Estimated studying time: 11 minutes
CZ’s 600+ Alpha in .243 Win blends a crisp 1.4 lb single-stage set off, controlled-feed reliability, and a quick-change barrel system. We shot teams, ran offhand drills, and pushed actual looking masses to see what this rifle truly does on course.
Contained in the CZ 600+ Alpha: Options That Matter
CZ is perhaps greatest recognized for his or her autoloading pistols, however they’ve constructed high quality rifles for many years. Their 457 collection of rimfire rifles continues to cater to the goal, coaching, and small sport markets. In 2023, CZ gave its line of centerfire rifles a facelift with the all-new 600 collection of looking and tactical bolt-action fashions. One probably helpful function of CZ rifles is their quick-change barrel system, which lets you change between calibers and barrel profiles. Sadly, the 600 didn’t have that function. The brand new 600+ fashions borrow all the identical nice options of the unique, however now have the quick-change barrel system all squared away. This overview issues the CZ 600+ Alpha chambered within the light-kicking .243 Winchester cartridge.
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CZ 600+ Alpha Construct: Barrel, Motion, Set off, and Extra
The CZ 600+ Alpha is the bottom mannequin of a line of rifles that vary from the collapsing inventory 600+ Path to the walnut-stocked iron-sighted 600+ Lux. The Alpha is distinguished by a black fiber-reinforced polymer inventory and a free-floated semi-heavy barrel that splits the distinction between a light-weight tapered barrel and a full bull barrel.
Motion
The rifle is obtainable in three motion varieties: mini, medium (brief motion), and lengthy. It’s chambered in calibers together with .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor, in addition to 6.5 PRC, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06, and .300 Win. Magnum.
All variations use a black anodized aluminum receiver for a superb mixture of weight financial savings and energy. The barrel comes threaded for five/8×24″ equipment like suppressors and muzzle brakes, save for the .223 model, which makes use of a 1/2×28″ thread pitch.
The 600+ Alpha is a controlled-feed bolt-action rifle, though the dearth of an extended extractor may lead one to imagine it’s a push-feed gun just like the Remington 700. The Alpha has a brief 60-degree bolt throw and feeds from removable field magazines. The journal could be eliminated for loading or loaded from the highest whereas mounted within the rifle. Journal capability ranges from 3-5 rounds.
Set off
The standout function of the 600+ Alpha, or no less than the one which stood out to me most, is the adjustable single-stage set off that may be adjusted with an Allen wrench right down to an marketed 1.4 lbs. with out tinkering with the set off out of the rifle. Different options embody a vertical crossbolt security, a right-side mounted bolt launch, and an orange-indicated cocked striker indicator.
The 600+ Alpha ships in a plain cardboard field with a single journal. The rifle marks the underside ground in worth level among the many line with an MSRP of $799. The mannequin I selected is chambered in .243 Winchester and wears a brief 20-inch barrel with a 1:10 twist.
First Look and Setup: Optics, Suppressor, Steadiness
On nearer inspection, the 600+ Alpha in .243 crosses paths between a deer stand rifle and a youth mannequin. The 20 inch barrel is the shortest within the Alpha line, nevertheless it retains an grownup size of pull. The barrel has a conventional 1:10 twist charge that works greatest with 50-100 grain bullets, which makes this rifle significantly fitted to sport getting somewhat than competitors.
The inventory has a pair of sturdy sling studs for carry. Within the hand, the 600+Alpha balances proper on the journal, however the rifle feels heavier than an artificial inventory rifle needs to be.
When it comes to building, the rifle is neatly assembled with no machine marks or burrs all through the development. Visually, it’s clear to see how free-floated the barrel is as you may see the polymer ribs that reinforce the fore finish.
After a fast boresight, I reached into my bins of .243 Winchester ammo and headed to the vary for a collection of take a look at runs.
Vary Proof: CZ 600+ Alpha Accuracy and Reliability
In my expertise, CZ rifles are dependable and correct performers with a match and end that’s typically misplaced on our American manufacturers. The 600+ retains up appearances and even comes with a MOA accuracy assure with match-grade ammunition, however given how the rifle is ready up, I wished to check it within the context of a straight-laced weather-proof looking rifle. That is mirrored within the 200 rounds of ammunition I ran by means of the rifle. These included:
As I had extra of the Remington load to spare, I used this as my sight-in load. I began from a bench relaxation on targets at 25 yards, then recalibrated once more with a number of photographs out a 100 yards. After a superb quiet down, I settled in for teams.
Accuracy: Actual Teams at 100 Yards
Accuracy testing the CZ 600+ proved to be an train in variable management. One’s definitions will fluctuate, relying on whether or not you might be capturing from a relaxation or offhand, what sort of ammunition you might be utilizing, the twist charge of the barrel, and even the variety of photographs used to guage consistency and accuracy. After all, crucial variable is the shooter. From a bench relaxation at 100 yards within the fingers of a median shooter, taking five-round teams, the CZ 600+ produces simple 2-inch teams.
It turned apparent early on that the semi-heavy 1:10 twist barrel does its greatest with the Winchester 58 grain Varmint load as much as the Remington 80 grain PSP, significantly when fired in three-shot teams, as by the point I get to the fifth shot, the barrel is already heating up.
Greatest Load
The Remington load did greatest with a three-shot group measuring at .82 inches. Going for my traditional five-shot routine widened it to 1.3 inches. Hornady’s 95 grain SST is over 140 ft per second sooner than the Federal 100 grain tender level load, and it’s simple to inform by the report and the quantity of warmth coming off the barrel after solely 5 rounds. My teams with that load produced 2-2.5 inch teams between the three and 5 shot teams. This spherical particularly exhibited horizontal stringing. The opposite rounds chosen produced the next three shot teams:
*muzzle velocity denoted in ft per second and as a median of 5 photographs fired over a chronograph at a distance of ten ft.
Offhand Actuality Verify: Ergonomics Beneath Time Stress
As with every different firearm, inconsequential issues on the bench change into nice advantages or detriments when capturing offhand. Most of my capturing with the CZ 600+ Alpha was performed offhand in sitting and susceptible positions. My targets consisted of eight-inch metal plates at 200 yards and paper targets at 300 yards.
On the entire, the buttstock and comb naturally give a superb cheek weld. The rubber butt pad successfully cushions the modest recoil of the .243 however could be more practical on heavier-hitting calibers. The pad helps to provide a 14-inch size of pull, which is nice for taller shooters like me, however in case you are shorter and stature and sporting some heavy garments, the pad will are inclined to catch earlier than it meets the shoulder. The remainder of the inventory suits effectively and affords loads of gripping floor, even on slick, dewy mornings. However the journal, security, and set off are faster to face out.
Journal
You’ll be able to detach the journal for loading or lock the journal in place and cargo from the highest. The journal itself is top of the range and lends itself effectively to simple loading in each methods. However the journal physique is lengthy for the .243, and there may be area for clearly longer and extra highly effective rounds. Sadly, this offers the follower some potential extra motion. On two events early within the take a look at biking, the follower acquired caught and didn’t rise far sufficient to feed rounds for the bolt to select up. I might not name these fluke occasions, nevertheless it did knock the 600+ barely within the reliability division. In any other case, the rifle cycled and shot every part I fed it.
Security
The protection is completely different from most different rifles and works like a crossbolt security, however in a vertical place. It’s not as intuitive to placed on protected, however it’s quick and quiet to take off protected.
And not using a suppressor, the CZ 600+ balances effectively within the hand. With the addition of the SilencerCo Velos 7.62, the rifle is noticeably muzzle heavy. It lower down on recoil and blast, however the rifle acquired tiring to carry after some time. Fortunately, the set off persistently got here to the rescue. It has no take-up and little or no overtravel. At its lowest setting, it measures at 1 lb 4 oz. on my Lyman set off scale. A decided contact units it off, and I used to be capable of smack my targets whilst my scope reticle began to shake.
Specs: CZ 600+ Alpha .243 Winchester
Professionals and Cons: What Stands Out
Professionals: Adjustable 1.4 lb set off, controlled-feed reliability, threaded barrel, MOA assure with match ammo, strong construct high quality, and versatile quick-change barrel system. Cons: Journal follower caught twice, muzzle-heavy with suppressor, security much less intuitive to interact, adult-length LOP could snag for shorter shooters with heavy clothes.
Ultimate Verdict: The place the CZ 600+ Alpha Shines
CZ’s catalog has modified fairly a bit over the past a number of years, and the CZ 600+ Alpha stands out as its entry-level centerfire bolt-action looking rifle. There aren’t any heavy barrels, particular chassis programs, or checkered walnut to trouble with. As an alternative, you get a utilitarian however well-shaped weather-proof composite inventory and a business-like semi-heavy barrel. You additionally get a sturdy controlled-fed motion and a very good set off that may deal with any load and drive off unhealthy habits. These options are significantly helpful for bigger .30 caliber rounds. Within the .243 Winchester chambering, the CZ 600+ is light-kicking and flat-shooting, however the cartridge could also be greatest utilized in a devoted youth mannequin that’s but to return.
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Jim Maybrick has been a constant voice within the firearms world for over a decade, writing tons of of articles and producing dozens of movies that span practically each nook of the capturing sports activities. With a background in army and financial historical past, Jim has a expertise for weaving compelling tales round historic firearms designs and the rise and fall of legacy producers.However Jim’s pursuits go far past the previous—he’s simply as comfy diving into muzzleloading traditions as he’s testing the most recent rimfire masses or mastering cutting-edge trendy programs. His considerate, data-driven strategy brings readability and depth to each overview.When he’s not on the vary or deep in a spreadsheet, you’ll discover him having fun with time with household, chasing sport, or refining the misplaced artwork of beginning an ideal campfire.Expertise:– Veteran Author & Content material Creator – Over twelve years of expertise in firearms journalism with tons of of printed items.– Army & Financial Historian – Tutorial background that fuels in-depth evaluation of historic firearms and business tendencies.– Versatile Shooter – Covers a variety of subjects from muzzleloaders and rimfire ballistics to as we speak’s most superior platforms.– Storyteller at Coronary heart – Recognized for insightful writing that blends technical element with partaking historic context.– Outdoorsman & Household Man – Reconnects with nature by means of looking, fishing, and old-school firecraft.– Analytical Mindset – Brings precision, construction, and storytelling to each article—whether or not it’s a gear overview or a deep historic dive.
