Six years have passed since the presentation of the Model 557 by CZ and at the time a few eyebrows had just raised as the Mauser-type extractor of the Model 550 was no longer proposed. However, there were several other positive factors to make the new weapon of the esteemed Czech company interesting and desirable: here we will briefly review them. Meanwhile, the mechanics are still entirely machined from solid starting from steel billets and we know how the choice of material and the subsequent thermochemical treatment is one of the strengths of this manufacturer, the precision and the class of processing, the result of continuous investments to ensure first-rate machinery, fully support the project so that the finished product lives up to expectations, indeed we would say that it exceeds them given that usually the quality and price ratio of the House is highly appreciated by a large audience and not only in Europe, but equally in the USA where the congruence between what is purchased and the money paid out is usually assessed with an extremely precise scale.
In the space of half a dozen years, times have changed profoundly and what was commercially adequate at the time today is struggling to find the necessary outlets to create the numbers needed to run companies. Almost all manufacturers, and we are talking here about long rifled barrels, have come up with at least one version of a model suitable for the need, finding the most appropriate solutions to make a considerable cut at the selling price, without affecting the technical and ballistic prerogatives acquired. .
The Model 557 Eclipse
In advertising, this appellation is associated with the thought that the new solution eclipses the competitors: that it can reach this much is also conceivable, but if not this certainly the new version at a recommended price of € 690,00 stands as a prominent element for a face-to-face comparison. Without going into the direct field, we propose some considerations by observing the details and the whole. The castle is machined from solid by milling a billet in alloy steel: the rear bridge is closed while the prism for the discharge of the forces which insists on an aluminum block embedded in the frame is entirely obtained from the ring. The two apical elements then have reliefs with guides for fixing the optics. The loading and ejection window is wide, as befits the hunting destination: the fixed magazine still has the practical tip-up bottom for the removal of all the cartridges contained. The two upper fins protrude from the master section of the shutter cylinder, set back by a few mm from the recessed face where the cartridge bottom is stably positioned.
The implant sees the hole of the firing pin, the elastic pawl of the ejector and the sturdy pivoting extraction nail with internal contrasting clip. The characteristic and traditional style handlebar with cylindrical arm bent back and ball knuckle is inserted in a ring support which is in turn keyed on the main body. The tail cap takes up the usual style with a tapered prism shape and a rear hole for the firing pin shank, painted in red, which gives warning of armed mechanics.
Barrel, snap and safe
The joint of the barrel to the ring takes place with the reliable screw pitch: the length of only 52 cm is chosen for savings and for weight and size reduction, all factors highly appreciated today. In fact, after observing the rotomammeling process in the company, it is clear that it is certainly not the material of that half-span of steel that reduces the burdens, but it is the time / machine cost to produce it that makes the difference. Then today the rifles are like this and usually these barrels are more easily adjusted to the shot. The metal sights are absent and the bases of the optics can be mounted very low with undoubted advantages in shooting. An arched steel trigger controls the direct trigger that can be adjusted from the outside: this is one of the qualifying details of the weapon and its functionality in the field. The two-position safety, controlled by a button located behind the handlebar, is silent, easy to operate from the tappet, and always leaves the handlebar free to extract the chambered cartridge without unnecessary risks.
The stock
Again in order to combine functionality and low cost, a one-piece synthetic stock with a pleasant appearance and ergonomic design was chosen. The butt with straight lines, consistent thickness of the back, high nosepiece for a comfortable cheek support and consequential posture between the axis of the eye and that of the optics, is combined with the pistol grip with bulges suitable to fill the palm well of the hand and a marked guard, we would say in German terms one Imperial Grips, thanks to which the trigger finger is positioned properly on the trigger. The prismatic shaft follows with connecting curves between the surfaces: the bottom is flat for a stable accommodation on the shooting support. The grip areas have alternating grooves and smooth reliefs that ensure a firm grip even with wet hands; the butt plate in thick soft rubber softens the recoil.
A polygon test
Mounted a very valid Zeiss Conquest 3-12 × 56 telescope, in the Bignami tunnel we carry out some test shots at 100 m alternating a couple of .30-06 Sprg charges. for which the weapon is chambered. With the Fusion equipped with a 180 gr SP bullet, we produce a good 1 MOA shot pattern, perfectly in line with the expectations of a hunting cartridge; also the Federal Premium Vital Shock they are intended for hunting use, but use the Sierra bullet Game King 150 gr BTSP, one of the best choices in this regard that allows you to reduce the diameter of the group to less than 20 mm. The response of the shotgun is very pleasant thanks to the straight American axis that discharges the recoil without raising the barrel, leaving the target in sight. Balance, balance and ease of movement are real and immediately perceptible prerogatives: if you then approach the finish of the whole and of the details to that figure of € 690,00 thanks to which you take it home, here are different and various considerations for a next choice.
Data Sheet
Manufacturer: CZ Českà Zbrojovka as - Svatopluka Cecha 1283, CZ-688 27 Uhersky Brod (Czechia) - Tel. +420 572 655120, Fax +420 572 633811 - [email protected] - www.czub.cz
Importer: Bignami SpA, via Lahn, 1 - 39040 Ora (BZ) - tel. 0471/803000 - fax. 0471/810899 - www.bignami.it - [email protected]
Model: 557 Eclipses
Type: revolving and sliding bolt-action rifle with two overhead flaps
CALIBRO: .30-06 Sprg. (coming soon as an alternative .308 Win.)
Castle: from milled steel billet - burnished finish - polished shutter
canna: long 520 mm - muzzle diameter 16 mm - 4 right-handed lines pitch 1:10 obtained by rotary hammering - floating assembly - burnished finish
Percussion: firing pin with coaxial coil spring
Supply: fixed tank with 5 cartridges with push button release of the pivoting sole -
Triggering device: direct with single adjustable trigger
Extractor: pivoting claw with piston and spring inserted in the bolt head
Ejector: elastic pawl protruding in the face of the shutter
Sighting devices: absent - milling on the castle for optical assembly
Safety: knurled key on the right side of the castle - locks percussion and release
Stocking: synthetic in one piece - rubber recoil pad - pistol grip - design grooves in the grip points
Finishes: bluing for barrel and castle - polished bolt body
Total length 1063mm
Weight :: About 3300 grams without optics
Informative price: 690,00 € (vat included)