Hello, first post here. I am planning on buying my first big bore rifle. After much looking, searching past posts and asking question I am looking hard at a CZ 550 American in .375 H&H. I like this over the Ruger for a couple of reasons, 1. price, 2. weight(nearly a pound lighter)3. more lively feel. The negatives are the bolt handle and the bolt shroud. The handle looks like it belongs on a .22, the shroud is more of a personal thing. I have spent too much time with mausers and M70's.

I really don't need this rifle, but I want one! I will take this out west next year hunting. I am planning to go on a Buffalo hunt some time in the next 5-10 years. I realize that I don't need this for hunting out west but since I plan to buy it any way I might as well use it.

Here are my question, has any one had the bolt replaced? How about the shroud? Any recomendations on who to do the work. Also I would like to have the sling swivel moved to the barrel.

The main point of this rifle is to have a big bore in the British express style, but still use it. The CZ just feels much more lively than the Ruger. I would appreciate any input you have on this. If these have questions have already been answered, my apologies, don't jump too hard on the new guy! Thanks

Any good smith with a TIG welder can replace the factory bolt handle.
If the shroud looks goofy to you there are aftermarket Winchester 70 style safeties that can be adapted.
The same smith who does your bolt handle can also put on a barrel band for the front swivel.
You might then want to trim the fore-end back a bit to give the gun a more balanced, "English" look.
All this will boost the final bill up to about the same cost as a Ruger.
If you are handy with wood working tools you might look at getting the hog-back style stock and trimming away everything that doesn't look like an English express rifle.
If you hire someone to do the stock make-over plan on spending another $1,000.00.
Lots of good threads here to guide you in your quest.
JCN
Welcome to the forums.

If you wait until mid next year, you can get a cz550 in .505 gibbs instead of .375 H&H.



Or you could consider some other European offerings:



Prechtl-





Ritterbusch-

Where do you keep getting all these incredible rifle pics? You always manage to find amazing example pics. Keep them coming.

Try:



www.golmatic.de



and



http://www.jagdgewehre-ritterbusch.de/

I purchased two of the American 550 Safaris, one in 458 Lott the other in 458 win. mag. I really like the CZ rifles and plan on purchasing a 375 next.

As far as the work you desire, JudgeG (and possibly he will see this and respond) had similar work done by Roger Ferrell. I know others have had work done by Roger and all seem to be very pleased based upon what has been posted on this site. Based upon JudgeG's feedback, seeing the work others have had done, and talking with Roger I sent my 458 Lott to him last week.

I am having Roger do the bedding work and cross bolting (which I would suggest you have done), smooth action, install barrel band swivel, slow rust blue, install NECG sights, adjust trigger and remove set trigger feature, etc.

I am sure there are others that do the work as well. If you would like Roger's phone number send me a PM and I will provide it to you. I am sure Roger will be helpful in discussing what you want and need.

I have a bunch of CZ's, from .458 Lott to .223 Remington.



First, don't discount the Lux models. CZ has made a bunch of them (and 602 models) without much problem with the stocks. They do look different, but they are very, very practical.



But....

The new American models are a different animal. I wouldn't dare shoot one in the larger calibers without doing some serious bedding and stock strengthening.



I had two cross bolts put in my American .458 Lott, and a bunch of bedding work done too before I ever pulled the trigger on a live round.



I just got a report of a stock being broken on a .458 that happened day before yesterday. I don't think the guys in the U.S. understand the difference in a Lott and a .30/06.



Here is a picture of the modified .458 Lott American Stock.

JCN thanks for the welcome. I hope my post was not too rambling. I should know better than to post when I am falling asleep. I must confess that I am not up on what a good riflesmith charges. Would it really cost me $700 for bolt handle work, new shroud and a barrel band? That is the price diffrence at my local gun shop between the 2.

JudgeG, do you think that the .375 needs to be bedded and have a cross bolt installed? The only CZ's I am seeing around here are the Americans. If the price were right I certainly would look at the Lux models.

500grains, they certainly are great looking rifles, I am sure they are out of my price range.

JJS, I will pm you. I'm very interested in the work you are having done.

fireman,
Here is an indirect, but hopefully more useful answer to your question than my first post.
Select which rifle fits you the best. Between Ruger's and CZ's the CZ's fit me much better. Between the CZ American and CZ Hog Back stock styles the Hog Back fits me the best. For me, it points like a fitted shotgun, and I can use either iron sights or a scope without difficulty. Try both brands, and both styles of CZ's. Shoulder them with your eyes closed, then open your eyes, and see how well the sights are aligned.
I put my CZ Rigby into a McMillan Safari style after market stock. I am going to put it back into the Hog Back stock after I bed it well and install two stout cross bolts. There is an excellent thread on bedding CZ stocks on this forum from several months ago. I'll send that to you when I find it again.
For the price difference between the CZ Lux and the Ruger (or a little more) you can have a new bolt handle welded on, a new safety installed, a barrel band sweated on, and the front sight replaced by an NECG banded unit. The newer CZ butt pads are much improved over what I got on mine, and certainly adequate for a .375 H&H. The CZ would be a very mild recoiling gun in 375 H&H. I believe the Ruger would be also, but I have never shot one of their Safari Models in .375 H&H. By the way, The Ruger #1 in 375 H&H is a very sweet gun to carry and shoot.
One of the perennial arguments on this forum is between advocates of Winchester type safeties (such as the Ruger has) and the two position style that comes on the CZ. I use both, and don't have a preference. If you are used to using two position safeties, think for a bit before you change safety styles just for the style of it. If you normally shoot guns with swing wing type safeties then I would recommend that you have it converted.
Have fun.
JCN

Like others have said, much of this is personal preference. It is difficult to second guess what will fit or not fit.

If it was me, I would just buy a CZ American and shoot it before I charged off with all the changes. My OPINION on all this:

For a .375, a barrel band swivel is not necessary, cross-bolts aren't needed with the American stock, nor is a new safety needed.

The only thing I do not like about the CZ Magnum is that squirrely bolt handle. I much prefer the big knob on the regular CZ 550 but there is no choice.

The CZ Magnum American stock is "beefier" than the Lux stock and probably needs a longer bolt handle along with a bigger knob. But again this is personal preference stuff.

But for +/- $700 it will not cost you that much just to try it. If you don't like I'll buy it from you for a hundred bucks!

good mornig

I went and looked them both over again. Both the Ruger and the CZ seem to fit well. The Ruger seems to be just way too heavy. I did not have a scale of course but I bet it was nearly 2 pounds heavier. Since I plan to hunt with this I am leaning towards the CZ. I can always have upgrades done to it but can't lighten the Ruger. I think I can live withthe 2 position safety, esp. given the cost of a 3 postion one. Is a cross bolt really neccesary on a .375 H&H?

Will, if I get it I would do some shooting for sure before some changes. I agree about the bolt handle. THat would have to go before deer season though.

Here is the kicker. I have also found a M70 safari grade in .458 win mag. It comes with scope and rings,2 boxes factory loads,dies(RCBS) and 30-40 peices of brass(nickle). I can get it for $825-$850. I know it won't do the same things as a .375 H&H but it would be fun and certainly be good for wacking deer and hogs with 300 grain loads. Since there is a Buff hunt some where in my future it would work there. I really like the M70. It would be a no brainer in .375H&H. Oh yea it is like new and had the last 3/8" of the barrel threaded for a screw on muzzle break. Since I can only buy one rifle now what do you think?

fireman,

Here's my post from a thread in 2002 dealing with Winchester Model 70 quality:

Quote:

---

In the past 3 years, I've tried two Model 70s. One in .375 H&H and then, later on, one in .458 Win. Mag.

I had many of the same types of problems described here with the first one (.375). Sent it back to Winchester. Got a different rifle when returned. It was crap also!! I finally traded it in on a Ruger M77 Magnum in .375 H&H. The Ruger works.

I just couldn't leave well enough alone and tried a Model 70 in .458 (the second one) just a few months ago. Same crap. Crooked sights. Secondary recoil lug on the barrel was crooked. Feeding problems. Etc. Good bye number 2! I traded it.

Enough is enough. Unless the quality control greatly improves at Winchester (USRA) I will never buy another one.

---

Here's the complete thread if you want to read it New Mod 70 observations Good info in the thread. There wil probably be people on here that disagree with me, but those are my thoughts on the matter. A good gunsmith can make a Model 70 (the recent production ones) into a very good, reliable rifle but I'd count on needing to spend some additional money on a gunsmith after you purchase one.

Just my thoughts....
-Bob F.

Bob, thanks for the info. I read the whole thread. It was not encouraging. I don't suppose that you remember the serial number or serial number range of the trouble rifles. I am wondering if the one I looked at is from that time frame or is newer. I will have to look it over with those problems in mind. The CZ is looking better and better. Rich

Go for the 375. It is friendly, it is useful, you will shoot it often. The sights will stay on. The 458 is more of a specialiazed gun for specialized situations. No only will you enjoy your CZ more in its present state, but as you do upgrades and tweaks over the years it will always be ready to go shooting or hunting.
I really don't believe you want an M70 in .458.
JCN

Well, I will pick up the CZ in .375 H&H on Monday. I would have gotten it today but gun dept. manager was out today. I'm trying to get them to throw in a couple boxes of ammo with the rifle. The manager has to decide that. I will be shooting it right after I pick it up. Do i need to worry about splitting the stock even on the .375? I admit this has me nervous.

I do like the Ruger, I am glad I'm not the only one who thinks it is heavy. The .375 at the shop outwieghs the .416 there. There was no scale but I would not be suprised if it was a pound diffrent.

Thanks for help, I will let you know how it shoots.