[almostfree]

I purchased a CZ 550 in .375 H&H Magnum a few months ago. It was used but the previous owner had only sighted it in with a scope before putting it up for sale.

When I received it, the stock was cracking on the side under the notch where the bolt rests. I figured this happened in the shipping. I took it apart and put it back together and the crack was not as noticeable. After shooting it the other day, it appears to be cracking directly behind the bolt as well. Is this something that can be repaired, or am I going to have to replace the stock entirely?

I am also having a problem with the open sights. It has safari express sights on it with the standard rear sight being for 100 yards and two flip up sights for 200 and 300 yards. There are not windage or elevation adjustments. Elevation can only be adjusted by using different front sights. I have a target from the factory that shows a 1" group at 50 meters that is centered to the target.

It appears to shoot about 1.5 to 2 feet high. I can't understand why it would be that far off. I will be the first to admit that I am not a good shot with a rifle, but I don't think this problem is me. I was also shooting my M1 Garand with a much stiffer trigger and getting much better results.

Is there any possibility this is an ammo problem? I wouldn't think so, but I figured I would ask. I was using Double Tap 235 gr. JSPs. I have always had excellent experiences with their pistol ammo.

The front sights come in and out by pressing a button and sliding them out. If I could access CZUSA's e-store I might could buy replacements. Does this seem like a problem that could be fixed simply by replacing a front sight? If so, how much longer would it need to be?

I think I should probably take both of these problems to a gunsmith, but I wanted to learn as much about it as I could before I did.

Thanks!

[armoredman]

Contact Mike Eagleshield at CZ-USA, and ask him about it. 1-800-955-4486.

[rcmodel]

The stock can be repaired with glass bedding. It cracked due to recoil of the .375 H&H, in combination with improper bedding, and not enough clearance behind the metal to start with.

It's also possible the former owner shot it with loose action screws, which allowed the action to hammer the stock until it cracked.

Standard factory loads for the .375 H&H usually run 270 - 300 grain bullets, and that is what your rifle is sighted in with.

I don't know what velocity the Double Tap 235 gr. JSPs are getting, but it is for sure not what CZ used to sight in the rifle.
You might try some normal .375 ammo from Winchester or Remington and see where it shoots brfore getting too excited about changing the sights.

rcmodel

[almostfree]

Thanks for the replies. I will contact Mike at CZ USA. I doubt I will qualify for warranty work, but I've had good experiences with their service for my Dan Wesson 1911s. Despite these problems, I love the CZ 550. I have two others, one in .308 (American) and one in 6.5 (full stock). They are excellent rifles. I just wish their e-store worked.....it's been down for a couple of months.

[FITASC666]

Almostfree,
This may be too late but you can adjust the windage by using a punch and hammer and a piece of leather to protect the steel and tap the rear sight left or right. As you will notice, it is a dovetail desing that can slide. I've done this on mine. As for shooting high, I had the same issue. I was told that this type of sight combination requires that you ''point'' your sights below the point of impact to ensure you maintain a constant and clear view of your quarry. At 50yds, for my .375 H&H, this means about 4'' below when the front bead centre intersects the top line of the rear sight in the V.

Good luck.