ZKK-602 or CZ 550 Magnum

Riflechair

Riflechair

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I may be making a big rifle purchase in the next few weeks. My main contenders are siblings: the BRNO ZKK-602 in .375 H&H and the CZ 550 Mag. in .375 H&H. I've seen reports comparing them, but I wonder if anyone here has had first hand experience. I can tell you I like the feel and balance of the ZKK better than the 550. Both are about the same price, but obviously the ZKK is used and the 550 new. I'm leaning toward the ZKK because it gives me that "oh, yeah" sensation when I pick it up not to mention it tells me that the design was really thought through around a magnum cartridge.

Your input will be the deciding factor.

Be well brothers.
 
Can't comment on the 550 but I really like my 602 in 375hh. Get a good sling with either as they really get heavy after a day's walk.
 
Own a zkk 600 in 270 amd it's the best gun I ever had.
They just dont make the CZ's like they used to when it was Brno
 
I have a 9.3x62 in a CZ 550 Lux,It will shot under 3/4" most times around
1/2" if I do my part.Very nice trigger,decent recoil pad.If you decide to get a 550 go for the Lux model,it holds and points much better.
 
I have a 550 in .416 Rigby that was purchased a few years ago. I recently put a Safari / Express stock on it, just because I liked its looks better. It cost about the same as the whole rifle initially cost. Very nice. Just wish I could find a 602 bolt shroud for it, though. I use a Kahles 1.1-4 (30mm) scope on custom rings on it, with Norma brass, Barnes & Hornady bullets & Reloader 15 in it. Better fit & finish than my friend's old 602 in .375 H & H by far. Better trigger too & the safety works in the right direction.

HTH
 
I have two 550's, and have had a few 602's, I like the 550's. Although there is always something on a CZ 550 that I need to fix...

CZ550 in 416 Rigby I took the edge of the mag follower, caused a bit of drag and a nasty scratching sound when cycling the action.

CZ 550 in 300 win mag, replaced the plastic follower with a steel follower. Better.

I dislike the finish on the stocks, very heavy and I'm sure I can leave it under water for a month and it will be ok. But I like hand rubbed oil better.... so is stripped it off and refinished. I'll post pictures if you want?

602's well the safety is bass akwards, no big deal and the finish could be better...

Pete
 
The only thing I don't like about the 602 is the safety, but you do get used to it. While some don't like the set trigger on the 602, it does work very well at the range for the bigger calibers, for me anyways.

I have a 602 in 300WinMag that will probably be a 375H&H someday.

BRNO602002.jpg

BRNO602006.jpg
 
I've got a 602 in .375 H&H and a CZ 550 in .416 Rigby. The 602 has a nicer finish (like an oil finish) while the 550 looks like a heavy polyurethane/varnish. The 602 has a conventional trigger (not the set trigger) in addition to having had a trigger job to clean it up a bit. In short, the 602's trigger is superb but the 550 is just fine, too.

Accuracy of both rifles is pretty well the same (excellent), producing "close to MOA or better" and, yes, both rifles are pretty heavy.

Sure, the safety is "backwards" on the 602 but, if you think of it as "cocking a hammer" to fire, it makes sense. I understand that there used to be a conversion kit (Wisner three-position safety) which swaps out the bolt shroud for one with a Winchester Model 70-type safety, but I don't know if they are still available. (Of course, it may not be worth the extra expense if you're OK with the safety the way it is.)

Personally, I'd go with the 602 as it's a classier-looking rifle. But, for pure function, you can't go wrong with the 550.
 
A-zone said:
Sure, the safety is "backwards" on the 602 but, if you think of it as "cocking a hammer" to fire, it makes sense. I understand that there used to be a conversion kit (Wisner three-position safety) which swaps out the bolt shroud for one with a Winchester Model 70-type safety, but I don't know if they are still available. (Of course, it may not be worth the extra expense if you're OK with the safety the way it is.)
Click to expand...

Here's source for an aftermarket safety.


http://www. edlapourgunsmithing.com/index.html

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I've had both and like the 550 better. It sounds like you prefer the 602. Not enough difference to say one's superior, take the one you like better.
 
Brnos004.jpg


Top is a CZ-550 in .458 Lott. I had it re-chambered from .458WM. It was made in 1996. All Brno's have the year of manufacture stamped on the barrel just ahead of the receiver on the right side.

The bottom is a ZKK-602 in .416RM, made in 1989.

Brnos003.jpg


CZ-550 .458 Lott.

Brnos002.jpg


ZKK-602 .416RM.

Brnos001.jpg


"Custom" barrel-band I installed on the ZKK-602... ;)



They are both great actions. They weigh in about 9-1/2 lbs each.

From the "box" they require a bit of work. You might want to knock an inch or 2 off the barrel, fit a proper barrel-band, install cross-bolts in the stock and bed the stock. I am thinking of replacing the hogsback stock on my 602 with a McMillan fiberglas.

They also come with factory set triggers. They are fine, you can live with 'em and hunt with 'em like that trouble free. There are options to replace them though; Timney makes a trigger that you can drop in. I sent them an email last night actually, to enquire about them.
Of the 2 the ZKK-602 trigger is the one that bugs me a bit. It's a stupid 2-piece thing. Works great as-is though.

Some people ##### about the 2-position safeties on the Brno's, but if you can handle a Remington M-700 then you'll find they are just fine. It requires custom work to modify them to the 3-position style anyway, and I don't think it is necessary.

Anyway I have a notion to cut down the barrel of my 602, put it in a McMillan stock, bed it, put a Timney trigger on it. I'd also like to find lower scope rings for it.

I think if it were me, I would look at the condition of the ZKK-602 and make a decision based on the value of it. It might be a bit cheaper and is essentially the exact same rifle.
 
Some of the last of the 602's got a little roughly finished. The 602's from the late 60's are very nicely finished. The one's with the pop- up peep sight in the reciever bridge are worth a premium.
 
Me and my 550 Magnum in .375 H&H. Works great. Love the rifle. Put a S&B Zenith 1.5-6x42 on it. Great all around gun. The only thing I didn't like was the bolt handle..... to each his own....

IMG_0806.jpg


Bolt before...

IMG_0749.jpg



Bolt after....

IMG_0891.jpg



I did it for more positive use in the winter with gloves....
 
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