info needed - ZKK 602 .375 H&H

[eshift]

I recently purchased this ZKK 602 at auction and could use info on it as it's my first BRNO rifle, I am more versed on Sako, Tikka, and Husqvarna productions - my guess is this BRNO is 1960s vintage but that's just a guess on my part and the little bit of snooping I've done online - auction info below

BRNO, Model ZKK-602 bolt action rifle,

• Condition:
• the stock has been pinned above the trigger guard.
  375 H&H, 640 mm barrel, heavy walnut stock with a checkered forearm and pistol grip, serial #652600360.

I'm looking for suggestions on scope mounts and a good lower-power variable scope that can handle the recoil for an African Buffalo hunt. I'd also appreciate any details on the rifle.

 

[IvW]

Looks like what I would call a transition model as it has a pop up peep sight but not the fold down rear sight.
On the barrel should be a 2 digit number stamped giving the year model.

The stock indicates what they would call a De Luxe model.

I see aftermarket pins fitted probably a bad cracked stock repair.

Super rifle and action....

 

[Pondoro]

I have 2 of these rifles.. My advice is throw away the stock...replace it with a straight stock..either a custom build wooden or for example a McMillan stock..it will minimize muzzle-jump significally. Replace the set-trigger with a conventional trigger..

If not done...polish the action inside, feed ramp etc....makes it much more slick..

Look into these all steel mounts: https://alaskaarmsllc.com/

I have used them on both a .375H&H and a .458Win. Get yourself a low powered Leupold scope with a red dot.. Leupolds handle recoil well and the red dot is excellent for shooting in bad light and is also faster regardless light condition..

Heck..I even scoped my .470 double rifle with a Leupold red dot...very satisfied..!

 

[Never Been]

Is that a "safe action" trigger?!

 

[skydiver386]

The first .375 I had was nearly identical to yours. It was one of the few that did NOT have the pop up rear sight as yours does.

The straight bow trigger was something I liked quite a bit, as it is a set trigger and a very good one for the price of the rifle. Push the back of the trigger forward to set it in it's forward position and you have a very light and crisp trigger. I know there are folks on the forum that don't like this trigger, but I never had an issue with mine.

The stock is only bad if you are built like Danny DeVito.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Congratulations on your new rifle. Just to further clarify the info from @IvW , both the barrel and the receiver should have a two digit number which indicates the year of manufacture. Generaly these are found next to the proof marks on the left hand side near the junction of the barrel and action.

The Alaska Arms scope mounts are often said to be the best. Warne also make a good mount for the action (listed as for the CZ550). Maybe see how the stock performs for you before changing anything. Bell and Carlson make a synthetic stock that a lot of people like for the CZ550 American Safari. Contact them as to fitting for the Brno (essentialy similar action)

 

[eshift]

Rifle arrived today and other then a full disassembly and cleaning its in pretty good order, bore is perfect and it hasn't seen a lot of use. That pinned stock is a professional repair of a very small crack at tang (see pics) - tang has been relieved and its drilled and glued and doweled inside … I wouldn't worry on it. Recoil pad needs replacing - are their any that fit or is it a custom sand job needed? Yes its the pop up peep sight and from barrel markings I take it this one is 1967 manufacture. Actions already pretty slick and after a good cleaning it was even better. I'll check into those Alaska Arms scope mounts and the Leupold scope mentioned above.

 

[Riflecrank]

Lucky guy to find such a nice rifle.
Congratulations.

 

[eshift]

Is that a "safe action" trigger?!

Its a set trigger - if you push it forward first it set trigger to very light release, if you dont push it ahead it fires with normal weight

 

[mark-hunter]

@eshift

I used my zkk 602 in 375 for buffalo hunt this year. And for eland hunt in 2022.

Vintage: Maybe you will have a year of production stamped somewhere on receiver. I have rifle stamped for vintage 1985. Check. Your model is from sixties with flip over peep sight, mine is later model.

For scope and mounts:
I suggest EAW or Rusan german swing mounts, steel. Utilize dove tail.
Rusan factory has magnum rings with 6 screws on front ring. I used Rusan.

Problem may arise with iron sights. Basis of the mounts can visually cover the iron sights.
So, after installation of mounts and scope, my gunsmith had to raise and again to zero the iron sights.
After that all went smooth.
I usually remove the scope for travel and keep in hand luggage. On arrival, after check it always keeps the zero.

Scope: my choice for DG rifle and buffalo hunt was Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42.

Accuracy to be expected 1.5 moa.

 

[eshift]

@eshift

I used my zkk 602 in 375 for buffalo hunt this year. And for eland hunt in 2022.

Vintage: Maybe you will have a year of production stamped somewhere on receiver. I have rifle stamped for vintage 1985. Check. Your model is from sixties with flip over peep sight, mine is later model.

For scope and mounts:
I suggest EAW or Rusan german swing mounts, steel. Utilize dove tail.
Rusan factory has magnum rings with 6 screws on front ring. I used Rusan.

Problem may arise with iron sights. Basis of the mounts can visually cover the iron sights.
So, after installation of mounts and scope, my gunsmith had to raise and again to zero the iron sights.
After that all went smooth.
I usually remove the scope for travel and keep in hand luggage. On arrival, after check it always keeps the zero.

Scope: my choice for DG rifle and buffalo hunt was Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42.

Accuracy to be expected 1.5 moa.

View attachment 647044

How tight do you keep the forward barrel screw in stock forearm?

 

[mark-hunter]

Once tight, it remained tight. I check once per year before start of the season.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi eshift,

Great BRNO! My ZKK 9,6x62 is from the same year. Practically the first year of the ZKK series full production. The earlier year in this BRNOs, the better.
I have another ZKK, a 601 in 308 Win made in 1977, perhaps the last year with the peep sight and the barrel band front swivel.
The difference in the fit and finish between them is noticeable!
I have had 3 ZKK, the other I sold was a 601 308 Win from 1990.
I DON´T LIKE their set trigger !! A lot of travel without setting and a bad lock time with the set in. The first thing I did was to change that set trigger to the direct one than used to came from the factory. Much, much better!
And the Weatherby style stock design in that BRNOS was bad! To much drop at heel. Agree to change it to a straight one.
Make mine Pondoro words:
"My advice is throw away the stock...replace it with a straight stock..either a custom build wooden or for example a McMillan stock..it will minimize muzzle-jump significally. Replace the set-trigger with a conventional trigger."



Congratulations for your rifle!

CF