[J Scott]

Mine should be here tomorrow or thursday. Man I am excited.

Do any of you have this rifle? If so, what are your thoughts.


Thanks,

J Scott

[444]

No, I don't. But I have thought about buying that same rifle in that same caliber a number of times. Ironically just this afternoon I was looking through a CZ catalog and mentioned to a friend that I would like to have that rifle in .375 H&H. Be sure to let us know how it works out for you.

[Gordon]

If I was buying a rifle I'd be getting the same thing as you. With a little polishing and adjusting you be having a rifle to give $3000+ guns fits. I already have a .375 high grade custom on a FN magnum action and a Rem. BDL700SS .375 in a brown precision stock for all my BIG game hunting. Congratulations on the wisest gun choice on this forum .

[J Scott]

Wow! Thanks for the glowing remarks. I have researched this rifle for nearly 4 months and nearly everything has come back positive.

I've got my scope, rings and ammo waiting. After I shot a 375 not long ago, I kbnew instantly that this would be my next rifle purchase. I'll keep you guys posted with an initial quality check followed by a quick range report.

Save my shoulder,

J Scott

[SquirrelNuts]

I was on czusa.com last night looking at that same rifle. I opened a box of Remington .375 H&H Mag in a local gun store and I knew that one day I would have to own a rifle that fired this impressive cartridge. It pust .30-06 to shame.

-SquirrelNuts

[BigG]

I have the exact model you are getting and believe me it has all the others (Rem/Rug/Win) equalled or beat hands down, especially when you consider the price is about 1/3. It is well made with forging and machining and not pieced together out of cast and stamped parts. Don't let the word get out or they'll raise the price! :eek:

[J Scott]

Man I hate waiting. Not here yet.

Somebody go shoot their .375 H&H today and tell me how much fun you had. (something to tie me over)

Thanks,

J Scott

[Kestrel]

What direction does the safety work on this rifle to fire?

Steve

[BigG]

Back is on safe, forward to fire.

[nextjoe]

J Scott,

The big CZs are very good guns right out of the box and can become truly great guns with a little work. Here's a few pictures of mine, which is still in the white but basically complete. Caliber is .416 Rigby. Gunsmith is Jack Belk of Buhl, ID.

http://members.aol.com/nextjoe//DSC02053a.jpg

http://members.aol.com/nextjoe//DSC02057a.jpg

http://members.aol.com/nextjoe//DSC02058a.jpg

[J Scott]

Wow!! Very nice rifle. I'd say you have made more than a few changes.
If you don't mind, were the changes personal preference or needed changes that I should consider as well?

Thanks again nextjoe,

J Scott

[nextjoe]

J Scott-

Changes were both personal preferences and functional. Mechanically, there are only two major changes.

The original safety was replaced with a three-position Model 70 style safety from Precise Metalsmithing. This allows the gun to be unloaded while on safe. It's also, to me, much classier and prettier than the standard safety.:D

The other change was an extra-power sear spring. This isn't necessary but it ensures that the sear WILL catch the cocking piece, no ifs ands or buts. For a rifle that might be used in fights with big, angry critters, it's a good idea.

Otherwise, the changes are pretty much cosmetic. The stock is a grey laminate from Jim Brockman. It's been modified slightly to look and handle like an original Rigby Mauser sporting rifle (although John Rigby would faint at the sight of a laminate!). It has a 14" LOP over a 1" Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. There's a Talley swivel stud inletted into the butt. It's thoroughly bedded in Brownells Steelglass bedding compound. There's also a bit of cast to make the sights line up perfectly when it's shouldered.

The forward sling attachment is a Talley barrel band. Front sight is the factory CZ banded ramp with interchangeable beads. Rear sight is the factory CZ island express sight, with the leaves cut for a dead-on hold with 400 grain bullets at 2350 fps.

Bolt handle is a Talley that's both better-looking and more accessible than the factory knob. Not shown are the Talley QD lever scope rings and the "indestructible" Leupold 2.5x fixed power scope with standard duplex reticle.

The action has been stoned and polished inside and out, and the outside contours were cleaned up on a surface grinder. Trigger is set at 3.5 lbs, crisp. I'll probably set the set trigger at around 1 lb.

Otherwise, it's pretty much stock.:D

Best,
Joe

[J Scott]

Joe,

What did you like or not like about theb factory stock?

J Scott

[nextjoe]

The factory stock is actually a very good piece of straight-grained, quarter-sawn Turkish walnut. It would be perfectly functional BUT, like any big-bore, it should be glassed or steelglassed to prevent splitting. Otherwise it WILL split, sooner or later.

I just wanted a more classic English style stock on mine, instead of the CZ stock with the hogback comb, pointed cheekpiece, and Schnabel forend tip.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with keeping the standard stock. If you like the way it looks, just have it bedded by someone who knows what he's doing and enjoy your new gun! :)

Best,
Joe

[Byron Quick]

I've got a BRNO 602 ZKK in .458 Winchester Magnum. Basically, the same rifle. I'm still getting used to the "hogback" European stock but, man, that's a nice piece of wood.

I've heard claims that the hogback stock reduces felt recoil. From experience to date, I tend to believe it. The factory recoil pad is cheesy but the recoil is basically indistinguishable from three inch 12 gauge slugs.

I, too, prefer the looks of the American style stocks. But I believe I just might prefer the physics of the hogback stock. I was certainly expecting more recoil.

Al Thompson has also shot my rifle. He once owned a Ruger M77 in .458 Winchester Magnum. He said the recoil on that rifle was entirely of a different (and more painful) order than with mine.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I have the BRNO like the gentleman above. It's in .375 H&H. Once I removed the forward, extra stock screw, the rifle went to shooting pretty darned good groups. The rifle's a keeper.

Best.

[Kestrel]

What is the difference in the BRNO 602 and the CZ 550 Magnum?

Also, how do the CZ actions compare to the current Win 70 pre-64 actions?

Thanks,
Steve

[nextjoe]

Steve,

The BRNO 602 and CZ 550 Magnum are pretty close. The current CZs have a better general level of fit and finish. The BRNO came with two triggers, a regular and a single set. The trigger was mounted to the bottom metal, rather than the action. The new CZs come with a single-set trigger mounted to the action. Also, the CZs have a conventional back=safe/forward=fire safety. The older BRNOs had a bass-ackwards safety that went back for fire and forward for safe. Some of the old BRNOs also had a pop-up peep sight built into the rear bridge, which was NICE! Unfortunately, it's not available on the new CZs :(

The CZ action is sort of a cross between a Mauser 98 and a Model 70. It uses the Mauser C-ring breeching system, rather than the cone breech of the Model 70. Bolt stop and ejector are like a Model 70. The extractor has the little dovetail that makes it grip tighter the harder you pull, which the 98 has and the 70 lacks. I'd say it's slightly better in design and MUCH better in execution than the current Model 70s. Winchester QC has been sloppy lately :(

I would (and have, twice!) choose the CZ 550 over the Model 70, especially if you want one in an oversized chambering, like the .416 Rigby. The CZ Magnum action can handle really big cases easily, whereas the Model 70 is just a little too small for something like a .416 Rigby or .500 Jeffrey.

Best,
Joe

[J Scott]

Finally! It arrived today. Fit and finish are flawless. This rifle is much more than I ever expected. It is balanced perfectly for me and about 7-8 other guys that put it to their shoulder today.
The bolt is smooth (for a mauser) and certain. The Express Sights are very high quality. The trigger is adequate; the set trigger is featherlight. The wood is truly outstanding... if you like dark walnut with a tiger stripe pattern from forearm to butt!
The test target was a 100m three shot group. It measured .75" with 2 shots touching. Guys I am absolutely floored by its initial presentation. The truth will be next...how well do I shoot it.
More on that when it occurs-soon.

I've decided to put one of my Leupolds on it. A 2.5-8x36 VX-III with a www.premierreticles.com #4 reticle. The scope mount rings are of the QR variety from Warne www.warnescopemounts.com

Well, that's about it for now. I'll let you know how well the jerk on the trigger shoots it soon.

J Scott

[nextjoe]

J Scott:

Congratulations! They're nice guns, aren't they? :)

The Warne rings should work alright on a .375, but some of them are now made from powdered metal instead of being machined from solid steel. If you haven't already ordered the Warnes, I'd strongly suggest you look into the Talley rings. Price is about the same, but the Talleys are more precise and machined from real steel. Warnes have a history of failing on the really big bore CZs.

Consider having it bedded, too. I know of two CZs in .416 Rigby that cracked their stocks after 8 and 9 shots, respectively.

Good luck and good shooting!

Joe

[Sven]

J Scott:

Congrats - an inspired and inspiring acquisition! Please keep us posted on your observations and which - if any - modifications you make.

-s

[Gordon]

Put Leupold quick detachable stud mount bases and rings on that fine Leupold scope. These are the strongest and quickest rings made, and they fit Leupold scopes.:)

[nextjoe]

Gordon,

There aren't any Leupold mounts or rings to fit the CZs. The guns have integral dovetails for scope rings. I'd heard that Leupold was working on rings, but I haven't seen any yet.

Best,
Joe

[J Scott]

Nextjoe,

Who makes a bore guide that will properly fit my Safari Mag?


J Scott

[nextjoe]

J Scott,

I'm sorry, I don't know. I'm going to be looking for one myself. Maybe the Stoney Point or MTM bore guides will work. You can always make one out of an old cartridge case. it won't protect the action from solvent drips, but it'll keep the cleaning rod from rubbing against the bore.

Best,
Joe