Has anybody shortened stocks on the CZ 550? I am pretty much a midget at 5'6" and 190lbs, and the factory stock is just a hair too long for me. Recoil is IMHO moderate for this 416 Rigby (first big bore). If I have the stock shortened up 1/4" am I going to decrease enough surface area of the butt to considerably increase recoil? Or should I try to get a slightly thinner pad? I like the decellerator that is on it but I think they make it in a 1/4 or 1/2" version.

No, don't be satisfied with shooting it as is, especially with a thinner pad. Go ahead and have the stock cut to fit with a better pad installed. I, too, find that most stocks out there are too long. I struggled with that shit in my early years and my rotator cuff still suffers now and then. A good smith can do the work for you.

I just bought a CZ in .375 and it is way too long. I am only 5'6" as well and I am going to cut the length of pull to 13 1/4" with a limbsaver pad on it. Will have to cut off about 3/4 of an inch. Already done it to one rifle and it is way easier to shoot. Take it to a gunsmith and get measured and have him do the work if your uncomfortable about doing it.

I own two CZs. Both were longer than avertised.
I too am short (5'8") and also heavy. I cut all my rifles including the CZs to 13 3/8ths inches LOP. Much better fit and quicker to the shoulder.

Thanks for the opinions. Now I just need to find a smith to do the work. My smith loves metal work but hates wood work. Anybody know a good stock man in Western Kentucky?

....I,m just about the king of stock Choppers in my area.. I usually use whatever is handy like a worm drive saw.. But have actually gotten so I use a miter saw or table saw.. 13 " is a good genral LOP...My 458 Lott I found that the comb was a bit much and takeing it down did more for me with that paticular rifle than shortening the stock... Also I really cheat with it .. Haveing shortend the stock and remounting the factory pad .. I tryie a slip on pad and it worked perfecto.....But in cold wx or if carring a pack I take it off...I just never could learn to shoot with my arms almost straight out in front of me ..I,m about 5'9" and 255 lbs....

Go ahead, shorten the stock to fit you; and whack 3" off that 25 inch barrel while youre at it. it wont make any difference to the recoil you feel when you are shooting at that buff, I guarantee you.

I agree with everone else. I couldn't stand my CZ 550 stock so I had it restocked by Jim Brockman to proper LOP for me and love it. I vote to shorten the stock.

My smith is going to take care of it after deer season(It's handy having a gunsmith that works for you). I had a scope lying around he wanted/needed. I'm waiting cause I am not done with load development and season is right around the corner(can't stand to be without it for a day or two). I never thought I'd like the 416 Rigby so much I would shoot it almost every other day!!! Hurts my wallet a lot more than my shoulder!!!

XM,

do you have an employee that casts bullets? I have shot about 500 rounds the past six months in my CZ 416 with an RCBS mould that casts 350gr RFN gas check bullets. 57 grains of AA5744 is a nice load, clocks about 2150, and shoots about 3/4" for a magazine full at 50 yds off the bench. You can go up to about 63gr, and get over 2400fps that way, or a bit more. Makes it a fun gun to shoot.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

wish that I did. I thought about getting into casting since I like shooting 45acp and 454 Casull alot. Now that I have this Rigby it has me thinking about it again. Is lead buildup a problem at those velocities? I need to get a lead pot anyway so I can anneal my cases in it.