CZ Not Producing any firearms over 300 Win Mag and Winchester has a 6 month wait. Approximate delivery time is late May, early June 2025

[krish]

@Ridge Runner
Here is picture of one of the cz 550 458 win mag.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

The trouble with manufacturing big bore rifles is that there are many, many available in the second hand market. Let's face it, most of these never get shot enough to wear out any parts. That is true at least for quality made rifles.

Here are a couple of mine that need to find new caretakers...

1. CZ 550 Magnum modified by Matrix Engineering and rechambered to .458 Lott. Barrel is marked .458 Win Mag and .458 Lott (Laser Engraved). It will of course feed and fire the .458 Win cartridge also. I've mixed Win and Lott dummy cartridges and this rifle feeds them from magazine to chamber to ejection like warn butter! It has better sights, 23" barrel, 3-position M-70 type safety, straight bolt handle, sling stud on barrel, and Bells and Carlson composite stock.

2. Voere M98 .458 Win made in Austria about 1970. Tang safety, 25" barrel.

If the OP or anyone else is interested, please PM me.
I will post these in the classified forum when I can take better photos.

 

[375Fox]

This has been trend with big bore rifles for a while now. I do wonder what ammo availability will look like in 10 or 20 years? It’s already disappearing for several big bore calibers. For my 450 Rigby it appears Norma is the last manufacturer. Hornady and Nosler have both stopped producing it and taken it off their line up. I stocked up anticipating it will disappear.

 

[Kynadog]

I would buy an older big bore rifle before a recent production model any day. The Pre-64 Model 70's are gems and an older CZ550 that has been re-worked is the workhorse of game departments all over Africa.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

For my 450 Rigby it appears Norma is the last manufacturer.

I also have a 450 Rigby built on a Vektor action. Handloading with a lifetime supply of brass is the answer for these less popular cartridges!

 

[pilar]

Unfortunately in today’s market it’s a pre owned or custom built market in .375 + calibers
I had a chance at a M70 .375 h&h and bought a 375 ruger instead
Well jokes on me , hornday hasn’t made a decent cartridge or produced much brass for reloading,
It’s definitely time to start hoarding guns and ammunition for dangerous game

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I called CZ USA today to see if I could get a 458WM caliber rifle.

What I was told was CZ stopped making calibers over 300 caliber.

I then called Winchester. The reps response: If, I order now I might receive my custom ordered rifle in 6months, his estimated delivery time by early June 2025. Which is unacceptable since I am leaving for a 40 +/- day trip to RSA on April 28th, 2025.

Winchester rep did have a bright side, I might be able to get a 416 variant by the first week of April 2025. Sarcasm: some bright side! Very little time to practice and play with before departure.

However, both the CZ and Winchester reps did recommend I look on gun broker or Gun Deals for their respective firearms.

BTW and Warning from CZ: "CZ DOES NOT SELL "BLEMISH " FIREARMS! ANY(ONE/ SITE) SELLING or Listing Such, IS A SCAMMER!".

I am WTB/WTT a 458WM should anyone have a 458WM they are wanting to sell or trade you can PM/DM me.

I’d suggest you still order that Winchester if you want one. You might get lucky and get one sooner rather than later, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. Winchester had a lot of demand for 375’s and it took them a while to make them, well past their projected production date.

With the limited offerings in medium to big bore calibers there’s a good chance the gun retains its value. You can always plan another Safari to use it on and sell whatever you buy in the meantime.

 

[Puddle]

I know it doesn't solve the OP's problem, but I'm a bit surprised that I could ring up the Win Rep and order a .40+ rifle for delivery ~6 months. That there is quick turnaround IMHO.

 

[FlyGuy]

Check out Zastava.
Affordable and reliable CRF actions and good barrels.
Actually an excellent choice to jazz up a bit.

 

[krish]

There are bunch of 458 win mag for sale in GI.
KRISH

 

[Ridge Runner]

I will be in the US in the February of 2025. If you like, I'd be more than happy to loan you my .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Remington Model 700 Kevlar Stock Custom (with M16 extractor fitted for more reliable cartridge extraction). Absolutely free of cost. I'm sure you'll take care of and return it to me in one piece.

@Hunter-Habib, Sir your offer to loan me your 375H&H for my hunt is extremely gracious, and very, very much appreciated. An offer I would humbly accept. Fortunately I have a 375H&H to take as a last resort back up plan.

The intent to use the 458WM is for a bit of a fun shoot with a PH friend (mainly); his 458 Lott vs 458WM. Followed by a buff hunt (or 2) he has offered me. And then to hunt a variety of PG with the 458WM using lighter, faster 300gr bullets on the larger, tougher PG and the 22 Hornet for the smaller PG. Effectively reducing my planned 3 gun battery 458WM, 30-06, 22 Hornet to a 2 gun battery 458WM and 22 Hornet.

Again Thank you for your gracious and much appreciated offer.

Paul

 

[Ridge Runner]

According to his profile, Ridge Runner already has a 375 and has apparently already taken buffalo and hippo with it.

@Ontario Hunter correct, I do have a 375H&H and shot my first buff and hippo in Zimbabwe in 2021.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Several for sale on Guns International. Really nice looking custom shop model

I have been checking both Gun Broker and Gun International, plus a couple of other auction sites. When I found a supposedly good deal on a blemish CZ that prompted me to call CZ USA. Thus the forementioned information from CZ.

 

[John A Flaws]

I am WTB/WTT a 458WM should anyone have a 458WM they are wanting to sell or trade you can PM/DM me.

Ruger ~ M77 ~ .458 Win Mag

Ruger ~ M77 ~ .458 Win Mag for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

I saw this 458 WM for sale on Guns International. Rugerr M77 for 1700.00 Bass Pro/Cabelas in Colorado. You would have to contact to see if they still have the rifle.

 

[Ridge Runner]

What is your price range?

That depends on the quality of the firearm. Below the twice the price some are asking on Gun Broker. New firearm $2000.00 to $4000.00 Used up to $4000.00 depending. I'm not looking for a custom firearm, but if it fits, functions, and feels good I won't pass it up if the price is right.

 

[mark-hunter]

I am not a fan of blaser r8 system. But the future of dg rifle, from blue collar up, will be on blaser r8.
It costs much more then win m70 or zastava m70, but also it costs significantly less then fine rifle from london gun shops.
Exchangable barrels in all calibers.

All other modern factories do not produce serious rifle in DG caliber.

Besides what has been said, single shot ruger no 1, holds its ground if single shot rifle, is acceotable for a hunter of DG game.

That is about it.

 

[Ridge Runner]

News Flash. AH is a niche community. The majority of the hunting world shoot .30 caliber and below. And the further you go up from .30 cal, the numbers drop off significantly.

Add to that the number of hunters that have an actual NEED for something above .375...now it's really getting slim.

Do I also need to point out that we (as hunting sportsmen) are dwindling? By both total numbers and percentage, we are not gaining ground.

For a long time now companies have been making adjustments to what they see the future of the market holds. They are investing very little money in the development of cartridges that would be DG legal. Outside of wildcats, I'm guessing the last one was the 375RUGER and 416RUGER in 2006...almost 20 years ago. There is a message here.

The writing is on the wall and it's been there for some time now. So what does that mean to my fellow AH members? You should order that Win M70 in 458WM and wait the six months. Make a bid on that Heym 404J on GI. Work some OT and save up for that double rifle. Whatever it is you are looking for, find a way to make it so or you stand to loose the opportunity.

Pretty much what CZ and Winchester reps told me.

I asked the Winchester rep about Winchester marketing their 22 Hornet, or a 22 K Hornet. The rep told me: Winchester right now hasn't any plans on marketing any 22 Hornet caliber.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Unfortunately most companies seem to be eliminating their safari chamberings - it's very disappointing situation - in particular the CZ-550

According to the CZ rep, The CZ 550 is and will no longer be produced and only limited production of "....Big Game- Dangerous Game African Safaris calibers will be produced....in their other newer models...".

 

[Ridge Runner]

Does it have to be a custom order? I see Model 70 Safari Expresses restocking here every few months, including in 458 WM. Buying second hand would be the best bet to find a rifle in your cartridge of choice on a short timeframe.

The Ruger M77 rifles in 416 Ruger are also showing in stock if you would consider that cartridge.

I have been and still am considering the 404J and 416 Rigby calibers while waiting on a 458WM rifle. I have found a reasonably priced 470 NE double rifle for sale. Regardless of which new caliber I choose it becomes a matter of finding ammunition, dies, and reloading components ie. brass, bullets and powders to practice, test, and get comfortable with.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have cz 458 win mag available if you are interested PM me.
Krish

Thank you. Very much appreciate it.

I read your PM/DM. I will be responding momentarily with questions.