Around 1978 Jeff Cooper built a heavy rifle on a 602 action. It was a 460 based on the 404 Jeffery case. The 602 it a true Magnum length Model 98 so it's good for big calibers.

In 1985 I got the urge to duplicate Cooper's rifle. I could not locate a 602. This was long before the Internet and Gunbroker. They were still available as new guns, but for some reason we had a trade embargo against Czechoslovakia at the time so no BRNOs were being imported. They were, however, being sent to Canada.

I found a dealer who could import a 602 from a Canadian dealer. I forget the price but it wasn't cheap. At the last minute the Canadian dealer demanded an extra $50 for no reason other than I was knee deep in the project and he figured he could extort the extra money. He was right. I was pissed (and still am 35 years later) but I paid his ransom.

My rifle doesn't have spectacular wood. BRNOs often had plain or even ugly stocks back then. Mine is a little on the ugly side. But that big, Magnum Mauser action is a thing of beauty. At that time the 602 was available in a limited number of calibers. The 375 H&H, 458 Winchester Magnum, and some metric number I don't even recall. Didn't matter which I got because I would change the caliber anyway. The Canadian crook had a 375 in stock so that's what I got.

My plans to build a custom 460 were waylaid when the 602 arrived. I liked it the way it was. I slapped on a 1-4x20 Leupold for a European style look. Later I built my 460 using a Remington Model 30 action.

Attached Images

BRNO 602.jpg (46.3 KB, 86 views)

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Handled a newer model in .416. Nice, but prob. kicks a lot.

CZ guns tend to be good, and good values.

"...For those who came in late, Baby is my idea of an idealized heavy rifle intended for use on pachyderms and buffalo. It started life in Brno (Bohemia) as a "Czech 602" in caliber 375 H&H. This features the best version of the classic Mauser action that I know of. Among other things, it mounts a compacted ghost-ring rear-sight which is nowhere else available...."
From Cooper Commentaries Vol.1 No. 14 Winter 06
Does anybody have a picture of this sight?

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Jim

Mine doesn't have the pop up sight. I assume it was deleted between 1978 and 1985.

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That BRNO is a beaut!!!
These days I like my mausers in smaller diameters.
As in a CZ 527 and Interarms Mini both in .223 Rem.

Interesting gun! I had a CZ 550 in .416 Rigby which was destined for Africa to hunt Cape buffalo (no elephants for me) but a torn rotator cuff caused that cannon to move to a new owner. I can still handle my customized Yugo Mauser in .35 Whelen but I wasn't going to chance the big .416 boomer because I did take it to the range and I KNEW what it could do.

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For a time I wanted a 505 Gibbs, then I sobered up and came to my senses.

In the late 80's/early 90's my best friend had a Wentworth Express left hand in 375 H&H on a CZ/Brno magnum action. His had nice wood and ebony forend. The iron sights were regulated to Remington 270 grain semi-spitzer ammo. They were dead on at 100 & 200 yards but were about a foot right at 300 yards. Great and affordable gun.

Ivan

375 H&H are know to be accurate and Brunos are know to be accurate. I bet that old gal is a tack driver. And I bet it will keep the armadillos at bay out in the garden in Alabama. If you miss, it will dig an armadillo escape hole and then you can follow up with a shot in the hole as the armadillo goes down the new burrow. And you just thought there was no need for a 375 in Alabama.