What do you guys think? Is it worth paying the extra $400 to get the upgraded wood on this rifle or does that just defeat the whole purpose of buying the CZ in the first place?

Also, any ideas of what it costs to get it glass bedded, add cross bolts and smooth the action on it out some? Those seem to be the only things that are absolutely essential on these rifles. I'm trying to figure out my all in cost as compared to purchasing something else. I know several people on here have this exact same rifle and have been through this same exercise.

Above is my .458 Lott with CZ's upgraded stock. I had it refinished and re-checkered, a barrel band swivel and two cross bolts added. It was also "steel" bedded.

I think it was worth it.

JudgeG I'm not a big bore user but that gun of yours has me thinking perhaps I should be. What was the total cost after customising?

I just got my new one Saturday. I stayed with the standard stock. Mine is not that bad, not great but acceptable. Action is rough, needs tuning but the thing that really bothered me is that the front bead sight is such a piece of crap. No gold bead, no white bead, jsut plain black piece of crap. I know my eyes aren't what they used to be but even in bright sunlight I am finding it unusable. Gotta get a new front bead.

...

Mine has a large gold bead replacement by NECG (or whatever the name is??). You can't see it, even if looking closely, but the crossbolt in the forearm is plugged and checkered over.

Let's see:
Original gun was acquired at wholesale for just over $700 including shipping.
Stock upgrade was $400
The rest of the work, refinishing, re-checkering, parts and labor, to include polishing off the deep CZ logo, etc, re-bluing, sights, bedding and crossbolt... three position safety, new trigger (actual trigger, not trigger system.. it didn't like the way the original one felt or looked)... $1400.

It ain't cheap, but when I looked at the stock that CZ sent me, I about swooned and decided that it deserved getting the thing right... Action was smoothed and feeding made positive also. Here is a close-up of the stock. Note the grain is straight through the grip.

BTW, I found that I could shoot the rifle about as well with the irons as with the scope. I've since put the Leupold 2.5 with post on another rifle.



Also, I usually like a cap on the grip, but in this instance, since the Lott has "lotts" of recoil, I decided to forgo the same because all the "stock" caps would require some thinning of the wood (or fabricating a new one at great cost). Strength in a Lott is good. Same for the gap as Mrlexma mentioned below..

Funny that I was typing an edit to include those things he mentioned.... but when I saw the stock, I knew I couldn't buy another blank like this for less than four figures and went with what they sent me. Good comments, below, though Mrlexma!

The CZ stock has a too wide open grip profile. Same fault as the Dakota, IMO. Plus, the CZ has no grip cap. No classic rifle is missing a grip cap. Don't like the CZ factory set up and would restock it in any case.


So . . . I'd skip the upgrade and use the bucks for the restock.

I forgot another mod. I had the bolt replaced and had the new one checkered for a more sure grip. I also have a Winchester-style safety that I've contemplated adding. I've worked the bolt a thousand times (I counted) and never engaged the safety by mistake, however. I may save it for a CZ 9.3x62 that I have that also has great wood and begs for a re-finish and re-checkering.

JudgeG - that's a very good looking rifle. How does it shoot?

With factory loads and scope, about 2" at 100 yards. With old style Barnes Solids and irons, just a wee bit bigger. I hope to shoot North Fork solids and cups later, but for now, I've got about 100 rounds of the old Barnes to shoot up.

JudgeG
Beautiful looking rifle, whats the recoil like?

Rattlesnaker
If the stock fits perfectly then get the upgrade. If not then think hards about having a full custom made rifle. I am having mine made up by Sabi Rifles in SA with a 20" barrel and iron site for that closeup and personal stuff.

When using the scope from a bench, it got your attention, maybe explaining the 2" groups.

Using irons, I then shot it standing with a rest for my left hand. I shot up a box of 20 that way with no problem, and don't really remember being "flinchy" at all.. and that's probably why the irons did about as well as the scope.

Use a past pad and a standing bench technique for the big bangers, the bonnet of my landcruiser ute is the ideal height for sighting in my big bore rifles and it is much more pleasant than a seated bench thats for sure !!

Seems like alot of guys buy the CZ and then spend quite a few dollars dressing them up. I think MarkH might have the right idea and just build the rifle up from scratch to get what you want from the start.