Well, I ordered a .416 Rigby today...$622 for a CZ550 Magnum (BRNO 602). It seems they have fixed the "backwards" safety design flaw with the early models. I'm interested in hearing about any mods anyone has done with aftermarket triggers, replacement stocks etc. I ordered some brass ($157 for 100 Norma, ouch!) some Redding dies, a couple of boxes of Hornady 400 FMJ and SP etc...
Will probably put a Leupold 1.5-5 Vari-X III on top of this puppy...
I'm interested in hearing from any and all CZ550 owners...

I doubt you will need an aftermarket trigger. My dad has one and his trigger is better than any Timney made.

The only downer is that the stock has too much drop. But the price is right!

Kentucky I purchased a cz 550 .416 Rigby and love it (it is my first Big Bore and won't be my last)I had to replace the stock (I put a fibreglass reinforced kevlar/carbonfibre stock on it in the weatherby style) as mine failed as did my mates, the gun shoots better than I can I am still trying to master it, I have shot a 1.7 inch group at 100 yards with my scope on 7 power, I know the rifle will shoot better but I can't yet still gettin used to gripping the forend. I have a vari x 11 2-7x on mine and it suits what I do has heaps of eye relief, good field of view and I like the max power of 7x if you might want to take a longer shot at smaller targets. I use the cz mounts

I am loading woodeliegh 410 grain SN's with 102 grains of AR2209 in Bertram Brass (very soft) for around 2550 fps.

Love the gun and I think they are excellent value. I have no need for it I just like big bore rifles.

If you want any other info please ask.

Regards PC.

------------------

Kentucky Nimrod,
Welcome to the forum. I am a Kentuckian who likes to think of himself as a Nimrod too, in the Biblical sense ... "mighty hunter."

Fine gun, I like it too. Warne or CZ rings work great, QD or fixed (detach with Allen wrench, not so QD). Scopes I like and rotate between:
All Leupolds...M8 2X, VariXIII 1.5-5X, or 1.75X-6E...they all fit.

Trigger and safety are O.K., you can get rid of the set trigger if you want.

Stock needs improvement. A laminate or a synthetic or a custom walnut job. Glass bed with cross bolts.

Load: 105 grains of H4831 with any 400 grain bullet or the 380 grain FN.

Or, the 330 HV or 350 Barnes X at 2700 fps or higher.

This is an all purpose African safari rifle.

The hammer forged CZ barrels have all been accurate in my experience.

That 0.666" muzzle diameter of the 416 Rigby is as light as anyone could ask for, handy even at 25", it is well balanced.

------------------
Happiness is a warm double and a bloody spear, but a 375 or a 416 will do just fine!
RAB

Thanks for the replies fellas, I'm not new to the forum...used to be Jeff S but they lost my password and I changed my e-mail address...too hard to fix so i just re-registered.
I don't believe in fixing something that isn't broken but will probably go ahead and put a McMillan handle on this puppy mainly b/c I want it to be a very durable beat around rifle. If the trigger is ok I'll probably leave it alone.

Nimrod,
I removed the set trigger immediately.
I have tried to improve my trigger, but I am still not close to what I am looking for.
The trigger is thin and to much forward in the trigger guard for my likeing.
AHR do sell a timney , the trigger bow needs to be opened as their�s is .250" wide
Price (Oct 2001) was $65 + shipping.
I am also looking for a larger frontsight with ivory, tritium , silver etc.
Oh Norma brass at rediculous prices, how about $220 per 100.

All the best

//Jens

I like the CZ, if you can leave it alone.

There is no "drop-in" trigger replacement. I've looked. It is too narrow, but what to about it?

The only problem with the trigger being too far forward in the trigger guard is the recoil making the guard smack your middle knuckle. But this isn't a problem with the .416, just bigger stuff, for me.

The longer pull of 14" and straighter grip on the new McMillan stock cured this though.

By the time you get a new McMillan stock, custom recoil pad, new front sight, chop the barrel off, etc., it's getting expensive.

A front sight replacement that I found that worked is one from NECG/Brownells that is a white replacement bead for the Ruger 77. It takes some fitting to get it in the CZ front sight slot, but it's big and bright.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 02-27-2002).]