In mid November I asked the forum members for their suggestions as to the best barrel length for a CZ550 in .375 H&H. As could be expected the ideas were varied that went from the Errol Flynn's saying “Touch not, Stuff not” down to 19” but the general consensus was 24” or close to that. For all the members that have tried to help, I thank you all.

Well, the project has now started in earnest with the purchase of a second hand CZ550 in the desired .375 H&H from a forum member, FATBOY404 which has now given me the basis for the new project, a new CZ was not available from the Australian Agents who gave a very questionable delivery date of their next shipment, so I was left with only one alternative.

I had already purchased an Exhibition blank from Roger Vardy and discussed the style that I preferred (Classis African Style) with Ross Waghorn, both of these gentlemen are well known in the Australian Custom Rifle scene.

I had originally contacted Alex Beer re a full “Woe to Go” Custom Rifle but the turnaround time for a full make was more than I wanted to commit to due to health reasons but when I again spoke to Alex Beer with regards to the metalwork aspect of this project he was able to do everything in a 3-4 month period but considering that he will be “Tooing & Throwing” the rifle to Ross Waghorn for the stock work and then back to Alex for the metalwork finishing I think that it will be closer to 5-6 months but not bad for a complete rebuild.

I have decided based on the advice of the forum members and Alex, to settle on 24” he will remove both of the existing sights, cut the barrel to 24” and re crown along with the removal of the existing rear sight “Lump” and then fit a Custom Quarter Rib with one fixed and 1 folding leaf rear sight with a Recknagel Banded Front sight along with matching Barrel Band.

Alex will also perform a full check over of the action and trigger as although it has been worked on before but not knowing the expertise of the previous person and in light of what 9.3x57 mentioned about the extractor, I will get Alex to check all this out as well.

In addition I have ordered from Graeme Spraggon a Pistol Grip Trap along with a Bullet Trap, Recknagel QD Lever mounts in 30mm and then this will be topped off by a S&B Zenith 1.1-4x24 scope with the FD7 reticule.

On Monday next, the 30th November 2009 the rifle will head from Dubbo to Deloraine in Tasmania for the first part of the transformation from a factory rifle to a Custom Firearm. As most of you know, life can be a true test of one's character and for me, it has been no different. Lets just say that the commencement of this project starts on the day that my marriage becomes final and it should return to me just after my 64th birthday so in someway it is an omen of sorts, a personal birthday gift for all those years of doing without and all of this was not planned in any way.

Cheers from Australia,

Jeff Gray

Index added by NitroX:

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=197432&an=&page=0&vc=1
“Father & Son” through the eyes of ‘Les O’Rourke’s camera'

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=146865&an=&page=0&vc=1
CZ 550 Project Begins

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=151868&an=&page=0&vc=1
CZ550 Project Continues. Part 2.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=162608&an=&page=0&vc=1
CZ550 Project Continues. “The Stock” Part 3.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=163084&an=&page=0&vc=1
CZ550 Project Continues "The Engraving" Part 4.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=171461&an=&page=0&vc=1
CZ550 Project Continues. " The Final Chapter " Part 5.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=178548&an=&page=0&vc=1
Safari in Africa for “Father” & “Son” Custom CZ550's