Howdy men,

While I do consider them rather ugly, I'd like opinions on the hog back stock. Rather than screw up my Safari Express, I've decided to build a brush gun based on a CZ (I like the idea of a five-shot magazine too, in 375). For me, form follows function, so does the stock "function" well enough?

The 550 Safari Magnum might fit the bill. I do already know that it needs cross bolts.

Thanks

Here is what one looks like, to refresh memories for those of you who might have shot one:

hate it

Like it, but mine is on a 6.5X55, not on a 375.

Eric, Consider myself a "kid" at heart...Just picked up a used CZ in 416 Rigby..a real package deal. The "hog back" for me is sweet...
The rifle is about 4 yrs. old or so. With the comments on the site I will be looking to glass, crossbolt, and maybe pillar bed, the THUMPER. Have fun...HCB

quote:

Originally posted by swamprat:
Eric, Consider myself a "kid" at heart...Just picked up a used CZ in 416 Rigby..a real package deal. The "hog back" for me is sweet...
The rifle is about 4 yrs. old or so. With the comments on the site I will be looking to glass, crossbolt, and maybe pillar bed, the THUMPER. Have fun...HCB

I wish I could find a used one. No luck. I'll be getting a new one then.

I like the way the recoil for me and shoot a hogsback in .375 H&H, 9.3x62 and .458 lott works well for me at least.

quote:

Originally posted by Teat Hound:

For me, form follows function, so does the stock "function" well enough?

Thanks

Mine was on a ZKK 600 in 7x57, so it wasn't really a noticeably recoiling rifle, but anyway, I loved it. It not only handled great and seemed to soak up what little recoil there was, but it was much prettier to my eye than what they were calling their "American" stock in those days, which was an option.

Well, I think I'm going to get one. I emailed CZ and they said that it would be an additional $310 to bed and cross bolt it for me.

I have a .375 H&H CZ550 Safari Magnum with the hogsback stock. I prefer the CZ hogsback stocks to their "American". Recoil isn't bad at all with it. I haven't heard of the 375s cracking stocks but it wouldn't hurt to bed & 'bolt it anyway.

The hogsback is one of the best stock configurations for fast shouldering and recoil control. That's why they've been used on European rifles for about a hundred years. I have CZ hogsbacks in 9.3x62 and 375 H&H, plus a vintage German rifle (Waffen Frankonia on a commercial Mauser action) in 308 Norma Magnum with a hogsback stock. Personally, I love 'em.

The perfectly straight, simple-minded "American Classic" stock is a failure of the imagination.

quote:

Originally posted by swamprat:
Eric, Consider myself a "kid" at heart...Just picked up a used CZ in 416 Rigby..a real package deal. The "hog back" for me is sweet...
The rifle is about 4 yrs. old or so. With the comments on the site I will be looking to glass, crossbolt, and maybe pillar bed, the THUMPER. Have fun...HCB

I have a 416 Rigby also with the hog back stock, I just got it back from the gunsmith. I had him glass it, and pillar's added. I can't wait to get to the range with it. As for the stock, I love it.

Thanks for the comments, men. I really appreciate them.

This is turning out to be not such a bad month: new .44 Redhawk and a new .375 h&h.

Teat Hound,

I have a 9.3x62 CZ 550 with the American stock..I find this is stock directs the recoil directly back in the shoulder more and I prefer it to other the hog back stock I have on another rifle. Also, look how low the hog back stock is..I think the American style suits a scope better while the hog back is better for open sights.

Are you really settled on the .375H&H? I ask this because you should try shouldering a CZ550 in a standard length action..if you prefer the feel of seriously look at getting the 9.3 x62mm instead...

Regards,

Pete

quote:

Originally posted by Pete E:
Are you really settled on the .375H&H? I ask this because you should try shouldering a CZ550 in a standard length action..if you prefer the feel of seriously look at getting the 9.3 x62mm instead...

Technically, a 9.3x62 would work for me, but it is just easier/cheaper to get ammo/reloading components for 375. H&H.

Plus, and this is a BIG one for me, my California Veteran’s License plate says â€HH 375†on it.

I own and shoot a hogback in 375 like the one in the picture. With the open sights it fits me like a glove and the recoil ain´t too bad. Alas, the gun is a little more heavy every year

Teat Hound,

Just try handling the magnum action next to a standard action...maybe even try the FS version of the 9.362mm..you might just change your mind! Plus the 9.3x62mm American already comes with crossbolts (not sure about the Hogback stock in that caliber)

As to the ammo ect..there's now a decent range of components in .366 including Barnes X & Nosler to name but two..And redding do dies for it off the shelf so to speak!

Regards,

Pete

I had a ZKK 602 in 375 with a hog back stock and it was horrible to shoot with it. I restocked the rifle to a straight stockand the difference was very large. I cannot understand why CZ are stocking large calibers with this horrible design.

I bought an .375H&H in the American. I was not impressed with it. The stock was thick,very "proud"around the bottom metal and heavy. I picked up a used hogback,fit the rifle like it grew together,trim,lighter and the felt recoil is less. I'm looking for one in .458Win.

I had the opportunity to handle some CZ550's yesterday.
The first one was a fancy stock 'American' in .458 LOTT
...$1550.00 for the rifle; $62.50 per box of 20-rds. for Hornady 500-gr. Interbond.
The safety worked the same way as my Remington 700's and the action is Mauser CRF --- best of both worlds for ME.
NICE RIFLE. I'm not ready to get one yet, but I WANT ONE.
The stock felt good on my cheek and in my hands.

I then looked at a 'hogsback' .375 H&H...and was very puzzled at the stock design.
The reason I say this is because the stock had a 'schnabel' forend and the the raised cheekpiece had a strange ANGULAR shape to it, under the 'hogsback' top...
It looked like somebody was copying the 'new aesthetics' of some other mfgs. of rifles and shotguns currently. I didn't like it.
The stock felt like it was pressing into my cheek when I mounted it --- and I commented on how it must feel when touching of a round; like getting smacked up-side the head!

I preferred the 'American' stock by a long shot.
Since I have a Marlin .45-70 'BIG BORE' & a Remington 700 .375 ULTRA MAG ( the minimum big bore on this Forum )
--- NEITHER OF WHICH IS A TRUE DANGEROUS GAME RIFLE ---

I now have that next niche to fill in the long gun catagory.
Can you tell I've learned a few things on this FORUM in the last year or two?

The hogback seems to be pretty much a case of love it or hate it I feel that the shooter´s body is the main culprit. To Ignacio: buena caza!

Well, I purchased the rifle. I have to find a smith to crossbolt it and bed it for me.

Thanks for all the help men!

CONGRATULATIONS!

I once had a CZ in .458 WM with a hogsback stock -that thing hit me bad! It wasn´t the recoil as much as the muzzle jump...going straight from a 30-06 to a .458 might have been part of the problem but I don´t think the hogsback was ever made for heavy guns. IMO

I have had Several CZ 550's ranging from 6.5x55 up to 458 WM. My 375 and 458 both had the hogback stock and I found them to work very well if you are using the sights. I mounted a scope on my 375 and it was not the best suited combo. But recoil was not a big deal either way.

The simple fact is that if you want to use barrel sights you have to be able to get your face lower. The American is not well suited for the barrel sights, but works great with a scope. And the reverse holds true for the hog back and scopes.

While I dont care for the angular cheekpiece on the stock, they can be turned into a real sweet stock with a little love. A little reshaping of the cheekpiece and some other areas of the stock and a re-finish to replace the factory paint job and you will love it even more.

I think you are going to really enjoy your extremely hard kicking and face slapping ugly hog backed stock. Shoot it for your self before you form an opinion whether you like it or not.

quote:

Originally posted by M1Tanker:
I have had Several CZ 550's ranging from 6.5x55 up to 458 WM. My 375 and 458 both had the hogback stock and I found them to work very well if you are using the sights. I mounted a scope on my 375 and it was not the best suited combo. But recoil was not a big deal either way.

The simple fact is that if you want to use barrel sights you have to be able to get your face lower. The American is not well suited for the barrel sights, but works great with a scope. And the reverse holds true for the hog back and scopes.

While I dont care for the angular cheekpiece on the stock, they can be turned into a real sweet stock with a little love. A little reshaping of the cheekpiece and some other areas of the stock and a re-finish to replace the factory paint job and you will love it even more.

I think you are going to really enjoy your extremely hard kicking and face slapping ugly hog backed stock. Shoot it for your self before you form an opinion whether you like it or not.

Did you get your 375 bedded and/or cross bolted?

quote:

Originally posted by Teat Hound:

Did you get your 375 bedded and/or cross bolted?

I ended up trading off my 375 a few months back and it was not bedded or cross bolted. I really liked the rifle and I used it to take my gemsbok in 2004 in New Mexico. It shot very well and was very pleasant to shoot. The only reason I got rid of it was because I have a custom 375 being built, and it was started before I got the CZ.

My 458 is being bedded and cross bolted as I write this.

I have found that the CZ's tend to be awesome shooters. And often times they have some incredible wood hiding under the factory crap finish. I re-finished 3 of mine so fae and the results were phenominal and well worth the effort.

quote:

Originally posted by M1Tanker:

I have found that the CZ's tend to be awesome shooters. And often times they have some incredible wood hiding under the factory crap finish. I re-finished 3 of mine so fae and the results were phenominal and well worth the effort.

Thanks for the response. I'm pretty happy right now about the purchase.