Quick feedback on CZ 600 Alpha in 223

[owlowl]

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:

• 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.

 

[Joel]

Thanks for the review and feedback! Really curious about these rifles and happy to hear they're well executed. Sounds like a deal.

How's the stock "better quality" than a Tikka, though? Like...feels better to touch, or? lol. Same with the mag. Superior because it holds more ammo? Just seems better?

Nice rifle for the price point though, sounds like. Having never handled one though it looks kinda...too heavy for a hunting rifle/something to be carried a lot. Just not my niche with that heavy contour barrel. The Ergo looks more my style but too bad its more expensive.

 

[owlowl]

Tikka stock sounds hollow and it feels thinner. Alpha stock is way more solid feeling. Alpha are a also a bit nicer to a touch.

Default tikka magazine is scaled down from long actions only internally with a spacer, it is also much harder to load, has way thinner and sharper lips. Alpha magainzes are true to size to mini action, way better polymer, double column feed so easy to load. Tikka magazines are protruding, Alpha magazines are flush. Tikka can't be top loaded at all.





Alphas come with integrated bases. Base Tikkas come without a rail you need to buy on top. Most Tikkas are not threaded, cz 600 all threaded. But they are euro metric threads, which limits your options for muzzle devices.

PS
The only reason I speak all around Tikkas is because they are known quality and value. Just a general baseline to compare.

 

[boxhitch]

Found an Alpha in 6 Creedmoor w/22" semi-heavy they call it barrel, really liking the bolt-throw and the trigger and the integral pic scope mounts, as well as the 6-lug lockup seems positive.
The stock is said to be reinforced polymer but the design fell short toward the front of the fore end, so I'm going see how it improves after
bolting an arca rail to the bottom before pouring in any filler compound
First 3 rounds fired with factory loads printed about 5/8" @ 100, but that was only a function test so more is needed to prove for sure.
So far I'm like 'dancing bananas' at the deal, this rifle has several features that tick my boxes

 

[I Dont Care About You]

Well done. I mean who cares if CZ is helping to steal all our firearms. We should totally just keep buying stuff from them.

 

[boxhitch]

If it came down to it I'd feel worse about paying taxes on a new purchase than I would about buying from a CZ dealer who is trying to make a living
but as it was, it was a used rifle so in a sense for your sake I took it out of circulation

 

[kayaker1]

They are good value for sure. The stock design is great, despite the long forend but they is no way their stocks are stiffer or more solid than a Tikka!

 

[beltfed]

The Alpha is very much made to suit hunting and positional field shooting.
I believe the design and shaping of the stock, only one sling stud up front, barrel attributes (contouring, length twist and threading), etc. are all purposely geared with that in mind. I like that they did that as it keeps the Alpha exceptionally light and handy.
To that end, they really ought to to be topped with a light and compact LPVO at the most.
With anything bigger/heavier/bulkier on top, the owner should really re-evaluate the rifle and their needs/wants.

The other offerings in the 600 line up scratch other itches like target shooting, plinking, etc. as they too are purposefully executed.


As an aside,
The .223 model has a 24" long 1:7 twist barrel (I believe geared for varmint hunting), while the 7.62x39 model rifles have an 18" long 1:9.5" twist barrel (likely geared for European medium game such as dear).


Since CZ has brought back the "quick change" feature, it will be interesting to see if they bring other chamber offerings to the table.

 

[DGY]

I have a 600 Luxus and I was also impressed by the quality overall, to me the magazine is a bit flimsy but maybe they are all like that(plastic mag that is) safety is good, a bit weird but good. The trigger is pretty darn nice! The stock feel really good(wooden stock) and look good it was dry so oil was applied. It shoots ok, probably around 1.25” five shot groups, I hope it will shoot better in the future with my reloads. I have a Leupold 3.5-10 42 on mine and it is all good! Oh it’s pretty heavy, I don’t mind it! The luxus is 1:9 twist so probably maxing out at 69-70gr bullets and the throat is really short…. So bullets can’t be seated out much.

 

[boxhitch]

short throat may be a good thing when building loads
At 7bl 12oz this Alpha is hardly a lightweight, and with the 22" heavy sporter barrel is heavy out front
Stock design is nice and not over loaded with a 4-14x44 if placed the right way on the bags
It will take some franken-stock work to be best with a bipod, but hey imo its a bargain at under a $grand
that I won't mind inviting Bubba in to help with