Well, I got my CZ 550 full stock in 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I post my first impressions after taking it to the range. But some background first...
I sold my Ruger M77 Ultralite in 30-06 last spring and I've been looking for a new deer gun since. The boss gave her approval on a new gun, so I started my quest for the perfect deer rifle for me. My local gun dealer special ordered a CZ 550 FS in 6.5x55 direct from CZ-USA and it took almost 7 long weeks to get the gun.
Why CZ 550? After talking to my local gun dealer and researching on the net, I concluded that the CZ 550 is a very accurate and well made rifle that doesn't cost mega$$$. I paid $629 + tax.
Why full stock? There is just something about a full stock that aesthetically pleases my eye. Here's a picture of my gun:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...S/IMG_0836.jpg
In addition the CZ 550 is very well balanced in the full stock version and comes up nicely into shooting position. I am average build at 5'10" and 165 lbs. The full stock version has iron sights, which I wanted. You can attach a scope if you'd like, but I like mine just the way it is with the open sights. A special bonus is the set trigger, which reduces the trigger pull to less than 2 lbs (?).
Why 6.5x55? Quite frankly, I was initially looking at the more common 30-06 and .308 calipers. However, with my Nordic roots, the guns mannlicher stock and Mauser action, I came to the realization, that the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser would be a perfect fit for the gun. In addition, the more I researched this caliper, the more excited I became with it's reported accuracy, moderate recoil and proven killing power. I also liked to get a less common caliper. Why? Because I could.
So, yesterday I took the rifle to the local indoor range and shot three different ammos (six shots each) through it. When looking at the results, remember that I am not an experienced rifle shooter (I've shot maybe two dozen rounds in the past 15 years...) Here are the results (all shots are from 50 yards on a bench with open sights and set trigger):
With Swedish surplus ammo:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...S/IMG_0832.jpg
With Sellier&Bellot:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...S/IMG_0833.jpg
With Prvi Partizan:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...S/IMG_0834.jpg
Based on the results I conclude the following:
1. I am tickled with the accuracy of the rifle!!!
2. I need to adjust the sights (the gun is shooting a little below and a tad to the left).
3. Maybe the best results were obtained with the Prvi ammo (tightest groups). The reason I shot the other ammo more at bullseye, was because I adjusted my POI after Prvi. The Prvi also gave the cleanest bullet hole, indicating that the bullet was traveling perfectly horizontal through the paper.
All in all, I am very pleased with my choice. This will be a gun that I will keep for the rest of my life, if it continues to perform as well as it did on my initial try.
Next on my shopping list is to find a sling that will complement the gun. Any suggestions are appreciated! Be safe out there...