416 Rigby on a Brno Zkk 602 action

[Neale]

Just wondering if anyone has built a 416 Rigby on a Brno ZKK 602 action (originally 375 H&H or 416 RM). Was there any difficult/expensive gunsmithing required? Feed issues? How many in std Mag box? etc.

 

[Warren Knudsen]

I have one that is a factory chambered

 

[AZDAVE]

That would require as a min; for the bolt face to be opened up, magazine work to get it to feed correctly, the rails would require some work and probably a couple things I forgot. It would be easier and much cheaper to do a 404 Jeffery on a 602 that started as a 375H&H or 416 REM.

 

[Pheroze]

I have one that is a factory chambered

View attachment 221679 View attachment 221680 View attachment 221681

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Warren,

The .416 Rigby was never a factory offering in a 602 like yours.
The chamberings in these first BRNO ZKK 602 were: .358 NORMA, .375 H&H and .458 Winchester Magnum.

 

[Pheroze]

ZKK 602 were: .358 NORMA,

Ok, I just found a new mission in life...

 

[sestoppelman]

Hi Warren,

The .416 Rigby was never a factory offering in a 602 like yours.
The chamberings in these first BRNO ZKK 602 were: .358 NORMA, .375 H&H and .458 Winchester Magnum.

That was my understanding as well, though you forgot the .300 Win mag, I had one once, wish I still did. The owner above (may) have one that has a 550 barrel screwed onto it. I have never seen reference to an early one like his with the rear peep, chambered in the Rigby. Nothing is impossible I guess but it seems highly unlikely.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hello sestoppelman,

Yes, you are right about the 602 was factory made in .300 Win Mag. But, I understand, not in the early BRNO with peep sights.

 

[Warren Knudsen]

May be a rebore but no visible signs of any numbers removed,

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Warren,

I think so. Because the barrel is 100% original. Fortunately! Plus the original sights and that Czechs barrels made with the famous Poldi steel. A nice rifle do you have!

 

[Warren Knudsen]

All I know is what I see in front of me

 

[Warren Knudsen]

The bolt face looks untouched also an indication perhaps not a rebore
A unusual find certinly

 

[Accidental Villain]

Brno have always stamped the caliber on the barrel. It would be clear signs if it was altered.
Remember, Brno supplied Rigby with actions or maybe even barrelled actions. I think we have the story behind the rifle there.
Anyways, Brno had skilled workforce in this period. Easy for them to eventually make a "one off".

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

OK. I must say yours is one of the last of that first (and best to me) period of those BRNO ZKK rifles. But, I must say also, that stamping is not original. I bet was rebored. Not a bad thing, per se. On the contrary, if well done.
What about the shooting ?

 

[fourfive8]

Dunno about the "factory" part of that. The ".416 RIGBY" caliber stamp on the barrel was not done by a factory roll stamp. The numbers and letters look individually stamped maybe in some sort of jig that shifted during use then bead blasted then blued. Not saying it isn't all OK and not even saying it isn't a factory job... just saying it looks a little unusual.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

This is an original stamping on a ZKK of that period.

 

[Warren Knudsen]

Brno have always stamped the caliber on the barrel. It would be clear signs if it was altered.
Remember, Brno supplied Rigby with actions or maybe even barrelled actions. I think we have the story behind the rifle there.
Anyways, Brno had skilled workforce in this period. Easy for them to eventually make a "one off".

I went to agree

 

[Accidental Villain]

John Rigby & Co under Paul Roberts started using Brno 602 actions for their big game rifle in the early 70`s. Your rifle is made in exactly the right periode. I do not know if they bought ready made barrelled actions from Brno, but Rigby have done so in the past from Mauser and later Brewex.
You have a very interesting rifle there Warren. Indeed.

 

[Warren Knudsen]

Thank you, and I am enjoying the discussion about it,