Traded for a 550 in 416 Rigby and should have it in my hands Friday......just wondering what necessary enhancements I should plan on before shooting it much? The stock has not been bedded and I suspect it should probably be first on the list???? Sure don't want to trash the stock!!!

Have shot one without bedding work and one with without. One with did MUCH better, and from reading the threads here, I'd suggest it is necessary to assure not breaking the stock. (Mine has had an additional recoil lug and internal cross bolts added too, but I'm not sure that's necessary.)

The older rifles are not fitted with a Decellerator pad, and a better pad is a real improvement. (Aleko Jensen also changed the pad on mine ... and it is much more comfortable to shoot.)

The safety as shipped is a tang lever device ... fine if you don't mind them. I am happy with that one. JudgeG reports that CZ offers an upgrade 3 position Winchester-like safety for $70. Look on their web site.

Lots of folks have commented on the odd shaped stock. Again, Aleko modified mine before I bought it and it is more comfortable that the original. But the original I shot was not too bad.

The CZ 550 in .416 Rigby is a fine rifle in a very potent caliber ... you'll have REAL fun with it!

We use and reccomend Kick eeze pads on al of our big bolt guns. The CZ really needs help with the stock. All of the early CZ's in the US split the stock after about 10 to 15 rounds.

Aleko

At a minimum get a stock crossbolt kit from Brownells and install it yourself! Consider a three position safety to replace the CZ550 Bolt shroud and safety and a CZ replacement trigger.-Rob

Should have mentioned......previous owner says: "The stock has been re-checkered and
re-finished with the Purdy Warthog finish and an AHR trigger installed. It also has a decelerator pad. The cheek piece has also been re-cut into the standard teardrop shape with shadow line."

I don't know anything about the AHR trigger or the Purdy Warthog finish, can someone fill me in?

[ 06-05-2003, 05:01: Message edited by: GonHuntin ]

The three postion CZ safety is a new lever that replaces the old lever in the side of the tang. CZ quoted me a price of 85.00$ two weeks ago.

Regarding the M 70 three position safety, I am retooling now and will have some in about 3 months. This is a complete new sleeve and cocking piece, along with a plug to fill the hole from the old safety lever. They are sold only to gunsmiths or I install them in my shop.

The AHR trigger is a replacement one piece trigger lever. All the CZ 550's come with a single set trigger, regardless of caliber. This new one piece trigger lever does away with the set part of the trigger. It is wider and moved to the rear slightly. AHR designed it and I make it.
Again sold only to gunsmiths or installed in my shop.

I hope this helps.

Jim Wisner

GonHuntin,

Is this the one that was pictured on another thread earlier?

If so ... that is one Heckova Nice redo on the stock. I can hardly imagine going through that much trouble without bedding and crossbolting! For Pete's Sake, don't shoot that puppy until it's fixed so it won't break!

Also ... rereading JudgeG's post on the 3 position safety makes me realize that I assumed it's structure without good reason! Definitely MY error. Sorry!

[ 06-05-2003, 07:15: Message edited by: mstarling ]

Mike

No, this is a different rifle.....it does have a beautiful stock though!

GH,

Congrats on another great trade!! I take it this replaces the other project you were working on. You may have to move up your next trip to Africa!

Let me know when you want to set-up that javelina hunt. I am starting to count the days until the New Mexico pronghorn hunt. That new .416 Rigby could probably cut one in half for you....quick kill.

Bob

Bob

Which project?.....I'm always into one project or another!

I actually traded my Whitworth 375 H&H for this rifle.......the 375 is a good rifle....but my 376 Steyr does about the same thing and I had an itch for a larger bore.....

I'll probably have another 375 some day! That chopped stainless model 70 is still in the back of my mind.....sure would have been a nice bear rifle for Alaska!!!! Too bad it was so misrepresented!