I just got a CZ 550 458 Lott. It will be used on an upcoming cape buff hunt in '07. Any tips on how to set this rifle up? Thanks!

There are a lot of hot rodders and fine tuners that know a lot more about DGRs than I do so I suspect you'll get some great advice here. On my CZ 550 (in 416 Rigby) I just put a Leupold 1.5 X 5 with Talley mounts on it and started shooting alot to see what worked for me and what didn't. It turns that my 50+ year old eyes don't pick up the front bead sight in a rapid fire drill (four rounds as fast as you can at a 25 yard target with the iron sights). So for me some iron sight changes but I will use my own design and a local machinist is making them for me. I have no feeding problems WITH THE BULLETS I USE (and I haven't tried the North Forks yet) but try out a few different bullet shapes to see if they all feed with no problems. If you can use the iron sights efficiently and the rifle has no feeding problems whatever the bullet, then the rest is probably just customizing and a question of personal taste and desire.

bed it, and shoot it....

after that, see if you think anything needs to be done...

make certain you work over the feeding.. slow, fast, fast, slow, and with the bullets you are going to use

jeffe

I would be very interested to hear how you like the rifle as I am considering the CZ 500 albeit in a different caliber.

I have three of the CZ's 458 Lott, 416 Rigby, and a 375. On the Lott and the Rigby I had them bed and cross bolted...I would do that at a minimum. I also had these two rifles slow rust blued, NECG front sight, barrel band swivel, trigger adjusted/disengaged the set trigger feature, action smoothed. Roger Ferrell did the work on these guns...he is very good.

On the 375 just bed and cross bolted. I used the Lott on Cape Buff last year and 500 grain Barnes TSX at 2250 fps...the Lott is a real hammer! I was going to take the Rigby this year..but going to take my Merkel 470 and the 375....I may just sell the Rigby...Almost new and all the gunsmith work done!

jjs let me know if you decide to sell the Rigby! =)

Add another crossbolt, or possibly two. Bed it and I usually varnish the barrel channel to prevent moisture getting in. Practice with the load you want to use to test the feeding. Mine has Warne mounts and a 2.5x Leupold, but as of this weekend is going back to open sights as the Leupold is shifting to the Capstick.
Cheers...
Con

The 550s are a GREAT starting point! The Lott is a cannon, and recoil needs to be managed well within the rifle else you'll experience a broken stock.

Have it cross bolted and bedded. In 458 Lott add a recoil lug. While the smith is there have him do a stone job on the trigger, smooth up the action if needed, and fit the LOP to you.

Then mount a 2 1/2x Leupold compact ... and you're in business.

I added to cross bolts to my lott and then bedded it, the .375 just got a bedding job.

quote:

Originally posted by Tembo:
I just got a CZ 550 458 Lott. It will be used on an upcoming cape buff hunt in '07. Any tips on how to set this rifle up? Thanks!

You need some North Fork softs and solids to try out in your new rifle. Also consider IMR4320 and F215 primers.

www.northforkbullets.com

Watch out for A-Square ammo--it doesn't like to feed in my Lott--chris

Started with Mc Millan CZ Express Rifle Stock - NECG front sight - Trigger job - Action reworked – Bedded. End result works and shoots great – exceptionally accurate.
The Mc Millan CZ Express Rifle Stock is really nice and gives the rifle a different dimension; moreover it enhances the total handling aspect, a must.

I have the wood stock for sale – It’s new.

Roland

Roland1,

Which wood stock? I just sent my Lott back to Will's neighbor, as it split last weekend at the tang and front of floor plate.

Also, the Barnes banded solids do not feed well for me.

Jerry

Minkman,

Sorry, sold. I have the same setup in .375 H&H

The wood stock is new to and also for sale.

Roland

I have the same rifle and i sent it to an excellent smith to have all of the rough edges smoothed out and had the entire insides of the action stoned and polished. It feeds as though it is on ball bearings just like the old pre-war Rigby 416's! I got the deluxe stock but probably should have saved my money as I will eventually have it restocked in a nice piece of Bastonge walnut. The recoil is stiff and I feel that a new stock with a good pad will help tame it some what.

luvrecoletta: may I ask who is your smith?. I assume you are also here...

Hello there,

I am in Punta del Este but the work was done in the US prior to coming to this berg! The fellows name is Steve Heilmann and he is in California. You are in BA I see. Do you know anyone who is looking for a very nice home in Punta? Just let me know. Hell, I will pay you the commission instead of the useless realtors!

luvrecoletta: I understand that there are many houses for sale....what with our IRS tryng to tax foreign investments not declared. That comprises almost all Punta del Este

Your vice president has an apartment over looking the port and it is also for sale. He has not paid the taxes on the place for a long time and owes 50,000 US! A fellow tried to buy it but the dumb ass owner wanted the buyer to pay the back taxes! What an idiot.

I had no idea that they taxed your offshore homes. I can say that the way they build things here makes no sense at all. I spent a pile of money remodeling this place. I cannot believe that they don't put in heating systems but have these roll around things with a bottle of gas attached. I also noticed that a lot of the homes have Jacuzzi tubs but not enough hot water to fill them??? Very strange to say the least.

My CZ 550 416 Rigby lives in a Brockman laminated stock. Best money I ever spent. Strong as a tank, never have to worry about stock problems and shoots great. Talleys and a Leupold 1.5x 5 scope will serve you well, I have this setup on my 416 Rigby. Good Luck.

JJs
Do you have Roger Ferrell's address
Thanks

Dr. B:

I will send you a PM with Roger Ferrell's contact information...

I can tell you what I am having done to mine.

[LIST]New front sight ( The original is small)
Bedding
Safety spring is being strengthed (it was weak and may, as a consquence of that, be pulled back to "safe" position when the bolt handle is worked. Which is not very "safe" if you need a quick 2. shot)
bolt is being checked for squareness and adjusted accordingly.
Barrelband for QD sling mount is being installed.

jjs- sent you a PM