Sent the money in for the used cz 550 in 6.5x55 today. I've been wanting a rifle in that chambering for a long time, but just didn't get around to getting one.

I have no use for the older military Swedish rifles, so I had plans to have one made on a commercial Mauser '98 action. I suppose this CZ 550 is a great upgrade from the old Swedish Mauser and the '98 in its standard configuration.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to using this CZ for some deer and hog hunting next winter in Texas, maybe Georgia too.

First thing I'm gonna do is send the rifle to my gunsmith to glass bed it, and smooth/adjust the trigger, and I already bought a three-position Winchester style safety for him to put on it. The factory wood looks pretty good, with the American style stock.

Anyone else have good experience with this cartridge and the CZ 550 in particular?

KB

My 6.5 X 55 is on a VZ-24 and not a CZ but the CZ is equally strong. You'll need to handload the swede for it's maximum output but you'll be surprised at it's performance. Try H-4350!

I'm getting 3,045 out a 21" barrel with 120 grain bullets and it kills deer like nobody's business. Recoil is extremely light as well and a joy to carry as it's very light weight.

You have purchased a very fine combination!

Now see ; you learn something every day. I didn't know there was an upgrade from a Mod. 96 or 38. Thanks for that eye opener. roger

congrats with your soon-to-be 6.5 CZ
personally i thought the trigger was pretty good on a CZ 550 American i handled at a local gunstore.

as to reloading, i've heard that American loadings can be on the moderate side, but picking brands like Norma, Lapua, RWS, etc. you should be pretty close to the maximum pressure.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Now see ; you learn something every day. I didn't know there was an upgrade from a Mod. 96 or 38. Thanks for that eye opener. roger

I suppose there is a good reason that CZ, Brno, or Husqvarna, or another mfg doesn't currently produce a new rifle made to Mod. 96 or 38 specs, in a commercial configuration. Perhaps most folks buying a new sporter, want the "upgrade" rather than the "retro".

Another reason I am happy with the CZ, and partially why I chose to buy one is because I got the whole rifle for not much more than I would have to pay for a barrel(installed) and custom trigger for the '98 Mauser. I also think the trigger on the CZ 550 is pretty good, so my gunsmith won't have much to do to make it very good. I also thought the trigger was good out-of-the-box on the CZ 527 I bought last year, but my gunsmith showed me that it can be improved with a little work into the class of very good.

I also looked into walnut stocks for the '98 Mauser, and yes there are plenty of them available. However, to get one as nice as the one that comes with the CZ from the factory would cost a bunch. Then the checkering is expensive too.

KB

Thats a nice combination.I have shot with a 6.5x55 for the last 6 years and have no complaints.It has put Sika,Fallow and wild boar on the table most capably.
The Norma 156 grain Oryx is a real stopper in the 65.Digressing slightly the Oryx is a stopper in any calibre matched to its quarry.
I had occasion to handle a couple of CZ550,s in 2 gunshops recently and was impressed with the quality,very good value.
Enjoy the hunting.

I have a Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5 and it's about the sweetest little thing I ever shot. It loves pretty much any bullet, 129gr Hornady soft points were extremely accurate and killed deer like there's no tomorrow, cheap as dirt to shoot, too. Took a 350 pound black bear with a 140gr Partition as well - I thing the mild manners means more predictable bullet performance in the field, because it's such a sweet little round!

Got a CZ550 in 6.5x55 for myself not long ago. I am happy with mine...the trigger is better than I expected and the stock has a bit of figure in it.

While I haven't fined tuned it yet, I have had good results with Sierra 120gr, and Hornady 129 gr bullets using RL19, Imr4831 and Imr4350. All three of those powders produced 3 shot groups under 1" in my rifle...

Pretty good value for the money I would say...

Z

When I had to have a 6.5 x 55, before actually buying a surplus Mauser, I went out and had a rifle rebarreled to it...

I just had to have one on a Model 70 long action, with a featherweight stock, a longer barrel for open plains antelope... and a fast twist one in 8 barrel on it...

this is the results...

I like it!

I hsve hsd s CZ 6.5X55 for a few years now and am thoroughly impressed with it. All I have done to it, is load it and fire it. This is it in it's natural environment,



I find that 45 grains of H4350 over a Hornady 129 Interlock, is both accurate and effective. It is excellent on Sika which never seem to know when they are dead, the stags expecially. I do not load it any hotter than that, although I do know people that do, as I have found no need to.

You have made a wise choice, I'm sure you will be happy together.

John

Seafire,that is one sweet rifle How does she shoot?What loads do you use?Regards Toby

quote:

Originally posted by TR:
Seafire,that is one sweet rifle How does she shoot?What loads do you use?Regards Toby

++++++1 on your model 70 Seafire


The only mistake you can make with a 6.5x55 is not owning one. And I have been told that the CZs are functional and accurate in this round.

It's a great cartridge. I load my Sako 6.5x55 with 130 Accubonds using Reloader 19. It shoots!!! Enjoy!

Ron and Toby,

thanks guys for the kudos on my Model 70 FW...

as far as loads, it depends on the bullet weights I am using....

some of the loads it sees, depending on what I am hunting...

100 grain bullets, 45 grains of IMR 4064 or IMR 4895, 42 grains of W 748...

120 grain bullets, 43 grains of IMr 4064, or IMR 4895 or Rl 15, or 40 grains of W748...

140 grain bullets, 40 grains of IMR 4064, IMR 4895 or RL 15....


accuracy? it thinks it is a high buck varmint rifle!

scope is a 3 x 9 Leupold with a heavy German Number 1 Reticle...

Light loads...

30 grains of RL 7 and 160 grain Hornady RN...or 140 grain Corelokt Rem...

or 30 grains of IMR 4198 with same two bullet weights...

or 25 grains of SR 4759 with same bullet weights...

occasionally, I do some old IMR 4350 loads, but mainly use the above powders as the velocities are pretty darn quick.. the rifle's barrel length is supposed to be 26 inches, but I measured it the other night at 27.5 inches actually... you can tell in the pics it has a long barrel for a featherweight...

cheers
seafire


PS, Just to make you guys a little more jealous, she has a twin in 7 x 57, but it is a factory barrel and is 22 inches in Length... the scope is also a Leupold, but she has a heavy duplex reticle instead of the heavy German number one...the 7 x 57 is also a tack driver!

quote:

Originally posted by JAYB:
I hsve hsd s CZ 6.5X55 for a few years now and am thoroughly impressed with it. All I have done to it, is load it and fire it. This is it in it's natural environment,



I find that 45 grains of H4350 over a Hornady 129 Interlock, is both accurate and effective. It is excellent on Sika which never seem to know when they are dead, the stags expecially. I do not load it any hotter than that, although I do know people that do, as I have found no need to.

You have made a wise choice, I'm sure you will be happy together.

John

boy John, I'd sure love to walk those Scottish hills hunting with you, both of us carrying the old 6.5 with us...beautiful land Scotland is!

I just got one a few weeks ago, the 550FS version in 6.5x55. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but been having a lot of fun mounting it and taking shots at imaginary big bucks.

Oh my hat ..... ! Those are beauties !!!

Would it be sacrilege to mount a 6.5 Swede barrel onto a LE No.4 Mk1? The case head fits the bolt. The mag would need rework - it's a crap mag anyway. And the SAAMI spec for the Swede is only 45000 CUP so factory ammo could be used in it. But I would not get the performance you guys speak of - which is still O.K. I already have the No.4 and am on a budget. I would be doing most of the work myself.

just picked up a NIB Ruger MkII in 6.5 x 55, put on the leupy 2.5x8x32 over the weekend, can't wait to shoot it....

regards,
Craig Nolan