Which rifle would you choose?

[Quaticman]

If you had to choose between a Brno ZKK 602 or a CZ 550 rifle both chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum which would you choose and why?

 

[Bullthrower338]

I would have to say if I were buying for pure nostalgia I would go with the BRNO, otherwise I would buy the one with the better wood. They are pretty much the same rifle in most respects. BRNO 602 sounds cooler though! Lol. Both have proved to be very good working rifles. If I were to go with the CZ I would make it a 458 Lott as it is a standard offering and more is always gooder! Ha!
I gave my BRNO 375 to a buddy several years ago and currently have a few 550’s. Both the BRNO and the CZ shot perfectly well, the BRNO was purchased well broke in and I paid 400 bucks for it, one of the 550’s was a brand new 375 Safari Magnum and quite gritty at first, a little polishing and use got it proper in short order. The 375 Safari Classics was perfect out of the box, single set trigger is a nice option, even if rarely used. The 416R has been slicked up substantially by a very good Smith prior to me getting it. It is about as smooth as any bolt gun I have owned. I am contemplating sending it to AHR for a full blown makeover and get rid of the ridiculous thing with holes in it at the end of the barrel and replace it with a proper barrel band front sight.
Well hell, buy both of them and decide what to keep later!
Cheers,
Cody

 

[Pheroze]

Both are good. But, if the rifle is one of the early Brno, with a peep sight, I think that is the way to go. A great action and the peep is a good back up.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Both are good. But, if the rifle is one of the early Brno, with a peep sight, I think that is the way to go. A great action and the peep is a good back up.

Where was the peep mounted on those early rifles?

 

[Pheroze]

Where was the peep mounted on those early rifles?

Didn't the 602 have a pop up peep? I thought both the 600 & 602 had it. As best as I can tell up until the mid 80's. It seems to me that the Brno made later dont have the peep sight. I found a 600 with it but not a 602. If I do I am buying it! I think @IvW has it in 375 H&H with a peep.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Didn't the 602 have a pop up peep? I thought both the 600 & 602 had it. As best as I can tell up until the mid 80's. It seems to me that the Brno made later dont have the peep sight. I found a 600 with it but not a 602. If I do I am buying it! I think @IvW has it in 375 H&H with a peep.

I remember hearing that, haven’t seen one. My 602 didn’t have one. Dammit, now I have another mission in gun buying. I have always thought the Rigby style peep was about the coolest most functional back up you could have!

 

[IdaRam]

IIRC the 602 has a “backasswards” safety. Back is fire and forward is safe. Don’t know if that matters, but if you are used to the opposite it might be a consideration for DG hunting.

 

[IvW]

If you had to choose between a Brno ZKK 602 or a CZ 550 rifle both chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum which would you choose and why?

XKK602 but definitely not in 458 WM, have it rechambered to 458 LOTT if it comes in 458 WM.

 

[IvW]

Where was the peep mounted on those early rifles?

In the rear receiver(rear square bridge).

 

[IvW]

Didn't the 602 have a pop up peep? I thought both the 600 & 602 had it. As best as I can tell up until the mid 80's. It seems to me that the Brno made later dont have the peep sight. I found a 600 with it but not a 602. If I do I am buying it! I think @IvW has it in 375 H&H with a peep.

Have two ZKK 602 in 375 H&H with the pop up peep sight as well as a ZKK 601 in 243 Win with one.

 

[Pheroze]

Have two ZKK 602 in 375 H&H with the pop up peep sight as well as a ZKK 601 in 243 Win with one.

That's why I can't find a ZKK 602 with the peep, you have them all

I'm Sooooooo jealous.....

 

[IvW]

That's why I can't find a ZKK 602 with the peep, you have them all

I'm Sooooooo jealous.....

Haha.

If it will make you feel better, my 500 Jeff also on a ZKK 602 does not have a peep sight.

 

[Spooksar]

I have few CZ 550’s so I would go with the BRNO just for nostalgia. Can’t go wrong with either

 

[Bullthrower338]

Here is the rear peep, this is on a 601 ZKK .222
Is the 602 sight similar to this?

 

[Pheroze]

View attachment 221408

Here is the rear peep, this is on a 601 ZKK .222
Is the 602 sight similar to this?

Mine is identical.

 

[Accidental Villain]

Exactly the same. I have one also. Its a 602 `67 safari modell with also some other features I have never seen on later models. At least from the eightys or later. Truly great rifles those older Brno`s.

 

[Pheroze]

Haha.

If it will make you feel better, my 500 Jeff also on a ZKK 602 does not have a peep sight.

Was that a factory offering? Or did you have it built

 

[GuttormG]

Cz550. I do not like the trigger system of the 602(the trigger is mounted to the bottom metall) , or the wrong-way safety.

 

[IvW]

Was that a factory offering? Or did you have it built

Nope, was a custom job fro somebody else and I managed to buy it from an estate. I had the stock dimensions changed to fit me.

 

[IvW]

Cz550. I do not like the trigger system of the 602(the trigger is mounted to the bottom metall) , or the wrong-way safety.

Trigger and safety easy to correct if you do not like them. Competent gunsmith can easy either reverse the safety or replace with two position Winchester type. 602 overall better than the 550.

Great base for a custom DG rifle.