Why I Like CZs (long, lots of pictures)

[nextjoe]

After my advocacy of the CZ 550 on the thread last week regarding .375 H&H rifles, I got two messages from other forum members. One thought I worked for (or was pimping for) CZ, and the other wanted some more info on why I think these guns are so good.

Hopefully this post will help to illustrate why I hold these rifles in such high regard. It's not a full description like the ones Frank DeHaas wrote, but it touches on some of the really nice features.

The CZ 550 is a forged steel action with an integral recoil lug and square bridges dovetailed for scope mounts. It's a Mauser 98 variant with some Winchester Model 70 features. Bottom metal is one-piece, apparently machined from a forging, with a Winchester Model 70 style latch. Trigger is a single-set unit with full adjustments. Pushing the trigger forward "sets" it, allowing the gun to be fired with a very light trigger pull. This photo also shows the spacer sleeves that fit around the guard screws.

The bolt is much like a Winchester Model 70 or Mauser 98 with two forward opposed locking lugs. The CZ also has a small safety lug under the bolt handle, like a Mauser 98. The bolt field-strips with the touch of a button; it's as easy as a Model 70, if not easier.

The extractor is machined, spring-tempered steel. It has the Mauser 98 undercut that makes the extractor grip the case tighter the harder the bolt handle is pulled.

 

[nextjoe]

An interesting feature of the CZ are these serrations on the bottom of the action. They bite into the stock, apparently to make the bedding more solid.

Feedrails are smoothly machined for easy feeding.

The magazine box on this rifle is caliber-specific, and so marked. The 9.3x62mm is comparable to the American .35 Whelen. Interestingly, CZ 550s chambered in .416 Rigby come with a magazine box marked ".375 H&H."

This 9.3x62mm has a second recoil lug dovetailed into the barrel due to the heavy recoil of this caliber.

 

[nextjoe]

The stock has a synthetic pad in the primary recoil lug recess to prevent stock splitting. I'm ambivalent about this pad but it seems to be holding up fine. The front recoil lug recess is unbedded. This rifle will be glass-bedded eventually.

Two steel crossbolts are fitted to the stock, again to prevent splitting.

The American Classic style stock is of Circassian (Turkish) walnut with some nice fiddleback. The grain layout isn't perfect on this particular rifle, but it's very pretty. Recoil pad is a Pachmayr Decelerator that really cuts down on felt recoil. I've seen some CZs with a vented rubber pad; the Decelerator is much nicer.

One disappointment: the follower is cheap, ugly, nasty plastic instead of steel. Grrrr...

Rifles come with a factory test target serial-numbered to the gun.

And no, I don't work for or have any affiliation with CZ or CZ-USA. My only contact with CZ-USA was a phone call to voice my displeasure with the follower. They basically told me, "Yep, it's plastic. Nope, we don't have any steel ones. Sorry."

Overall, I think they're terrific rifles, and outstanding values given their low price. I'd really like to see a steel follower, though...

I hope this has been informative and helpful to some of you.

Best,
Joe

 

[Cosmoline]

The 452

Is my favorite rimfire of all time. I was just abusing some tin cans with it two hours ago. Inside of 100 yards, it simply never misses. The cans keep getting kicked up, up and up again. In the end there was little can left. The tangent sights are IDEAL for .22, and negate the rainbow trajectory completely.

 

[foghornl]

I can't think of a gunshop close to me that stocks the CZ line, so I don't get to see them up close, but thanks for a very informative report. Great pics, too.

 

[Kestrel]

nextjoe,

Is there another source for metal followers for these rifles?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Handy]

How big a deal are metal followers? Is this an aesthetic issue, or functional?

Most handguns and assault rifles use plastic followers, so I suspect this is just an issue of putting an inexpensive part in an otherwise beautiful rifle.


Nice report, BTW. My brother loves his CZ .22.

 

[nextjoe]

The plastic follower isn't as slick as a polished steel one would be; it's slightly "sticky" as the bolt is moved back and forth. It also looks cheap and tacky.

I don't know of any source for steel followers made specifically for the CZ, but I'd bet that a Springfield 03, Mauser 98, or Winchester 70 follower would work. I'm going to experiment a bit and see if what I can come up with. If nothing off-the-shelf works, a machinist could always duplicate the plastic one in steel...

Best,
Joe

 

[BigG]

Both my Magnum 550s came with steel followers.

 

[BigG]

Interesting write-up. Thanks, Joe! Is your American actually a 9.3X62 or is that just the magazine box marking?

My 458 Win Mag has room for quite a bit of length on top of the fully loaded cartridge and also holds 6 rounds.

 

[nextjoe]

BigG,

My 550 Magnum came with a steel follower, too.

The pictured rifle really is in 9.3x62. Neat and under-appreciated caliber that's in between a .35 Whelen and a .375 H&H.

I *think* the only Americans that have the second recoil lug are the 9.3s, but I'm not positive. Between the main recoil lug, the barrel recoil lug, the crossbolts, and the serrations on the action bottom, I bet that stock will last a LONG time. It'll still get glass-bedded at some point, just so I sleep better at night

Your .458 has a lot of extra room because the action is made long enough to handle the .416 Rigby with a little room to spare. Converting it to .458 Lott will take advantage of that extra space and give you the option of extra velocity or lower pressure. Feed reliability might be improved, too, since the cartridges won't have as much room inside the magazine to bounce around. Plus, you can still shoot Win Mag ammo in the Lott chamber. If I had a CZ .458 (and I just might buy one) I'd have it rechambered to the Lott right away. I'd load it to match the classic .450 Nitro Express ballistics (2150fps) for lower pressure and long brass life, and have a blast

Best,
Joe

 

[BigG]

Incidentally, those sleeves around the guard screws goes by the name of pillar bedding.

Neither of the big magnums have that front cross bolt but they have a second recoil lug on the bottom of the front sight base. Gonna get em both glass bedded. They are the Central Euro style stocks.

 

[nextjoe]

BigG,

I deliberately *didn't* call them pillars because there seems to be some disagreement regarding the terminology. There was actually quite an argument over this on another forum I frequent. Some shooters and gunsmiths think that they're only pillars if they're permanently bedded into the stock; if they're not bedded in, they're sleeves.

I don't think it's worth getting one's panties in a bunch over it, but I went with "sleeves" just to keep the peace.

BTW, I think the original terminology was sleeve; calling them pillars seems to be a relatively recent thing.

The barrel recoil lug on the Magnum CZs is a pretty neat piece of work. I like the tie-down screw, too.

Best,
Joe

 

[BigG]

Sure, Joe, calling em Pillars is just marketing, imho.

 

[Atticus]

Very nice! Thanks for taking the time for show and tell.
D*mn I need a better paying job -I want one!