What do you guys think of the third lug on the CZ550? It is a lot smaller than on a 98 and has even gotten smaller since they changed the safety to fire with the safety forward. Do you think it is still effective to hold the bolt if the front lugs were to let go, or is it just there for cosmetic purpose.

Hart

If the front two lugs can't hold it, I wouldn't bet my life on a third one. I'm thinking it's there mainly for looks. FWIW, I'm pretty sure those two lugs won't let go if you keep the working pressures within the safe operating limits of that which the action is designed to handle. Pick a load for the gun as if it didn't have a third lug. That's how I would approach it.

I have friends customers who like to develope loads by increasing the pressures until the "bolt sticks". THEY are the ones who need a third lug, right up beside their head.

quote:

Originally posted by Westpac:
If the front two lugs can't hold it, I wouldn't bet my life on a third one. I'm thinking it's there mainly for looks. FWIW, I'm pretty sure those two lugs won't let go if you keep the working pressures within the safe operating limits of that which the action is designed to handle. Pick a load for the gun as if it didn't have a third lug. That's how I would approach it.

I have friends customers who like to develope loads by increasing the pressures until the "bolt sticks". THEY are the ones who need a third lug, right up beside their head.

what are you talking about when the bolt starts sitcking you know you have found your load, I hunt with those, I carry a small mallet in my pocket just in case

quote:

Originally posted by cummins cowboy:

quote:

Originally posted by Westpac:
If the front two lugs can't hold it, I wouldn't bet my life on a third one. I'm thinking it's there mainly for looks. FWIW, I'm pretty sure those two lugs won't let go if you keep the working pressures within the safe operating limits of that which the action is designed to handle. Pick a load for the gun as if it didn't have a third lug. That's how I would approach it.

I have friends customers who like to develope loads by increasing the pressures until the "bolt sticks". THEY are the ones who need a third lug, right up beside their head.

what are you talking about when the bolt starts sitcking you know you have found your load, I hunt with those, I carry a small mallet in my pocket just in case

As meticulous as you are with your guns, like I'd buy that.

quote:

Originally posted by Westpac:
If the front two lugs can't hold it, I wouldn't bet my life on a third one. I'm thinking it's there mainly for looks. FWIW, I'm pretty sure those two lugs won't let go if you keep the working pressures within the safe operating limits of that which the action is designed to handle. Pick a load for the gun as if it didn't have a third lug. That's how I would approach it.

I have friends customers who like to develope loads by increasing the pressures until the "bolt sticks". THEY are the ones who need a third lug, right up beside their head.

We probably don't need a third lug if we never made any mistakes, and I know I have, but luckily caught it before actually firing the load. A while ago there was a post about locking lugs letting go, if I remember right they were on a Mauser. It appears they let go enough for the third lug to make contact.
When you compare the two, the mauser lug is about 5/16" X 3/8" and the CZ is only about 1/4" square. On other rifles the bolt handle acts as the third lug. But then again the CZ lug is pobably still stronger than the Rem 700 with the braised on lug (bolt handle).

Hart

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Remember Remington and Winchester use their bolt handles for a third lug!

quote:

Originally posted by Don Slater:
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Remember Remington and Winchester use their bolt handles for a third lug!

If we don't worry about it, why do we keep insisting that 98 mausers are the only ones suitable for higher intensity cartridges such as 308 Win and 30/06 and such? If we discount the third lug, I think a 96 Swede is a stronger action than a small ring 98. Compare the left lug on a 96 with that of a 98 and we can see that the 96 has a lot larger locking lug and the metal in a 96 should be as good as any of the 98's.

As for the Remingtons and Winchesters using bolt handles as third lugs, I think the Remingtons are worthless and the post 64 Winchesters are marginal. Pre 64's and any bolt that is one piece, using the bolt handle as a third lug is very effective.