Ok I have been reading posts from you guys for to long and have lost my mind. I went and found a guy who has a 416 Rigby, and he let me shot it. I thought after I shot one I would no longer want one WRONG! I really want one now. So here is the question.
On a very restricted budgit due to med bills. What would be a good 416Rigby to purchase?
CZ550, Is BRNO still making one at a good price? I must admite my first choice would be the M77 safari grade, but I don't think I can swing that much gabbages right now.

PS. I'm holding you guys responcable for my loss of sanity. Nickudo, Saeed & R.A.Berry, but I will sure have fun going crazy!

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Freedom wasn't free. Today they want our guns. What will they want tommorow?

CZ runs for about $900 and change i think. Ruger is $1600 and change. we've got one of each (ruger and cz, although not in 416 rigby) and they seem about the same, have winchester 70 and half mauser 98. So the choice is up to you

X-Ring,here the CZ is 650 and the Ruger is 1200. I have a buddy with a CZ and I have shot it,excellent gun. I'm in the same situation as you, witch one,but,isn't it GREAT! GOOD LUCK!

X-Ring,
Even if the money was a non-issue, I would prefer the "CZ" over the Ruger for one reason. To me, the Ruger barrels are so very heavy that the weight distribution and resultant handling characteristics feel quite awkward and "nose-heavy". More weight is "between the hands" on the "CZ". If the stock style turns you off you can order an "Armtec" synthetic stock made expressly for the 'CZ" from the R.S.A. Don't get me wrong here, the Ruger is one heck of a nice gun but, for half the price, the "CZ" remains the best buy out there.

Nick

I have had the pleasure of shooting both the CZ550 and Ruger .416's. I think they both are excellent shooting guns. I am fortunate enough to own a Ruger but have shot a friends .416 CZ. The recoil is slightly more noticable in the CZ due to its 7lbs vs Ruger at 10lbs. Accuracy is incredible with both, I have owned many rifles and have not had as consistant grouping as I do with the 416. I would definatley consider either one.

I know a guy with a used .416 Rigby in a Ruger No.1 that he will sell. I think he wanted $450 for the rifle and rings, or $650 for the rifle, rings, scope (Leupold 1.5 - 6). If you want it, let me know and I'll see if he still has it.

X-Ring,
The Gun Shop in Lilburn Ga. has the CZ for $600. I have purchased guns from him before and will be buying a .308 target CZ from him week after next. According to CZ USA, he is their largest dealer of CZ arms. His # is 1-888-207-2220. COBALT

X-Ring,
Just another thought on this. If recoil tolerance is at all a factor in this, perhaps the heavier rifle is preferable. If not, I remain in favor of the "CZ".

The CZ USA web page ( http://cz-usa.com/home.html ) lists the 550 Magnum at 9.24 lbs not 7lbs as noted above. I just picked one up about a month ago and that sounds about right. It's at my gunsmith right now getting a decelerator pad and a glass bed job on it. I also had him install a fiber optic front sight. Should have it back and shooting in a couple of weeks.

[This message has been edited by Crosshairs (edited 04-13-2001).]

Cobalt Its funny you should say that I just ran across his add on the web today and spoke to him. Seemed like a heck of a nice guy. He will ship it to MT. for $615.00 insured

Nickudo I'm not sure on the stock. Ive never shot a rifle with that syle of stock. It looks to me like it would transfer more recoil to the shooter than a straight stock. How far off am I?

BMG I will think about it, but the kind of hunting one does with a 416. I think this is one of the few times I will want a repeater over a single shot. I will think about it. I do love #1s

Frankly, I love my Ruger No.1 in .416 Rigby, but a single shot may not be for everyone, especially in a DGR. However, the choice between the CZ and a Ruger, no problem for me. I have a Ruger M77 Magnum on lay-a-way and got it for $1350. However, I have seen many in Gun Lists for $1100, but of course, no lay-a-way options for those kind of sales. The CZ is a fine rifle, but even though it might cost only half as much as the Ruger, I don't mind paying more for the quality that I know I am going to get. I've had too many good experiences with Ruger products to jump ship now. My No. 1 shoots like gangbusters so if the 77 shoots anywhere near as well as the No.1, then all will be quiet in the jungle tonight.

I love my #1 also its the best shooter I own. I just think in dangerous game hunting I personally would like a repeater. I will admit that one will most likely never need it, but it sure would be nice if you did to have another bullet on deck.

X-Ring,
The guy in Lilburn is truly a character. He is the Ga. State dart champion for three years running. Cobalt

It doesn't sound to me like the Georgia State dart throwing champion and anyone by the name of "X-Ring" should be getting together anytime soon.

X-Ring,

I can't add much to what has been said. I would be happy with either the Ruger or the CZ. The CZ stock is not bad as is, as long as you glass bed and make sure it has a Pachmayr decelerator. The newer versions come with the Pachmayr pad installed by the factory. Actually, the Rugers need a new pad, glass bedding and a trigger job every time. At least the CZ has an adjustable trigger to start with.

The best buy is definitely a CZ 550. Best handling too. With a scope, sling, and ammo, they weigh about 10.5 lbs. Perfect balance.

The CZ 550 with your choice of custom stock is probably the best gun period. As much as I love Rugers, I must admit it.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
Bwanawannabe, Daktari Ron

BigBore, FWIW, I was in the same boat you're in. My #1 shoots like magic, but is not the best for a DGR I'm told. So aquired a 77M in Rigby, hoping it wopuld shoot OK. Well, it shoots under MOA as well, with some loads going into 1/2 MOA. Don't worry, it should be fine. BTW, fine is what I think that this 77M Rigby is. Bill

Hey fellows,
I had heard that the newer Ruger magnum rifle had smaller barrel profiles than the the orginal,,, is that true?? I have not seen of the newer models.
George

Thanks Bill in NE. I kind of figured it would. My 77 in .458 is also a sub MOA rifle so I would have been really surprised if the 77M in .416 weren't also.

Mr. Hoffman:

The more recent Ruger Mags have a slightly smaller barrel contour which supposedly reduces them from about 10 1/2 lbs. to 9 3/4. The one I bought still weighed almost 10, too much for me.

Will

Still serves to demonstrate how unecessarily heavy the barrels were. 3/4 of a pound off the contour and they still weigh in @ darn near 10lb? Phew!

Will,
Do you happen to know the muzzle O.D. of the latest models?

Nickudu:

Sorry, not to blow this off but I sold it to my son-in-law; he loves it (partly because I sold it to him for half of what I paid for it!). It is also packed away as we head out in the morning for Zim. Surely someone else, please, can answer your question.

Will

I am hoping someone will post in with this also.

I can tell you the old heavy barrel Ruger 77M .416 Rigby that I have has an OD (beyond the barrel band front sight base, at the very end of the barrel) of 0.810".

The same measurement on the CZ 550 in .416 Rigby is 0.666", which has got to be the minimum anyone would want for weight consideration.

Note that the old Ruger barrels had minimum taper until almost the last third of the barrel, almost a target taper rather than a sporter taper. The CZ has a definite sporter contour instead.

Hope someone with a newer Ruger will measure their muzzle diameter and post here.

BTW, my old Ruger weighs 10.75 lbs. bare.
The CZ weighs 9.25 lbs. bare. Both shoot sub MOA with 104 grains of H4831 and a 400 grain bullet. The CZ has a 25" barrel, the Ruger has a 24" hog of a barrel. There is nothing wrong with the hammer forged CZ barrels.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
Bwanawannabe, Daktari Ron

Doc,
A buddy tells me .720" at the muzzle. This is unconfirmed "BS" now, so let's hold on a bit. Seems like it may be about right. Huh?
I have always been rather surprised how few fellows seemed to be bothered at all with the Ruger barrel weights, whether U.S. hunters or a half dozen or so PH's I've seen using them. I found them instantly, nose heavy to the extreme. This new barrel contour really has my interest. Hope someone has the official poop.

You 416 Rigby fans.....
I just found out this morning that a fellow has a older style Rugar .416 Rigby with some cased and maybe ammo. He will sell it for $1,000 if anyone is interested let me know and I can get you intouch with him.
George

Bwana Nick,
That sounds about right. Keep me posted. Thanks.

Bwana Hoffman,
That is a great buy on the Ruger. I already have one. Somebody ought to take him up on that.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
Bwanawannabe, Daktari Ron

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I have decided to go with the CZ550 Mag. in 416. I was talking to some guys the other day and one of them confirmed that the Ruger seems a little nose heavy.
My biggest reason is price. I know I love Rugers, but I can't swing that kind of cash right now. Maybe when I'm back on my feet money wise I will trade off and get a Ruger in 416, Maybe I will love the CZ enough I wont care anymore

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Freedom wasn't free. Today they want our guns. What will they want tommorow?

Hey guys,
my Ruger indeed has .750" dia. in front of the band. I was also extatic about the sub moa groups too. All my Rugers have shot better than moa so I don`t know why the shock. Nice to know the CZ is exellent too.

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Brent

Big50,
Thanks. I seem to recall hearing that from someone else too. 0.750" it is then. Still a bit heavier than the CZ at 0.666".

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Good huntin' and shootin',
Bwanawannabe, Daktari Ron

X-Ring,
Brno actually das not making rifle.I do know, this name is on the rifle and everybody(dealers or promotion is Brno)but who was and continuing making them is Ceska Zbrojavka(CZ) Uhersky Brod. It is little town about 20 000 pop. and about 50km from Brno. My father in law was working in that factory over 40years.
Good luck,
Karel

Thank you Karel
Iwas wondering about that. I kept hereing my frind talk about BRNO actions but could not find a sight for them on the net. Now I know why.

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Freedom wasn't free. Today they want our guns. What will they want tommorow?

X-Ring,
here is there web side, It is in english to: www.czub.cz
Good luck,
Karel

Karel,
I understand the township of Brno decided the CZ was not of good enough qualitity to wear thier name and they had to go to using CZ...

I know one thing for sure and that is the Brno rifles of the 50's to the 70's were the finest double square bridge Mausers every produced and the very best production rifle in history...Even the best of Custom rifles today cannot compete with them in qualitity.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray, I do thing communist has finger in that, after Russian cam to CZ in 1968 everything change. I will let you know when my father in law give me answer. Like I write he know better then any body else after more then 40 years of servis.He is coming visit next month.
Karel

Ray,
sorry I forget say thank you for your compliment about CZ. It is good feeling hear same opinion like this from somebody who know.
Regards,
Karel

As I understand things CZ and Brno were
all under the same umberella until quite recently. CZ used to produce the handguns
and Brno the rifles. I'm not sure what happen to change all this, and look forward to hearing from Karls father-in-law.

With respect to the Ruger Magnum MKII in .416 Rigby, I believe Ruger also changed the designation from RSM to RSML ("L" = lighter?) when they changed to the lighter barrel profile. I called them about this when I first found out about it way back when, as there was a discrepency between their catalog and their website. I think the heavier older profile barrels would work nicely for a conversion to a .470 NE No. 2 (.475 Rigby) like Hamilton Bowen is doing. :-) http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/rifles.html

Jeff Pfeifer

Jeff,
They also work great for converting to .505 Gibbs, as Paul H and I saw such a specimen in Anchorage, Alaska. Great Northern Guns, of Anchorage, did up a set of five of those guns by reboring the 0.810" muzzled version to .505 bore, opening the bolt face and giving it a feed job. They had one or two left in Dec. 2000.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
Bwanawannabe, Daktari Ron