My new rifle

Nkawu

AH enthusiast
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I found this 375 up for auction and I was the only one to bid on it!
It’s a CZ550 Safari Magnum left handed. Comes with a fixed mounted Schmidt and Bender 1.5-6x42 illuminates reticule 4i. The safety and bolt have been modified. It arrived at my UK gun-shop yesterday from Austria.

I think I will replace the bolt with an Oberndorf style one, and add a 3-pos safety like my Winchester M70 classic and Ruger Hawkeye. The rings will also need changing out to QD.

Photos from the auction site.

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Congratulations ! Great looking rifle. And great brand. I would suggest trying the default bolt out first and THEN changing it if you don't like it .
 
One fine rifle and scope combination! Only they put the bolt on the wrong side:ROFLMAO::LOL::D!
 
Christmas in July
 
Congratulations.
Beautiful wood on that rifle.
...and you are getting close to needing to charge your phone.
 
Hello Nkawu,

Except for the unfamiliar-to-me, rings and bases on that excellent scope and rifle combination, I recognize the rest of your purchase as having been expertly customized.
It somewhat resembles express repeaters from the Pre-War glory years of African Safaris.
I like the looks of it very much.
But, I also like your idea of a classic Oberndorf style bolt handle and Model 70 Winchester style “safety” lever.

Some people have moaned that the CZ 550 Magnum needs Gunsmithing the day it arrives new from the factory.
That has not been my experience with the several ones I have owned, in various calibers, except the .500 Jeffery caliber.
That caliber is notoriously tricky to make feed from the magazine properly, no matter who each rifle is made by.
My local Professional Gunsmith, here in Alaska (Andy Hawk) slicked up my .500 and now it works perfectly and is smooth feeding.

Anyway, the big CZs are such a properly proportioned action for truly large bore cartridges, including a deep magazine box to hold several rounds that, it seems strange to me anyone would pass one up, in order to buy a lesser rifle from some other maker, simply to avoid a possible (possible) visit to their local Gunsmith.
Again, only the .500 caliber has given me any trouble and it was easily fixed.
It’s as if a fellow would turn his nose up at a Toyota Bush Cruiser for sale, moaning that it has worn down tires and instead, buys a Nissan pickup for the same price, same year made, same miles on the odometer, etc., etc., because after all, it has perfect tires already installed.

Congratulations on the new rifle, it looks to be a real keeper.

Cheers,
Velo Dog
 
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Thank you all for the kind words. My best guess is that the rifle was modified for boar shooting in Austria. My concern with the currently modified bolt is that the extra length may cause contact with my hand under recoil.
I now have one remaining 'open slot' on my UK firearms certificate to complete my four-rifle battery.

As it stands:
CZ550 375 (above)
Win M70 Classic (stainless + wood) 30-06 with Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
CZ 452 22lr

Any suggestions to fill the gap? Must be left-handed or Ruger no.1.
 
Any suggestions to fill the gap? Must be left-handed or Ruger no.1.
Depends on what you are interested in hunting.
The 30-06 to 375H&H covers almost everything on the planet, with some notable exceptions.
6.5x55SE would be real gem to reach out and touch smaller antelope.
Any of the 416's or a 404J would be a great addition if you see yourself going for Hippo & Elephant.
Not sure you would get approval for a 458 caliber in the UK, but if so there are options there as well.

What kind of game did you have in mind?
I know the membership here will be full of suggestions much more detailed and insightful than my dribble here.
 
as a left hand rifle shooter, you can color me deep green.:D

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Last edited by a moderator:
Any suggestions to fill the gap? Must be left-handed or Ruger no.1.

.243 Winchester would fill that gap nicely!
 
Sounds like you Found a gem. Changing the safety and the scope mounts should make the rifle “perfect”.
Sounds like being a “southpaw” paid off. Congrats!
 
Great gun. As a lefty I can say you don't see one like that often enough. I'm a tad envious.
 
Very nice rifle!

I would add a center fire 22 like a 22-250 or 220 swift. A 243 or 257 Roberts might also fit right in depending on what you want to hunt.
 
I agree that a 6 or 6.5 mm would fill the gap nicely. Currently, the leading contenders are a beautiful little Ruger no.1 in 243 on the rack near me or ordering a left-handed Zastava in 6.5x57.

Decisions, decisions...
 
223, 22/250, 243. The 243 might be a better choice for all U.K. deer species.

Ps. Nice rifle ( from another leftie)
 
I'll be labeled a heretic, but a 6.5 Creedmoor makes a heck of a lot of sense for #4. Inherently accurate, low recoil, easy to reload for - and lots of good factory ammo choices if you don't reload. Not to mention the high BC and SD of the numerous 6.5 bullet choices.
 

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