Czechoslovakian firearm manufacturer CZ has a long history of maintaining an extensive bolt-action rifle lineup. Although impressive in a catalog, sustaining the tooling and inventory on all of those different SKUs becomes quite burdensome. Taking a page from the playbooks of several other major producers, they recently decided to create a solemn utilitarian action and spin it into a plethora of different firearms to meet specific needs. In 2021, we got our first look at CZ’s creation, the 600 series. Hitting the scene in its Trail and Alpha configurations, we eventually saw it run the usual bases before it slid into home with the long-awaited American. Well-received in CZ’s rimfire line, the American offers conventional looks, a straight stock and all of the features hunters on this side of the pond require for success.
At the time of this writing, the CZ 600 American is offered in eight different chamberings spread across three different action lengths. I always like seeing this, as shorter cartridges aren’t forced to deal with exaggerated bolt throws. Being that options range from 7.62x39mm to .300 Win. Mag., you can easily see the advantage. Each of these receivers is comprised of steel, adding to the overall rigidity of the rifle while only adding a marginal amount of weight. The 600 action is billed as a controlled feed, and that checks out, just not in the conventional sense. Whenever I hear this term, my mind drifts to a Mauser action, violently throwing rounds under the claw extractor the moment they leave the magazine’s support. While the bolt of the 600 does take over control of the cartridge, it doesn’t do so until it is nearly completely chambered. Feeding is done via a double-stack detachable box magazine, which is comprised of polymer and rocks into place. This ensures it locks in positively and correctly every time it’s inserted.
Threaded into place is one of CZ’s signature cold hammer-forged barrels. Marketed as a “light” contour, it has a little bit more meat on it than a pencil barrel while still featuring a generous taper. My test rifle was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, making it 24 inches in length and terminating with 9/16x24 UNEF threading. As time goes by, we see more and more hunting rifles leave the factory with threaded muzzles, signifying a shift toward acceptance of suppressors in the field. If the hassle of owning one isn’t for you, threads also accept a muzzle brake, which will make this 8-pound rifle feel like a kitten to the shoulder.
The American earns its moniker chiefly from its stock geometry. Straight-combed in nature, it doesn’t feature a raised cheekpiece that is common on many European-style rifles. It is sculpted from fine Turkish walnut, and CZ also offers a high-grade option for an additional investment. Delicate checkering is cut into the stock wrist and fore-end with attractive fleur-de-lis accenting for some added character. A conventional varnish finish is applied throughout to retain a classic look while providing time-tested weatherproofing qualities.
Getting a CZ 600 American ready for the range requires a few steps, as the rifle does not ship with iron sights. It does, however, come drilled and tapped for Remington 700 bases, so getting it there doesn’t take much. Using a pair of Warne’s Vapor bases, I was able to easily top the rifle with one of EOTech’s new Vudu X 2-12x40mm optics. This lower-cost version of the Vudu family offers hunters an affordable way to step up to EOTech quality with enough left over for tags and taxidermy. Furthermore, the 2-12x magnification range offers enough flexibility to suit this rifle for deep-woods work or the occasional poke across a field or canyon. Lastly, I turned my attention to the adjustable trigger, which is one of the best I have ever seen. For starters, you don’t need to remove the stock to adjust the trigger, saving you the trouble of torquing it back to spec when you’re finished. Second, adjustments click into one of four settings, simplifying the process while ensuring your selection is retained under recoil. The 600 trigger came from the factory set to the second-lightest setting, which was 2 pounds, 2 ounces. I like things as light as possible, so I clicked it down a notch and moved on to ammunition selection.
Like many rifles today, the 600 American comes with a sub-MOA guarantee. This stipulation comes with the caveat of using match-grade ammunition, which almost feels like a cheat. I’m more concerned with being able to hit this threshold with the ammunition that I plan to hunt with, so I limited my test fodder to just one match load and bookended it with two high-end hunting loads. Hornady’s 143-grain Precision Hunter was spun off the company’s 140-grain ELD Match bullet, so it strikes a fair balance, as does HSM’s Tipping Point, which is topped with a Sierra GameChanger. Browning’s Long Range Pro load would serve as my accuracy load, as it delivers a 130-grain Sierra Tipped MatchKing bullet loaded to exacting tolerances.
I began my range day with the typical benchwork to determine accuracy and zero the optic. During this period, I got a little more familiar with the 60-degree bolt throw, a function of its three-lug configuration. To be completely accurate, it’s really a six-lug configuration, as each lug is truly a pair of lugs built to enhance lock-up. After settling in and filling a magazine, I quickly hit the sub-MOA checkmark with both hunting loads. Ironically, these slightly outperformed the dedicated match load, which is why we need to test a variety of rounds before remarking on a firearm’s “accuracy.” Furthermore, accuracy is a relationship between gun and ammo and often has little to do with the quality of either. Browning’s load has produced sub- and even half-MOA accuracy in other tests, so there’s nothing wrong with it; it’s just not the right recipe for this particular CZ.
All three loads shared a similar point of impact, so I stuffed my pockets full of the remnants and took the rifle for a walk through our target gallery. Prior to doing so, I attached a sling to the included studs to use for stability. Throughout the 10 stations, I found the gun balanced well despite being a touch muzzle heavy. Dropping to a knee or bracing against a tree made the rifle rock solid for the smaller targets, and I found recoil to be completely manageable. Spotting impacts was effortless, especially with the scope dialed down to the 2x setting, and this portion of my test helped me to appreciate the push-through tang safety that allows you to control and silence its operation if something is within earshot.
The CZ 600 American was an early prediction of mine and one that I’m glad made its way to fruition in the early years of the family’s release. I found its traditional stock aesthetically pleasing and reminiscent of the rifles that I learned to shoot on, albeit far more refined. The only flaw I found in this firearm was its weight, which is somewhat subjective. After topping it with a scope, the package becomes closer to 10 pounds, so I can’t recommend it as a mountain rifle. However, if you’re looking for something that handles easily and is soft on the shoulder, this is your gun.
Technical Specifications
• Type: bolt-action centerfire rifle
• Caliber: .223 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win., .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag., .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor (tested), 7.62x39mm
• Magazine: detachable; 5-round capacity
• Barrel: 24"; carbon steel; light contour; cold-hammer-forged; 1:8" RH twist, 6 grooves; threaded 9/16x24 UNEF
• Trigger: single-stage, adjustable pull weight 1 lb., 8 ozs. — 3 lbs., 1 oz.
• Sights: none; drilled and tapped for Rem. 700 hardware
• Safety: two-position; tang style
• Stock: straight comb; Turkish walnut; varnish finish; 14" LOP
• Metal Finish: nitride
• Overall Length: 44.37"
• Weight: 8.1 lbs.
• Accessories: none
• MSRP: $849; cz-usa.com
