In the market for a CZ in .458 Lott. Came across one on Gunbroker that the seller claims:

"New in box CZ 550 American Magnum in .458 Lott. The barrel is 25" long with a semi-heavy profile. Comes with original box and paperwork. This is one of the very first Lott's made by CZ. They rechambered .458 Win Mags to be able to get this caliber out in a timely manner. "


I had not heard of this, and was wondering if this would be of any concern.

Thanks.

I would not think so. I have one that was originally a 416 Rigby. It got fitted with a 458WM CA barrel and rechambered to 450 Dakota. 460Wbee with out the goofy shoulder and belt, close to the same operating pressures. The Lott and 458WM operate at the same basic pressure levels.

You absolutely sure you do not want to buy my CZ in 505 Gibbs?

Rich

That's exactly what CZ did, re-chamber some 458WM's to Lott. If that is one that they did, it will have the 458 WM X'd out and 458 Lott stamped on it. A collector's item!

Oh yeah, I'd rather have that Gibbs than a Lott!

Yes, I would have a concern. The early generation CZ550 magnums had more broken stocks. They lack cross bolts and bedding. They sold cheaper and should resale cheaper today. They dont. I would prefer to buy a new 550 in Lott too get the updates. That is some bedding and the cross bolts. Or expect the used price to be lower (which it never is) to the old design features. Are the 458xxx Lotts bedded and bolted? if no, the price should reflect the cost of adding those.

There was a learning curve for CZ with these. I agree, unless you are a CZ collector just buy a current production one.

I have a ZKK602 (precursor to the CZ550), originally a Win Mag, rechambered to Lott, works just fine. For some reason, never hear of ZKKs with split stocks.

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:
Yes, I would have a concern. The early generation CZ550 magnums had more broken stocks. They lack cross bolts and bedding. They sold cheaper and should resale cheaper today. They dont. I would prefer to buy a new 550 in Lott too get the updates. That is some bedding and the cross bolts. Or expect the used price to be lower (which it never is) to the old design features. Are the 458xxx Lotts bedded and bolted? if no, the price should reflect the cost of adding those.

CZ is pretty good about adding crossbolts to the stock if you send them an older version without them. Put some glass bedding in it when it gets back and you should be golden.

+1 Sevens,

CZ will authorize cross bolt installation for the original .458Lott. There are no problems with the original rifles once the stock mod is complete. Don't hesitate to buy one.

The question is "price". I would not want too pay top dollar price for a gun I know will need work. A wise man might hesitate. Such a gun should be discounted at least for the hassle if not the costs involved. A lot of these fired a few times CZ550 rifles - have other problems too. A used gun should cost less than a new one. An older gun needing upgrades should cost less than a newer, more refined, used model. Is your time worth zero? Yes at $500, I would consider it. At a $1000 never/ever.

Here is an example of totally stupid offering. A used (or older, NIB) CZ in .458 for $1600. That is $3-500 over the cost of a new rifle!

http://www.cabelas.com/product...y%3D13&Ntt=.458+Lott

A brand new current production gun $1200:

http://www.cabelas.com/product...y%3D13&Ntt=.458+Lott

Vs. an older model used gun at $1100. Too save a 100 bucks?

http://www.cabelas.com/product...y%3D13&Ntt=.458+Lott

I wonder how many use these almost like new in box CZ550's either shoot 24 inches low at 25 yards or have feeding problems? At least you have a better than even chance a new gun will work reasonable well and shoot straight out of the box. This risk all to save the cost of one box of ammo?

Recoil is another factor for selling a rifle. Ego sometimes gets the best of people. The cost of a used CZ in those links from Cabela's doesn't really seem to justify buying a used one though.

The problem I see with the current factory CZ's is that, aside from crossbolts, they really haven't changed the rifle over the years. This was fine when the price was $600 or so for a new gun, but in the past, say 6-7 years, the cost of the rifle has doubled. If I'm not mistaken, the Ruger RSM has stayed fairly stable and can be had for a good deal on the used market. The M70 Safari has increased a little, but it was more than the CZ to begin with and is about the same price as it is now.

To me, seems like if you're going to double your price over 6 years, CZ could at least add barrel band sling swivels and straight/filled bolt handles.

I had one of those older .458 Wm that CZ had re chambered to Lott with the .458 WM crossed and re stamped .458 Lott.

It had serious feeding issues. I got rid of it.

it is true, they rechambered winmags .. bed and cross bolt it .. or send to CZ to have it done

SemperFi,

Here are to current threads. First was a 'used' (like new) CZ in 458, returned numerous time to StLouis.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...043/m/5991094831/p/1

And another CZ in 375:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...4711043/m/3301053541

Are you seeing a trend here?

fourbore,

Got a hardon for CZ rifles? Just askin'.

BTW, I've sent new Remington, Winchester and Ruger large bore rifles back to the factory for adjustments including feeding issues, which is usually related to the rails and not uncommon. This is not unusual with those of us who are particular about our rifles, especially DG rifles. I always expect to have any out of the box rifle tuned-up to fit my expectations. Just sayin'

SemperFiHunter,

You have a PM inbound from me.

Semper Fi
3rdMarDiv
RVN 1966-'67

I almost sent one back tot he factory because the 458 Lott was stamped almost completely under the woodline and when I checked the caliber it said 458 Lott on the box and 458 WM on the barrel. Only when I took a good look did I see the Lott marking.

And later...the 458 WM was NOT XXX'ed out on this particular gun.

quote:

fourbore,

Got a hardon for CZ rifles? Just askin'.

I must. I own three. Those are 505Gibbs, 375H&H and 458Lott. First two are fine. The later has been a major head ache. I am telling it like it is. I did the same over on the Remington 700 safety thread. While I would not buy another Remington rifle, I would consider buying another NEW CZ550 mag or the cute little CZ527. It is a gamble and buyer should beware. I would be very cautious buying a minty used CZ. Thats all. A word to the wise should be enough.

Fourbore,

the CZ rep at SCI said as of 12-31-09 they had sold over 150,000 550 Magnum rifles in the US.
You are talking two-one ten thousandths of of one percent in your study. Even if we know of fifteen, the sample is so small as to be insignificant statisticially. The answer is whether CZ has taken care of the warranty issues.

I have had every hard kicking bolt action rifle I have ever owned, new or used taken to my gunsmith and cross-bolted and bedded.

I own five CZ's now, and have had zero issues with any of them.
375H&H, 416 Rigby, 450 Dakota (rechambered 458wm or lott barrel fit to a Rigby action), a 505 Gibbs, and the latest: a 475 Rigby. New 475 barrel on another Rigby.
I would take any of them to Africa and face a charge from Elephant on down.
They aren't perfect, but all of mine are good to go with bedding.

Rich

quote:

Even if we know of fifteen, the sample is so small as to be insignificant statistically.

I understand what you are saying, yes 15 out of 150,000 is a small number. Keep in mind, this is ~15 out of the number purchased by active contributors on this forum. Only those AR active members who mount scopes will see the crooked barrel problem. That sample spread out over time and geography is not insignificant. IMHO. The problems with CZ seem both more serious and more frequent than other major builders. I only got one problem gun but that gun had two issues, but we had another AR member get 2 bad guns for 2 purchased! That sounds statistically significant to me.

I would like an acknowledgment by a CZ rep that they had a problem and some corrective plan was in place. I don't ever see a rep, so any 2nd hand or written stmt would be a fine.

I guess I need to tone down my criticism of CZ. I decided to play around with my new bore site and a old scope to see if I could make up kit to use when shopping for CZ550 magnums. I though about bringing a scope and bore site to the gun shop. Darn if I was not able to get close. I was not shooting just sighting.

I decided too try some shooting. I setup a Leupold 1-4x shotgun scope mounted with Talley QR rings. This is a CZ in 458Lott. I got zeroed at 25 yards using about 3/4 of the elevation range.

No more ugly Weaver base or special adjustable Burris rings. I guess, I will keep this gun. It still a little funky feeding, but I suppose that can be dealt with.

One funny thing, and I am new to bore siting, but the red dot seems high. I guess I need to play with that more. Bottom line, I can get zero'ed with a Leupold shotgun scope.

It appears some Nikons have less adjustment than some Leupolds.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
That's exactly what CZ did, re-chamber some 458WM's to Lott. If that is one that they did, it will have the 458 WM X'd out and 458 Lott stamped on it. A collector's item!

Yet mine has the .458 Win Mag in perfect roll engraving while the .458 Lott looks like a laser addition! Nothing is XXX'ed out. Pics if requested. Also, mine has two crossbolts!