RJ Renner vs Complete Restock on CZ Safari?

[Never Been]

...before I slimmed it down.

Did you pay to have it done or do it yourself?

 

[dogcat1]

Stocks are a personal thing. If you are new to this world, bring a big checkbook. Best advice is fine someone who knows how to fit you to the stock. Taking a shot in the dark is a roll of the dice.
CZ is a fine set up, but you will need to more the safety and take a look at the trigger to get a truly functional and enjoyable big bore.
Otherwise, get a model 70 or a 700. They are cheaper, easy to adjust or add stocks to.
I have had a couple of CZ's. No issues, A bit clunky but they shoot very well.

Remember that if you are going on a hunt for anything more difficult than plains game, get a tool/rifle that fits and you shoot very well. A muffed shot on a buff or other DG will cost you memories and a lot of cash. A muffed shot on plainsgame is not terribly expensive and you will get another chance. You may not on buff, cats, ele's or whatever.

DO NOT SCRIMP ON OPTICS OR YOUR WEAPON OF CHOICE.

 

[CJW]

Did you pay to have it done or do it yourself?

Myself. Added a horn forend tip while I was at it.

For reference of how oversized they are, while I didn't measure exactly, I estimate I took 3/8" off of the width and it still looks normal.

 

[spike.t]

My cz 550 in 500 jeffery stock I found bit chunky...had it slimmed a bit, but still prefer the synthetic stock I have for it...but a friend has a 416 cz550 and I never found the stock chunky at all when I have shot it, felt fine. Definitely differently made to my 500, but presumably due to the difference in the 2 calibres......these both have the American stock not the euro style one...

 

[skydiver386]

The CZ is as good as most, and a lot better than many.

I never understood why so many hunters bought a factory Remington 700, only to have the extractor replaced, a new barrel and recoil lug installed, a new custom wood stock with hand checkering created by an expensive stock maker, etc., so they could take their new .458 Wunderwaffen to Africa. Those same guys that spend 10k on a custom 700, wouldn't touch a CZ.

Think 50-70 years ago and consider what actions and rifles were available for a heavy or Dangerous Game rifle. The 1914/1917, Mauser 98 and numerous other were surplus junk in the eyes of many hunters. Not now. They are prized for their oversized actions, controlled round feed, Mauser style extraction, etc. CZ' 550 Safari Magnum's will probably be sought after not to far into the future for the exact same reasons.

 

[Rafiki]

if you think the CZ is chunky, look at the Ruger RSM.

The problem with wood is that there is always another that catches your eye so you may find yourself going down a very expensive rabbit hole when you start looking at blanks; I've been there.

Even slimming the existing lumber gets a bit expensive but really it's all about what you want. I just finished my RSM project that included stock work detailed here:

.500 Sharps 2.8" Project

For the past several months I’ve been investigating rechambering my Ruger No 1, 50-90 Sharps to increase the chamber length by a bit. As far as I know the 50-90 was the largest cartridge that the Sharps Rifle Company ever commercially produced; the 50-140 Sharps was actually created by...

www.africahunting.com

I freely admit that doing this was not cost effective but I liked the rifle and hated to stock. The thing about RSM's though is that they generally used very nice wood so I had it reshaped. Ultimately it's up to your own personal choices, nobody else has to live with it.

If you do decide to reshape the existing lumber maybe there is a local guy that you can work with. The advantage there is that you have control over the project.

 

[Never Been]

I'm hoping that the wood on the 550 turns out being decent, as I am afraid of the stock blank rabbit hole! I've seen a number of them come out really quite stunning after the factory mud stain is removed.

The thought of finding someone local is a good one, as that would eliminate the guesswork if the the fit is right. No doubt Renner knows his stuff, but the cost is too high if the wood is plain.

 

[Rafiki]

I'm hoping that the wood on the 550 turns out being decent, as I am afraid of the stock blank rabbit hole! I've seen a number of them come out really quite stunning after the factory mud stain is removed.

The thought of finding someone local is a good one, as that would eliminate the guesswork if the the fit is right. No doubt Renner knows his stuff, but the cost is too high if the wood is plain.

Oooops, I replied with the wrong link before. If you are interested in what I did with my RSM look here:

Ruger Safari Magnum Project

I purchased a RSM .375 H&H about 5-mos ago sight unseen. I needed this thing like the preverbal hole-in-the-head, never intended to get it. This all started quite by accident via a guy I met on my way to Tanzania for a buffalo hunt. It’s long story but the extremely short version is that we...

www.africahunting.com

I have too many projects to keep track of, sorry about that.

 

[Aaron N]

If you bought the rifle to be YOUR rifle and plan on keeping it, I would avoid slimming the stock. Money would be better spent to get a custom one fit exactly to your tastes and budget. Hell, you can get a Richards Microfit in exhibition grade for $500.


Keep the factory stock and sell it when you see someone looking for one.

 

[colorado]

Maybe your hands are too small lol!

 

[Never Been]

Looks like Griffin and Howe does stock work too. We'll what their pricing looks like. The Richards Microfit may not be a bad idea.

 

[Rafiki]

I have never heard of Richards Microdot 'til this thread. Did "The Google" and I have to say it looks pretty darn good. I probably would have gone that direction other than what I did if I'd known,

 

[Never Been]

G&H wants $3,850-$4,400 to slim, rechecker, refinish, and bed.

 

[Rafiki]

If you bought the rifle to be YOUR rifle and plan on keeping it, I would avoid slimming the stock. Money would be better spent to get a custom one fit exactly to your tastes and budget. Hell, you can get a Richards Microfit in exhibition grade for $500

I contacted Richard's Microfit after seeing your post and visiting their website. They said that they do not have stocks for magnum length actions. Too bad, I was seriously thinking of using them.

 

[Never Been]

That's too bad, it looks like they do for the 550 Safari. The pricing doesn't seem too bad all things considered.

 

[Aaron N]

I contacted Richard's Microfit after seeing your post and visiting their website. They said that they do not have stocks for magnum length actions. Too bad, I was seriously thinking of using them.

You can also try this gent. I can’t remember who it was, but a member recommended him to me.

CZ 550 Magnum - Products

Another classic Geoff Slee design, the Classic Sporter is the ideal base for a semi-custom & custom built hunting rifle. The slender, open grip promotes quicker shouldering & target acquisition as well as preventing fingers from smacking the rear of the t

hatchersriflestocks.com.au

 

[LimbNoMo]

Buy a different gun.

You’re into Kimber money with the changes and you could find a Winchester Safari/Alaskan and put a very nice Leupold on it for the same price. The 550 will never be as refined as either.

 

[Never Been]

The 550 came in today. The wood isn't half bad! Action is slick as snot and overall the rifle is really beautifully finished. The stock definitely feels large, but isn't uncomfortable. I'm leaning toward having a synthetic stock made for it if anything.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Bell and Carlson for the stock. They’ll add a recoil reducer for you at the factory.