Hi all
I just purchased a CZ550 with upgraded wood in 458 win mag. I have had it reamed to 458lott and a weatherby muzzle brake attached to it. I am concerned about talk that the stock's have a tendency to crack/split due to the lack of crossbolts and bedding. I spoke to a local gunsmith who said that it shouldn't crack as long as I keep the stock screws tight and check them regularly. Is this correct? I don’t want to get it bedded and crossbolts installed if there is no need to have it done as it shoots great now.

It needs to be
crossbolted
bedded
PERHAPS a pin down the wrist,
and certainly the tang removed.

No offense to your local guy, and ius advice is good sub-.400 ... but the lott splits stocks

jeffe

I don't know whether it will rain tomorrow?

I'd still have a cross-bolt and bedding added. It won't make it shoot any worse and probably better.

I had a CZ in 458 Lott for awhile which had no work done on the stock before shooting. I put quite a few factory and hand loads through it without any signs of cracking. However, I have met someone at my local range who had a CZ in .416 Rigby that split its stock. You never know what the stock will do; getting it worked on now could save you a lot of trouble in the future.

And like a lot of these discussions they are based upon many undefined parameters.

Like, what is a "Lott?"

Guys shoot 500 gr. bullets from 2100 fps to supposedly 2400 fps, and all are called a "Lott." That range represents a whole bunch of difference in recoil and the resultant stress on a stock.

Get it bedded and a crossbolt.

All of my Lott loads were full power...

the CZ big bores I have had in the shop had atrocious bedding. One .416 would certainly have exploded during the first 20 rounds if left in the factory state.

Any big bore of any make needs to be treated rationally, which means proper bedding and reinforcement. THe presences of a muzzle break has nothing to do with it. If I were you, I would pay some one to install 2 recoil bolts and glass bed the action through the barrel recoil lug. I would not send it back to CZ, as what I have seen of their bolts and bedding leaves a lot to be desired.

i have a cz550 and it is reamed out to 460 wby i have put several hundred rounds of all flavors and had no problems with the stock or any other part of the gun. good luck with your lott.

quote:

One .416 would certainly have exploded during the first 20 rounds if left in the factory state.

Marc,

I hope you take video of the explosion!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info on your experiences.
I just got a reply from CZ-usa and they said ,"Yes I would suggest having your favorite gunsmith install dual crossbolts
and a bedding job for that caliber". So I will put it in the shop and get the crossbolts and bedding done, better to be safe than sorry as the stock I have has really nice wood.