mindcrime
Well-Known Member
I had a CZ550 Safari Magnum in .416 Rigby that I shot for a while and even carried to Montrose, CO, since my Dad basically insisted on carrying my personally built CZ-24 in .35 Whelen (which he bowled two Elk over with), leaving me with the heavy gun to carry. Short story of things, snow storms + CZs = RUST, and I had bought a Ruger RSM also in .416 Rigby and decided to turn the CZ with its 8 oz. set trigger into a TRUE LR ELK RIG.
After talking to Kirby and Dave Viers, I had a REALLY HARD CHOICE, but I wanted the .338 AX, so Kirby it was ( Home Page ). He has had it for almost two years, working it in between other projects and commitments (he primarily does custom actions, and I can not blaim him for it, but I had a fondness for the big CZ Magnum Mauser and its reliablity), HOWEVER, I can not be more satisfied with the outcome and I have not scoped it, or fired it yet---Heck, Kirby still has it, but by the pics he sent me; OMG! DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
Now the old CZ Safari Magnum that started its life with the European Hogback wooden factory stock (mine is an EARLY CZ .416), is stocked in the CZ HET stock, with an additional Tubb Recoil lug (the Magnum Mauser's lug is under the gas port in the side of the front action ring), a Mike Rock 5R 1-9.4 twist Marine Tactical Contour) , and throated for the long CZ box (3.85"), the action, bolt, AND rail were Cerakoted, and one of Kirby's Pain killer brakes was added. I actually installed (hand contoured and threaded) the tactical handle originally intended for a Remington Action. The rail is CZ's 20 MOA rail that comes with a new HET; but make no bones about it, this is a HET killer!!!
Hopefully Kirby won't mind but I wanted to share this email of my Virgin AX getting indoctrinated by its maker, plus it shows what a great fella Kirby is to work with (just try to give him time as he is back logged, however as you can see in the photos, the results are no less than spectacular. I feel like a Sixteen year old whose Dad bought them a Porsche. I would have preferred a custom action, but I still "want" a .375 Allen Magnum, so there is my excuse for that one!
Kirby's report from my semi-custom action (trued by Kirby):
"Well, its been a while but I was finally able to get out to the range today to test your rifle. For the past two weeks or more we have had either blizards, rain or extreme wind. This week alone we have had peak wind speeds of 59, 64 and 71 mph!!!! Typical springtime in Montana.
Anyway, this morning it was dead calm so I jumped on it.
Set up at 1050 yards. It took four shots to get the NF test scope to match up with impact and then let the barrel cool. Then shot several three shot groups. Very happy to say the rifle shot extremely well, easily meeting my 1/2 moa accuracy requirement with most groups fired. Worst group was just under 1 moa and again most were right around 1/2 moa.
The load I used was not a FULL throttle load but more what I call my accuracy load. This uses 96.0 gr Retumbo under the 300 gr SMK and a Fed-215 primer, I will have to get the exact OAL for you when I get back up to the shop. I can not remember exactly what I used for your throat length and want to make sure I get it right before giving you a number.
Generally I recommend starting at 94.0 gr of Retumbo and work up from there. Depending on some lots of Retumbo and specific barrels, some rifles will top out at around 97-98.0 gr and others will go up to as high as 100-101.0 gr. Velocity potential should be somewhere in the 2900-2950 fps level for most barrels of your length. Obviously keep an eye on any obvious pressure signs and if you see them stop.
I have to be out of the shop tomorrow but will do my best to get your rifle shipped on Monday for you. I attached some pictures for you to see your rifle. Turned out very nice. Very comfortable to shoot, very mild recoil. The trigger has a slight tick in it right before let off on 75% of the shots fired. Did not really seem to effect the shootability of the rifle and the more I shot the rifle the less obvious it was.
Kirby
ALLEN PRECISION"
The last pic should show the Tubb Recoil lug, and keep in mind there is a Magnum Mauser lug that also carries the load of the barrel. Now, I just need a Nightforce!!! HAD TO SHARE, I am too excited!!! Jeff
After talking to Kirby and Dave Viers, I had a REALLY HARD CHOICE, but I wanted the .338 AX, so Kirby it was ( Home Page ). He has had it for almost two years, working it in between other projects and commitments (he primarily does custom actions, and I can not blaim him for it, but I had a fondness for the big CZ Magnum Mauser and its reliablity), HOWEVER, I can not be more satisfied with the outcome and I have not scoped it, or fired it yet---Heck, Kirby still has it, but by the pics he sent me; OMG! DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
Now the old CZ Safari Magnum that started its life with the European Hogback wooden factory stock (mine is an EARLY CZ .416), is stocked in the CZ HET stock, with an additional Tubb Recoil lug (the Magnum Mauser's lug is under the gas port in the side of the front action ring), a Mike Rock 5R 1-9.4 twist Marine Tactical Contour) , and throated for the long CZ box (3.85"), the action, bolt, AND rail were Cerakoted, and one of Kirby's Pain killer brakes was added. I actually installed (hand contoured and threaded) the tactical handle originally intended for a Remington Action. The rail is CZ's 20 MOA rail that comes with a new HET; but make no bones about it, this is a HET killer!!!
Hopefully Kirby won't mind but I wanted to share this email of my Virgin AX getting indoctrinated by its maker, plus it shows what a great fella Kirby is to work with (just try to give him time as he is back logged, however as you can see in the photos, the results are no less than spectacular. I feel like a Sixteen year old whose Dad bought them a Porsche. I would have preferred a custom action, but I still "want" a .375 Allen Magnum, so there is my excuse for that one!
Kirby's report from my semi-custom action (trued by Kirby):
"Well, its been a while but I was finally able to get out to the range today to test your rifle. For the past two weeks or more we have had either blizards, rain or extreme wind. This week alone we have had peak wind speeds of 59, 64 and 71 mph!!!! Typical springtime in Montana.
Anyway, this morning it was dead calm so I jumped on it.
Set up at 1050 yards. It took four shots to get the NF test scope to match up with impact and then let the barrel cool. Then shot several three shot groups. Very happy to say the rifle shot extremely well, easily meeting my 1/2 moa accuracy requirement with most groups fired. Worst group was just under 1 moa and again most were right around 1/2 moa.
The load I used was not a FULL throttle load but more what I call my accuracy load. This uses 96.0 gr Retumbo under the 300 gr SMK and a Fed-215 primer, I will have to get the exact OAL for you when I get back up to the shop. I can not remember exactly what I used for your throat length and want to make sure I get it right before giving you a number.
Generally I recommend starting at 94.0 gr of Retumbo and work up from there. Depending on some lots of Retumbo and specific barrels, some rifles will top out at around 97-98.0 gr and others will go up to as high as 100-101.0 gr. Velocity potential should be somewhere in the 2900-2950 fps level for most barrels of your length. Obviously keep an eye on any obvious pressure signs and if you see them stop.
I have to be out of the shop tomorrow but will do my best to get your rifle shipped on Monday for you. I attached some pictures for you to see your rifle. Turned out very nice. Very comfortable to shoot, very mild recoil. The trigger has a slight tick in it right before let off on 75% of the shots fired. Did not really seem to effect the shootability of the rifle and the more I shot the rifle the less obvious it was.
Kirby
ALLEN PRECISION"
The last pic should show the Tubb Recoil lug, and keep in mind there is a Magnum Mauser lug that also carries the load of the barrel. Now, I just need a Nightforce!!! HAD TO SHARE, I am too excited!!! Jeff
