Discussion Forums

Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > CZ Rifles

CZ Rifles

29 Apr 2011
@ 10:17 pm (GMT)

Claude Boissery

Hi everyone
First of all Nathan,thanks for being there and bravo for your site,quite outstanding indeed.I have a question about a rifle I own and shoot as often as possible at the stand but not enough in the fields unfortunately:we are quite short of game species besides rusa deer here in New Caledonia,and I wonder if my recently acquired 7x64 CZ550 is the right tool for the job.I do think that they could have done a better job with the stock although I'm not learned enough in gunsmithing to have a proper opinion on the barrelled action even if I know the Czek have a good reputation as dedicated gunsmiths.I load my own ammo(53gr 4831 Nosler BT cci primer)which is quite fun and satisfactory as far as accuracy goes(good grouping at 100m),still,I'm thinking about getting a better rig by bedding the action.How does that sound to you?

Replies

01 May 2011
@ 10:11 am (GMT)

Quote this

Nathan Foster

Re: CZ Rifles

Hi Claude, thanks for the kind comments regarding the site.

In all of my years accurizing rifles, I have never had one complaint, or seen a flaw or fault in a CZ rifle. Having to bed a CZ is common, but apart from this, the metal work is always fine. This is quite remarkable, considering the economic and political conditions this production facility has had to survive throughout the last 60 years. There are some smaller aspects of CZ's advertising which have me confused. The company state that they use a Chromium Vanadium steel alloy rather than a Chromium Molybdenum alloy and I have always thought that the former alloy would not be able to take a blue. To this extent, I wish CZ would provide more information on their site, let us right in, after all, this is the information age and people do like to explore and learn as much as possible before making a purchase.

Regarding the bedding. The factory inletting of the CZ stocks is usually very good, resulting in a desirable level of accuracy. That said, as with all wood stocks, after a period of time, the wood fibres can become crushed in the action channel, effecting accuracy and in the worst case scenario, splitting the wood at the tang. Hunting in inclement weather will eventually cause the stock to warp. In all instances, regardless of the brand of rifle, bedding, especially pillar bedding, is the ultimate fix for both accuracy and long term preservation of the stock. I am currently working on a wood blued T3 which although relatively new, has already suffered crushing of the wood fibres, ruining accuracy along with mechanical problems as the magazine is now compressed against the action. Pillar bedding will remedy these problems.

Bedding is not the easiest task for a novice. Nevertheless, if you do not have a gunsmith in NC, with patience and careful planning, optimum results can be achieved. Novices need to be aware that if a poor result is achieved, the bedding should be removed and the job re-bedded- as many times as it takes until the desired result is achieved and the operator has developed a good skill level. Some people can have this down pat within one or two jobs, for others, it can take several attempts (or several rifles). We all learn at our own pace and in our own way.

Cheers, Nathan.