Am I missing a whole lot of details, or is the CZ 550 Safari Magnum in .404 Jeffery for $2,700 virtually the same gun as the 550 SM in .416 Rigby for $1,000? Does anyone know the reason for the cost difference? Are the .404s assembled in Kansas City while the Rigbys are built in Czechoslovakia?
It would be lovely if someone made a more affordable .404, as I would really love to play with this classic caliber.

There are probably a lot more sources for .416" barrels than .423" barrels.

Also, they figure you should have to pay a premium for 'nostalgia'.

George

also, they put the fancy wood on the 404

George: Would you guess a .375 CZ would need a lot of feed work to convert to .404? Bolt face would have to be opened from .530 to .537. Might be cheaper just to rebarrel a .375 ...

Make sure you're making an apples to apples comparison. CZ has the 416 Rigby available in both the safari magnum and the safari classic lines, but the 404 is available only in the safari classic line. The classic line is more expensive (better wood and probably other upgrades).

Guns hand built in Kansas City will always cost more than the mass produced version from the Chek Republic. The 404J is hand assembled in Kansas as is the 505 Gibbs. The 416Rigby and 458Lott are factory built imported guns, rough edges, warts and all. I have both and believe me they may look the same, but they are not the same beast. Not exactly the same look. The Kansas built guns have bbl mounted sling swivel.

The Kansas built guns will feed reliably right out of the box.

Is it worth it? That is your call. The Kansas guns are better quality, but the big price difference is due to one at a time USA labor costs vs mass produced factory efficiency.

Caleb: Yes, better wood and the front swivel stud mounted on the barrel. After that? For another $1,600?

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
George: Would you guess a .375 CZ would need a lot of feed work to convert to .404? Bolt face would have to be opened from .530 to .537. Might be cheaper just to rebarrel a .375 ...

Bill,

I am no gunsmith, and being left-handed, I've never owned a CZ of any type , but I don't think you 'open up' the bolt face on a Mauser-style CRF. I think you work on the inside of the claw extractor.

My guess is that the correct magazine box and follower will have the most effect on feeding in a CRF action.

George

I know Bill does not want this, but just for the sake of full disclosure and credit where credit is due. When you get a gun custom built in Kansas city for 3k (or 2700) you can specify bbl length and also get a host of extras. I set my 505 bbl to 24 inch. It feeds like a dream. Has nice wood.

I regret the day I ever took that total POS Chek built 458 home, after handling a Ruger and putting it back to save a 1,000. My bad luck, some are ok. I got a triple lemon. Jackpot three problems!

If, CZ ever did offer the 404 from Check factory, (IMHO) the best move would be too send the gun direct to AHR. Dont even open the box. Ask the dealer too send it to AHR for rework.

Fourbore: With your explanation the Kansas City gun makes a lot more sense. I just went to the CZ Web site and the differences are more apparent. Wonder whose barrel they use.
George: I think you do enlarge the bolt face and claw when fitting a CRF action for a larger case head.

Bill,

just use RUM brass or the Hornady 404 cases.

Rich

Bill,

You're right, of course. In addition to the claw, the recess where the case rim sits has to opened up.

George

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Caleb: Yes, better wood and the front swivel stud mounted on the barrel. After that? For another $1,600?

My point was that they also have a 416 in the more expensive line as well, and I think fourbore explained the differences in the lines well. Kind of like how Winchester and Remington have different lines of rifles (like Supergrade and Safarigrade).

I have one of those "pos" chec built 416 CZ 550 safari classics, shoots dang good to me, spent less than a grand, no ammo feeding issues,, smooth as silk, so far killed 15 buffalo with it, my buddy killed his first elephant with it, it will drive tacks at 100 yards,,,, when the airline thieves finally don't send it back on one of my trips I don't have a heart attack,,I looked at a couple of really nice doubles at DSC,, at almost 50 grand,,, I am not sure I could let it out of my sight, much less let the baggage goons bounce it around. Yes,, I know you can insure them,, but with some of the guns and their history,, they can't be replaced. The more valueable the gun is to me,,, the tougher it is to travel on airplanes with them,,,give me a nightmare just thinking about whose hands we put our guns in....

I think the barrels come from the Badger.

As in Badger barrels.

.

I've had Badger barrels before and they are real performers.

You can (or at least could a year ago) order a basic .404J but you had to call and ask for it. Still a lot more then the basic .416/.458 but a lot less then a Safari Classic. My experience with the Czech guns has been the reverse from what was posted here. I like them a little better then the Kansas ones.

Thanks for the intel VIP.
By the way, Wayne from AHR advises that converting a basic CZ .375 to 404 J includes magazine and rail work. He put the cost of rebarelling at $1,800, which also includes bedding, barrel band swivel stud, etc.