I am casting around for a .40 caliber size rifle, and one of the options that I am looking at is converting a .375 CZ550 to .404 Jeffery. What work was involved besides the obvious new barrel?

If you mean .532, then you may not even have to open up the bolt, after all these are SAAMI maximums not what the brass actually is. I figured the action would need a slight amount of rail work to get it feed slick and some raceway lapping to make me happy. The biggest problem is the ^*%*%& metric thread they put on the barrel thread. I can't cut metric on my clausing and the thread works out to something 13.2 threads per inch so you can't find it. If and when I build it I guess I'll just have to borrow a lathe.

Toolmaker

I am with you on that request as far as information on converting a CZ 550 Safari Mag. to 404. My conversion will be from a 458 win. mag. (I went ahead and bought both the 458 Lott and 458 win. mag, at $525/each, I think it was a very good deal).

I am hopeful we will get technical information as well as sources to do such work as well as other suggestions in terms of stocking, barrel manufactures, who has remears, and upgrades which are useful to consider, estimated pricing, etc....

I look forward to the information...Thanks JJS

Ray has had this done...there is a thread on it some where.

loud-n-boomer:

I spoke with JudgeG about the work done on his CZ's...very nice...He was kind enough to provide the name of the artist that did the work...Roger Farrel..he is a member of the Guild, as the Judge mentioned.

I spoke with Roger today about doing some work similar to what JudgeG had done on the 458 Lott as well as the conversion to 404 Jeffery.

Roger mentioned the large CZ action should work well in 404 and major work would be the following:
1) Open up bolt face (I think from .532 to 570+/- the Jeffery bolt face).
2) Work on Claw and feeding system.
3) Chamber/rebarrel, etc

Roger has remear as he has made 404's and the rimmed version. He knows his stuff and good guy to talk with. I am having him quote me on the work for the conversion.

I also ordered the fancy American stock (the pictures the Judge provided they look great) from CZ and most likely going to send the 458 Lott and new stock to Roger to bed action, install cross bolts, barrel band, and smooth up action. His pricing seems very reasonable and the work looks great from the pictures I saw...

Hope this helps...JJS

One option for a .404 Jeffery is a mod 70 chambered in one of the ultra mags. Jeffeoso I believe has done this. The reason I bring this up is CDNN investments has them for $469. The draw backs are they are stainless synthetic. I think it would be an easy .404, just open the bolt face and wa-la. It may not be that easy but it shouldn�t be too hard.

Shawn

I thought the rim size of the .404 was something .545 or so? Are they making brass with the rim that big? The reason I ask is Brownell's sells the CZ's in a .375 length magazine with an H&H size bolt face and I thought it would be relatively straight forward to convert to .404. Open the bolt face mebbe .010, a little light rail work and fit a barrel to it and call it a day. Does it require more work to get it work as smooth as monkeysnot?

Toolmaker

I missed typed,fingers got ahead of me, if I remeber correctly the difference is the 404 is .02 larger diameter. So the bolt face will have be opened up some to accomodate the larger 404 cart. and other work as noted...I think you are correct... it is pretty straigth forward.

Toolmaker, you are right. The .404 Jeffrey is .537" and the .375 H&H is .572". The shoulder on the Jeffrey is 0.060" larger so some feed rail work will be required.