I am considering a new 6.5x55 swede. I am torn between two possible candidates: Winchester Model 70 and CZ550 American. I like the twist rate of the M70. However, the barrel seems a little short. The CZ has a decent barrel length. However, the twist rate is a little slower. Looking for advice, and maybe some other features that I might have missed.
Thanks in advance
Regards,

a4: you did not mention the twist rate, but the standard Swede twist is certainly faster than needed for most hunting weight bullets.
What does CZ offer?
A bigger concern to me on the 6.5x55 is the chamber; some manufacterers insist on using the "mil-spec"(?) reamer, where the throat length is lonnngggg (like my Howa 1500). Bullet jump is enormous.
There are some rifles made with a more "normal" sporter type chambering, where you can at least find the rifling with the 120-140 gr bullets.
Share what you find out!

Thanks for the reply. The twist rate for the M70 is a 1 in 8. The twist rate in the CZ is 1 in 8.9. Not sure about the chambers. Will have to do more research. Will let you know.

Thanks again,

Regards,

It appears that both the M70 and the CZ chambers are close to the MIL Spec. The Remington M700 Classic had/has shorter chambering.
Regards,

If you want to be able to shoot 140 grs (or heavier) bullets, your best bet would be 1:8. I'm not saying somebody did not manage to stabilize 140 grs in a 1:9 barrel, but the standard twist for that bullet length is 1:8 or 1:7.5.
- mike

a4

You also might want to look at the Tikka [now from Beretta]

I have the older "Whitetail" model [wood stock] and it is a very nice shooter. It really likes the Lapua ammunition!
Les

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
If you want to be able to shoot 140 grs (or heavier) bullets, your best bet would be 1:8.
- mike

a4m1d6
I'll second Mike. 1-8 is what I used in mine and 140 and heavier was no problem. Friend of mine got a 6,5X55 with 1-9 that won't shoot 140 grain bullets.

Cheers
/JOHAN

Cant' advise on the CZ or the Win. Bought a Rem classic a few years ago to play with a 6.5 swede. Bought 5 boxes of PMC 139 gr. softpoints, mainly 'cause they were semi-reasonably priced and to get the brass when I started reloading for it. They are just plain ole' shells but are 139; almost 140's. They have shot minute of whitetail 3 times, not long shots but all 1 shot kills! The bullet seems to be seated all the way out to Wyoming from here! My advice, which is worth what you've paid for it , is to get the one you like the best. All of the quality names should shoot just fine from the 85-90's, up to the 140's. Good luck jp

My custom (Van Horn) Encore barrel has a 1:9 and it superbly accurate with 140s. My favorite hunting load -- 47 grains Re-22, 140 Sierra BTSP GK, Fed 210 and Lapua brass -- easily keeps 3 shots in 1.5 inches or less -- at 300 yards.

I have a CZ550 FS, 20.5" barrel. It shoots plain-Jane Hornady Interlock 140gr SPs very well. Load consists of 46.5gr Re-22, Lapua brass, and Fed 210 primers. I apply a "medium" crimp with a Lee FC die in the cannelure.

Berger bullet site recommends a 1:9 twist for their 140 gr VLD...one long bullet! I'm beginning to think 6.5 Swedes that don't shoot 140's, just don't like the bullet or load.
Most of us have had rifles like that....

I believe I read the standard twist on Swedes was for the 160 gr roundnose...that has to be a pencil!...the 140's are quite long, for the caliber.

I bought a CZ550 for my youngest a couple of years back, I have been using 156 gr. Norma and Remington 140 gr ammo in it. I have had no stability issues.

I am not going to give the CZ a perfect rating but accuracy is certainly not one of the faults. And when price is factored in these are very good rifles.

The model 70 costs more so I expect more, which I am not sure it really measures up to for the additional dollars.

If weight is a significant factor and you want light I think the model 70 is a better choice. I like a heavier contour barrel so in that regard the CZ suits me.

And finally what rifle do you personally like? Thats the one I suggest you buy. All the rest of us its our own personal observations; helpful in selection possibly, but utimately it will be your rifle and your likes and dislikes are paramount.

I have several swede mausers and I bought a M70 featherwieght in 6.5x55. The m70 is a nice rifle. I just put a variXIII on it and adjusted the trigger and mine shoots real tight groups with my hand loads R22 120s,140s,160s.

Nothing against the 550 ,24" barrels good for the 6.5x55 . But I think overall the m70 is just a nicer rifle , stock etc.

Thought about getting another 6,5x55 in CZ 550 just to have it. But I built a custon one with m96 parts and a custom stock instead.

My Swede performs best with heavy bullets. My youngest son took his first buck with in. It was on a dead run going away from us. He hit it in the right buttock and it exited near the left clavicle, flipping the deer ass-over-tin cups (as Dad used to say). I had load Nosler Partitions in, if memory serves me correctly, 160 grains. No recoil, great accuracy, phenomenal penetrating ability, all in a light-weight Kimberly. Needless to say, as he grew older, he somehow managed to acquire/confiscate the rifle. Between it and my 7x57s, I've developed a serious love for the old metrics. It seems the heaviest bullets for both, moving at moderate velocities are how these two built their reputations ... well earned ones at that.

Thanks for the response. I own an M96, and I have a custom 6.5x55 built on an M98 Polish Wz.29. I haven't yet worked up loads for the M96, but my custom 6.5 loves the 140 grn bullets. My brother shot a 9 point with it this season. This is the first time the rifle has been put to hunting use. I pillar bedded it, and it shoots sub-moa. I have a 24" adams and bennett barrel with a 1 in 9 twist on it. I love the rifle. I definitely want the 1 in 8 twist for the 140+ bullets. I probably won't ever need them, but having the option is better than not.
I am also interested in the tikka - sweet!!!

I have a Remington Classic in 6.5x55. I like the rifle a lot but am not thrilled at the 1 in 9" barrel twist. The other commercial rifles in 6.5x55 all seem to have the more preferred 1 in 8". Mine doesn't do that well with the 140gr. bullets. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

quote:

Originally posted by a4m1d6:
....
I am also interested in the tikka - sweet!!!

The magazine box in my Tikka T3 Hunter will accept an OAL of up to 3.372 inches--lots of room to seat your bullet out to meet the lands in the long action if you so desire, so throat length is not really an issue except for the short varmint bullets. 120 gr Nosler BT, 129 gr Hornady SST and 140 gr Speer SP all can be put into the lands if you want. The Hornady 95 gr VMax is a little short though. Very good rifle for the money IMO--if you can find one.

I am building a 6.5x55 on a Winchester Mod 70. Pac-Nor is putting a 24" 1:8" medium weight barrel on it right now. I plan to make this my one in a lifetime custom gun. Cant wait to get it all together. I think the 6.5x55 is one of the best performing rounds available.

I have a CZ 550 in 7X57, it has the really long throat , but it has a mag that will fit an 06. so the long throat is no hadicap exept with bullets lighter than 140 grains.
I get prety close to the lands with 140s and the 140 and 150 grain balistic tips shoot well, but 160s are better than good...tj3006

Although I have a beautiful Sako AV in 6.5x55, I am lusting for one in a M-70 stainless Featherweight.

quote:

Winchester Model 70 and CZ550 American

T%he swede in a M-70 is a fantastic rifle.....

Not to rub it in......well ok, I am looking forward to receiving my on order Stainless featherweight with 8 twist as I won't be happy with less-yes 6.5x55!!!!!

And then I have a 350 Ruger stainless arriving too!

Looking forward to having fun getting to know them both. Owned many 6.5's, but only a brief affair with a 600 Rem in 350 that I kick myself for selling-it was 99% and then some.

Feel like THIS 6.5 will be my best if it shoots!

You should seriously consider an M70 FWT Classic in 6.5x55. I love mine and can't find a fault with it. On an impulse buy, I just picked up a used (like new) Ruger M77 MkII in 6.5x55 and have found that it doesn't have a long mil-spec chamber throat like the M70. The throat is about 1/4" shorter, so seating out to the lands is possible with 120-140 gr. bullets. Downside is the factory trigger, which I plan to replace with an adjustable unit.