I'm looking for anyone that has reloaded the Nosler 250 gr BT and/or the 286 gr Part. bullets in a CZ 550 rifle. I'd like to get a starting point for the overall length of the finished rounds. The reloading manuals have all used different brands of rifles in their tests; I'd like to hear from a CZ owner. Thank you very much for any help you can provide. GaryB.

Gary, I will keep you posted as I have a box of 286 NP's and I'm just waiting on a set of dies; then I'll give you a shout. I'd like to know what your loading data is when you get to it.

I must confess that I do not have a CZ550 but I would just say that it may well be a good idea to use the cannelure on the partition. It's quite a long ogive and so unless you have a really long magazine you are going to get tip damage and a risk of COL shortening unless you crimp. Some brass (eg RWS) is unable to hold the heavier bullets by neck tension alone. LAPUA brass is pretty thick in the neck and holds better but 286gr holding still is hard.

Gary....I'll have to check my manual tonite..

I got some pretty accurate loads for the Nosler BT but I'm not sure I found the sweet spot.....I have an EXTREMELY accurate load in my CZ 550 for the 250 Barnes X, if you are interested...I'll get back to you with those COLs...........

Thank you, gentlemen. I am doing A LOT of research right now on reloading for this caliber, including the new Ramshot TAC and Big Game powders which burn as clean, or cleaner, than Varget. Yes, please let me know about the Barnes load that you have had success with as I am considering going outside of the Nosler family and have been looking at both the Swift A-frame and the X. As soon as I get some good data I will post the results for all. I have an Oehler chrono so I should be able to get things documented fairly well. Thanks again for the return posts. Gary.

Gary....here are the COLs I found to work best in my rifle for the three bullets I have tried..

250 Nosler BT.....3.305"

250 Barnes X......3.250"

270 Speer.........3.250"

Although all three bullets are quite accurate in my rifle, I may be able to improve on both the Nosler and the Speer by fiddling with seating depths a little more... All give me excellent hunting accuracy...Considering the half inch groups I'm getting with the Barnes, I believe I have found the "sweet spot" for that bullet...

Thanks, Pygmy. I'll check my OAL as I go and see how they compare....as well as the consistency of those CZ chambers. I'm headed out for vacation for the next week; I'll be working on some loads next weekend. Take care and thanks for the help, everyone. Gary.

Gary, let me know what you come up with via e-mail. I live over in daytona if you want to go shooting sometime. I want to take my CZ to Namibia in '04 so I want to get it shooting good.