I have been curious of the 416 Rigby for many years and so when this CZ came my way at an attractive price I jumped. The rifle is the current model with the American stock.

I have not yet run any rounds through it, but intend to order brass and dies this week.

How do they typicaly feed/function?

The trigger as is has plenty of creep, and I am not nuts about the set feature, are there after market replacements or are they normaly improvable by a quaility smith ?

I have looked into some of the past threads for some of these questions I have, but some were not addressed.

Beside bedding and the above what else would you do?



Many Thanks

HBH

Some add another recoil lug, 1 or 2 crossbolts,
full length bed and wrist pin. This is what was told to me as I am looking for 1 in Lott.
Gene

You have just found out the main reason CZ's are cheaper than Wins's, Rems',and Rugers. Charlie

Read the instruction manual, they tell you how to adjust the trigger, and disable the set feature if desired.

The CZ is a good starting point for a rifle.
Get the bedding done professionally and add two quality cross bolts.The action is rough,but responds to polishing.If you really plan to use it with dangerous game have the safety converted to a Mod 70 3 position.Once the work is done (and if the stock fits you)get to know the rifle and its open sights.You will realise then what a POS is being served up by
the other mass producers.

HBH,

According to the "old pro African Hunters" on this site practically no production DGR is ready for DG straight out of the box and all need to make the trip to the gunsmith to be tuned up. The CZ is definitely no exception, however, once the work is done and the action slicked up, then you are ahead of the game compared to many choices out there for much more money.

In response to your question regarding "CZ work", I have done the following to my two CZ's (416Rigby and 458 Lott):
** Widen the gap between metal and wood behind the tang (3/32" or so if you can stand it).
** Internal cross bolts right behind the recoil lug and right behind the rear most finger of the "F-block" barrel lug.
** External cross bolts fore and aft of the magazine box (leaving the one in the wrist in place [lux stock]).
** Reinforce the front of the magazine box to prevent "dimpling" from magzine cartridges slamming the front under recoil (depends somewhat on the tightness of the stock fit in that area, but cartridges loaded Barnes X bullets will definitely "punch" a mag box in a 416 Rigby).
** Steel bed from the magzine forward [not including the mag well]. (I glass bedded one, but the steel bed on the other strikes me as being tougher).
** Had the smith slick up the action and the feeding (wow!) and work the extractor a bit so it will accept a "top fed" round straight into the chamber without having to run it thru the magazaine. [For the Mauser purists -- sorry, I just like that aspect of push feed rifles.]

Regarding the trigger:
** Yes one of mine had some creep and was a bit "gravelly"; however, in my case the length of the trigger pull was quite long also. Once I shortened the pull, then the creep and the "gravel" became a non-issue as there was no need for travelling over that portion of the mechanism. (It was an easy adjustment, but don't go turning screws willy nilly, read the directions and track your adjustments on paper --- I think it only took 1/2 turn to move it a LOT!)

** Disregard if you are a hardened "recoil junky." Otherwise, I wouldn't lose the single set trigger just yet until you get comfy with 416 Rigby's recoil level (especially if you decide to load it up a bit). The set trigger (at a 16 oz on set and 3.5 pounds or so on regular) can be a benefit at the range when sighting in, as the rifle will shoot when you simply think "shoot" versus your having a chance to think about it just a little too much during the "squeezing stage" just prior to the shot.

My $.02, enjoy your CZ and especially enjoy your Rigby;
I love having a cartridge with that much whip-ass in it that doesn't say "magnum" --- kinda drives the "magnum haters" crazy.

Thank you to all for your info. I had the chance to take the barreled action out of the stock last night, that is an interesting block behind the barrel tie down.

I have also had the chance to speak with Roger Ferrell and came away with some idea of the direction I am headed with this rifle. Right now I am planing to bed and then shoot the rifle to evaluate the barrel if that looks good I am considering a 3 position Mdl. 70 type safety and changing the bolt handle aswell. I think this will be an interesting project.

Many Thanks

HBH

HBH,

Steel bedding is a great first step and should allow you to safely take enough shots to evaluate your barrel.

Assuming it "passes" I would encourage you to put in the crossbolts fore and aft of the magazine. I consider the cross bolts to be equally fundamental as the bedding job.

With a Rigby, especially if you decide to "load it up" to its potential, you are talking some serious recoil.... equal to the 458 Lott in my experience and worthy of some significant "preventive maintenance."

Good luck and enjoy your 416 Rigby CZ!

EKM

EKM,

I am sure you are correct, and the crossbolts are on the must do list of alterations. With whatever stock finally ends up on the rifle.

Many Thanks

HBH

I own a CZ in 416 rigby with the American stock and love every piece of it. Though I must agree with some others and say a nice trip to a gunsmith to par it up for DG use would be desirable(sticky bolt, etc.). I bought it for the intended purpose of playing with the rigby cartridge and such.

congrats on the purchase.