Gentlemen,
After much research I have decided that the 458 Lott is my choice for my first DG rifle. I would like your opinions on customizing a CZ 550 (AHR) or purchasing a Ruger. What are the positives and negatives?

This has been discussed often. Use the 'Find' button to search for past threads.

Also, check the 'Gunsmithing' forum.

George

Question begs to be asked. Have you fired a Lott? How much bigbore experience do you have under your belt? It's a biiiiiiiig leap if you're only used to 300mags or 7mags. If you can handle it, go for the Ruger. Only thing, nowadays, they don't come out in purty wood anymore unless you know of someone who's in good with a Ruger rep.

If you think a .375 or .416 (either) "kicks hard" you might not want a Lott or a Webby because the most important thing in hunting dangerous game is not being afraid of your rifle so you can shoot the DG and even hit it.

My dad hates recoil and has taken a large amount of game with various .300 magnums and he can't hit a dinner plate at 100 with either of my Lotts or the .500+ rifles and they all weigh a bit over 1lbs.

Boths are excelent rifles!!!, Mine CZ 550 is Cal. 416 Rigby and the Ruger in 458 lott, maybe the Ruger has better finish, nice walnut stock with forend-end black tip, pistol grip cap, crossbolts, quarter rib, detachable rings,barrel band, nice iron sight, only need a litle tunning in the action and the trigger, the CZ 550 is very basic and you must put a lot of work to look like the Ruger or other fine D.G. rifle, My complain about the CZ only are stetic; a ugly foldind rear sight (To big and crude) and mine comes with a European Haya wood stock (the ugliest thing i ever seen with a horrible rubber ventilated recoil pad)hollow bolt handle, None barrel ban or quarter rib, non detachable mounts included and a problematic front swivel stud in the stock , worst; a internal plastic crossbolt (I see a lot of CZ factoy stocks brokened) I changed everthing in it. Regarding the caliber I prefer my 416 (unbeldted for better fedding), the 458 lot kicks like a mule!!!But the 416 ammo is scarcely in my country and spencive (u$220 per box). Regards Guillermo.

The CZ 550 458 Lott has a nice cushy recoil pad which, in my opinion, make it more comfortable to shoot than my Mossberg 500 with slugs. Mine came with pretty nice wood and the only thing I've had done to it is glass bedding.

I got mine at Cabela's and I had several to choose from. I took the one with the prettiest wood.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
The CZ 550 458 Lott has a nice cushy recoil pad which, in my opinion, make it more comfortable to shoot than my Mossberg 500 with slugs. Mine came with pretty nice wood and the only thing I've had done to it is glass bedding.

I got mine at Cabela's and I had several to choose from. I took the one with the prettiest wood.

You are lucky !!! , may be our importer bring to Argentina the cheapest version !!!!

Likewise ... I had a 458Lott in a CZ and the recoil is punishing unless your used to it. But the 45cals can be reloaded with cheap Remington 400gr plinkers and worked upto in regards to recoil. Another great rifle is a CZ American in 416Rigby ... milder recoiling plus a straight stock that fits me really well, dual crossbolts and an okay pad.
My personal opinion ... I'd look at customising the CZ.
Cheers...
Con

I recently acquired a CZ 550 American Safari Magnum in 416 Rigby. Dual Cross bolts, decelerator type pad, better wood than I expected for under $900.00. If you want better wood, it comes in laminated and fancy wood stocks for more money. I like it very much as is. Sent it to the gunsmith for personal touches that I would do to every other rifle I own. Incidentially, I own 4 Rugers in non DG calibers, so I'm not an anti-ruger guy.

Go for the CZ but I would recommend porting in the Lott.

quote:

Originally posted by BEGNO:
I recently acquired a CZ 550 American Safari Magnum in 416 Rigby. Dual Cross bolts, decelerator type pad, better wood than I expected for under $900.00. If you want better wood, it comes in laminated and fancy wood stocks for more money. I like it very much as is. Sent it to the gunsmith for personal touches that I would do to every other rifle I own. Incidentially, I own 4 Rugers in non DG calibers, so I'm not an anti-ruger guy.

Go for the CZ but I would recommend porting in the Lott.

Surely that the American Model is better than mine , look the photo, this I received a couple of years ago!!!
[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Guillermo,
Seems there may be 3 stocks used on the CZ550s??? Hogsback, Classic and American. The picture you posted is what I'd call the Classic and was available on the Zkk602's as well. Straight but with heaps of drop. My first CZ550 used a hogsback stock but with the ventilated crappy pad ... the latest American has a reasonable pad.
Cheers...
Con

The Ruger is tough to beat for the money. Just replace the recoil pad & away you go.

Just opinions of course, but for a first DGR the CZ American Safari is tough to beat. The improvements in the last few years have really made the CZ 550 a worthwhile rifle right out of the box. Currently I have three CZ's that are an example of there three basic designs, a very plain ZKK 602 458Win, a safari lux 416Rigby {hogsback} and an American Safari 458Lott. The American Safari is the nicer gun all being well under a $1000 bucks. The Rugers are also very nice but it's my understanding there triggers are difficult to mess with and you will void any warrenties with Ruger if you even remove the stock, never really cared much about warrenties but it was the point so I have stayed away from them. Buy the CZ and shoot it a while, if you don't like it post it here on the classifieds and someone will buy it. Just an opinion. R.

African Hunter magazine had an article on the CZ, great gun.

I have a classic stock CZ in 458 Lott which has had considerable work done to it by a Gunsmith.

Its been bedded, 2 crossbolts fitted, the trigger has been reworked and is no longer a set trigger, the forend sling swivel has been removed for a barrel band, the rear sight cut inot a wide V safari sight, the front sight machined to take N.E.C.G. blades and finally the action slicked up.

It now feeds & shoots very well and the big adavantage over the Ruger (once all the work is done) - it takes 5 down the mag with the greatest of ease. Also for me, the stock on the CZ is a better option as its got a fair amount of drop at the heel.

I have a 1-4x20 VX1 mounted in Warne QR Mounts and so they have proved to be excellent.

Regarding recoil - I find the rifle comfortable to shoot at around 2100 to 2200 FPS. I have had mine up to around 2300 FPS (500Gn Woodleighs) and believe me its starts to get your attention up around those sort of velocities.

Not a caliber for anyone who is at all recoil shy......