CZ 550 American Safari Magnum
Ceska Zbrojovka · Rifle · Discontinued · 2003
Also known as: CZ 550 Safari Magnum, CZ-USA American Safari Magnum
Overview
The CZ 550 American Safari Magnum is a bolt-action dangerous-game hunting rifle built on Ceska Zbrojovka's magnum-length CZ 550 action, itself derived from the Mauser 98 controlled-round-feed system. Chambered in .416 Rigby, it pairs a 25-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel with a double-square-bridge receiver, a large non-rotating claw extractor, fixed ejector and an internal box magazine with hinged floorplate. The American-pattern version wears a straight-comb American walnut stock (a Kevlar/aramid composite stock was also offered), express iron sights and an adjustable single-set trigger, positioning it as an affordable purpose-built rifle for African big game.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1181 mm (46.50") |
| Barrel Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Set |
| Trigger Pull | 12 N (2.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Fixed Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 730 m/s (2395 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 6900 J (5089 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 419 mm (16.50") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .416 Rigby · primary — also known as 416 Rigby, 10.6x74mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Two Position Safety, Controlled Round Feed
- Features: Controlled Round Feed, Mauser Claw Extractor, Fixed Ejector, Double Square Bridge Receiver, Express Sights, Hinged Floorplate, Second Recoil Lug, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
Production
Production years: 2003-2020
Part of the CZ 550 series (developed in the 1990s as successor to the ZKK 600); the entire CZ 550 line was discontinued in 2020 in favor of the CZ 557 and later models.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Ceska Zbrojovka
Discontinued: 2020
Notes
The American Safari Magnum differed from the European Safari Magnum chiefly in its American-style stock geometry. CZ reinforced the magnum action with a second recoil lug and cross-bolts to handle heavy-recoiling cartridges. The 19mm dovetails milled into the solid receiver bridges accept CZ's proprietary scope rings.
Background
The .416 Rigby was created in 1911 by John Rigby & Company as one of the first purpose-built cartridges for the new smokeless bolt-action magazine rifle, and its huge, low-pressure case earned a reputation for utter reliability in the heat of Africa. The CZ 550 revived that classic chambering in an affordable Mauser-pattern rifle beloved by professional hunters.