my CZ 550 magnum needs to go on a diet

[matt85]

as many of you know the CZ 550 magnum is a very heavy gun... in fact a little too heavy in my opinion. so ive been sitting around thinking of ways to lighten this beat up. I imagine I could probably take some wood off or even switch to a composite stock if I can find one that isn't ugly. another though is taken a couple inches off the barrel but I hate to do that as this gun will be used to make some 300 yard shots and extra velocity is nice.


what have you guys/girls done to lighten up your CZ 550 magnums?

-matt

 

[spike.t]

1st thing that will happen to the cz .416 rigby i bought is that the barrel will be cut to 21 or 22inches, i doubt you will notice much difference to 300 yds with a .375 and 22 inch barrel as your scope will be zeroed for that. the cz 550 in .500 jefferys i bought at sci is coming with a 20inch barrel, as i dont like long barrels and anything to save weight. take the butt plate off and see if you can hollow out the stock, as i think they said the 500 comes with a recoil reducer in the stock, so on the .375 prob can take some out from there. some composites/synthetics weigh more than the wood stock. the lighter the better when it comes to carrying a rifle around!

 

[Rob404]

I know these CZs are a bit hefty by the time you add Mounts,Scope Ammo you could be pushing 12# maybe more, I really don,t know how much weight you,ll save trimming the Barrel and lightening the stock maybe a pound? .Also recoil will go up ,As I am in the same boat as you and will be carrying one of these cannons I opted for a better sling and as my trip grows closer I'll hit the weight room a little

 

[enysse]

Matt, I think Remington made a 375 H&H in the weight range of like 8 pounds with a scope, I have seen them so for $700 to $800.

I think the CZ is heavy but I also think it great gun and will last a lifetime. The Winchestor M70 in 375 H&H feels good too. I think if you are in shape, it's not too bad, but like you I don't like carrying heavy weight everywhere. I have a 9.3x62 that is like 8 pounds with a scope and also a 338 Win that is like 8.5 pounds, but I bought them light! The CZ was built to heavy any which way you look at it. And I think it will be pretty expensive to lighten a CZ up...anyway you add the numbers up. Cutting the barrel off, new stock, maybe there are ways to build custom scope mounts that are light but to me it's crazy to spend money to do that kinda stuff.

I think the working PH's that cut the barrel down, have a good reason too. Some guys like to mess around with a gun, doubling or tripling the cost of the gun....I'm not one of them, if there are that many things I don't like about the gun, I'm not buying it.

 

[matt85]

I think the working PH's that cut the barrel down, have a good reason too. Some guys like to mess around with a gun, doubling or tripling the cost of the gun....I'm not one of them, if there are that many things I don't like about the gun, I'm not buying it.

some of us don't have the privilege of trying guns before we buy them. the .375 H&H is not a common caliber here in WA state and finding a store that even carries a single rifle in that caliber is rare. to date the only 375 H&H rifle ive seen on a store shelf has been a used one at Cabela's and its a left handed Winchester. the only other big magnum ive seen was also at cabela's and that was a CZ 550 in 505 gibbs.

-matt

 

[sestoppelman]

Matt, what part of the state are you in?

 

[matt85]

about 30 minutes north of Seattle.

don't get me wrong though, I don't hate my CZ 550 magnum! once CZ works the bugs out of it im sure it will serve me well regardless of its weight. a upside to its weight is that its easier to shoot from a bench and shooters who are recoil sensitive can still shoot it a few times before they start crying about there shoulder.

-matt

 

[colorado]

We have a Rem XCR II in 375 Weatherby It's weighs 7 1/2 lbs with a 2x7 Leupold scopde and Talery QR rings. I had the bolt welded on, firing pin and spring replaced with heavier one than a Sake extractor installed and a Declelerator pad installed. All told it cost me just over $1000 (not counting scope) and its' accurate, reliable and extremely rust resistant and the kick with normal 375 H&H loads is a "pussycat" Does good on bears



I had a CZ 550 in 375 H&H. it was a great gun but heavy for the caliber so I had Harlan of Triple River Gunsmithing convert it to a 500 Jeffery. It's an aswesome rifle.



Though if I ever have the good fortune to meet a bear like this while hunting I'm hoping i'll have the 500 Jeffery along

 

[bassasdaindia]

about 30 minutes north of Seattle.

don't get me wrong though, I don't hate my CZ 550 magnum! once CZ works the bugs out of it im sure it will serve me well regardless of its weight. a upside to its weight is that its easier to shoot from a bench and shooters who are recoil sensitive can still shoot it a few times before they start crying about there shoulder.

-matt

Matt,the CZ550 is an easy gun to work on,I have a 375 and 416 and am busy with a 404 Jeff build

they are great value for money and after they get worked on they become even better rifles.

you won't go wrong with a 550

 

[matt85]

colorado, how much did it cost to have yer CZ converted to 500 jeffery? i could always save up for a lighter 375 H&H and have someone convert my CZ to 404 jeffery.

-matt

 

[colorado]

Harlan Satrang at Triple River Gunsmithing charged me only $500. That included a new and very accurate McGowen barrel. Not sure what he would charge you now. He's a great guy to work with.

 

[enysse]

colorado, how much did it cost to have yer CZ converted to 500 jeffery? i could always save up for a lighter 375 H&H and have someone convert my CZ to 404 jeffery.

-matt

Damn good idea, if you could do it! 404 Jeffreys are never cheap to buy.

 

[Johnny reb]

Matt85 was wondering if that was recently you seen leftanded Winchester in 375 h&h

 

[bassasdaindia]

Damn good idea, if you could do it! 404 Jeffreys are never cheap to buy.

this is exactly what I am currently doing !

 

[enysse]

this is exactly what I am currently doing !

Post some pictures, when you are done. Sounds exciting!

 

[matt85]

Matt85 was wondering if that was recently you seen leftanded Winchester in 375 h&h

last i checked cabelas still has the left handed 375.

-matt

 

[matt85]

this is exactly what I am currently doing !

whats the total cost of doing this?

-matt

 

[bassasdaindia]

whats the total cost of doing this?

-matt

I stopped this project after I found a CZ 550 safari classic in 404 Jeff

however the cost would of been approx $1000

 

[spike.t]

still waiting for my .500 jeffery to appear from obama land.................think i might have it rechambered to .333 jeffery when it arrives. i feel that this is an underrated and overlooked calibre and want to try it out..................

 

[sestoppelman]

still waiting for my .500 jeffery to appear from obama land.................think i might have it rechambered to .333 jeffery when it arrives. i feel that this is an underrated and overlooked calibre and want to try it out..................

You're right about the .333, neat old round. However I think you may have to do more than just "rechamber" that big boy, LOL!! And whats this obamaland crap?? We don't call it that here ya know?! Its the land of the used to be free and the home of the stupid voter! If we elect Billary next time, it will be more of the same and nearly the end of us. I am hopeful but not optimistic, that the voters have had enough of this crap.