ZKK602 vs CZ550?

[Certus]

Does anyone have both of these rifles and can post a side by side of the 2 showing the differences in the action? (If there are any?). What are the differences if there’s some? The cocking piece looks different, better on the 602.
Are the bolt bodies, action lengths, bolt face size etc all the same?

 

[Hunter4752001]

The actions are the same except for the saftey system works in the oposit direction, and the trigger system on the 550 attaches directly to the action whereas in the 602 it is mounted on the bottom metal. The bolt body is the same.

 

[aminkus]

I have owned several of both and have build a custom 404 with a CZ550.....the ZK's were very rough and needed some additional smoothing and " slicking up" from a gunsmith but are both great options for any safari hunter

 

[skydiver386]

I've owned several of each, but sold off the Brno 602's. Wood quality and mtal finish seemed to be better on the CZ', but could vary on when it was produced.​

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One feature that gets a lot of hate is the straight bow set trigger. Never had any trouble with the one on my 375 H&H 602. Quite liked it actually, but on a hard kicking rifle it might not be a good idea for some shooters.​

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have a Brno 602 and two 550s. All of mine have a standard trigger.

The fit and finish on my 602 is nicer than my 550s in my opinion.

The 602 had been chambered to 458 Lott and the action had been smoothed and worked over.

The only practical difference is the safety which is opposite. I have a CZ mini mauser in 6.5 Grendel with the same safety as the 602.

I actually prefer the safety on the 602 since it’s slightly faster than the 550. Your thumb is moving in the correct direction to shoot when you disengage the 602 Safety.

If you find either rifle in a chambering that you’re looking for, it’s a good choice for a working rifle.

Some require a bit of extra tuning from a qualified smith to be perfect. But this is the case with many factory rifles in my experience.

 

[Sarg]

I have owned several of both and have build a custom 404 with a CZ550.....the ZK's were very rough and needed some additional smoothing and " slicking up" from a gunsmith but are both great options for any safari hunter

On this is depends what year ZKK as the very early & even just earlier years were much better finished & smoother.

I have both & use lots of them in my work & prefer the early ZKK to the 550 both are good rifles that sometimes need a tickle up, best value for the money in their day !

 

[colorado]

I only have a CZ 550 but after having it upgraded by Wayne at AHR a long time ago with a 3 pos M70 type safety, single stage match trigger and bolt straightened and filled, it's my favorite rifle. He and Harlan Satrang at Triple River smoothed out the action a bit as well. I post pictures when I get it back (soon I hope) Kevin Weaver is fitting it with an ebony forend and grip cap.

 

[BJH65]

The biggest difference as others have stated is the original factory safety on the Brno ZKK-602 operated exactly opposite of most standards safeties, pull back to fire.

I recently acquired a custom Brno ZKK-602 (thanks luvthunt!) synthetic stock by Robbie Barkman from Robar and Wayne’s AHR #2 modifications. It has a M70 type safety now.

CZ 550 416 Rigby on top.
Custom Brno 458 Lott middle.
CZ 550 416 Rigby (early model) bottom.

 

[mark-hunter]

Does cz 550 magnum have in original version a free floated barrel? (ZKK 602 does not)

 

[Sarg]

The biggest difference as others have stated is the original factory safety on the Brno ZKK-602 operated exactly opposite of most standards safeties, pull back to fire.

I recently acquired a custom Brno ZKK-602 (thanks luvthunt!) synthetic stock by Robbie Barkman from Robar and Wayne’s AHR #2 modifications. It has a M70 type safety now.

CZ 550 416 Rigby on top.
Custom Brno 458 Lott middle.
CZ 550 416 Rigby (early model) bottom.

View attachment 641246

View attachment 641247

Would love that Custom Brno you have there, great work gun !

 

[BJH65]

Thanks Sarg, the custom Brno 458 Lott is probably more suited as a PH’s working gun, but I shall take it for buffalo/lion in 2026 but truly I’d like to work in elephant!

On our first Safari to recently reopened Mozambique in 1997, I noted the PH’s carried Brno ZKK-602 in 458 Win Mag and one in 450 Watts Magnum. I was not familiar with the Brno at the time, a rifle not importable to the U.S. for many years (Soviet Bloc County). Since then, had a fascination of these Brno’s and later CZ 550’s.

 

[littlebear]

At the top it is my CZ550 Magnum in .416 Rigby, and below Is my Musgrave in 3006

 

[KCSafari]

Here are some photos:
CZ 550 - 404 Jeffery
BRNO ZKK 602 - 375 H&H

 

[mdwest]

Ive been using a "camp rifle" this week.. its a BRNO 602.. Its a nice rifle.. but, I have to admit that adjusting to the reversed safety and the flat trigger with the "glock" like insert (set trigger) has been a little tough to get used to..

as long as I do my part, the rifle will certainly do its part.. its well built and plenty accurate even just using federal "blue box" ammo.. it just takes a little getting used to since its "different" than most other bolt actions out there in those two regards..

 

[skydiver386]

Ive been using a "camp rifle" this week.. its a BRNO 602.. Its a nice rifle.. but, I have to admit that adjusting to the reversed safety and the flat trigger with the "glock" like insert (set trigger) has been a little tough to get used to..

as long as I do my part, the rifle will certainly do its part.. its well built and plenty accurate even just using federal "blue box" ammo.. it just takes a little getting used to since its "different" than most other bolt actions out there in those two regards..

I've now owned 2 of the CZ/BRNO rifles with that trigger, and I've always liked it.

Others complain that such a trigger isn't needed on a hunting rifle, but I found it helpful in preventing a flinch. Just push forward on the back of the trigger, and it moves to its set position with a small click. Now you are ready for that precise long shot from a rested position. Dry firing with Snap Caps is highly recommended prior to the hunt.

 

[Velo Dog]

Fellow Hunters,

Years ago when I first hunted with Khomas Safaris, the main reason I chose them from among the many was they had for rent a Brno Model 602 Magnum in caliber .375 H&H plus a Brno 600 in .30-06.
Both of these excellent rifles are equipped with German (Zeiss) scopes on them, in excellent German rings and bases.
Now, these many years later, my wife and myself have become good friends with the owners and the employees as well.
And so we keep returning because we enjoy the good times we have with them and the classic rifles have become a less important reason to return.

Anyway and understandably, most USA hunters are not familiar with set triggers, as they have never been very popular in this country.
For some unknown reason, double set triggers (you pull the rear trigger to “set” the front trigger), are found here in the USA mostly on muzzle loading rifles.
I’ve not seen a single set trigger like the Brno and CZ types, on a muzzle loader.
Anyway, set triggers (Aka: “hair trigger” designs) are not very popular in this country for bolt action repeaters.

Back on track here—> Being the minimalist simpleton that I am, perhaps 99% of my shots fired from these Brno rifles are without bothering myself to set the trigger.
I just chamber a round, take aim and steadily apply pressure to the unset trigger until the satisfying loud Bang and the happiness inspiring recoil.

Using this cleverly designed trigger without setting it, gives the shooter a feel and function very comparable to any typical war surplus Mauser 98K trigger, or 1903 Springfield trigger and similar vintage military designs.
Since I am quite familiar with and very fond of the old military Mauser trigger and 1903 Springfield designs, just using the Brno and the CZ triggers unset has always worked extremely well for me.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[colorado]

Not a camp rilfe but a hunting rifle just the same. My CZ550 in 500 Jeffery, my favorite rifle.

 

[Sarg]

Not a camp rilfe but a hunting rifle just the same. My CZ550 in 500 Jeffery, my favorite rifle.

View attachment 716842

That is a fine rifle in a great caliber, are those QTO rings ok in the standard Brno groove, any extra work, do they stay put & are they repeatedly accurate ?

 

[colorado]

Those are Talley steel QR rings They are made for the CZ 550 groove not sure if it's the same for the Brno. They hold sight in and stand up to recoil very well. If I remove the scope and put it back on it's always within 1/2" at 100 yards of where it was.

 

[Sarg]

Just looked at mine which are on my old Brno ZKK600 30/06 & they are Talley as well, was thinking of putting them on my ZKK600 converted to .458Win but was wondering on the recoil, so thank you on that information, I can have a play with that now !