CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

Has anyone had experince with the CZ 550 in 6.5x55? I am a new hunter looking at buying a good rifle that I can use in a lot of situations. I have shot rifles ranging from .22 to 30-6 to 7.62x54R, and I really enjoy the 6.5x55, and while I have not used it for hunting, it has a outstanding reputation.

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

If you handload it can be awesome. Domestic factory ammo is a little weak.

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

I would say if you handload,go with 6.5x55mm,and if you don't intend to handload,go with the .260 remington or 7mm08. The main problems I've seen with cz is rough bolt operation but then I've seen kimbers(of america) that needed bolt lapping also.

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

The CZ 550's I've seen were quite nice and reasonably priced. I'd say the 7mm-08 is a great choice.

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

I have no experience with a cz centerfire rifle,I do own a CZ 452 american 22lr and it is as good a rifle as you can buy for the price,it is as accurate as my old remington 541T,and very well made,I personaly like the 6.5x55 swede caliber,but ammo selection is limited if you dont reload as stalking bear said the 7mm-08 would be better or the 308 is also a good caliber that is short action and wont knock your head off when you shoot it you decide for yourself,the 6.5 is a sweet shooter,but so are the other two!

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

My CZ 550 American,.30-'06,is a great rifle,shoots 3/4" groups @ 100yds. with handloads,1" with factory loads.Best trigger in my gun safe...Bob

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

Ihave thecz550 in 6.5 and love it. Thay are starting to get a lot of factory loads now but if you hand load this round can not be beat. The sad part is I have a model 96 swed made in 1904 that will shout cicle around the cz.

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

My favorite moose round handloaded with 160gr Hornady/42gr IMR 4350. You can eat right up to the bullet hole and will penetrate a deer length wise or a moose broadside.Use 120-140 for antelope/open country deer............So user friendly a kid can shoot it well.................Harold Win FWT + Husky 38

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

I've got the CZ 550 FS in 6.5x55. Read my review here: http://www.hunting.net/forum/tm.aspx?m=2530213

Since the review, I've put a couple of hundred rounds through it, mostly using military surplus ammo 139 grain and Prvi Partizan 140 grain SP.

I love the gun! It shoots well, fits me like a glove and looks great! I am still working on tightening my groups, at 100 yards that's quite a job using iron sights (I can barely make out the target at 100 yards :D)

The more I shoot the 6.5x55 the more I wonder why this caliper hasn't caught on more here in US. In Scandinavia this caliper is used for everything from big bird to moose successfully. It has a low recoil, I can shoot easily a hundred rounds without any problems. My previous rifle was a 30-06 and that thing kicked so hard you did not want to target practice for long. I firmly believe that a low recoil helps me hitting my targets accurately. This caliper would be great for a young starting shooter due to the low recoil.

Regarding ammo, I've been buying them online. Samco has surplus stuff for 37 cents/round and you can buy Prvi for 65 cents/round at Grafs. The premium hunting rounds will cost you over $1/round, but how many do you need over a season? The local stores here in GA don't carry much of the 6.5x55, but I don't see that as an issue as I can get ammo over the Internet. I don't handload, but the 6.5x55 seems to be a popular handloading caliper.

If you search 6.5x55 you will find out that there is a lot of people who just flatly love this cartridge. I've yet to come across one who would say it's not adequate for the most common prey here in US, the whitetail deer.

Ditto for CZ 550. It's an accurate gun and a good value for the money, IMHO. Hope this was of help.

RE: CZ 550 in 6.5x55
 

I would imagine that this cartridge is overshadowed by the 270 and really has to compete directly against it. I own both and don't reload so the 270 is a much higher performance round for me since my access to ammo is from the local stores.MySwede is surplus Gustavson and my 270 is a Model 70Classic Sporter. The 270 is a little faster and the bullet is a wee bitbiggerand my model 70 270 doesn't kick at allwhich is why my buddy calls it a lady's gun.

I have no experience with CZ rifles. And on an aside, I have no need for a magnum right now and if I did, I'd get a CZ550 Safary Classic in a 375 H&H.. If I am going to get a magnum, I want something worthy andbesdies, I've read too many classic African hunter books from the glory years.