I have been thinking about a big bore rifle, .375 H& H or .416 Rigby. Spent some time looking and came across the CZ-550 and the CZ550A. The main difference looks to be the stock shape, both the fore end and the comb. The comb on the 550 has a radius profile dropping to the heel where as the 550A has a straight comb.

So, here are my questions: Has anyone shot both styles? Does one have an advantage over the other? Any affect on felt recoil?

Kind Regards
Carl

I have shot both extensively in 375 and some in 416. I much prefer the European hogsback stock over the American. Less felt recoil, and comes up like a shotgun. Fits me perfectly with both express sights and scope.

In my not so limited experience, I find the traditonal European guns are better "put together" than the American models. Something seems to be lacking in the action/stock joining in the U.S.... to include overall Q.C., too.

Though others think that the American stock transmits less recoil to the shooter, I find the hog's backs a joy to shoot....

I've had (or have) 6 of the "old style' and two of the "American" types (.458 Lott, .458 Win Mag.Americans... and Hogs Back, two .375 H&H's, 9.3x62, .223, 7.62x39 and a .243... and the hog's back models all seem to have less feeding or bedding problems and shoot where you aim...

But, what the heck do I know.

The American stock produces less felt recoil, and has less muzzle flip (physics that only can be denied on AR!).

I have one in .375 with an upgraded American stock design. Haven't shot the hogsback so don't know how felt recoil compares but I do like the looks of the American design better. Felt recoil with my rifle is no problem at all.

The hogsback stock puts the sights (or scope) in front of your eyes, and the butt of the rifle in your shoulder. With the American stock, unless you like to stretch your neck down and crawl along the comb of your stock like a python (which a lot of American shooters do) you have to choose one or the other, you can't have both.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist (or a physicist) to figure out which stock fits better, feels better and shoots better.

Will:

quote:

The American stock produces less felt recoil, and has less muzzle flip (physics that only can be denied on AR!).

Will, I think you can reasonably conclude from physics that recoil in line with your shoulder produces less muzzle flip. I think, however, that "felt recoil" is qualitative, and is less subject to rules of physics. I find a hogsback more comfortable than most American-style stocks, both to shoulder and to shoot.

Jaywalker

Jaywalker,

You're right. I should have separated those into two sentences, BUT to me a stock with a lot of drop at the heel is a killer in the recoil department. It is one reason that a typical double rifle "kicks" so much more than straight stocked bolt with the same bullet muzzle energy and same rifle weight.

Sounds like it all boils down to personal preference

I recently bought my son a CZ American mag 375H&H for a birthday gift...like it so much I'm buying a 416 this weekend for myself