CZ feed issue

[Hall]

Bought a cz550 in 375 h&h today. Having trouble feeding 300gr round nose from the left hand side. Right hand side feeds like a dream. The bullet seems to not go onto the feed ramp. The gentleman who sold it to me said it cycled spitzer profile ammunition just fine but I didn't have any on hand. Has anyone encountered this poor feeding on the left side only? If so what did you need to do to fix it?

 

[Red Leg]

I am tempted to say something about the 550, but I am sure someone will be along with actual helpful advice shortly. Good luck with it. If you do a search on the site, you may find quite a bit of information on CZ550 feeding issues.

 

[503]

Check the extractor and make sure it's not digging in to the case when you're clambering a round. Sometimes a new extractor helps.

 

[Hall]

Some pictures for reference, incase I'm wording this wrong. If I cheat the bullet onto the feed ramp, it feeds just fine. Otherwise it binds the action.

 

[Scott CWO]

As @Red Leg alluded to, this is a common problem with the CZ 550. The action leaves the factory a bit rough and some will need the rails/ramps polished up and the magazine spring or follower adjusted. It’s not as common in the .375 as with the .458 Lott but I have heard of it before with a .375. I have both calibers but both of mine have been tuned up by Wayne at American Hunting Rifles (AHR) and operate flawlessly now. Wayne is retired now but recommends another company in Colorado called Matrix Gunsmithing to tune up CZ 550s. There are some threads here on AH about the new company. Seems that Matrix is doing well now. Contact them and ship them the rifle and they will tune it up and can do some other upgrades if you want them to do some.

 

[Hall]

Check the extractor and make sure it's not digging in to the case when you're clambering a round. Sometimes a new extractor helps.

Emailed CZ and they said best of luck in the aftermarket. Any idea where I can find an extractor?

 

[503]

Numrich maybe. Or ebay/ gunbroker. Could ask the fellas here if anyone has a 550 bolt or something laying around they'd part with.

 

[AZDAVE]

The odd of you needing a new extractor is small, the one on the rifle can be tuned/reshaped by a competent gunsmith along with the polishing of the feed ramps/rail. As @Scott CWO mentioned Matrix is now working the AHR upgrades.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Gosh, when I click on the photos and their size increases on my screen, I can see how rough the feed rails and especially the extractor are! For these situations a Moto-Tool with polishing wheels/bits are your friend. Go easy, polishing a little at a time. Then try feeding DUMMY cartridges through your action.

If you are not comfortable doing this, find a gunsmith who works on 1911's, or High Power competition rifles. Feeding if very important for Timed and Rapid Fire match events.

Others may recommend a qualified dangerous game gunsmith. The best I can do is recommend NC based, retired USMC Match Armorer (MOS 2112) and National Pistol Champion, Jon Shue of Blackmass Custom, LLC. I believe he is in Liberty, NC.
https://www.ssusa.org/content/precision-pistol-s-jon-shue/

Jon did a great trigger job for me on a Springfield Armory EMP. Trust me, while I will smooth out a bolt action, I DO NOT touch a 1911 trigger!

Jon is a great guy. If you talk to him, he may be able to smooth out your action while you watch. For that, you will need dummy cartridges. I recommend making a magazine full, some with round nose, and others with as blunt/flat a nose (modern solids) as may ever shoot in it!

 

[503]

Matrix is probably the best option. I'll probably send mine there soon for the #2 upgrade at some point.

 

[Scott CWO]

Emailed CZ and they said best of luck in the aftermarket. Any idea where I can find an extractor?

I really doubt you need an extractor. My Lott fed horribly and now very smooth. Send the rifle to Matrix and then you will have full confidence in the rifle hunting dangerous game or plains game.

 

[gbflyer]

Are they hand loads? Try a shorter overall length.

Generally speaking, professional intervention is the best policy on a DG rifle with a mechanical feeding issue. Internet is a good place to ask about a smith, that’s about it.

 

[Hall]

Are they hand loads? Try a shorter overall length.

They are factory PPU 300gr round nose. Bought some dummy rounds off of Amazon and it'll unseat the bullet and push it into the case before it'll feed.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I circled something that seems odd to me. Has that left side been ground down? It looks like a notch to me.

 

[Hall]

I circled something that seems odd to me. Has that left side been ground down? It looks like a notch to me.

View attachment 508345

I'm not sure, the other side looks the same though if you look in the picture with the extractor.

 

[DWB]

Good thread on this:

Mauser Action Feeding Work - CZ 550

I wanted to put down my thoughts,opinions and actions that I used to tune a CZ 550 in 458 win mag, from what I understand, that caliber is particularly difficult being short and fat. I searched the internet and there was not much to be found. Duane Wiebe has posted a brief process on another...

www.africahunting.com

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'm not sure, the other side looks the same though if you look in the picture with the extractor.

We now move into gun smithing country. A place I require and seek an experienced guide.

 

[Red Leg]

We now move into gun smithing country. A place I require and seek an experienced guide.

Very hard to put that metal back where it belonged.

 

[gbflyer]

They are factory PPU 300gr round nose. Bought some dummy rounds off of Amazon and it'll unseat the bullet and push it into the case before it'll feed.

Wow. Yeah that’s above my pay grade. Probably a breeze for someone with the correct knowledge.

 

[mdsalern]

Had a hell of a time with my .458 Lott and Hornady DGS. I was told the easiest thing to do is just stay away from them. Barnes VorTx.

Cycle some cases through and post a picture of the head stamp afterward please. As was mentioned, it’s a good place to start.