|
The CZ-550 magnum rifle in calibers like .458 Lott, .416 Remington and Rigby produce
tons of recoil. The CZ rifles are
well made and their set triggers are on the better side of current factory
offerings. Unfortunately, many people have found that the wood stock supplied
on the basic models is prone to cracking and splitting, under heavy recoil.
It is said that newer models don't have this problem. However our opinion
was that we didn't want to learn otherwise at the worst possible time -- in the middle of the wild . The classic solution for solving this problem is to put
cross bolts through the stock to keep it from splitting. Many factory and
custom big bore rifles come equipped this way. However, drilling the stock
for cross bolts requires a drill press and some way of properly holding and
aligning the stock for drilling. One mistake and you are buying a new stock.
So, we decided on another approach that we
feel is easier, better and stronger than the traditional cross bolt.
First we used a Dremel tool with a router bit
to hollow out the sections of the stock that the cross bolts would normally
go through (see diagram in first picture for bolt locations). Then, we cut some 1/4 inch, threaded, steel rod to fit tightly into
the slots we had cut. We then poured a slow-setting, tough epoxy into the slots
to permanently bind the wood to the internal cross bolts. Using a slow-setting epoxy allowed the epoxy to seep into the wood and create a super
strong bond into the wood grain as opposed to a superficial one that fast-dry epoxy would have resulted in.
Allowing 24 hours for a good cure, we then proceeded to step two.
We then used a traditional glass bedding kit
available from most gun shops and online dealers to bed the entire stock in
resin. This further increases the strength of the stock and stabilizes
the wood to prevent shifts in point of aim resulting from moisture in the air.
We also purchased some stainless steel powder to mix into the bedding
material. This filler added strength to the resin and also some needed
weight to the overall rifle.
 The glass bedding kits provides complete
instructions on how to bed a rifle. So we will only hit on the main points
involved. The first thing you need to do is paint your rifle with a release
agent. A release agent is a material that will not stick to the epoxy resin.
This is important because if you don't do this, or do it poorly, your rifle
will end up permanently glued to your stock. Being generous with the release
agent and making sure everything is fully coated will prevent any sticking.
Screws and screw holes must also be painted with release agent. The stock
should be covered in painters masking tape so that any epoxy that leaks out
later won't get on the stock finish. Be careful to bring the edges of the
tape as close as possible to the edge of the stock -- but not into the barrel
channel. Once this is done and everything is allowed to dry, you are ready to
bed the rifle.
Mix the resin per the instructions in your
kit. Never mix epoxy briskly as it induces air bubbles into the epoxy and
that makes it weaker. Stir slowly and get a good mix. After the mix is
complete, add the filler material -- if you are using any -- and combine
thoroughly. Now with the stock held level and stable, pour the epoxy
into the barrel and action areas of the stock as shown in the pictures. You
have to kind of gauge this as you want enough to fully fill all gaps when
you put the action back on the stock, but you don't want so much that it all
oozes out and makes a huge mess. Once you have the epoxy in the stock and
properly spread out, place the action in the stock and screw it into place.
Gently wipe off and excess epoxy that oozes out, secure the stock in a level
position and let it cure for the time indicated by the manufacturer.
Once cured, you will need to remove the stock
from the action. Don't just grab the end of the barrel and try to yank it
out. You want to take it out gently and evenly. A rubber mallet helps to
get it moving. Once you break the grip, it will come out easily. After the
action is out, clean it thoroughly to remove the release agent. When you are
done the stock-to-barrel fit will be the thickness of the release agent you
applied. Everything will be very snug and the rifle will not move around in
the stock. This is beneficial both from an accuracy standpoint and from a
heavy recoil standpoint. With the action firmly embedded in the stock,
everything will move in unison under recoil and the action will not be
pounding the stock due to a loose fit.
Between the internal cross bolts, the bedding
material that is stabilizing and strengthening the stock and the lack of movement
under recoil, the chances of the stock splitting are now very minimal.
This
is probably the easiest and cheapest thing you can do to improve the
accuracy of your rifle and strength of your stock.
Having shot over 300 rounds of 500 grain, full
powered Lott ammunition through this gun since the bedding job, we can attest
that the stock is as good as new and can handle the full recoil of these powerful
rounds. |
