull out and impress the crowds when the 375 H&H is looking a bit mundane. Go all the way to a 458 mate.

regards,
Karl.

MIke,
Reading between the lines, I'm wondering why you want/need a 416 or 458 Lott...The 375 is a grand caliber and will do anything you need for it to do....

The 416 Rem or Rigby are grand calibers, but only have one purpose and that is to shoot dangerous game in Africa.

To some the recoil of the 416's is considerably more than the 375...The 375 is the better all around caliber, as are the 9.3's.....

Recoil with the 458 Lott and up is bordering on horrific to those who do not shoot a big bores all the time....I shoot them all and I don't like the recoil of the Lott, 505 and 500's...not one bit.

I do not like shooting the big ones from all the vicarious field positions, they tend to feed my thumb to my nose, the scope to my brow, bowl me over from a squating position during a charge and raise hell with a case of diarrhea when one shoots them.