CRF Alternatives
- Thread starter Wooly ESS
- Start date
Since you have a good budget I would look at the Kimber rifles, I own a 8400 and it is a very well put together piece of gear. I also liked the M70 and in fact if you want one you can look around there are still some in dealers shelves, caliber might be a problem though. The Ruger MKII is also CRF, if they turn your crank they are worth looking into. And then you can also look for second hand! What caliber are you looking for?
bigbull
bigbull
Are you looking for Dangerous Game Rifle as well? African Hunter magazine published an article about tests done on various Safari rifles, from Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Brno (CZ), Weatherby, Browning etc...
The Brno/CZ is rated No.1 followed by the Model 70 Winchester.
Link to the article.
http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.htm
The Brno/CZ is rated No.1 followed by the Model 70 Winchester.
Link to the article.
http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.htm
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
not all ruger 77s (both marks) are CRF, although based on the Mauser design the cartridge is not picked up right out of the magazine...
Well, since you ask, I'm looking for a 375 H&H for a planned trip to Africa for plainsgame. The CRF is not strictly necessary for non-dangerous game, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist.
With the M70 gone, I'm drawn to the CZ 550 American, but think it might need some tune up work done to make it presentable (and more reliable).
Any comments?
With the M70 gone, I'm drawn to the CZ 550 American, but think it might need some tune up work done to make it presentable (and more reliable).
Any comments?
Wooly ESS I can give you some feedback, I have a ZKK-602, (which is the predecessor of the CZ-550) in .416 Rem Mag and a CZ-550 in .458 Lott.
The .416 began life as a .375 and was rechambered by the original owner. The gun was built in 1989 by Brno. The .416 Rem came out in 1988, I am betting that it was bought and then immediately rechambered (to what was then a new caliber).
My CZ-550 was originally a .458 Win Mag and I bought it new (from Williams Lake B.C.) and then rechambered it after about a year of owning it.
The ZKK-602 and CZ-550 both have a safety that is quite similar to the Remington M-700; that is it is mounted to the side and is a 2 position safety.
The difference between these is the ZKK-602 is exactly opposite the CZ-550. On the ZKK-602 you would push the thumb lever forward to engage safety and backwards for fire; the CZ-550 switched this so it is just like the Remington. Back is safe, forward is fire.
The purists argue that this safety should be changed over to the Winchester style 3-position safety. Personally I think that's a lot of hooey! The damn things work fine!
One definite issue on these rifles is they have a conventional sling swivel in the fore-end. This is a ##### on the hand! I had mine removed and a barrel band installed on my .458 Lott. My .416 I removed the fore-end sling swivel. Have not gotten around to installing a barrel band on it.
Also the stocks do not have cross-bolts. I believe this is a good thing to add. I have never done anything with my .416 Rem but I had them installed in the Lott. I have an extra set though and one of these days I'm going to try to put them in my .416 Rem.
Last thing is the trigger. The Brno's have a single set trigger. Lot's of people think this should be swapped out to a conventional style like a Timney, I don't know. I think the triggers on my rifles are fine. i have fired them many times using the set feature or without setting the trigger. They are decent triggers IMHO.
I also had serious issues with the magazine spring on my CZ-550. See my thread about that and my solution.
Barrel is 25". Some people also like to trim an inch or 2 off... not required IMHO...
If you buy a CZ-550 (or a used ZKK-602) and get a few simple things altered then you've got a great DGR rifle. I have read opinions that the magnum length Brno action is the best Mauser copy ever made, even better then the original Oberndorf Mausers according to some.
The .416 began life as a .375 and was rechambered by the original owner. The gun was built in 1989 by Brno. The .416 Rem came out in 1988, I am betting that it was bought and then immediately rechambered (to what was then a new caliber).
My CZ-550 was originally a .458 Win Mag and I bought it new (from Williams Lake B.C.) and then rechambered it after about a year of owning it.
The ZKK-602 and CZ-550 both have a safety that is quite similar to the Remington M-700; that is it is mounted to the side and is a 2 position safety.
The difference between these is the ZKK-602 is exactly opposite the CZ-550. On the ZKK-602 you would push the thumb lever forward to engage safety and backwards for fire; the CZ-550 switched this so it is just like the Remington. Back is safe, forward is fire.
The purists argue that this safety should be changed over to the Winchester style 3-position safety. Personally I think that's a lot of hooey! The damn things work fine!
One definite issue on these rifles is they have a conventional sling swivel in the fore-end. This is a ##### on the hand! I had mine removed and a barrel band installed on my .458 Lott. My .416 I removed the fore-end sling swivel. Have not gotten around to installing a barrel band on it.
Also the stocks do not have cross-bolts. I believe this is a good thing to add. I have never done anything with my .416 Rem but I had them installed in the Lott. I have an extra set though and one of these days I'm going to try to put them in my .416 Rem.
Last thing is the trigger. The Brno's have a single set trigger. Lot's of people think this should be swapped out to a conventional style like a Timney, I don't know. I think the triggers on my rifles are fine. i have fired them many times using the set feature or without setting the trigger. They are decent triggers IMHO.
I also had serious issues with the magazine spring on my CZ-550. See my thread about that and my solution.
Barrel is 25". Some people also like to trim an inch or 2 off... not required IMHO...
If you buy a CZ-550 (or a used ZKK-602) and get a few simple things altered then you've got a great DGR rifle. I have read opinions that the magnum length Brno action is the best Mauser copy ever made, even better then the original Oberndorf Mausers according to some.
x1
I have 2 CRF BRNOs. A 600 in 30-06 and a 602 in .375 H&H for brown and white bears.
In Frank DeHauss's words regarding the 602 "It is clearly designed for dangerous game". From a guy that knows bolt actions better than most, it means a lot.
And yes Demonical I chopped the barrel to 20"!
a couple of items to add, The CZ 550 medium magnum has 2 stock crossbolts from the factory and the trigger is fully adjustable, you are able to disable the set trigger if you so choose as I have and the safety works just fine and is not what most remchester shooters consider backwards like the BRNO ZKK
600 series rifles. I have one in 9.3x62 but I believe it is chambered in 7 rem mag and 300 win mag as well.
600 series rifles. I have one in 9.3x62 but I believe it is chambered in 7 rem mag and 300 win mag as well.
Wooly ESS said:
David Henry did my rifle. He's pretty busy these days, you'd have to call him and see if he could committ the time to do it. Tell David I recommended him to you, he did my CZ-550 .458 Lott conversion.
Link: http://www.dhenrygunmakers.com/
Crf
I have a CZ Rigby and think its a very nice gun. I mostly have Mod. 70s, old and new CRFs. Mine feeds perfectly but maybe the fatter rounds work better. I adjusted the standard trigger to a very light crisp let off. Its a bit on the heavy side but is good in the larger calibers. Mine takes 4 down and in 375 you should be able to load up Sunday and shoot all week. I don't have any older ones to compare with but this new one is very well put together. Throw on some Talleys and your good to go. I may shorten the barrel and add a barrel band in the future but these guns are very serviceable the way they come. They need bedding but all new guns do.
I have a CZ Rigby and think its a very nice gun. I mostly have Mod. 70s, old and new CRFs. Mine feeds perfectly but maybe the fatter rounds work better. I adjusted the standard trigger to a very light crisp let off. Its a bit on the heavy side but is good in the larger calibers. Mine takes 4 down and in 375 you should be able to load up Sunday and shoot all week.
I don't have any older ones to compare with but this new one is very well put together. Throw on some Talleys and your good to go. I may shorten the barrel and add a barrel band in the future but these guns are very serviceable the way they come. They need bedding but all new guns do.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
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Demonical's 458 is the worst feeding rifle I have ever seen in my life. (sorry buddy) A little TLC and it will be an awsome rifle but bone stock it is not fit for DG duty. I think this is somewhat typical of CZ's
The CZ is regarded as one of the better platforms to build a DGR off of, however, some factory rifles have issues that have to be delt with first. You could get a rifle that is perfect right out of the box.....or not, just like like any other brand. Being on the low end of the price scale says a lot right there.
The bottom line is that just because someone wrote it is the best does not automaticly make it so.
BTW, I have a Ruger magnum in 416 rigby ( that I have tested & made malfunction while working the action hard).... a Winchester M70 375H&H that I have not gotten to malfunction yet, in fact it feeds empty cases as slick as can be...and a 9.3X64 Brenneke on a 98 action that also feeds well.
That sloping 375 case does a lot to help feeding
The CZ is regarded as one of the better platforms to build a DGR off of, however, some factory rifles have issues that have to be delt with first. You could get a rifle that is perfect right out of the box.....or not, just like like any other brand. Being on the low end of the price scale says a lot right there.
The bottom line is that just because someone wrote it is the best does not automaticly make it so.
BTW, I have a Ruger magnum in 416 rigby ( that I have tested & made malfunction while working the action hard).... a Winchester M70 375H&H that I have not gotten to malfunction yet, in fact it feeds empty cases as slick as can be...and a 9.3X64 Brenneke on a 98 action that also feeds well.
That sloping 375 case does a lot to help feeding
Republic of Alberta since I did my little spring mod the rifle feeds better... it is always tougher when shells come up on the left side of the magazine, but shells off the right side of it feed just fine.
Today at the range I had zero cartridges fail to feed, which is actually a first, but it's also day one of the new improved magazine spring.
But this is probably not the rifle I would use for elephant cropping.
Today at the range I had zero cartridges fail to feed, which is actually a first, but it's also day one of the new improved magazine spring.
But this is probably not the rifle I would use for elephant cropping.
I have had zero feeding issues with by BRNO 602 .375 H&H. But then this magnum action was designed for the OAL of the .375 H&H. The .458 Win Mag is too short for the BRNO/CZ magnum actions. Re-chambering to .458 Lott seems to be the way most guys go.
On my rifle the feed rail is not quite right on the left side, so the bullets kinda have to be shoved up across it. When the magazine spring was weak, it was really bad, because sometimes the cartridges on that side would not get picked up clean and then when they'd hit that rough feed ramp they would refuse to go in, or you'd have to really crank 'em.
After my spring(s) mod, the cartridges ride much better in the magazine. They are picked up fine now but on that left side, the feed ramp is still rough.
I'm just learning to work that bolt with authority and it seems to be okay. I'm getting used to it.
Just don't confuse this gun with one of them there "buttery" smooth Sako 75's...
After my spring(s) mod, the cartridges ride much better in the magazine. They are picked up fine now but on that left side, the feed ramp is still rough.
I'm just learning to work that bolt with authority and it seems to be okay. I'm getting used to it.
Just don't confuse this gun with one of them there "buttery" smooth Sako 75's...
Wooly ESS said:
Find a Brno 602 made in the 70's with the pop up peep sight built into the rear bridge, mount a scope with good eye relief in a set of lapped Talley QD rings, bed the action, float the barrel, cross bolt on a 375 is optional IMO but it is probably better safe than sorry. Some rifles came with a cross bolt from factory as well as a barrel band but on the 375 my hand does not get hit by the swivel stud. There were two stocks: the standard and the deluxe. The deluxe came with a butt pad, raised comb, and a "rosewood" forend. Since you are going for plains game I would keep the factory barrel length. If it was going to be a DG rifle, I would shorten it to 20". There is not any plastic on the old Brno's. Have a 'smith tweek the action if need be so it feeds and extracts 100%.
