Author Topic: CZ 550 in .243...Accuracy issues. (Read 1611 times)

hunt127588 · « **on:** January 09, 2006, 08:17:53 AM »

I'm at my wits end here. I bought a new CZ 550 .243 last Spring and put a Burris Fullfield II scope on it. From the get go, the gun produced shotgun patterns at 100 yrds...I'm talking 4-6 inch patterns. I took it to a local 'smith and he glass bedded it and relieved some wood from the stock on around the forearm (wood was putting pressure against the barrel).

This weekend, I decided to shoot some. I was shooting Federal Premium 100 gr. BTSP. My first three shots were 1/2" @ 100 yds. but 4" low from a clean barrel. I adjusted the scope and my next three shots grouped about 2.5 MOA and all to the left. From there, the groups opened up to anywhere from 2" - 4" patterns and never hit the same area of the target. I had a friend shoot it and he was seeing the same thing...Therefore, I don't think it was my shooting.

Anyway, I put it up yesterday in frustration and decided to shoot it today (after cooling off and having a fouled barrel with 18 shots down the tube). Today, my shots were no better and once again were 3" groups. When I came home tonight, I checked the rings and everything was tight....However, I did noticed where the stock upon closing hits the stock inside the inlet'ed area when fully closed.

So what do you think is going on here? Could it be a bad scope? Could it be it doesn't like a fouled barrel? Bedding be an issue? Several people watching me shoot mentioned how loud the gun was and said I needed to check into that. I'm so frustrated right now that my thoughts at the moment are that I'm going to get rid of it and get a Remington CDL. This is the first gun to ever give me these kinds of fits as all my other guns (Remington, Winchester and Ruger) stay on the money. I don't think I'll ever recommend another CZ product to anyone (even though I do like the CZ 452 I have). Anyway, any information appreciated.

Brithunter · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:34:39 AM »

Hi There,

You say :-

Quote

My first three shots were 1/2" @ 100 yds. but 4" low from a clean barrel. I adjusted the scope and my next three shots grouped about 2.5 MOA and all to the left. From there, the groups opened up to anywhere from 2" - 4" patterns and never hit the same area of the target

Yet you have not tried another scope. May I ask how can you rubbish a rifle without checking your sighting instrument. As the shots are moving about the target with more than one shooter the scope seems a likely suspect.

Also try some ammnition with lighter bullets. not all .243's like the 100 grn bullets and this is well documented.

buckmaster_kp · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2006, 09:13:52 AM »

The fact that you are getting groups tells you its at least partly the optics. Albeit the groups are not good, they are shifting around. I would try some good quality optics without a question.

hunt127588 is right though, try some different loads. With the smithing you had done on the rifle it should produce good accuracy. Not sure what the twist is on a CZ .243 but trying different bullet weights and brands of ammo should help find what the gun likes

Just an example: I got a Winchester muzzleloader last year and tried 3 brands/weights of bullets through it with very poor results. I'm talking 3-4 inch groups at 50 yards. A friend of mine gave me some Hornady SST bullets to try so I gave em a whirl. Three shots at 50 paces and you could completetly cover ever hint of a bullet hole. All barrels are different.

hunt127588 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2006, 10:25:45 AM »

Too add some more info, I installed a New Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 (with bal. plex). on the gun when I bought it. I thought they were decent scopes for the money. As for the ammo., I have tried most everything I could find on the shelf at Academy Sports and nothing has performed well. This included Remington, Winchester and Federal in anything from 80-100 grains.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2006, 11:09:27 AM »

Scope or scope mounting issues.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2006, 02:32:58 PM »

It the bolt is hitting the stock it could be the problem,check the rear gaurd screw for tightness with the bolt open and closed. Sounds like the action may be in some kind of bind. Digger

Redhat · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2006, 03:17:37 PM »

I had this happen the first time out with my CZ 550. Turned out it was the scope rings.

What type are you using?

hunt127588 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:19:02 AM »

I'm using the factory rings it came with. One thing I don't like about them is that everything is a slotted screwdriver....No hex or torx screws. However, everything was tight when checked.

Simple Man · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2006, 11:57:21 AM »

My vote would be the rings too. Try different rings and or scope and see what happens. Would be interested in hearinf what the problem was.

hunt127588 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:29:58 PM »

While on the subject of rings, what brand of rings do you guys recommend for the CZ 550? I used the factory rings as it was one of the buying points for this model gun.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:47:04 PM »

http://www.burrisoptics.com/rings.html

I use the burris on my CZ527. They are as solid as can be from the first day I tightend them.

foto · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2006, 05:47:05 PM »

Please let me know how it goes. Got the exact same problem. Your description sounded like you were on the bench next to me except mine is a .308. Got it setup with Talley rings and a 6 year old 3-9 leupold VX-II scope. Tried 150, 165,180 fusion, ballistic tips etc and the same problem. Did not bed the rifle but the barrel is clear and free floating. My next move was to try a new scope.Never had any problems with my leupolds before so if thats the cause it will be a first for me.(Scope was only used once or twice so it don't have a known history, just collected dust for a while). Hope thats the problem as the leupolds warranted and I'm outta ideas. If that don't solve it going to turn it in as no sense tossing good money after bad trying other fixes. thought I had the problem licked before as I had thought the flyers were me as I was in a rush. This past weekend at the range showed otherwise. keep us posted. Good luck.

P.S Isn't a problem with CZ in general cuz I got two others that I'm very happy with.

Rogue Ram · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:41:00 PM »

I agree with the others, this sound like rings or the scope. WARNE makes rings for the CZ line that are great. BUT, I'd have your smith check out whatever rings you have and make sure they are in alignment.......could mounts or the receiver are off and the scope is getting bent to the point it's screwed up. Try the scope on another gun, try another scope on your gun.

If its properly bedded, etc by your smith you really are down to the optics or rings/mounting hardware as a likely source of such shifting.

RR

Redhat · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:56:06 PM »

The rings that came with mine were not fitting flush in the notch at the rear of the receiver so my scope and rings were actually sliding front to rear. I replaced them with Warne's and poof!!! No more problems

I hear Talley's are good also.

Did you inspect the crown of the muzzle also.

Receiver screws tightened properly.

Let us know!

hunt127588 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2006, 04:45:46 AM »

One thing I also did before mounting scope was lapping and aligning rings. I used a Wheeler Engineering lapping bar and compound as well as their alignment bars. When I finished, the rings were aligned and everything looked good. I can tell you that I'm not a fan on their ring setup. Ruger's setup is much better as far as the integrated setup goes. I would have preferred a dual dovetail setup if I had my druthers.

Jeff Vicars · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2006, 05:47:41 AM »

Use a magnetic boresighter made by Leupold or Bushnell and you can see what you scope is doing after each shot. It's a easy way to eliminate the sighting system as a problem.

hunt127588 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:39:03 AM »

Quote from: Jeff Vicars

Use a magnetic boresighter made by Leupold or Bushnell and you can see what you scope is doing after each shot. It's a easy way to eliminate the sighting system as a problem.

Good idea...Never thought of it.