I have been thinking of purchasing a "big bore" rifle. I ran upon a couple of CZ Safari Mag. (American Stocked) plain verison that someone had ordered but decided not to buy...Anyway the price is approximately $580 for a rifle in 458 Lott.

What do you think about the CZ Safari Rifles in general ie quality, accuracy, etc? The 458 Lott as caliber choice? What would you do as far as upgrading the rifle, if purchased? or would you hold out for a 404 or 505 that are supposedly comming down the road?

I have never been to Africa and when I go I really want to hunt Buffalo. I have a 378 Custom Weatherby I purchased many years ago but never went to Africa, so really never used the rifle accept to shoot on the range...but I am seriously considering going to Africa in the next year...Would you purchase this rifle? and if so how would you set it up...ie sights, upgrades, etc?

Thanks for you help...JJS

For $580.00 jump on it, and let me know who has them, as I will take the other. The CZ550 is a lot of gun for the money.

Dave

The CZ is the best rifle for the money now. $580 is a bargain. The Lott is probably the best caliber to move up to if you already have a 378. Assuming you will be going after buff, the 505 would be better, if you can truly handle it as well as any other caliber.

I absolutely love my CZ Safari in 375 H&H. Accuracy is excellent. I would buy that 458 in a second. I doubt it will sit on the shelf for long at that price.

David

I called back to verify stuff...A couple of corrections...One is a 458 Lott the other a 458 win. mag.

The price is $525 not $580!

I think I will buy the Lott....what about the 458 win mag? at this price might buy both? Would it be practical to rebarrel the 458 win mag CZ 550 to 404 jeffery or 416 rigby?

Who does rebarreling for 404?....As to upgrade of rifle what would you do, if anything?...Thanks again, JJS

At $525.00 it is a great deal, and the .458 can be turned into a Lott with the simple expedient of a chambering reamer. If you are going to a .416, it would be cheaper to just buy the CZ in .416. If you want a .404, wait a year, as CZ is supposed to release one next year.

Dave

I could not say anything bad about the CZ 550! I thought I got a good deal on my safari in 375 for $575. But a 458 for those prices buy them both and then sell one and you will get your for almost nothing!



As for waiting for the 404, I understand the price to be about $1800! I plan to rebarrel my 375 into 404 but later on next year.

I couple of thoughts I had...

At $525...which I think is below dealer cost on these rifles...and less than what I could purchase the action for...not sure about that? Not sure what CZ will offer the 404 or 505 for...heard $1800, as noted above in post.

Could the 458 win mag. be converted to 404, 416, or 505 and what would have to be done to it besides barrel?

Do you know what options there are for restocking CZ's or other upgrades to consider? and is it worth it? I guess I will first want to see what they look like as I have never seen a 550 Safari...I went ahead and told the folks I wanted the 458 Lott, at $525 I do not see how I could go wrong as I understand that retail is somewhere between $725 and $750 or so...

I guess at this point I am trying to decide if it is worth purchasing the 458 win. mag. and if it is worthwhile to purchase and have rechambered to 404 or 416 or 505 and what would be estimated cost, etc....

If I do not purchase the 458 win. mag. do you want it?....Thanks JJS

Unless you want a second 458 lott, I'd pass on the 458 win mag. Having a good gunsmith barrel the action, polish and blue the barrel, and fit iron sights will be a minimum of $500-600. Needless to say, you could get a 416 Rigby CZ-550 for less than that. On the other hand, having the 458 win re-chambered to 458 Lott should be under $100.

I'm not a big lott fan, but for that price I would buy both if you can get you hands on them. You can figure out what to do with other in a heart beat.

jjs:

If you do not purchase the .458, let me know by private mail where I can follow up, as I would be interested.

Dave

jjs,

I have a Lott and will be taking it to Zim in six days for buf and ele...With 450gr and 500gr bullets it is devistating and will knock the wind out of a buff with a good shot...Any way to answer your question and what to do with sights and whatever...First fire around 60rounds thru it...Hunting loads and then send it to gunsmith for bedding and trigger work, I had NECG custom express sight put on with three leaves..I also installed there fiber optic front bead and it looks like a lazerdot out in front of you...I also have Warne QD mounts and that way you have the optics and backup irons...Also had rails stoned to smooth so rifle loads real smooth...

Mike

I have a cz 550 lott it was a .458 winnie and I am imressed with cz's...I won a couple of them now and love them to bits. Great quality at a good price.

I just today got a Lott from the local gunshop and spent considerably more than those prices! I'd highly recommend you buy either of them for that kind of price. (The one I got has the brown laminated stock).

Wasn't there a thread not too long ago one of our gunsmith types who was pretty good about fixing up a few of the rough edges on the big bore CZ's? For sure I have to get a barrel band sling swivel installed because a stud in the forearm on a boomer is dumb IMHO.

You may be thinking of JudgeG. He used a gunsmith in Georgia to clean up a CZ550 that came out looking real nice.



The smith's name is Roger Ferrell, lives near Atlanta, rogersgunworks@yahoo.com.

Well I went ahead and told the sellers that I will take both the 458 Lott and 458 win mag. at $525/each it seems like a real good deal!

Loud-n-boomer post in Gunsmithing section the conversion you outlined 375 CZ to 404 Jefferys. I also made note of the same for the 458 win mag. I hope we will see if possible and what others are doing ...

Thanks to all you guys for the information...I appreciate you assistance...JJS

SOMEBODY CAN TELL ME IF THEREIS A NW CZ IN 505GIBBS I HAVE SOME BRNOS AND ILL BUY IT.JUAN

Matt,

When do you plan on taking that Lott of yours out? Perhaps we can get together and have some "fun" with the shoulder held artillery. I am booked for the next couple weekends, but after that just let me know.

My Friends:



This used to be a CZ Lux in .375. Roger Ferrell is a creative genius to see this beauty hidden within the factory "finish" and lines. It has a new forend cap, barrel band swivel, recontoured stock, three position safety, slow-rust blued, re-checkered, etc.



He has just finished a CZ Lott with the American stock. The heavy imprint CZ logo has been removed, the stock re-bedded, crossbolts, a extra recoil lug, ivory flip-up night sight, knurled/engraved bolt handle, Model 70 trigger guard, replaced the trigger (not the mechanism)... etc. The bottom picture is the stock BEFORE re-finishing. He says it is better now... I will pick it up on Monday... Can't wait!



BTW, the .375 took two buffalo last year... It shoots as good as it looks.





















The "American" Lott before re-finishing:

That one very good looking rifle. Would appreciate it if you could let me the extent of your upgrades, who it the work for you, etc.

Thanks in advance, JJS

You replied to me while I was loading the pictures and adding text. It was Roger Ferrell at rogersgunworks@yahoo.com

Roger is a Member of the Guild as both a metal and stock smith.

Mbogo375 has a .416 Rigby that's done, too.
We'll try to get pictures up on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Thanks for the contact! I also sent you a PM...Look forward to the pictures...Best regards, JJS

jjs:

I enjoyed talking to you on the phone last night. Get back with me when you've read the snippits about buffalo hunting and or if you talk to Roger.

I'd like to fax you some info this morning if you'd e-mail me your facimile number. It will detail the work done on the .458 Lott a little better.

Let's talk, too, about Africa and the Selous when you get a chance.

JudgeG:

Thanks for all the assistance. I did e-mail Roger to get his phone number.

It was getting late for me (a long day yesterday) and want to read you Buffalo stories when I am fresh, which hopefully will be this evening.

Yes, I do want to talk with you further about Africa!

Best regards, JJS

Hey Judge,
That reshaped stock looks perfect for iron sights. Does it still do OK with the scope?
Thanks,
JCN

If you once read a post by Ray Atkinson about "the old days" when all stocks were pretty much designed for irons, he related that we just kept our heads up a mite when using scopes. Not knowing any better, we killed what we shot at....

Now... as to the modified CZ stock. It works for me just fine either with, or without, the scope. I guess since I've toted it so much and practiced shouldering it a few thousand times, that either way, it's second nature. But who else sleeps with his safari rifles, has four or five of them stacked behind his desk at the office, and at any given time might be seen swiveling his office chair around, rifle at the ready, following a pigeon that's flying by the window.

Being safety conscious, of course, I generally make sure not to point at a client... not a paying one anyway.

BTW, it helps to be your own boss.

Judge,



That style of shooting with scoped rifle can be dangerous if the rifle in questions is a real heavy, say 500 Jeff, 505 Gibbs, 460 Weatherby. With those thumpers a GOOD cheek weld on the stock is a pretty good idea.



Your rifle looks very nice by the way, elegant classic lines.



ASS_CLOWN

Your stories on Buffalo hunting were great...I felt as if I was there with you! I could almost smell and taste Africa from you writings...I was ready to get my shots, pack, and be on my way!

Spoke with Roger...Nice fellow...I will hopefully receive both rifles Thursday and maybe the stock upgrade from CZ Friday. After reciept of those items I plan on talking with Roger again to set-up a game plan as to changes. For the 458 Lott (which I orderd the stock for), I am going to have the cross bolts installed and bed the new stock, install the barrel band, "smooth" the action out and possibly a couple other things that have yet to be defined.

I also spoke with him about the conversion of the 458 win mag. to 404 Jeffery. He seems to have extensive knowledge and experience with the 404, as he has done his before and has remears. He is working up a quote for me on that project. I will try to give you a call shortly...Thanks again for sharing your Buffalo stories and your insight...Best regards, JJS

A-C:

I thank you for your advice (which I sorely need).

Well picked up both the CZ's, the 458 Lott and 458 win. mag. this evening. The quality of both rifles exceeded my expectations!

My first replacement stock should be here Friday afternoon. I plan on sending the 458 Lott, with the new stock, to a smith to bed and add cross bolts, smooth the action, install barrel band swivel, and a couple of other things. I will have to determine what to do with the 458 win. mag!

I think I may get hooked on these CZ "Big Bores"! What about you guys...