Bavarian Stock

DEFYET · Oct 1, 2015

I'm currently looking at a Sako 85 Bavarian in 375H&H. At 6'3 and 90kg, the rifle shoulders very well and seems to give me decent cheek weld.
After doing some browsing on the web I've read that a bavarian stock limits itself to bad cheek weld and increased felt recoil in the field. Has anyone had any experience in the field as the rifle feels great in the store?

Velo Dog · Oct 1, 2015

DEFYET said:
I'm currently looking at a Sako 85 Bavarian in 375H&H. At 6'3 and 90kg, the rifle shoulders very well and seems to give me decent cheek weld.
After doing some browsing on the web I've read that a bavarian stock limits itself to bad cheek weld and increased felt recoil in the field. Has anyone had any experience in the field as the rifle feels great in the store?

Hello DEFYET,

My favorite PH has a .458 3" South African Express caliber CZ 550 Magnum rifle with shortened barrel and what I would call the "Bavarian" or "hog's back" shaped stock of walnut wood.
It is a very similar cartridge to the .458 Lott but supposedly at slightly lower chamber pressure.

Well anyway, I have fired this rifle with 500 grain bullets at a paper target (no big game inspired adrenalin).
And I thought at the time it seemed to actually be a bit easier on my face and shoulder than CZ's "American" style stock shape (which I also like very much).
That being said, I have since had a .458 Lott built for myself, using a CZ action and their "Bavarian" style stock.
Admittedly, I do not load it "hot" but even at only a little over 2100 feet per second, a 500 grain bullet generates some "sporty recoil".

I am not sorry I chose this stock shape.
I wonder if those people who get hurt by one shape stock or another, simply have not tried enough different stock dimensions to know what measurements they need for proper fit to their individual physical characteristics and shooting style.
Maybe if they tried a Bavarian style one that was properly made to fit their body type/measurements, they might find "Bavarian" has nothing to do with it, or maybe even the opposite of what they had thought?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

BRICKBURN · Oct 1, 2015

Velo Dog said:
..................
I wonder if those people who get hurt ............. , simply have not tried enough different stock dimensions to know what measurements they need for proper fit to their individual physical characteristics and shooting style.
...........

Brilliant insight.

Rob404 · Oct 1, 2015

I think if one can get past the initial Odd look of a Bavarian(Hog Back) style stock they would actually like it, My CZ550 Manlicher was only available in a Bavarian style stock and I figured WTH I'd just put up with the nasty looking thing because it was a Mannlicher, but after many range trips and taking it to Africa with me I found it shouldered beautifully. and soon forgot it's odd initial appearance

BRICKBURN · Oct 1, 2015

DEFYET said:
I...............the rifle shoulders very well and seems to give me decent cheek weld..................

If it fits you, what is your concern?

Wheels · Oct 1, 2015

Have a CZ 550 with the hogback in 375. It is not an issue off the bench. It is not noticeable in the field.

If it fits good and you like it. Buy it!

CAustin · Oct 1, 2015

Would someone share a picture of what your talking about with respect to a hog back?

stug · Oct 1, 2015

Here is one

Red Leg · Oct 1, 2015

For a while now many in the gun industry have insisted that a rifle (particularly a heavy recoiling one) had to have a straight stock. Today you can find the products of this consensus all over American gun shelves - in Europe not so much. With a scoped deer rifle it isn't such a big deal, but on any rifle where open sights may come into play, these 2x4's - however glorious the wood - are an abomination. The Brits solve it by putting just a bit of bend into the butt of the stock at the wrist. The Germans do it by a drop and raised portion of the butt - sometimes with a flared cheek piece as well. Many Americans deride the appearance of the euro solution - again falling in line with the shooting press. I don't.

I believe detachable scope mounts and available open sights are a real asset on a rifle half a world from home, and particularly on one which may be used to follow up something angry in tight jess. The British and European solutions ensure you can actually use them. It is true that the spot weld when using a scope is a bit lower, but again, I have no issue with this. Indeed, the only rifles that I have owned that have had recoil issues with respect my face have been straight comb, hard recoiling cals which worked over my cheek bone.

I would have no concerns with the Sako. The one in the photo is to my eyes an extremely attractive rifle. And like all Sako's, it will almost certainly be supremely accurate and function as advertised right out of the box. And that stock will mean that you can effectively use both scope and open sights.

DEFYET · Oct 1, 2015

Thanks everyone for your input and experience. I personally love the look of the rifle and as I said, it shouldered perfectly in the shop and felt like it had great cheek weld. My concern was getting beaten around the face in the real world by reading too many forums.

I've decided on the rifle topped with a Zeiss DL 2-8. I'll pick it up early next week and post some pics.

Thanks again all!

DEFYET · Oct 1, 2015

The rifle in question c/o Sakos website.

Witold KrzyÅ¼anowski · Oct 2, 2015

I do not like "Bavarian Stock".
I think it is a matter of individual of each of us.
Witold

CAustin · Oct 2, 2015

Interesting. I don't know that I have ever seen this in the US.

Longwalker · Oct 2, 2015

I have just taken delivery of a new Sako 85 Bavarian in 7x64. While not a hard kicking cartridge, it do not find the recoil more noticeable than other rifles with a straighter stock. I do like how it handles and it shoots accurately. I think "cheek weld" is overrated, and even a disadvantage for some shooting situations. The Bavarian stock style is more like a bird gun fit than a target rifle fit, better for quick instinctive shooting. I predict that you will like shooting your .375.

Nyati · Oct 2, 2015

I like straight stocks, even on shotguns, but I have a short neck, so that may be the reason.
In the end it´s all a question of what fits best the individual shooter.

AZDAVE · Oct 2, 2015

I like the hog's back style for irons and low scope height and straight stock with the right amount of cast on straight stocks with higher scope mount and no irons.

375 Ruger Fan · Oct 3, 2015

CAustin said:
Interesting. I don't know that I have ever seen this in the US.

The CZ 550 FS has the classic "hog's back." This article on the CZ 550 FS in 6.5 x 55 Swede has a nice close up: http://www.realguns.com/articles/755.htm

Rob404 · Oct 3, 2015

stug said:
Here is oneView attachment 49332

375 Ruger Fan said:
The CZ 550 FS has the classic "hog's back." This article on the CZ 550 FS in 6.5 x 55 Swede has a nice close up: http://www.realguns.com/articles/755.htm

Thats identical to my CZ 550 only mines in 308 and has a detachable Mag

nztimb · Oct 3, 2015

I have not long finished making a Mannlicher stock off the 85 Bavarian picture for a sako 75. Whike I not a fan of the big Schnabel the guy wanted it but I did talk him into a round rather than the square backed cheekpiece.

This was the inspiration for him

so with this as a starting point, the barrel is to be shortened to the tape length after the stock is made and a Sako aperture sight and front sight to be fitted.

I whittled it down to this

Rob404 · Oct 3, 2015

Very Nice, That Schnabel looks interesting

Bavarian Stock

DEFYET

Velo Dog

BRICKBURN

Rob404

BRICKBURN

Wheels

CAustin

stug

Red Leg

DEFYET

DEFYET

Witold KrzyÅ¼anowski

CAustin

Longwalker

Nyati

AZDAVE

375 Ruger Fan

Rob404

nztimb

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Rob404

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