CZ Magnum action, anyone?

T

tobnpr

New member
Wondering if anyone has experience with the CZ Magnum action- especially the trigger.

Price is very attractive at $650...

Debating between an off-the-rack Savage, or an "economical" build for occasional use of .338 Lapua.
 
Very good action.
You can "slick them up" a bit and they are then as fine a magnum action as have ever been produced in my openion.
Here's one I made for a man a few years ago into a nice 375H&H




 
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Wow! You did a great job on that one Wyo! Then again every example that you have shown to this forum have been "masterpieces". Again, Wow!
 
I assume you mean the 550 Magnum?

It's a commercial 98 Mauser long enough to use the 375 H&H class of cartridges. I have a short 550 and like it fine. Also have the predecessor to the 550, the 602 BRNO. The stocks tend to be really plain but you can't beat the 98 system for strength and reliability. If you want to spend the cash to have it stocked in nicer wood it can be quite handsome.
 
Thanks guys.
:)
But to address the comment, "you should have kept that one"

I’d love to but-----------------I can't!

Customers pay for them and then they get demanding.
They say I have to give them what they paid for when the gun is done.

Can you imagine-------------???


Oh, Unlicensed, it was a 24 or 25 inch barrel, but I can't remember for sure now.
 
They say I have to give them what they paid for when the gun is done.

Can you imagine
Click to expand...

Well now that's just not fair / right .... :D

I have a plain jane CZ 550 American Safari Magnum in .375 HH, but haven't shot it yet (can't wait to). A lot of people say that to turn them into true African DG rifles, you need to replace the single set trigger with a "standard" trigger - not sure why they say this, since the set trigger still works fine as a regular trigger, but I'll take their word for it.
 
Just how life is I guess. But I thank God I can play to earn my living.

A wise man once said "a man that enjoys his job never works a day in his life."
 
And unlicensed, do not listen to those "experts" about replacing the trigger. Adjust the un-set engagement top about 3.5 pounds and you'll be happy the rest of your life with it. There is NOTHING wrong with that trigger for a dangerous game rifle. You may only set the trigger a few times in your life in the field, but that doesn't mean it can't be used. You may never get a flat tire either. Does that mean you should get rid of your spare?
Or course not.
If it's there and you never need it.....good for you!
 
That was my thought, exactly! Thanks for that advice. I assumed it was something to do with the set trigger may not work in "normal" mode at times (i.e. it could "break" somehow), and that is due to fragility or some such related to the set trigger mechanism.
 
tobnpr,

A few gentlemen have built 338 Lapua rifles on the CZ550 magnum action and been happy with the result. Generally the lack of aftermarket magazine and stock options have made them less desireable builds than Savage, Rem, Sako, or AI rifles for the 338 Lapua for the "tactical crowd."

That being said, if you are willing to work with more limited parts options for the final product, I say go for it.

Jimro
 
Stock isn't an issue, I'd make a custom one for it.

I was concerned about the trigger given that this is going to be a 1000 yard plinking rifle- and a "hunting" pull weight wouldn't be acceptable. Happily, I see that Timney makes one with a two pound pull weight :D

It would make for an interesting project, but would cost significantly more than the Savage by the time I sourced a custom .338 barrel and pay a smith to true the action, chamber, thread and headspace the barrel and thread it for a brake. In the end, not sure I could justify the additional cost.

The "younger one" keeps pushing for the Lapua for the cool factor, even though we can put together a .300 WM that'll perform nearly as well at a grand for a lot less dough- not to mention a lot less cost to shoot, and less expensive to re-barrel. Oh, well...not everything about the sport follows logic, does it...
 
Beautiful rifle. Are those Weaver rings? I would put a nicer set of rings on a rifle of this nature-surely there are some strong elegant rings out there.
 
i carried a cz 550 in .375 H&H and used the set and regular trigger on two hunts in africa and can say i had no problems in taking over 20 animals, useing a 260gr bullet. eastbank.
 
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Yup, Weaver rings.
I talked to the customer about options and he told me to use what would return to zero the best if he took off the scope to use the irons.

I think its interesting reading the US Army's test report that they did back in the late 90s, when they tested the strength and re-zeroing abilities of many scope mounts and rings. They tested a lot of different ones including some that cost over $500 a set.

The Weaver system beat them all. And was also the least expensive at that time.

You are correct in saying they don't have the classy look of some others, but the Weaver system is excellent at doing what they are supposed to do.
 
tobnpr,

If you get used to the CZ set trigger there should be no need for a Timney.

Try to convince the younger one again that a 300 Win Mag is the better option. Ballistically the 338 Lapua is impressive, but in terms of actuall accuracy at distance the 300 Win Mag has been beating the 338 Lap in military tests out to 1400 meters. So if you con't have a 1,500 meter range, why go 338 Lap?

Jimro
 
If you're considering going 7mm, then 7mmSTW would seem the simplest way, to get there, at least to me. THere are dies available from most of the major makers, RCBS, Redding, Forster, and Hornaday. As for brass you can use 7mmSTW brass, or neck down 8mmREM, 300H&H, 375 H&H. There is reloading information already available, from Barnes, and Hornaday, and Lyman too I believe.

I think if I was going to do a wildcat I would go with 7mm-300WBY, just because I have loads of 300WBY brass already.
 
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