After considerable debate I believe the 416 Rigby has won out over the 416 Rem. Mag for my next acquisition. Now comes the firearm choice. I am attracted by the CZ 550 Magnum in terms of price and have heard good things about their quality.

This seems to be a "heavy duty/African oriented" site, so any advice/feedback (good or bad) on the CZ would be welcome. What can you tell me about the Lux stock with the Bavarian Comb (stock turns downward at the butt plate)? I plan to scope the rifle, I've heard the Lux stock is designed to line up the iron sights more quickly, but it seems unnatural to me. Does it help with recoil? Does it cause the muzzle to "jump up" more?

Any help is appreciated,

EKM

EKM,
COngrats on your choice. If you do a search on this forum for 'hog back stock' you'll see 2 camps... those that dislike them, and those that grew to like them.

My personal opinion is there's nothing wrong with a cz that a restock and model 70 safety wont cure. If you do the work yourself, you certainly can have a
decent stock for $200, the stock finishing gear, bedding and crossbolts for another 50, good recoil pad (f990 or k302) for ~40.

and the mod 70 safety for (blued and installed) for $225.

I'll suggest the safety first, just because I dispise slide safety.

jeffe

I contacted CZ a couple of weeks ago and asked them about a classic style stock for the 550. They said they had one in the works and it would be available "soon". Don't know what that means but I am holding out for one also in 416.
Doug

The Bavarian hog's back stock has the same comb height as a classic American stock where it counts: i.e. where your face touches. The butt drops off to connect lower on your shoulder, but the portion of the comb where your face sits is horizontal, or nearly so.

The dimension that matters is the vertical distance from the line of sight to the part of the comb touching your face. In that respect, both the 550 Lux and the 550 American are the same.

With a new stock and safety they are what you need for about as little money as you can get away with in a 416.

I do noy mind them I just prefer composites, the cz's are great I love mine. Just make your own mind up about the stock and do not pre-judge it beacuse of any negative stuff you may hear. Do however get it bedded and releived in the appropriate spots before fireing. If you dilike it after giving it a workout the so be it. But try it first with an open mind.

I like the stock personally, and I can say honestly that my 550's are the best rifles I've ever invested in. I have one in 416 Rigby and one in 375 H&H. I think you'd make yourself very happy by acquiring one.

My dad has one and I hate that hogback stock. Seems like the stock accentuates muzzle rise. If it were mine I would put a regular stock on it.