A New Take On The CZ 600+ Rifle

When CZ discontinued its 500 series of rifles, I was upset for two reasons. First, I don’t like change. I still haven’t warmed up to ’90s rock. The second reason is that the Mauser ’98 is the greatest rifle system ever devised. Full stop. For CZ to abandon a line of rifles that were based upon Paul Mauser’s masterpiece was unfathomable. That said, I’ve come to appreciate the CZ 600+ for the innovative design that it is. The 600+ American is a well-built, versatile, safe and accurate rifle with some truly innovative design elements.

The 600+ action is unlike any other that I’m aware of. Most bolt actions haven’t changed much in the past 100 or so years, but this one really is different. It starts with a six-lug bolt that allows for a 60-degree bolt throw. This accomplishes three objectives. For starters, cycling the bolt requires less motion than with a two-lug bolt. More importantly, it means the bolt handle doesn’t have to travel as far upward and is less likely to crash into the ocular lens of your riflescope. With the size of many of the optics out there, this is a solution to a real problem.

Finally, one of the lugs is in the perfect position to strip the top round out of the magazine on its way into the chamber. Once that cartridge slips free of the magazine’s lips, the cartridge rim slips under the spring-loaded extractor hook and is now fully controlled as it makes its way into and out of the chamber. It’s not the way Mauser did it, but it’s a controlled-round-feed action nonetheless.

The magazine is made from polymer. Technically, it is a detachable box magazine, but it doesn’t always act that way. I have two criticisms of detachable magazines on hunting rifles—they can get lost and can’t usually be topped-off without removal. CZ addressed both of these problems. The magazine on the 600+ can be locked into place so it won’t get lost but detaches when you need it. The magazine can also be topped off through the action’s ejection port, just as you would an internal magazine. Both benefits are a big improvement over traditional detachable mags.

Action Sizes and Barrel Swapping

There are three receiver sizes available on the 600+. The first is a mini, designed around cartridges in the .223 category. There is a medium action, such as the one used on our sample, that is compatible with .308-class cartridges. Finally, there is a large action for magnum cartridges. Currently, a limited number of chamberings are available ranging from .223 to .300 Winchester Magnum. As accessory barrels become available, those options will no doubt grow significantly.

The 600+ uses cold hammer-forged steel barrels. Ours came chambered in the boringly versatile .308 Winchester with a 20-inch finished length. Here’s the twist—the barrel (and cartridge) can be swapped out in about two minutes. With the barreled action removed from the stock, two T25 hex screws are removed from the bottom side of the receiver. The barrel lock is then pulled to the side, and the barrel can be removed—there are no threads.

A new barrel can then be slid into place until there is an audible click. The lock is then moved back into position and the two Torx screws are placed back into the receiver. The rear screw, marked with a single dot, is then torqued to 45 inch-pounds. The process is repeated with the second screw, which is marked with two dots. Though this isn’t a true take-down rifle, the user could easily remove the stock and barrel to break this rifle’s components down into a compact case for air travel. For hunting trips that require flying, especially abroad, this would be a huge asset.

The bolt head can be changed quickly as well. Let’s say we are going to trade our .308 barrel for a cartridge that requires a magnum bolt face, such as a 6.5 PRC. Using a bolt disassembly tool, which is included with the rifle, users can easily remove the firing pin assembly. A sliding pin on the bottom of the bolt body is then actuated until the bolt head is removed. Reverse the process to install a different head.

Finishes and Controls

The 600+ American comes with a single-stage trigger that is user adjustable to four different pull weights. Using a 1.5mm hex wrench that is included with the rifle, the trigger can be set to break at 1.4, 2, 2.5, or 3.1 pounds. Our test rifle came set at 1.4 pounds and, being the trigger snob that I am, I left it there for our range visits. It broke cleanly and consistently which came in very handy when it was time to shoot groups from the bench.

The two-position safety is located at the tang. The button passes through the stock’s wrist and can be accessed from the top or bottom. To engage the safety, the button is pushed upward—this also locks the bolt closed. Pressing downward puts the safety into the “fire” position and unlocks the bolt. There is also a red cocking indicator located at the rear of the bolt, just forward of the safety button. The bolt release is located on the receiver, just forward of the bolt handle. The bolt can be removed without touching the trigger.

As the name suggests, the 600+ American is stocked with an American sporter profile in Turkish walnut. This means a straight comb, with no cheekpiece. The pistol grip and forend are checkered with a fleur-de-lis pattern. The stock wears a satin oil finish and is fitted with a one-inch black recoil pad. For those readers who are sick of carbon fiber and Kevlar, this rifle is for you.

Despite everything that is new on the 600+ action, it is drilled and tapped for scope mounts in a format that is compatible with parts designed for the Remington 700. I used a pair of Talley bases with 6-48 screws along with 30mm Talley fixed scope rings to mount a Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm. With the scope and mounts, our 600+ American weighed in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces.

Accuracy

Our sporter-weight barrel came threaded for a suppressor, but I did not have one that was compatible with the M15x1 threads. I headed to the range with two .308 Winchester loads: Nosler Whitetail Country 165-gr. SP and Federal Premium Gold Medal Match 168-gr. BTHP.

CZ claims sub-MOA accuracy for this model, and, with the Federal Premium load, our rifle easily exceeded that standard with 100-yard three-shot groups averaging 0.6 inches. The Whitetail Country load didn’t prove to be as accurate in this rifle, but it is rare that a gun will shoot every load well.

At first glance, the CZ 600+ American is a traditional firearm built to mimic the classic American sporter style of hunting rifle. Under the hood, though, the rifle has far more to offer. It’s a bit like seeing a regular F-150 and not knowing there’s 500 horsepower under the hood. The ability to quickly swap barrels and bolt heads is something that very few rifles allow and nearly all of them sell for multiples of this rifle’s $999 price tag.

I still believe that the ’98 Mauser action is the basis for the world’s greatest hunting rifle, but I will readily admit that CZ’s 600+ will do things that the Mauser can’t. This rifle is capable, accurate, reliable and, with the barrel swap option, extremely versatile. Maybe I should give ’90s rock a chance.

CZ 600+ American Specs

• Caliber: .308 Winchester
• Barrel: 20-inch, 1:10 twist, threaded M15x1
• Weight: 7.7 pounds
• Capacity: 5+1
• Stock: Turkish walnut
• Finish: Black nitride
• Sights: None; drilled and tapped for 700-pattern mounts
• Safety: Two-position
• Trigger: Single-stage, 1.4 pounds (adjustable)
• Price: $999
• Manufacturer: CZ, czfirearms.com