Gents:

Does anyone have any experience with this rifle? I believe it is offered in both Mannlicher style and regular stock configuration. Considering it as a possible entree for my wife into shooting.

While we're at it, how is this thing loaded; still using long, parallel sided bullets at moderate velocities?

Thanks!

i've a the full stock model for awhile now. typical of what i see in cz's the exterior finish is much better than what you see inside. good serviceable rifle but i hate the backwards safety. The single set trigger i love and it shoots into about 1.25" at 100. never tried the old bullets, always shot noslers through it. i did a bunch of polishing on the action and bolt before it smoothed out. Not much to doing it, just sit around the tv and hand polish for a night or 2. should be an excellent rifle for a woman. light recoil and very adequate killing power

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
Gents:

Does anyone have any experience with this rifle? I believe it is offered in both Mannlicher style and regular stock configuration. Considering it as a possible entree for my wife into shooting.

While we're at it, how is this thing loaded; still using long, parallel sided bullets at moderate velocities?

Thanks!

For the money CZ builds a nice rifle.

Excellent caliber, great accuracy, low recoil, high killing efficiency.

As to loads in the 6.5x55--anywhere from 85 to 160, with the 140,130 and 120's being the current favorites.

Mine shoots best with 160's and 142's but the 100's group very well.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by butchloc:
i did a bunch of polishing on the action and bolt before it smoothed out. Not much to doing it, just sit around the tv and hand polish for a night or 2. QUOTE]
My experience exactly! Alot of honing and stoning.Gauled real bad before that. roger

I have a Full Stock 6.5x55mm, set trigger. Action is fine, safety is backwards, shoots clover leafs at 100m with ease. The European stock has a 'hump' that is nice for open sights, a little low with the CZ base/rings for consistent cheek position.

All that said, it is a keeper. So is the 7x57....

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
Gents:

Does anyone have any experience with this rifle? I believe it is offered in both Mannlicher style and regular stock configuration. Considering it as a possible entree for my wife into shooting.

While we're at it, how is this thing loaded; still using long, parallel sided bullets at moderate velocities?

Thanks!

IMO the best all-round hunting load for this cartridge is the 140-grain spitzer bullet at 2600-2800 FPS. This delivers performance downrange out of all proportion to the little cartridge. I have had good results on deer with the Sierra Gameking. I use Nosler Partitions of the same weight for heavier game.

The new Nosler 130-grain Accubond should prove very interesting in this caliber. With this bullet, you could come close to the performance of the same weight bullet in the 270 Win, and use less powder to do so.

My local store has one in the rack. Seems like it is well made, but also seemed pretty heavy in the hands.

SBB

I have a f/s in 6.5, love it!
Honing bolt/polishing bolt is a routine operation on CZ's, but time well spent

I never attempted to find the "ultimate" load.
As soon as it averaged around 1" at 100 yds I called it good!

I use 140 gr. Hornady, or the 160gr. round nose.

Go to the European Hunting section of the Forum and I think you'll soon be convinced that this is a well appreciated cartridge...

I have a CZ550 in 6.5x55 and I love it! It is the American stocked version, not the full stock. The safety on mine is not backwards.

This rifle is very consistent and digests a variety of bullets and powders with good results. I settled on RL19 and 130gr accubonds...worked great on antelope in Wyoming last fall!!

I think the CZ's are a bargain for the money...

Z

is there any practical difference in noise between the 23 inch barrel and the 20 inch carbine?

I also have the American version, which has a normal safety. Rifle is a little heavy, stock is a hair "chunky", but feels good. Accuracy is great with 120 and 129 grain bullets easily going under 1". Recoil is a non issue. Cant compare muzzle blast, but on the 23", it is not objectionable.

fantastic round... great inherint accuracy (if there is such a thing), no recoil, great sd/penetration with 130 plus grained boolits, and a good long history (nostalgia counts with me).

fantastic gun... bought a cz 9.3 to replace my remington 35 whelen, liked it so much, I then bought a 404 and 6.5x55 in cz's. Really all I have left excluding a 300 weatherby and the remy 35 whelen (couldn't bring myself to get rid of it.

Can't comment on the CZ other than to say that the 527 I have in 223 is the sweetest rifle i've owned...

BUT... when I finally shot out the barrel of my Ruger 77MkII in 270 (several thousand rounds) I replaced it with a PAC-NOR super match chambered for the Swede.

Very, very happy camper.... kills like lightning (I reckon it's better than the 270 out to 300) and as far as accuracy goes, it's a real sweetheart - using a bipod at 300, and shooting at the rate of about one shot per minute, (our local 'F' Class) 50 shots into a 3" circle isn't bad for a hunting profile barrel.

Doing that with the 270 would leave me with a major headache...

And I haven't done any serious load work ups yet...