My CZ 550 9.3x62 came with a plastic follower (length 3.35 inches). On request, CZ sent as replacement, a steel follower (saying they only had one size of steel follower in stock). The replacement steel follower is 3.137 inches in length, and installed, leaves a small gap at the front of the magazine box. In limited testing so far, feeding seems alright. I am curious though, for any of you that have a similar rifle with a steel follower, how long is the follower?

Akriet: I own a CZ 550 American in 7x57mm. I just measured my follower and it is 3.297 inches and the magazine box is 3.401 inches. I have a small gap in mine as well and it has, in no way, affected the cycling of rounds. I hate those plastic followers and floorplates that is sometimes found on CZ 550s. The company does trade them out tbough, as you have found out. I don't know if there is too much trading out going on in the follower department any more as CZ-usa rarely has the steel trade-units in stock these days. Tom Purdom

Akriet,

Just measured my steel replacement follower and got 3.297 inches just like 7x57. This follower was provided by CZ-USA to replace the original plastic model on my 9.3x62 about three years ago. No problems with feeding before or after the follower replacement. I doubt you will have any problems.

Phil

7x57 and Phil:

Thanks very much for the information on your followers. It'll take some more shooting before I'm completely comfortable with it, but it seems ok and at least it's steel.

akriet,

Try this:

Put a cartridge in position to push down into the magazine. Don't push it evenly from the middle, push it down from the front near the neck. What happens?

Then try it again, pushing down from the rear, near the head. What happens?

In some cases, with some rifles, when the follower is too short, the off-center push allows the follower to shift back and up slightly as the forward portion moves down. With my M70, this too-short follower will 100% of the time jam in place, locking the bolt back, and preventing any further bolt or cartridge movement.

We mostly don't credit it, but most the most likely candiate for precision measurement and fitting in today's factory bolt action rifle is the cheapo stamped steel magazine box. I'd go with a follower that fits, rather than a steel one one that doesn't, every time.

Jaywalker

Jaywalker:

Thanks, I'll try that and see.