rhouser
04-23-2012, 10:10 AM
I am still shaking out this gun. Not as an elephant rifle, but, as a 3/8 inch rifle that is a beauty in a caliber that should let me do what I want.
I am in at about 325 rounds now (hand loading) and have the action smoothing in nicely. I do have some issues with the left side feed (Jams) but, only if I am shooting VERY short bullets (.375 x 130 gr cast). Right side feeds ANYTHING.
I am about to go after the trigger now. It is ok as set from the factory, but, has too much creep and too much travel in the Non-Set mode to suit me. The set is pretty fine, but, I may take a few ounces off there as well.
I called CZ USA and then sent me a larger diameter Front Bead for the express sites. This helps me imensely. I am 62 and was losing the tiny white bead on the original site on the LARGE VERY WHITE stripes on the express rear sites.
I have settled on a 1.5 x 6 (true 4x) scope mounted with Warne CZ 550 Quick Release rings. I suspect I will set up a second scope in a seriously higher magnification for longer range use. The accuracy I see so far would seem to justify a long range scope for 300 to 400 yards (to me). The issue will be recoil vs long range. I have a very pleasant 6.5 that will reach out to 450 easily and a not so pleasant 300 Rum that will drop elk sized game to 700. I may just keep the 550 CZ for 6x shooting if that makes sense.
I am a reloader so I can afford to shoot this rifle at a 100 round per session cycle. I already found that the 100 cases I purchased originally are probably going to "just fit" into my game. I purchased the Redding Full Length Dies and the Lee Collet Die set with the FCD as well for this rifle. I am now going back to pick up a Redding Neck Sizing die. I am using different components from each die set as needed to load a specific bullet and application. (I even have hijacked the .377 neck expanding mandral out of my RCBS 38-55 die set which allows me to seat .379 and .380 sized cast lead without crushing the cases).
As a side note to cast shooters, I find that with a .377 sizer, the bullets will load easily into a case neck diameter, but, the .379 will need a little care in seating if using only a case mouth bell. Both .377 and .379 shoot in my rifle without undue leading. .380s as cast will load with the use of the RCBS Mandral and will chamber without issue.
I am playing with bullets both cast and jacketed. Currently I am shooting from 130 gr cast pb to 267 gr gc cast and from 200 grain jacket to 275 grain jacket. I am working on getting a 400 grain mold (actually I think it is 395 gr) and have yet to go to the 300 gr jacketed.
I have to say, that so far, the 550 Safari American has lived up to ALL my expectations. I am truely becoming attached to it.
I will post targets and load information as I really settle on what is working.
Thanks to all and all for now.
rc
I am in at about 325 rounds now (hand loading) and have the action smoothing in nicely. I do have some issues with the left side feed (Jams) but, only if I am shooting VERY short bullets (.375 x 130 gr cast). Right side feeds ANYTHING.
I am about to go after the trigger now. It is ok as set from the factory, but, has too much creep and too much travel in the Non-Set mode to suit me. The set is pretty fine, but, I may take a few ounces off there as well.
I called CZ USA and then sent me a larger diameter Front Bead for the express sites. This helps me imensely. I am 62 and was losing the tiny white bead on the original site on the LARGE VERY WHITE stripes on the express rear sites.
I have settled on a 1.5 x 6 (true 4x) scope mounted with Warne CZ 550 Quick Release rings. I suspect I will set up a second scope in a seriously higher magnification for longer range use. The accuracy I see so far would seem to justify a long range scope for 300 to 400 yards (to me). The issue will be recoil vs long range. I have a very pleasant 6.5 that will reach out to 450 easily and a not so pleasant 300 Rum that will drop elk sized game to 700. I may just keep the 550 CZ for 6x shooting if that makes sense.
I am a reloader so I can afford to shoot this rifle at a 100 round per session cycle. I already found that the 100 cases I purchased originally are probably going to "just fit" into my game. I purchased the Redding Full Length Dies and the Lee Collet Die set with the FCD as well for this rifle. I am now going back to pick up a Redding Neck Sizing die. I am using different components from each die set as needed to load a specific bullet and application. (I even have hijacked the .377 neck expanding mandral out of my RCBS 38-55 die set which allows me to seat .379 and .380 sized cast lead without crushing the cases).
As a side note to cast shooters, I find that with a .377 sizer, the bullets will load easily into a case neck diameter, but, the .379 will need a little care in seating if using only a case mouth bell. Both .377 and .379 shoot in my rifle without undue leading. .380s as cast will load with the use of the RCBS Mandral and will chamber without issue.
I am playing with bullets both cast and jacketed. Currently I am shooting from 130 gr cast pb to 267 gr gc cast and from 200 grain jacket to 275 grain jacket. I am working on getting a 400 grain mold (actually I think it is 395 gr) and have yet to go to the 300 gr jacketed.
I have to say, that so far, the 550 Safari American has lived up to ALL my expectations. I am truely becoming attached to it.
I will post targets and load information as I really settle on what is working.
Thanks to all and all for now.
rc