Bullet Bob
Member
I looked at a CZ 550 American in .30-06 today. Great fit and finish on the outside, and the bore looked good. However, the operation of the bolt was very rough - it took some real muscle to operate - anyone else have this problem?
CZ 550 Bolt question
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Cosmoline
Member
If it's an "A" prefix 550, I've noticed this myself. The bolts on them and the "A" prefix 452's are often stiff and even hang up a bit. It's nothing a little work or polishing wouldn't fix, but I think it's a sign CZ is either slipping a bit or exporting their junk stateside. The quality of the actions on earlier CZ's without the A prefix seems to be consistently better.
I have had a .30-06 CZ550 for about 3 years. Yes, the bolt is as you describe. I have done nothing about it, because a smooth bolt is irrelevant during normal use of the gun (hunting, shooting at the range). It may be relevant to you though (personal preference is king), so be aware that the situation can be cured rather easily. Post to the gunsmithing forum, and ask about using lapping compound or tooth paste on the bolt (so I'm told - as I stated, I never cared enough to do it).
CZs are very fine guns. Should you decide to purchase the rifle, you will obtain (1) a CRF gun at a great price, (2) that is in the top tier of the "out-of-the-box" accurate guns, and (3) has an adjustable trigger that a gunsmith can do wonders with for around $30 or so. I bought mine for around $450 (with rings), and put a Leupold 3x9 on it for around $200. That set up will hold its own against anything at the camp or range.
CZs are very fine guns. Should you decide to purchase the rifle, you will obtain (1) a CRF gun at a great price, (2) that is in the top tier of the "out-of-the-box" accurate guns, and (3) has an adjustable trigger that a gunsmith can do wonders with for around $30 or so. I bought mine for around $450 (with rings), and put a Leupold 3x9 on it for around $200. That set up will hold its own against anything at the camp or range.
Cosmoline
Member
Moon, they're certainly still good guns, on par with American hunting rifles. But ten years ago they were the single finest rifles for the price on the planet, particularly their Safari rifles and rimfires. Many PH's in Africa swear by the old 602--the original version of what's now the less elegant 550 Safari Magnum. As the American hunters have slowly picked up on how good they are, and as the old Iron Curtain restrictions eased up, more and more people bought them here. Unfortunately for whatever reason that's led to a fall off of quality at CZ. They've even come up with a model called the "American" that's stripped of those awesome iron sights. It's a model of rifle that basically nets CZ another $100 or more on each sale because they don't have to purchase and calibrate those high-grade European irons. And most Americans are too stupid to realize they're been dumped.
I'm noticing more and more people can't shoot iron sights. My 452 Lux is my "go to" .22. My favorite features on it are the iron sights and the hog back stock.
There's just something about the way a rifle carries, and shoulders, with iron sights that has always appealed to me.
Bullet Bob
Member
I handled 2 other CZ's at the store, neither required nearly as much effort as the one I wanted (30-06, killer wood).
I have 3 CZ .22's, and a BRNO, love 'em all.
I have 3 CZ .22's, and a BRNO, love 'em all.
BozemanMT
Member
I have a couple CZ's (452, 527, 550) and they all act the same
The bolt is tough to work initially.
a Liberal (and I mean liberal as in a lot, not liberal as in a feel good everyone gets a ribbon way) dose of your favorite oil that lets it work into the system does wonders.
I use FP10, but whatever works for you.
It will loosen up dramatically within a 100 or so movements. It sucks up a lot of oil, I think it's just very dry and very tight tolerances.
i don't notice it now at all, on any of them.
and yes, CZ is the finest value in a rifle going.
The bolt is tough to work initially.
a Liberal (and I mean liberal as in a lot, not liberal as in a feel good everyone gets a ribbon way) dose of your favorite oil that lets it work into the system does wonders.
I use FP10, but whatever works for you.
It will loosen up dramatically within a 100 or so movements. It sucks up a lot of oil, I think it's just very dry and very tight tolerances.
i don't notice it now at all, on any of them.
and yes, CZ is the finest value in a rifle going.
Levan9X19
Member
I have Cz550 Varmint. bolt was rough to operate as the rile was brand new. but after some time it became smoother.
ny32182
Member
I have a 550 American .308. The bolt gets "stuck" in the rearward position, if that is what you are referring to. I've got to kind of jiggle it to make it start forward sometimes.
Have you guys tried operating the bolt with the magazine floor plate open or by cycling rounds (dummies or at the range)? See if it feels better then.
I have a 550 "Premium" (whatever that means), and the bolt has a little more drag when the rifle is empty but loaded it is smooth as can be. I find it no harder than a Rem 700 or Savage.
I have a 550 "Premium" (whatever that means), and the bolt has a little more drag when the rifle is empty but loaded it is smooth as can be. I find it no harder than a Rem 700 or Savage.
So glad this post was ressurected. I just worked again on my 550 trying to slick up the action. I have likely fired 150 round or so through and worked the action repetitively and it still hangs as you describe. If you cycle it perfectly horizontal (best description) it might go nice and smooth -but trying to cycle quickly or normally it is still annoyingly rough when every other aspect of this rifle is superb. Can someone please post pics or at least a very dummbed down description of what to polish and how to do it properly? Where to put the compound or toothpaste etc... I dinked with a little lapping compound by guess didn't use enough or in the right spot. I don't think copious oiling is the answer, at least for me- but do use some lithium grease. I'd say it is better by a slight degree but obvioulsy not 'slick'. My guess is that it may have to do with how the extractor rides inside the receiver?????
Redhat - will give it a try but can say that both my Rem 700 ADL and Browning A-bolt, the bolt will pretty much slide itself open if held vertically. no way the cz will do that but again, where it is really rough is when the bolt is full open - at the point of initiating the closing motion.
rangerruck
Member
this is a common prob on all cz's, I wouldn't worry about it, as I have 2, and I just start the push of the bolt handle with my thumb, works just as fast with a little practice. Some come nice and smooth, but most cz's , well, they just don't!!!. Ask how many cz owners here plan on giving up their rifle, becuase it has a stiff bolt?
rangerruck
Member
if you have to, throw somet toothpaste, or JB borepaste around the bolt, and work it manually for about 10 million times.
jim in Anchorage
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No long extractor BA is ever going to feel as smooth as a toy Remington hair-pin extractor gun-at home. Which do you want at cruch time- feels good or works?
See reply above.
The classic Model 98 action is a military design meant to be rugged and reliable, not silky smooth. The design promotes bolt wobble when open and close tolerances can make it feel "stiff" of "sticky" in operation. They generally do get a little smoother with some use.
BTW- toothpaste isn't abrasive enough to do anything to hardened steel.
If you want smooth bolt movement get a Remington 700. I like the 98 action and particularly like the CZ models. I currently have four commercial CZs dating from 1951, 1986, 2004 and 2007 respectively.
The classic Model 98 action is a military design meant to be rugged and reliable, not silky smooth. The design promotes bolt wobble when open and close tolerances can make it feel "stiff" of "sticky" in operation. They generally do get a little smoother with some use.
BTW- toothpaste isn't abrasive enough to do anything to hardened steel.
If you want smooth bolt movement get a Remington 700. I like the 98 action and particularly like the CZ models. I currently have four commercial CZs dating from 1951, 1986, 2004 and 2007 respectively.
kenjs1,
I have cycled the rifle rapidly while hunting on several occasions (pigs in groups) and never noticed it. I would also add that the bolt on my rifle is jeweled (from the factory). I just don't have an issue with it. Hope you can get yours to function to your liking.
I have cycled the rifle rapidly while hunting on several occasions (pigs in groups) and never noticed it. I would also add that the bolt on my rifle is jeweled (from the factory). I just don't have an issue with it. Hope you can get yours to function to your liking.
Rancho Relaxo
Member
I have two CZ centerfires, both 527s. My 527 Laminate 223 bolt binds if I try to cycle it like a normal bolt action, but if I push the bolt knob with my palm and push my thumb on the end of the bolt, it goes very smooth.
My 527 American cycles a little sticky when it's unloaded, but when I'm cycling loaded rounds through it it's pretty smooth. In that way, it's smoother than either of my two Remington 700s.
Does anybody think there's a chance of CZ coming out with a 527 in 17 Rem. Fireball?
My 527 American cycles a little sticky when it's unloaded, but when I'm cycling loaded rounds through it it's pretty smooth. In that way, it's smoother than either of my two Remington 700s.
Does anybody think there's a chance of CZ coming out with a 527 in 17 Rem. Fireball?
I watch a show called "Cowboys" on the Outdoor Channel. It's all about cowboy action shooting if you've never seen it. I've seen several shooters there refer to the "toothpaste action job". They take off the sideplate and fill the entire thing with toothpaste. Put the plate back on and work the action for hours. Clean out the toothpaste and relube and it's very smooth according to them.
When you use toothpast on your teeth you are only using a brush. On a gun your grinding it into steel with steel.
Redhat- that jeweld bolt is one of the perks of getting the 'permium'. I believe the wood is a little nicer too and you are lucky to have one. I have some lapping compound and will give it a another go but will first compare cycling loaded vs. unloaded. It does matter to me in that when at the range I load a single cartridge at a time. The roughness lends a poor comparison to the 700 or A-bolt feel that both cycle beautifully. I love my CZ but do feel a slicker feel adds value -to me. If i CAN improve it I will like the rifle even more. Just an intrinisic thing. By comparison everyone raves about Tikka actions but, while they cycle effortlessly, they have a rather flimsy feel to me. Anyone else? I also find the Tikka checkering.....distracting when in the hand. Want to like the rifle but just can't. Does anyone else find the newer CZ checkering less attractive than the previous? I find it God awful by comparison. Guess I don't like gaps in the checkering.
bench grinder with a nice cloth buffing wheel and red wax compound. buff the bolt till it looks like chrome. then mix a little oil and graphite together wipe it on the bolt and work it back in forth after you put it back in the rifle. ive done this many times to many old beat up guns. it works
Horsemany- The effect would be the same without the toothpaste. Several hours of working the action will generally smooth it up and the toothpaste adds nothing. There is simply not enough abrasive material in toothpast to affect hardened steel.
There is another recent thread about this topic where toothpaste as action smoothing is debunked.
There is another recent thread about this topic where toothpaste as action smoothing is debunked.
kenjs1,
I love the rifle, in fact it is the only hunting rifle I have. Last time I took it to the range, it shot several groups under .5 off a rest. Couple of things I would change if I could:
- Get the new stock that is on current CZ550's
- A wider trigger
Good luck with yours!
I love the rifle, in fact it is the only hunting rifle I have. Last time I took it to the range, it shot several groups under .5 off a rest. Couple of things I would change if I could:
- Get the new stock that is on current CZ550's
- A wider trigger
Good luck with yours!
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