Recently, I began a process of modernizing some of my firearms and the role each plays in my battery. Among the most useful additions is the CZ Alpha bolt-action rifle. CZ rifles, shotguns, and pistols have been an important part of my shooting life for many years. I trust the brand and individual performance of each firearm has been excellent.
Among the finest introductions of recent years has been the CZ 600 Series. Accuracy, reliability, light weight, and rugged construction are hallmarks of this rifle. The Alpha is a bolt-action rifle with polymer stock and other innovations, making the rifle desirable to modern shooters. The Alpha is offered at an attractive price and offers a sterling accuracy guarantee. The rifle is well suited to many roles including truck gun and survival use. I use the broad term emergency rifle to cover this type of utility.
CZ 600 Alpha Features
The Alpha is offered in a wide range of popular calibers. These include the .223 Remington, .224 Valkyrie, 7.62x39mm, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Winchester Magnum. That is a wide spread of calibers and action sizes. My example is the 18-inch barrel carbine in 7.62x39mm. A light handy rifle for easy carry when hunting in wooded areas or simply riding in the jeep to cover a wide range of chores this is a light rifle that packs out easily. At 6.6 pounds without optics, the 18-inch barrel Alpha carbine isn’t difficult to carry on the shoulder.
The engineering behind the rifle is impressive. Among the best features is a modified, controlled-feed action. A controlled-feed action is a rarity in a rifle costing less than $1,000. The receiver is well finished and seems a robust design. The bolt features a 60-degree throw. The stock features gripping surfaces in the right places for good control. The pistol grip is over large at first glance but offers real stability when firing the rifle. A detachable, five-round magazine may be top loaded with the bolt open.
CZ Alpha Specifications
Action: Bolt action
Barrel length: 18 inches
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
Overall length: 43 inches
Weight: 6.6 pounds
A feature I cannot praise enough is the CZ Alpha’s adjustable trigger. A set screw allows adjustment of the rifle’s trigger compression from 1.3 to 3 pounds according to CZ. The trigger action has a slight audible click as it is adjusted. My rifle was issued from the factory with a smooth 2.5-pound trigger compression. After some dry fire and acclimation, I returned the trigger to its factory setting. It seems ideal for my use.
The safety is unique to my experience. This safety is a cross bolt type. However, it is vertical in operation. The cross bolt safety is located just behind the trigger guard. Press up and the safety is on. The safety protrudes just behind the receiver.
This safety is easily moved to the fire position with thumb pressure. This safety is fast and positive in operation. I liked the trigger action a great deal, and the safety location is ergonomic and solid in operation.
The chambering is a nice choice for all-around use. I might opt for the .308 as a pure hunting rifle. In this case, the CZ Alpha was replacing an older bolt-action rifle and a lever-action rifle as multi-purpose, go-anywhere, do-most-anything rifle. The .30 Soviet just seemed right.
The rifle is light. Rifles are carried more than they are fired, and light is good to have. The rifle is powerful enough for deer-sized game and more than powerful enough for feral dogs, coyote, and dangerous humans. The 18-inch barrel develops a little more velocity than the average AK 16-inch barrel. The 7.62x39mm is similar to the .30-30 with a lighter bullet but higher velocity than most .30-30 factory loads.
The bottom line with either caliber is shot placement. The typical AK with its 4.0 MOA accuracy and the lever-action rifle with elk horn sights isn’t very accurate. The CZ is a different rifle indeed. Shot placement and good penetration go a long way. Ammunition performance was very consistent in firing a wide range of loads with 123-grain loads running from 2,290 fps to 2,449 fps. Before the firing tests, I added a SIG Buckmaster 3x12x44mm rifle scope. This is an affordable rifle scope and easily among the bargains of the day.
Buckmaster Specifications
- Reticle: BDC
- Tube Diameter: 1 inch
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Illumination Finish: Matte
- Color: Black
- Weight: 420 g
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Adjustment W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 60 MOA
Range Performance
I mounted the optic easily enough and headed to the range with a motley assortment of burner-grade ammunition, as well as premium-grade loads from the best in the industry. Results were interesting. Before engaging in longer range shooting, I sighted the rifle for 25 yards, making certain elevation was dead on and the rifle fired about 2.0 inches high. Then, I progressed to 50 and finally 100 yards.
I ended up with a zero that put the Hornady 123-grain SST (Hornady Black) load 1.5 inches high at 100 yards. If sighted for 100 yards calculated drop would be about 4.5 inch at 150 yards and 10–11 inches at 200 yards. I did not actually fire at the 200-yard distance. So, confirming the drop would be by shooting… in the unlikely event you place your mid-range cartridge into a long range role!
The CZ Alpha 7.62x39mm rifle is a joy to fire and use with modest recoil and good accuracy. Here are my firing results. Groups are three-shot groups, average of two groups, fired from a solid shooting rest.
Load |
Velocity (FPS) |
100-Yard Accuracy (Inches) |
| Hornady Black 123 grain | 2,366 | .8 |
| Hornady Steel Match 123 grain *Replaced by Hornady Black* |
2,349 | 1.15 |
| Federal 124-grain FMJ | 2,299 | 1.5 |
| Federal 123-grain JSP Power-Shok | 2,338 | 1.4 |
| Federal 123-grain Fusion | 2,401 | 1.15 |
| Winchester 123-grain FMJ | 2,367 | 2.2 |
| Winchester 120-grain PDX | 2,399 | 1.45 |
| Fiocchi 123-grain FMJ | 2,288 | .9 |
| Seller & Bellot 123-grain | 2,350 | 1.6 |
| Tula 123-grain | 2,301 | 2.5 |
| PMC 123-grain | 2,240 | 2 |
| Wolf 122-grain HP | 2,379 | 1.9 |
I was surprised by the relative accuracy of inexpensive burner loads. A very few AK rifles I have tested will put three shots into ‘around two inches’ at 100 yards with a good optic and a name like Arsenal. The majority of AK rifles are good for 3.0- to 4.5-inch groups at 100 yards. As it turns out the ammunition is capable of better accuracy in the right rifle. Federal, Fiocchi, and Hornady ammunition is severely accurate.
Final Thoughts
The CZ 600 Alpha makes for a good, solid, all-around truck gun with plenty of power for medium-size game, pests, predators and even for personal defense. You may certainly dot the I of a predator at 150 yards or so given familiarity with the rifle. This rifle and caliber combination is easily mastered by those who practice. It is a fun rifle and fun is often the name of the game. I recommend the CZ rifle to anyone needing a reliable working rifle. If you are one of the many taking advantage of suppressor-ready rifles, even better.
Are you a CZ fan? What’s your opinion of the 7.62×39 cartridge? How does the CZ 600 Alpha rate against your favorite all-around truck gun? Share your answers in the Comment section.
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