I just own one for now, but I see nothing that needs to be done that would compare to the task of modifying a military Mauser. Brownells sells the 416 size actionfor $618 retail. The folks at Cabela's offer them thru 416/458WM/Lott for $799.95. Somebody is making a deepened floorplate that lets you put an extra round in the magazine. With one up the spout, that is a six-pack of 416's. A very comforting thought when hunting dangerous game.
When I sell my S&W M27-2 and Model of 1989 at the Boise gunshow this weekend, I intend to buy another one, or perhaps be able to move up to a 505.

CZ = a very budget priced, high quality big bore DGR!!

Rich

Yep! They are great! Their Safari in a 404 Jeffery would be nice as well!!

I looked at a new CZ550 recently - a 9,3x62. It had nice wood on it and the finish was acceptable as a working rifle. The action was fairly smooth and worked without a tight spot.

However I do not like their cheap recoil pads, ugly sights. Worst of all is the plastic magazine magazine they use.

It definately requires some upgrade for me. Put some money aside for a makeover. I chose to spend more and opted for a custom built K98 rifle.

Chris

I really like my 550 Safari Magnum, maybe it is just that the one I bought is the Luxe configuration, but it has a steel floor plate, good enough wood for a rifle that will be getting drug all over the place, good sights for the most part, and a really great trigger pull. Maybe they just use the steel floor plates on the 375 and up? At the store where I buy most of my guns, tax, title, license, and handling, out the door for $822.50. I would like reall hard at buying another, and I normally prefer Rugers. JMO.

If one were to buy the bare action from Brownells, how much would a good gunsmith charge for a total polish up, slick the action, and refinish? I personally think the edges around the inside of the trigger guard should be radiused as well as the are quite sharp.

I got a CZ 550 from Cabela's. Everything on it is metal, I like the sites, the trigger and the grooved receiver for easy quick detach scope mounting, etc. The wood is well finished with nice figure (and I got the cheap version). I had no trouble with stock cracking but just to be sure, I spent $80 or so to have the action bedded. The recoil pad is the nicest I've ever used; cushy enough to make shooting a 458 Lott off the bench with no extra padding no big deal and with 2 MOA to work with, should be a 100 yard groundhog gun.

the mags can be replaced with steel ones from CZ.

quote:

Originally posted by truvelloshooter:
I looked at a new CZ550 recently - a 9,3x62. It had nice wood on it and the finish was acceptable as a working rifle. The action was fairly smooth and worked without a tight spot.

However I do not like their cheap recoil pads, ugly sights. Worst of all is the plastic magazine magazine they use.

It definately requires some upgrade for me. Put some money aside for a makeover. I chose to spend more and opted for a custom built K98 rifle.

Chris

I ordered a CZ 550 Medium FS 9.3x62mmMauser sight-unseen and got lucky.

It has a nice tiger-striped walnut full stock with two crossbolts, fore and aft of the magazine box, and neat steel forend cap, great fit and o.k. finish all around.

The floor plate and the follower came from the factory as all steel.

The firing pin has the double nut support, now, not the single nut and C-clip. It came with the C-clip, but I got a replacement firing pin assembly from CZ-USA when they were still swapping them out for customers. I don't know if they will still do that.

Best of all, the first 3 shots for group after a couple of fouling shots, went into about 1/3" center-to-center with 232-grain-Oryx loaded factory ammo from Norma.

And this rifle has a 1:9.5" twist.

Steel parts are available to replace any plastic followers or floor plates that get sneaked in for the unsuspecting by CZ. I cannot understand why they would even try that!

The C-clip I do not prefer, and I hope they have decided to keep making the double-nut firing pin support, as it too is worth any extra costs over the cheaper version.

All my CZ's feature double-nutting-all-steel sex appeal. True love? Nah, just ballistic lust.

I have a pair of CZ 550 Safari Magnums one in 416 Rigby and one in 458 Lott (converted 458WinMag with .600" freebore) and think they are great, all steel no plastic, good sites, no C Clip firing pins and best of all....

They have the wonderful European Lux Hogback stocks that fit me like a glove and deflect a portion of the recoil into muzzle rise.
Plus they have excellent metal to wood fit: tight, smooth, even.

Upgrades:
2 Additional External Crossbolts (in addition to the factory wrist-bolt): fore & aft of mag.
2 Internal Crossbolts: @ F-Block and @ Rear Recoil Lug
Steel Bed the stock
Reinforce front of mag box, so the Barnes TSX's don't "punch out" dimples in the metal (no gap between front of mag box and wood of the stock).

Couple screw driver adjustments:
Shortened Trigger pull, now no creep & no gravel
Made Trigger pull heavier: 1 1/4 set (wonderful for sight in) and 4 regular
Forearm Screw: just lightly snug

Did all the work at home with RIP's (et al) eHelp.

EKM,
Ditto your appreciation of the Hogback,
and ditto your list of things done to the CZ 550 Magnums. They are really sexy if you do all that.

I wonder why CZ dosen't offer the .404 Jeffery in their Safari Magnum , only in their custom line?

Allen

Put me in the love 'em column. Currently have four in various states of customization -- FS 9.3x62, 375 H&H (2), and 416 Rigby. Also love the hogsback stock, especially with a little judicious thinning and subtle shaping of the foreend.

I love them! My only complaint is that in inclement weather the BLUING SUCKS. It'll rust in a heartbeat.

I love them I won 5 and want second cz's in .375 H&H and .416 and I would like to add a plain old 30/06 to the mix as well !!

I guess I didn't say enough. I owned 3 Brno ZKK 602's in 375H&H & 375 AI's and currently have a Brno ZKK 600 in a rebarreled 9.3x64.
I find the Brno's (CZ550's) very tough, accurate and reliable.

I have a CZ550 in 450 Dakota. It is accurate,reliable and shoots great.It does kick a little more than most with max loads. 500 grain bullets at 2470 ft/sec,it handles them great. I love this gun. Not a bad package for a little over 6750 ft. lbs of energy.

CZ550 in 416. Thanks to EKM and members of this site I managed to install 3 internal cross-bolts with steel bedding fore to aft. I'm finally approaching 150rnds fired. For the money you just can't beat them. 458lott is next on the list, and can you imagine how many they would sell if they chambered them in 500A2!
Edited for: the blueing does suck though.

I've got 5--all 550 magnum actions--

300 winnie--bedded
375 h&h bedded in a McMillan stock
416 rigby still brand new
416 rigby in some fiberglass stock with weight added, shortened 22" barrel w/barrel band, 3 pos safety, new bolt handle, H&H banded front ramp flip over night sight and maybe more--I bought it this way and the guy didn't know everything that was done to it, but the above is obvious
458 lott--bedded, added crossbolt and muzzlebrake....

I guess I like them----chris

We have had the CZ range of rifles (formerly BRNO ZKK Series) in South Africa for many years. From a gunsmithing point of view they are good rifles to work on. Finish the metalwork in shot blasted hard chrome, restock in synthetic or, if you are more of a traditionalist, refinish in a decent blue and rework the stock to suit your taste and you have a fine rifle for way less than a custom Mauser.

The CZ metalwork is good and that is what is most important. I have yet to measure a factory fresh CZ 550 or BRNO ZKK that was out of spec in any way. They also do not slavishly follow convention where convention has been proven to be less than good. Witness the fact that they offer their 9.3x62 in a 9.5" twist an upgraded, non standard specification that results in better terminal performance with the new generation of modern bullet designs. A vast improvement over the original CIP spec that limited the practical range of the caliber to under 200 paces.

Edit Note:
Sorry about that, I did not realise what I was doing. I have replaced the "t" word with the red bits.

Gerhard used the word!!

We do not use the word "twist" here!!



Sorry!
Just couldn't resist!

quote:

Originally posted by Bullet_.375:
Gerhard used the word!!

We do not use the word "twist" here!!



Sorry!
Just couldn't resist!

Gives new meaning to "Twist and Shout" now doesn't it!!!

I only have one CZ and it's the 452 American in 22 rimfire. The only reason I bought it is because it's pretty and left handed.

quote:

I wonder why CZ dosen't offer the .404 Jeffery in their Safari Magnum , only in their custom line?

$$$$$

I currently own 5.

550 Safari 416 Rigby hogback currently getting reworked. Peep sight, three pos safety, new trigger, stock getting reworked, barrel shortened, rust blue, crossbolts.

550 in 270 win hogback that started as an American. Currently getting a 338-06 barrel installed. More work to come. Plan on matching it to the 416 Rigby.

550 FS in 270 win

17 HMR varmint

old BRNO 452 22 rimfire

owned 550 safari in 375 H&H, but sold it to fund the Rigby.

Every one of them shoots like gangfire.
I think they are the best rifle for the money right now. Perfectly functional as is, or they can be massaged into a very nice rifle.

The action is a touch heavy though, so if your trying to build a lightweight rifle, there are better choices.

The stockwork could use a little refinement, but for the money they are a solid rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Bullet_.375:
Gerhard used the word!!

We do not use the word "twist" here!!



Sorry!
Just couldn't resist!

Please learn to spell Gerard's name.
Also notice that I mentioned the "T-word" before Gerard did on this thread. I claim the honor.

To continue mention of fast twist factory CZ rifles I have in my hot hands:

9.3x62mm Mauser: 9.5" twist
.404 Jeffery: 10" twist
.505 Gibbs: 10" twist

CZ Hogbacks rule! I have two, a FS in 6.5x55 and a Safari Magnum in .375 H&H. Both are topped off with Leupold 1.5-5x20 scopes in Warne QD rings. Now if I can get a 9.3x62 in a Lux stock......

Black hawk,
I ended up buying a lux stock from CZ for the American mentioned above that is getting the transformation.

You may want to call CZ and see if they will sell you a Hogback. Then you can sell the original to recoup some of the cost.

I repent and have made amends! See my edited post.

we forgive you...

Rich

Well, O.K., then I claim the "dishonor" of being first to mention the "T-word" on this thread.

Gerard,
You really should not be so concerned about being politically correct around here.

Good points nevertheless, no matter how gentled.

Ihave several czs and i love them ,my first big game rifle was a cz 308 it never falied me i even use it in the army as a sniper rifle ,i shooted thousands of rounds trough it,rented to clients ,competed and won a lot of hunting matches ,use for culling operations andit never failed me ,its as trusty as my old Glock 40 ,i have many Brnos and i plan to have many more .My son loves the Brno fox i believe the only mini mauser action ever produced .Juan

another reason to love the CZ550 Safari Magnum...the new Ruger magnum in DG chamberings has risen to $1975 retail.

Visualize me smiling with a CZ in 505 Gibbs for $200 less...dies and 20 rounds of brass.

Rich

I own a CZ in 9.3X62. It is well made and shoots great!

I.S.
Even a 404 Jeffery from their custom shop is a good deal. The one I had made cost a bit over 4K start to finish and about 3 years.

Yes, Rich as we have discussed a CZ 505 Gibbs is a sweet thought. I caress and fondle that cartridge you gave me at least 5 times a day. Surely it is a rifle I don't need but must desperatly have.

For everyone else, I shot my CZ 416 Hogback yesterday, just a few rounds. I am constantly amazed at how sweet it shoots and how accurate it is.

Dana

Be careful now, the CZ .505 Gibbs has a 10" twist .505 caliber barrel made by McGowen.

Way to go Harry.

yo RIP,

would McGowan be doing the conversion work then to make a 416 Rigby feed and function reworked to 505 Gibbs? I happen to have a spare, and am curious...?

Rich

Rich,
Harry McGowen can certainly do it. He did Mitch's .577 T.rex I do believe, on a BBK-02 action. I have never asked him about it, but he has the capability.

He can make you a barrel with the dognut that turns into the rear sight island and recoil contraption integral to the barrel, for just an extra 80 bucks or something like that. My 500 Mbogo barrel has the basic full diameter dognut, is with my smith and taking too long because my smith is now working primarily as a mechanical engineer and doodling the gunsmithing in his spare time.

Speaking of which, I am about played out as a "pseudo-expert" on the 10" twist, and now gotta go kill something and drag it home.
Nothing left to prove. HANG TEN ON THE BIG BORE TIDE.

I have two. A 375 H&H that has served me well on two African hunts, and a 458 Lott that was a gift from JudgeG. It hasn't been hunting yet, but is going to Tanzania next September for 21 days. That should give it a good break-in. I love both of mine. For the money they are hard to beat.

Todd,
should have told me, I would have taken that pig off of your hands. My gunsmith here does magic on them.

Dana,
wait 'til you get the cahnce to shoot one of them...then you ARE done!


Rich

I-sharpshooter--would that 'smith be Jim Brockman???....chris