Came across CZ 600 in 223, 23 inch barrel. Just want to make a couple of observations, maybe someone will find it valuable.
First, the rifle is way better than I expected it to be. In short:
Issues:
This is 34 mm tube, low rings. So your mileage may vary.
If I was thinking about bolt action in a mini caliber, I would take this over everything else right now. I would probably do 20 inch to magnify size efficiency of the whole package overall. Maybe 7.62x39, very tempting actually. In fact I would take Alpha over all other flavors of cz 600, including Trail. For $900 it is the best value, all other editions are way too much premium on top. Trail has it's cool factor going on, but they are not available, and like double the price with horrible collapsible stocks. Alpha magazines are really smooth and nice, flush, overall it is all light slim and handy. If you can step out of "every rifle needs to be PRS or tactical" mindset, Alphas are in very neat for what they are.
Cheers.
First, the rifle is way better than I expected it to be. In short:
- It is a mini action, sized to 223. Tikka is long action all the time for instance. And it is actually very noticeable.
- Magazine is SUPERIOR to Tikka or anything in the same price range. It is double stack double column feed. Very pleasant to load, very easy to top load while in the rifle. Lips are very solid, it is polymer but top notch quality. It is flush and lockable.
- Alpha stock is very good, I mean it is really really good for the price range. In fact you DON'T need to swap it at all. Compared to alpha stock, ergo is just pathetic money grab. And compared to ruger americans or tikkas Alpha is a level above in quality. Yes it is not adjustable and no m-lock, arca stuff you might see on fine channels all over youtube, but I would have zero issues running it as a main. Light, shape is very nice, compact, very solid feel, decent to touch.
- Trigger is outstanding for a entry level off the shelf. Even adjustable, but you would not need any aftermarket for it.
- In a first 50 rounds, including zeroing, it shows around 2 inch group with most junk ammo from a bucket and 0.75 group with some decent 50 gr. No bipod was available at the time, so rested on a wooden beam.
- Action is not as smooth as Tikka, but it is very even and predictable. Passive ejector requires some force to operate, potentially you can short stroke and loose brass from the extractor claw inside the action, but you really really need to try to make it happen. I had zero issue cycling it to be honest.
Issues:
- Main concern right away was foreend. Only has a swivel stud, nothing else, had bipods for pic an arca rail, didn't have bipod for swivel stud. So as it is there is only one option to fit bipod on it.
- If you choose to keep the stock, there are no flush caps, which are a big thing for some people. There are no aftermarket stocks yet. I suspect there will be no aftermarket stocks for 600 in a mini actions.
- Stock is not adjustable, appears to be a bit too short length of pull. Cheek height is fine.
- A bit uncomfortable shape of bottom of the stock to use bean bag. Depends on a bag though.
- Due to mini action length, it could be an issue with mounting optics. See the image below. Basically, alpha does have integrated pic bases, and they are all fine. But because the mini action, front base is too close to the rear and is barely enough room to clear turrets of a sizable scope. Not really a problem if you solve length of pull issue. Just a heads up.
This is 34 mm tube, low rings. So your mileage may vary.
If I was thinking about bolt action in a mini caliber, I would take this over everything else right now. I would probably do 20 inch to magnify size efficiency of the whole package overall. Maybe 7.62x39, very tempting actually. In fact I would take Alpha over all other flavors of cz 600, including Trail. For $900 it is the best value, all other editions are way too much premium on top. Trail has it's cool factor going on, but they are not available, and like double the price with horrible collapsible stocks. Alpha magazines are really smooth and nice, flush, overall it is all light slim and handy. If you can step out of "every rifle needs to be PRS or tactical" mindset, Alphas are in very neat for what they are.
Cheers.
