The 550's propensity to split its stock is well known. The 550 American Safari Magnum in question came with a test target dated May of this year. The action is held to the stock with the usual 2 bolts, but a third bolt is added to the fore end of the stock, bolting into a lug on the barrel directly underneath the rear sight. The manual which accompanies the rifle illustrates a single cross bolt at the rear of the action, which is absent on the American pattern, but still seems to be present on the classic European (humpback) stock. The manual does not illustrate the barrel bolt.

Bolting the barrel to the stock seems an unusual design to me. Has CZ has been building them this way since the American was introduced? Is this pattern equally as likely to split the stock as the old pattern? Please forgive the questions, but I can find no pictures on the internet which show the underside of the fore end of the American pattern stock.

I have not shot the rifle yet, and have no intention of doing so until the action is properly bedded. Does the addition of the barrel bolt require anything special during the bedding process? Are there any tricks for accuracy that I should know about? (Don't tell me to free - float the barrel, please

).

Thank you in advance for any information or opinions you have to offer.

Sharptail