Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Brno ZG-47 Big Bore Opinions

Have one in .30-06, one in 9.3x62 rebored by Jess,(excellent shooter by the way), and another that I’m considering work on for a .416 or .458, one way or another. I like that all my tools work the same way; safety, trigger, etc….. to explain. Also, makes it easy on parts.

Live and work in Alaska. Like the idea of a “stopper”, as I take my toddler digging clams and generally *uck about on the the beaches. I’m a professional Mariner, experienced with bears, and have killed several bears…brownies and polar while on NOAA charters. Guess I’m just wanting something to turn a charge more dramatically than I’ve experienced with the .375, 9.3x62 and ‘06.

Been utilizing Swirt A-Frames for all. 180 in .30-06, 286 in 9.3x62, and 300 in .375. Think maybe in .30-06 used some Nosler Partitions.

Realize rails and ramp, etc.

Nor to mention bolt face…

Thoughts?

God bless and thanks for your time.

4-5-8

My immediate thought is that the ZG47 is begging to be made into a 375 Ruger. Drop a low power 30mm tube into AlaskaArms rings and ignore the rest of the world.
Another set of AA rings and a larger scope would cover every eventuality...except divorce when she finds out.

The BRNO ZG47 is a lovely action and light weight. A small-ring '98 commercial Mauser type action that was evidently carefully built. My complete rifle weighs 6lbs 6 oz. in 8x57mm. I'd imagine this same rifle would be lively in 458 WM. Probably want a minimum tapered barrel.

No, the model 21 is a small ring. The ZG47 is a large ring, and not light.

Then I should correct the above. I know I have a model 21 small ring BRNO, but mistakenly thought it was a ZG47 action.

I've only handled the model 21. I don't have any experience with this larger model. If it's anything like the model 21 it should be great

If I remember correctly, in discussion with Mike McCabe he said a 404 Jeffery would work in a ZG47. I always thought a 404 would be a cool round in the ZG47. (again if my memory is correct)

What year model do you gave?

So the thread pattern of the ZG47 and the BRNO 602 / CZ 550 magnum are the same M28x2. One could take a take-off 550 barrel and put it onto a ZG47 with minimal work. Open the bolt face, thread on and headspace the 550 barrel and adjust the feed rails. That is an easy way to make that happen.

I have a CZ take-off in 458 for just this project. Just have not found the donor ZG47 action.

I also have a ZG47 in 375 H&H done by Duane Wiebe. That is a stunning rifle. Point is you have a commercial 98. You can use any commercial made bottom metal for any cartridge you can traditional stuff in a LR98. Check out the Blackburn bottom metal offered by Swift.

It's stamped '47 for 1947

I have owned two ZG47 actions. I have bad news for you. When those actions were manufactured the feed rails were “opened” way too much. I tried to make a 338 out of one. Incidentally the work was done by a guy who was considered the very best 98 metal smith ever. Damn thing never fed flawlessly. I tried several different magazine assemblies and springs and followers. I sold it to a guy who had it wrapped in a fabulous wood blank and engraved. It resides in his safe and hasn’t been fired.

Leave it as is.

A round top, the ZG47 has 19 mm dovetails like the post '48 model 21.

Mine came with a SRB Stys scope in a claw mount quick detach setup. The scope is easily adjustable for elevation, but lacks windage adjustability. It shoots to the right and I'm unable to adjust it back to the left.

It is either a couple of screws in the rear ring or you use a copper drift to gently knock the front ring across.

Meopta or Zeiss?

Post a picture or two please.

Looks like it can be drifted with a punch. I hadn't noticed these bases were dovetailed like this. Thanks for mentioning this. This rifle is somewhat new to me.

I have custom rifles in 300H&h, 338WinMag and a 9.3x64mm built on ZG47s. They are very nice actions with good metallurgy.

Thanks for all the advice.

I have a couple of Brno small rings as well as the large ring ZGs. The 21 and 22 models are super light and dainty for what I was planning. Although I do know of a couple that were rebarreled to 9.3x62. The ZGs are skookum working rifles by comparison….in my opinion.

I ended up talking with Steve Nelson while dropping off a couple of other rifles at his shop in Corvallis for his apprentice to work on. He suggested a 404 Jeffery. Then he showed me a Mauser action, a barrel, and a nice piece of really dense Moroccan walnut that he had there. That’s the way I’m going.

Steve is one of the finest gunmakers and a real gentleman. Kind of felt bad about him taking on the work as he’s trying to retire. But who could resist an offer like that?

Scott

Good grief, that’s heartbreaking…..


Thanks for the heads up.

Maurice Ottmar didn't seem to have an issue with them.