CZ 550 .416 Rigby - Value?

deewayne2003

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Been into guns, hunting and reloading as far back as I can remember; however I am new to "big bore" rifle world so I need some help figuring out the fair market value of this rifle.

CZ 550 .416 Rigby , With Leupold 1.25-4x/ 30mm tube

Barrel has been threaded for muzzle brake and comes with muzzle brake & protective cap.

I was told by the man working at the shop that the stock is most certainly after market/custom; it has a inlayed star in the middle of the forend and a dark line of wood running the entire length from but to fore end cap; which I was told is a reinforcement laminate...... although he could not tell me the stock maker.

It has come to my attention that CZ 550's will soon no longer be in production and I don't want to miss out on this rifle.... but I do not want to over pay for it either.

Can anyone experienced with these rifles give me their thoughts on fair market value in U.S. dollars?

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Nice rifle! I haven't owned a CZ, but you will get a lot of feedback on this post.
 
A new CZ550 416 is about $1150. That appears to be a Leupold 1.5X20 Hoghunter scope. They retail for about $450-500. The unknown is the stock but a gun has to have a stock with it so even though it appears to be a very nice piece of wood it only adds minimal value IMO. Maybe an extra $200. IMO if you could get it for $1300 you would be getting a great deal. At $1400 it's still a good deal. At $1500 it's a fair deal. $1600 would not be unreasonable but that would be my limit. Remember, you can buy the rifle/scope combo brand new for $1600 so for anything more than $1300-$1400 for the gun/scope the stock would have to be pretty special. Based on the photos it does look pretty special IMO.
 
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If it is a Triple River upgrade, it could be worth $2500 and up. But I completely agree with @Wyatt Smith. That threaded barrel could reduce the value easily. Just depends on the potential buyer.
 
I’m no fan of muzzle brakes;
But it’s nice to have the option to detail the scope and sights in from a seated bench with brake + ear plugs & muffs.

as for the threading.... the sight was moved back and barrel end threaded; by someone that really knew what they were doing.

I would really like to know who did the stock- because it fits me like a glove; and if this had been there when I bought my .470 NE I would have bought the CZ instead
 
Buy it!
 
Except for the stock and the muzzle brake thread there are normal extras that are normally done on CZ 550 like a three way safety, and barrel band why anyone would take off the fron sight and then not add a barrel band while youre at it?

So I'm with Bonk on this one stock is very nice but don't go overboard paying for it.
 
I am pretty confident that this is indeed not the factory stock, nor a Triple River stock, for three reasons:

1) The stock, curiously, does not appear to fully enclose the "drop belly" magazine. Regardless of quality of wood and inletting, this would be, TO ME, a negative, as it really detracts IN MY VIEW from what a classic big bore DG rifle ought to look like. Frankly it looks quite odd.

2) Factory or Triple River CZ 550 .416 Rigby typically have one or two stock-reinforcing cross bolts. This one does not appear to have any. This too would be a negative in my view as this too detracts from what a classic big bore DG rifle ought to look like, and, more importantly, this could mean a risk of the stock splitting under recoil. If the stock is fully glass bedded (?) this risk is mitigated.

3) The rather unique pattern of lamination is definitely not factory, nor Triple River-original. Each will decide for themselves whether they like it of not.​

Threaded barrel...

In agreement with what is apparently a comfortable majority, I too think that a muzzle break or threaded muzzle is out of place on a .416 Rigby. Call me a sentimental traditionalist...

As to value:

This is a used scoped CZ 550 .416 Rigby...
  • Discontinued CZ 550 magnum are indeed very likely to go up in price but considering that there are still legions of them on GunBroker etc. for $1,200 new, I expect that it will take a year or two (or three?) for the supply to dry up and the prices to actually go up. Its used-as-new market value is currently around $1,000 +- $100 to $150.
  • Beauty is in the eyes of the beholders, so you will have to interrogate your own desires as regards this stock. To me it is a liability to the rifle, not an asset. Your opinion may be different.
  • The same reasoning applies to muzzle threading (and whatever was done to the front sight to make it possible).
  • What are a pair of Warnes ring ($50 new) and a used Leupold straight tube scope (is it a $250 Mark AR 1.25-4x20?) worth on the market? I am going to risk saying $100 to $200 depending on how fast the buyer wants to sell
  • It seems that an objective value could be in the $1,100 to $1,400 if you would intend to keep the stock and the scope, and if you are in a hurry.
Opinion...

You are asking for opinions, so here is mine...

I would rather purchase this one (claimed to be unfired) on Gunbroker for $925...

upload_2020-2-21_22-31-6.png


and put a $285 indestructible American Safari Bell & Carlson Kevlar stock with full-length aluminum bedding block on it...

upload_2020-2-21_23-2-19.png


and scope it with a quality glass designed to take big bore recoil...

upload_2020-2-21_23-1-13.png


You would still be in the $1,600 budget and you would be light years ahead in terms of functionality, quality, and -dare I say? - looks...

Just my $0.02 :)
 
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Just My 2 cents Opinion and Suggestions:

1. Check out the various online auctions have sold like firearm...RECENTLY!!! (i.e. gunbroker)

2. Either borrow, purchase, or perhaps check out the local library for the latest Firearms Blue Book and Firearms Black Book.

3. Check current used scope prices.

4. Get better, more reliable and accurate information about any custom or so called "custom" work done to the firearm.

5. Shop around and get the best price of your package sold new: each item sold separately: and subtract about 10% for being used, depending on % of original blueing, scratches, cracks, dings, any abnormalities, subtract a fair 2% to 10% (or more based on overall condition).

6. Any quality gunsmithing, factory or after market specialty/custom work add that back to your proposed selling price.

7. Be expected to come down on your price for the shortened barrel, and muzzle brake. These 2 items are personal preference. The threaded barrel....m a y b e(?)....someone might like it to add a suppressor(?).

Asking others to try to value what you have by: photos, what "someone else" told you, maybe this-maybe that, various personal opinions....well...you could have a $600.00(-)USD or a $2000.00(+)USD firearm. A true estimated value would require the physical handling and going over of your rifle.
 
I am pretty confident that this is indeed not the factory stock, nor a Triple River stock, for three reasons:

1) The stock, curiously, does not appear to fully enclose the "drop belly" magazine. Regardless of quality of wood and inletting, this would be, TO ME, a negative, as it really detracts IN MY VIEW from what a classic big bore DG rifle ought to look like. Frankly it looks quite odd.

2) Factory or Triple River CZ 550 .416 Rigby typically have one or two stock-reinforcing cross bolts. This one does not appear to have any. This too would be a negative in my view as this too detracts from what a classic big bore DG rifle ought to look like, and, more importantly, this could mean a risk of the stock splitting under recoil. If the stock is fully glass bedded (?) this risk is mitigated.

3) The rather unique pattern of lamination is definitely not factory, nor Triple River-original. Each will decide for themselves whether they like it of not.​

Threaded barrel...

In agreement with what is apparently a comfortable majority, I too think that a muzzle break or threaded muzzle is out of place on a .416 Rigby. Call me a sentimental traditionalist...

As to value:

This is a used scoped CZ 550 .416 Rigby...
  • Discontinued CZ 550 magnum are indeed very likely to go up in price but considering that there are still legions of them on GunBroker etc. for $1,200 new, I expect that it will take a year or two (or three?) for the supply to dry up and the prices to actually go up. Its used-as-new market value is currently around $1,000 +- $100 to $150.
  • Beauty is in the eyes of the beholders, so you will have to interrogate your own desires as regards this stock. To me it is a liability to the rifle, not an asset. Your opinion may be different.
  • The same reasoning applies to muzzle threading (and whatever was done to the front sight to make it possible).
  • What are a pair of Warnes ring ($50 new) and a used Leupold straight tube scope (is it a $250 Mark AR 1.25-4x20?) worth on the market? I am going to risk saying $100 to $200 depending on how fast the buyer wants to sell
  • It seems that an objective value could be in the $1,100 to $1,400 if you would intend to keep the stock and the scope, and if you are in a hurry.
Opinion...

You are asking for opinions, so here is mine...

I would rather purchase this one (claimed to be unfired) on Gunbroker for $925...

View attachment 331529

and put a $285 indestructible American Safari Bell & Carlson Kevlar stock with full-length aluminum bedding block on it...

View attachment 331532

and scope it with a quality glass designed to take big bore recoil...

View attachment 331530

You would still be in the $1,600 budget and you would be light years ahead in terms of functionality, quality, and -dare I say? - looks...

Just my $0.02 :)
Hmmm! I was just looking at this one on GB too, but not sure about the "blonde" Euro style stock? It's a great value though. Nice scope value too. You seem to always find the good stuff at very fair prices!
 
@deewayne2003

That is in fact a Leupold VXR scope, still being sold at a $600-$700 retail, worth over $400 used in good condition. As always, has the leupold warranty for life.

The rifle, I disagree with above on the muzzle threading. It doesnt detract value in my mind at all. You have a removable brake and a thread cap. It is the perfect scenario to shoot a brake for practice amd then remove it for for final tuning and field use. It's a $150+ value in my mind, especially since you have the threaded cap. Use it or dont.

As for rifle, $800-$1000 right now. Between scope and rifle, an easy 1200-1300 setup at retail. A good deal on it would be anything below 1200 in my mind assuming rifle is in 95%+ shape.

Stock is an X factor, but I agree with @One Day... above on the new stock selection
 
Don't be blinded by the fact that it's a CZ550 and they are discontinued.
Step back, take a breath and make an educated decision on how you want to proceed.

I'm kinda with @One Day... on this one.
You just don't know how this rifle has been treated or molested to this point.
Someone isn't happy with it and is selling it for a reason.
Without personal knowledge of the previous owner, I'd be skeptical.

I'd start fresh with the GB deal and go from there.
At least you know exactly what you are getting.
 
@deewayne2003
That is in fact a Leupold VXR scope, still being sold at a $600-$700 retail, worth over $400 used in good condition. As always, has the leupold warranty for life.
The rifle, I disagree with above on the muzzle threading. It doesnt detract value in my mind at all. You have a removable brake and a thread cap. It is the perfect scenario to shoot a brake for practice amd then remove it for for final tuning and field use. It's a $150+ value in my mind, especially since you have the threaded cap. Use it or dont.
As for rifle, $800-$1000 right now. Between scope and rifle, an easy 1200-1300 setup at retail. A good deal on it would be anything below 1200 in my mind assuming rifle is in 95%+ shape.
Stock is an X factor, but I agree with @One Day... above on the new stock selection

Thanks TTundra for the identification of the Leupold scope. I tend to stay on the Teutonic side re. optics, so I do not ID well the Leupold myriad offerings...
upload_2020-2-22_11-25-19.png


As stated in my previous post, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," so I fully expect some to see the muzzle break as a plus. This is just as legitimate as me not caring for it. The same reasoning applies to that uncommonly made & inletted stock...

I gave a $1,100 to $1,400 range (mostly based on how fast the seller wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy), you tighten it to $1,200 to $1,300, no argument on my part. I agree...

Hmmm! I was just looking at this one on GB too, but not sure about the "blonde" Euro style stock? It's a great value though. Nice scope value too. You seem to always find the good stuff at very fair prices!

To me the stock is a non factor. As much as I am on record for being an ardent supporter of the CZ 550 as the baseline for a great rifle once a AHR bolt-mounted safety has been added, I do not really care for their wood.

upload_2020-2-22_11-36-29.png


CZ stocks are typically fairly low density walnut and are machined and inletted very loosely. They have a well deserved reputation for cracking / splitting under recoil on the 40+ calibers:

upload_2020-2-22_11-41-42.png


I have not time for that, so my three tuned-up (deburred, polished & released action, bolt-mounted safety, direct trigger, filled & straightened bolt handle, barrel band swivel) CZ 550's (.300 Wby, .375 H&H, .416 Rigby) each wear a B&C stock (FYI, B&C are the ones who manufacture the CZ factory "Aramid" stock). Therefore, this blond Euro stock is irrelevant in MY review of this rifle because it would be gone the minute the rifle arrives...
 
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I wouldn't pay any more than a factory used rifle for the "value" of the stock and muzzle threading. The scope would add some value. I've picked up numerous 550 Safari Magnums for ~$600 used.
 
Thanks TTundra for the identification of the Leupold scope. I tend to stay on the Teutonic side re. optics, so I do not ID well the Leupold myriad offerings...
View attachment 331566

As stated in my previous post, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," so I fully expect some to see the muzzle break as a plus. This is just as legitimate as me not caring for it. The same reasoning applies to that uncommonly made & inletted stock...

I gave a $1,100 to $1,400 range (mostly based on how fast the seller wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy), you tighten it to $1,200 to $1,300, no argument on my part. I agree...



To me the stock is a non factor. As much as I am on record for being an ardent supporter of the CZ 550 as the baseline for a great rifle once a AHR bolt-mounted safety has been added, I do not really care for their wood.

View attachment 331567


CZ stocks are typically fairly low density walnut and are machined and inletted very loosely. They have a well deserved reputation for cracking / splitting under recoil on the 40+ calibers:

View attachment 331575

I have not time for that, so my three tuned-up (deburred, polished & released action, bolt-mounted safety, direct trigger, filled & straightened bolt handle, barrel band swivel) CZ 550's (.300 Wby, .375 H&H, .416 Rigby) each wear a B&C stock (FYI, B&C are the ones who manufacture the CZ factory "Aramid" stock). Therefore, this blond Euro stock is irrelevant in MY review of this rifle because it would be gone the minute the rifle arrives...
A little off topic here, but I see a lot of the CZs for sale with the Euro style stock. I’ve never shot a rifle with one, so was curious as to the recoil and scope useage with one vs. an American style stock? Thanks!
 
A little off topic here, but I see a lot of the CZs for sale with the Euro style stock. I’ve never shot a rifle with one, so was curious as to the recoil and scope useage with one vs. an American style stock? Thanks!
Euro stocks have a real advantage when shooting with iron sights. They are typically significantly lower at the heel than American pattern stocks.
There is no free lunch though, so the other side of the equation is that you do not have as tight a cheek weld when shooting with a scope, and they accentuate a little bit the felt recoil because they place the barrel a little higher than the stock/shoulder contact point.
The difference is real, but it is not as pronounced as to create a go / no-go situation in my opinion. A lot has to do with looks and what you prefer :)
 
A little off topic here, but I see a lot of the CZs for sale with the Euro style stock. I’ve never shot a rifle with one, so was curious as to the recoil and scope useage with one vs. an American style stock? Thanks!
My CZ550 375H&H had the Euro stock when I bought it. I replaced it with a B&C and the difference was night and day. Felt recoil was substantially less and it was quicker to shoulder. It's a bit tougher to get down on the iron sights with the B&C but it's much easier to shoot scoped. Changing to a straight American style stock made a big difference.

I sent my 375H&H to AHR for an upgrade package and I'm completely happy with the result but spending $250 bucks for a B&C stock was dollar for dollar a more visceral improvement in the rifle than the AHR package. Don't misunderstand. I'm a very satisfied AHR customer and I'll be sending Wayne more of my rifles but the upgrades, while crucial, are much more subtle. OTOH simply dropping a stock rifle into a B&C stock is a dramatic improvement IMO. YMMV.
 
My CZ550 375H&H had the Euro stock when I bought it. I replaced it with a B&C and the difference was night and day. Felt recoil was substantially less and it was quicker to shoulder. It's a bit tougher to get down on the iron sights with the B&C but it's much easier to shoot scoped. Changing to a straight American style stock made a big difference.

I sent my 375H&H to AHR for an upgrade package and I'm completely happy with the result but spending $250 bucks for a B&C stock was dollar for dollar a more visceral improvement in the rifle than the AHR package. Don't misunderstand. I'm a very satisfied AHR customer and I'll be sending Wayne more of my rifles but the upgrades, while crucial, are much more subtle. OTOH simply dropping a stock rifle into a B&C stock is a dramatic improvement IMO. YMMV.
Yes, maybe that’s the way to go? My newer CZ 550 .458 has an American style wood stock and am very pleased with it. And I thought the newer CZ 550s had some minimal bedding done to them at the factory? But when I buy another CZ, maybe I’ll find an inexpensive one regardless of the stock on it and order a B&C stock for it? Is it pretty much a drop in or is gunsmithing necessary? Thanks!
 
All 3 BC's I've bought have been direct drop in. The two rifle's I've sent to Wayne I've sent with the BC stocks so he can bed them. They've turned out fantastic.
 

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