| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 15/10/10 06:25 PM |
BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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I purchased my first Brno 602 in .375 H&H at a recent Melbourne auction. This rifle appears to be in good overall condition from the look of it but a couple of the “Variations” from the previous owner has got me a little stumped.
But it seems that when the barrel was cut down to 22” the original front barrel band was removed and re-installed as there is a distinct “Line” around the muzzle and at the rear of the base as if the barrel was machined to fit.
There is also a “Spring Loaded” button on the front sight, it’s reason is unknown to me unless it is to remove the actual bead.
The rear sight seem quite different to the CZ550’s with a fixed and 3 folding leafs and is just one standing with no folding which does not seem logical when the length of the base is considered. (would a CZ550 rear sight fit ??)
The action on the other hand has all of the Brno markings crisp and clear, the bolt has at some stage had some pitting but the overall condition seems reasonable considering it was manufactured in 1984.
If any-one has owned or seen this rifle before it’s history would be appreciated along with any input good or bad as to the sight problems. I do not want to go berserk upgrading to much as I am in the final stages of 2 Custom CZ550’s as most of you would know but some minor cosmetic changes might be contemplated.
I thank you for any information or help that may be provided by the forum members.
Cheers for now,
Jeff Gray
| Ben |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/10/10 06:39 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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You love those Czech .375s, eh! They sure do alright in the bush, anyway. So, is this going to be some sort of bash-around rifle when the souped-up one arrives? Cheers, Ben
| 4seventy |
| (Sponsor) |
| 15/10/10 06:51 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Nice one Jeff!
I think you're right that the barrel has been turned down at the muzzle so the original banded front sight could be refitted. The barrel is a fair bit bigger OD at 22" compared to the original 25", and some modification would be required to re-use the original fore sight.
You're also correct that the plunger/button is to allow the front sight to be removed. Just push down on the button and the sight can slide forward and out of its dovetail.
It appears a single standing rearsight has been made and installed in place of the original standing and folding one.
Looks like a re-stock, which should be a good thing so long as the bedding is done well at both recoil lugs.
It also has the good "standard" type trigger, which is a real bonus IMO compared to that horrible BRNO set trigger.
Should work out fine. Nice rifle, and thanks for the photos.
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 15/10/10 07:01 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi Ben,
You have read my mind, just in case I needed to uses some-thing which runs the possibility of getting damaged or need to lend it to a friend. Alex said on Wednesday that he was working on your 1/4 rib and will assemble mine next week so it looks like your baby is going to come home a little sooner which is a good thing..
4seventy, thanks for the input, I will have to keep my eyes open for a 602 rear sight as the one on it has been damaged. Are they different to the CZ550's ??
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
| Ben |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/10/10 07:39 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Cool!
| ozhunter |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/10/10 07:54 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Quote:
Nice one Jeff!
I think you're right that the barrel has been turned down at the muzzle so the original banded front sight could be refitted. The barrel is a fair bit bigger OD at 22" compared to the original 25", and some modification would be required to re-use the original fore sight.
You're also correct that the plunger/button is to allow the front sight to be removed. Just push down on the button and the sight can slide forward and out of its dovetail.
It appears a single standing rearsight has been made and installed in place of the original standing and folding one.
Looks like a re-stock, which should be a good thing so long as the bedding is done well at both recoil lugs.
It also has the good "standard" type trigger, which is a real bonus IMO compared to that horrible BRNO set trigger.
Should work out fine. Nice rifle, and thanks for the photos.
sounds good to me.
Good one Jeff.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/10/10 08:48 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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A sambar rifle for sure. The restock (to Jeffrey 500 profile?)and metalwork is a bonus! (Maybe Jack Millar and Geoff Slee may have been the two?)
| RigbyUser |
| (.275 member) |
| 15/10/10 09:16 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Agree with an earlier poster, button on site is to remove bead, just press down and push bead. Rear sight is interesting, not sure why you'd replace the standard Brno sight with a single leaf that looks a bit manky.
The stock looks nice and yep, the standard trigger can be a pain to get right but is ok when a good smith sorts this. Standard they can be a bit creepy and heavy and obviously these are not adjustable by us at home (unless you're very good and mechanically minded). A good smith can do ok on them though (with some effort).
Just out of curiosity what does the thing weigh, normally a pitfall with Brno can be the 9.5 bare weight for the 375H&H because of that Magnum action and big heavy barrel. Put a decent scope on it and it can go 10 lbs - 10.5 lbs. Thats to heavy in my mind for Hollands finest.
Conversely the big magnum with the 25 inch barrel can push 300 grainers out at 2700 fps and whilst this velocity is probably counter productive when your using the thing as a DGR, it's very handy with the 300 grain Sierra boat tail as a long range big deer and african plains game load. Food for thought there I suspect.
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 15/10/10 09:46 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi RigbyUser,
I agree about the rear sight but I want to bring it back to a normal Brno sight, just have to find one, any ideas??
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| ozhunter |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/10/10 10:11 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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I'm pretty sure a three blade Recknagel from Graeme will fit.
| tkv000 |
| (.300 member) |
| 16/10/10 12:15 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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I have an original BRNO rear sight, front hood, and 375 H&H Barrel, but I'm in Canada
| GroovyMike |
| (.300 member) |
| 16/10/10 02:04 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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lovely!
| tkv000 |
| (.300 member) |
| 16/10/10 02:08 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Brno's are much more common here in Canada.
Here's a picture of what your looking for, I don't have a picture of the barrel because its locked in the gun vault, but I can take a picture of it and its front sight for your information if needed:
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 16/10/10 02:30 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Rifle looks great the way it is - why change anything? The dings on the rear sight can be repaired (if you must) and cold blued to match well enough. It's a tool and a good one at that.
I don't mind the set trigger, either, but a crisp single is just as good.
My first BRNO ZKK602 was in .358 Norma and with it's smaller hole, was 11 1/2 pounds with the scope I had on it at the time. Great coyote rifle in Northern BC. Never got to shoot a moose with it, but did blast lots of coyotes, most with 280gr. Speers or Hornady's, can't remember which(1972) make they were - obsolete even at that time - (Hornady's I think). My rifle had the pop-up peep sight. Re-barreled with a ZKK602 .375 barrel in 1973 - headspaced perfectly, sights straight up and down. Sold the rifle - damn, in 1975 to guy who just had to have it - both barrels. He used it for deer on Vncouver Island with 270gr. Power Points, 70gr. IMR4064 - ragged hole at 100 yards for 5 shots. Eat right down to the 3/8" hole through both sides - really busted up black bears on the island- lengthwise instant kills with that bullet and load - wouldn't sell it back to me in '76. Sacked everything he shot with it, on the spot. A happy man. Sorry for the diatribe - get carried away at times.
What year is your rifle? - it's stamped on the barrel, left side.
Guy did a nice job on that stock.
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/10/10 08:26 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi Daryl,
It is from 1984, this one doesn't have the pop up peep but is correctly marked. As for your "diatribe" anytime my friend, that's what our sport is all about.
Hi tkv000,
That does look like a CZ550 but I would need measurements to know but although your in Canada there is a strong wind blowing at the moment, what sort of $$ would you want ??
Cheers for now,
Jeff Gray
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| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/10/10 10:29 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi RigbyUser,
I just weighed the rifle and it is just over 8 3/4 lbs as a bare rifle and the trigger must have had a work out as it is nice and crisp with very little crepe so that is positive.
Kamilaroi, possibly the two you mention but no real tell tales.
GroovyMike, Thanks, always nice to have a new toy....
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| 4seventy |
| (Sponsor) |
| 16/10/10 10:55 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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The swivel mount on the barrel appears to have been altered or replaced, as well as the other alterations.
| TheLOTT |
| (.224 member) |
| 16/10/10 01:07 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Nice rifle Geoff. I took the folding blade off the rear sight on my Lott, because I'll never use open sights beyond 100m anyway. Especially with the shortened barrel on this 375, I'd leave it as-is. Now you just need a Hakko 1-4x24 scope and Talley Q/D mounts for it!
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/10/10 01:21 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi TheLott,
Welcome to NitroExpress and Yes, the scope as suggested is coming, Just one thing though, How do you spell Jesus with a "G" or "J" ?? I'm the same, Jeff with a "J"....just joking..
We all look forward to your input, maybe you will meet NitroX he is the Big Bwana,
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| RigbyUser |
| (.275 member) |
| 16/10/10 05:25 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Mate congratulations, at 8.75lbs she's a beauty. Nice to hear about the trigger being sorted, really makes the rifle in my opinion. As nice as the big Brno's can be it would be frustrating to have a creepy heavy trigger to go with the rifle.
I dearly love mine, both are 602's, one is in 375H&H, original classic stock built about 1984. Doesn't have the awful hogsback, schnabel stock, but rather the old classic, as opposed to the monte carlo. Mine, other than having trigger work done is as the factory released it. I've used it on much game over here and really like it. I tend to use this one as a medium game thumper rather than a DGR.
The second is a full custom piece in 500 Jeffery. Again, the advantages of the big action with the drop belly mag makes sense. This one is a DGR and a good one at that......LoL
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/10/10 06:24 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi RigbyUser,
Thanks for the positive comments, I would love to see some photos of your custom .500 Jeffery. Alex Beer is finishing off 2 custom CZ550's for me, one in .375 H&H the other in 30.06. The .375 H&H should be home about the end of this month and the second about Christmas time.
Cheers for now,
Jeff Gray
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| GG375 |
| (.333 member) |
| 17/10/10 02:54 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Jeff
Nice 602.
RigbyUser
I'd love to see some photo's of the 500 too please.
Cheers.
GG
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/10/10 05:00 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi Curl,
Thanks for the "Spruce Up"
Cheers Mate,
Jeff Gray
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| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 18/10/10 07:36 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi Jeff,
I think you have picked up a good rifle there. Should be good for hunting alright.
I too, would leave the single rear standing sight. The folding ones can become a pain and I would think that with express sights without a fair b it of practices shots pas t120mts would become a bit questionable as to hitting where you want.
Cheers
Greg
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 18/10/10 09:10 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi Greg,
Thanks for the comment, I agree about practice and 100 yds would be all that I would attempt but this one needs to be "Dressed Up" as it looks like a bit of folded iron but with a bit of TLC it should be Ok,
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| FATBOY404 |
| (.400 member) |
| 19/10/10 07:28 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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I would just shoot it !.
When you fire it,it will "tell all".
Neale.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 19/10/10 07:56 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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G'day Jeff,
Just had another look at that rear sight of yours. Now I am the first to admit I know stuff all about Mauser and their accessories IE express sights. However I have the feeling that the style on this rifle is the old English? style. That is the wide V notch starts at the edge and slopes in from there, unlike the CZ550 where the V is sharper. Please correct me if I am wrong. The sharper V would certainly help with accuracy on longer shots.
Cheers
Greg
PS I agree with Fatboy 404, go shoot it.
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 19/10/10 08:20 PM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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Hi Greg,
I'm with you, this is my first Brno 602 but as others have said and tkv000 shows in picture form they look like the CZ550's.
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| tkv000 |
| (.300 member) |
| 20/10/10 11:24 AM |
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Re: BRNO 602 .375 H&H ACQUISITION
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I would leave the rear single sight. I've never flipped up any of the additional ones. If you need more range add a Leupold VXIII 1.5-5x20, I prefer the German #4 reticle. This scope gives excellent eye relief (a must with the 375H&H
) and looks great on top of a Brno. I have mine mounted on a nice custom (I purchased it from a fellow who had it made) quick detatch, its solid, and holds zero. Its currently on my Brno ZKK 602 in 416 Rigby, but I've had it on my 375 H&H's and its a great scope.Edit:
Here's a picture of the Leupold on one of my ZKK's, had to wait for my slow internet to upload it.
