This rifle handles Lott ammo with no issues but binds with .458 Win Mag ammo. It seems the shorter Win Mag ammo likes to nosedive when feeding. Dealer says all checks out ok and thinks it is normal that an extra attempt or two to feed should be expected?? CZ said I can send it to them and they'll check it out but would prefer I put several hundred rounds through it first to "break it in".....very expensive break-in if that's the case. Anybody else experience anything like this?

Also (and I can almost hear the chuckles) I had a scope installed and while shooting it last Sunday, had the scope come completely off.....naturally, I caught it with my forehead. Not too much damage except to my ego but it taught me a good lesson to recheck scope mounts for tightness every couple of rounds.

This is a very nice rifle but the feed problem concerns me. I certainly understand the break-in period but several hundred rounds does not sound correct.

 

Just curious; are you going on a rhinoceros hunt?

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I have a friend that used to enjoy target shooting very high powered rifles. The retinas in both his eyes detached from the repeated shock and he had to give up shooting altogether.

 

Nah, I'm just a collector.

I have heard the stories of retinas becoming detached but I doubt a .458 could/would do it IF handled correctly. I weigh 180 and the recoil is very tolerable, thanks in part to a ten pound rifle. Of course, a proper hold is required. I also shoot using sticks instead of a bench. Bench shooting this rifle is uncomfortable with 500 grainers to say the least.....350's aren't too bad though.

Since i don't hunt, the binding is not mission-critical, but it does bother me since the rifle is not working properly. I doubt it will see "several hundred" rounds for awhile yet....lol!

 

Oh, I bet that .458 makes a nice "BOOM". I've never shot one but just looking at the case & bullet size I assume is has a nice deep sound.

Lets see If I can not confuse you... I assume you have a slight bit of play (rotation) in your bolt when sliding it forward. Have you tried applying pressure to hold the bolt at both sides of the free play? I have a .17 hmr that sometimes fails to catch the cartridge. If I apply a little downward force on the bolt (rotating is clockwise ever so slightly) as I slide it forward it will feed reliably. If I apply upward force to the bolt lever (pushing it counter-clockwise) it will almost always fail to catch the cartridge.

 

Hmmm....that makes sense and I will try it next time I'm at the range. It does have the "play" you are referring to and most times when it binds, my hand is against the scope. What you have suggested makes perfect sense since it is controlled-round feed....based on your suspicions, I suspect the rounds are hanging on the right side extractor now that you have shed light on what is probably the problem. I would not want to use this rifle for dangerous game with the 458 "shorts". I was a little surprised at CZ's answer and even more surprised at my dealers response.

Yep, nice boom! It almost sounds as good as a .50BMG. It sure does draw a crowd at the range but most people, when offered a shot, decline. Although it looks like a lot of recoil, the momentum is very slow and allows you to roll with the movement.....much less felt recoil than my .338 Win Mag (6 1/2 lbs).

Thank you for the response and I will let you know how she worked next time I take her out for a dance! My Brother-in-law will be posting the "scope-off" on You-Tube in the near future, aptly named "scope velcro".

 

Just wondering, Does this rifle have a break on the muzzle?

 

No, no muzzle brake and not really needed for this cartridge. Besides, it's loud enough as it is. I have a brake on a .375 H&H that you can turn off/on....off = normal firing and normal recoil/on = very loud and not very noticable recoil reduction.

Of course, everyone is different and everyone feels recoil differently. I like brakes and I think they serve a good purpose, particularly for keeping the muzzle rise down but at the cost of obnoxious noise.

Pilot Dane - thanks for the advice.....I tried the bolt "play" a little differently and it seemed to work. It did not bind as much yesterday with Win Mag ammo as it has in the past. I prefer the Lott ammo anyway and only use the Win Mag for some practice shots but it's comforting to know both will work.