Since my wife drug me kicking and screaming into Gander Mtn last night I was back in their gun area. They had CZ American Safari in 375 next to a CZ Safari 416 Rigby. I will be the first to say I had NEVER LIKED THE LOOKS of the European style stock. Until last night I had never felt them side by side. I found the European style sure seemed to mount. point and feel better than the american.

Just a curious question for those of you that have used both. How does each handle the recoil?

ramrod340,
Regarding CZ 550 Magnum "Safari" rifles:

CZ 550 American Magnum: A CZ 550 Safari Magnum barreled action is shipped from Czechoslovakia to Kansas and gets the "American" style stock put on it in Kansas. It may be .375H&H, .416 Rigby, .458WinMag, or a rechambered .458WinMag with a hand-stamped "458 LOTT" added to the usual factory roll-stamping.

CZ 550 Safari Magnum: The complete rifle comes straight from Czechoslovakia with love, and a Lux "Hogback" Euro-style stock.

I have used the Hogback on a .458/.338 Lapua Mag. that will move a 500-grainer at 2500 fps. No problem.

I prefer the feel, fit and finish of the Hogback over the American style. It handles better and is a better compromise for both iron sights and scope use.

Theoretically, the lesser drop of the American and the few ounces of extra wood in that fatboy should make it easier for the recoil sensitive shooter. I can't tell any difference.

Get whichever looks best and feels best to you when you look it over and snap it to your shoulder.

Thanks Rip. I had forgotten that the american was finished here. I agree with you at least from the 5 minutes in the store the Lux mounted and pointed better with iron sights. Anyway it is now on my Christmas list.

....My 300 Win mag was a lux style and it was alot more comfortable to lug around than the American style .,. My 458 Lott is the American style and I had to hog alot of wood off the comb to get it to come into the sights for me .. I have short fingers so the American stock is a little easier reach for me on the trigger ...If I was going to keep a rifle in 416 Rigby I would prefer the Bavarian style stock ...I would like to have one in a laminated Bavarian style ....The 2 different size express rear sights make a big difference in how hard your cheek gets smacked ...I put the smaller style rear sight on my Lott and with the tweaking I did ,it is the easiest aiming rifle that I own ..It nearly points itself ...and consequentially it is very easy to be accurate off hand shooting . ...which also reduces the felt recoil .......I think that rifle in the Rigby round would be a tremendous rifle ...Pretty easy on the shoulder ,, just kind of expensive to feed ....Thats why I had one made up in the Rem. round .....Course time its fully done I will have nearly 4 grand into it .... Nice rifle tho ..

quote:

Until last night I had never felt them side by side. I found the European style sure seemed to mount. point and feel better than the american.

I made the same comparison at my local gun shop and came to the same conclusion. Mine is in 375H&H and is a dream to shoot.

Good luck with Santa

I have a .375H&H with the hogback stock and love it. Felt much better to me than the American style. If it works for you, don't let the look or the comments from others deter you.

LWD

Like I said, the hogback is gaining followers. All it is is a negative drop at comb. anyone with a M70 Classic Safari Express is already experiencing it. The butt angle may be different between these two examples but the theory is the same. Most double rifles have this drop. I like it. Have a CZ 550 in 9.3 with full stock hogback, love it. Right now I'm debating which I like best as I compare handling of the 9.3 CZ and my M70s vs my CZ 416 Fancy with American style comb. I like them both but the negative may be faster to sight picture.