6.5x55

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RancidSumo

Member
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
1,168
Location
Green River, WY
I was looking at some rifles today at the gun store and came across a CZ 550 FS. It is chambered in 6.5X55. What kind of accuarcy can I expect from a CZ 550? Is the 6.5X55 Swede a good round? More specifically, is it accurate and does it have legs? Also, does a full stock really effect accuracy very much if the barrel is floated? I am hoping to get 1moa out of whatever I get and need to know if I can expect that from a 550 with a full stock.
 
Last edited:
It's an outstanding round - one of the best ever.

As for accuracy from the Mannlicher stock, I dunno. It could be hit or miss, not being free-floated. It would be subject to possibly warping and touching the wood when hot. It would *probably* hold 1 MOA or close to it*, if you let the barrel cool completely, judging by what people report on the 550s. Sure is a sweet looking rifle....

*with tuned loads, of course.
 
If you don't mind the hogback stock, the 550 Mannlicher style generally shoots well, and the 6.5x55 is one of the outstanding cartridges of the 20th century, under appreciated in the US. It will kill most any North American game is renowned for it's accuracy and mild recoil.
 
That "european" (or "hogback", as GunTech calls it) stock sorta spooks me. Not sure how that can work out to place one's head correctly for scope use.
Would sure hate to buy a rifle and then find out I had to hold my face off the stock to see through the scope.

Anyone know how that works ? :confused:
 
As far as the 6.5 goes, do a search, when you find something bad let me know. I've been looking at them for a year now. have a mauser but not happy with the trigger, you won't have that problem, so I'm not sure if this is a stepping stone of not but the round is as good as it gets with minor recoil.............

Tony
 
If you use ammo loaded for guns that can handle higher pressure than military rifles, it will shoot flatter than a .308. As far as the stock goes, I don't know.
 
I used to own a sporterized Swede Mauser in 6.5. Sold it, and it's the only true regret I've ever had in terms of gun sales that I haven't made up for.

I had Sierra GameKings for it, and I've heard many times it's a whitetail killing machine.

(Didn't even get to test that hypothesis before I'd pushed it out the door)
 
I have a 96 mauser sporterized by kimber back in the early 90's. My daughter love's using it, Its mild on the sholder, and on the ears. I shoot Hornady 129gr interlocks in it. The only thing done to the rifle since i purchased it was to put a timminey trigger in it. The original two-stage trigger was smooth but had too much take up .My daughter and I have taken 6 deer with it and only one needed a follow up shot.
 
Great round, that does amazing things in a modern action. Load some 140s, and shoot at 1000. Lots of guys still using the 6.5x55 in F Class, since it's cheap and has great ballistics.
 
Last edited:
The European style stock is designed for iron sights. They also tend to like their scopes mounted higher than we do.

I haven't owned the FS model, but I've had a number of CZ-550s. They have all been outstanding rifles. Don't let the trigger fool you. While you can set it, the triggers are not adjusted well from the factory, and you can get the unset trigger fairly lights and very clean, and the set trigger light enough to be scary.

These are hunting rifles, not match guns. They will deliver very good accuracy, but don't expect 1/4 MOA. Like al Mausers, they have long lock time and the bolt can be a little stiff until broken in.

But these are all steel guns without any MIM or plastic. They'll last a lifetime plus.

I am a big fan of CZ rifles, but am currently indulging myself with 527s.
 
550fs!

RancidSumo asked:
What kind of accuarcy can I expect from a CZ 550?
Click to expand...
I have a 550 American in 6.5x55SE. Accuracy is excellent in the 3/4" to 1-1/4" range with handloads. It depends on if you want to hotrod her or be satisfied with greater accuracy at the expense of a little velocity. And like another poster said, the set trigger can be downright scary!

Then:
Is the 6.5X55 Swede a good round?
Click to expand...
My father had a sporterized Swede that he hunted with for about 20 years until his brother talked him into a Parker Hale in .270 Win. Dad always said the Swede did everything his .270 did, for a lot less money. It's an excellent round and is probably as common to European hunters as the 30.06 is to us Americans.

And:
More specifically, is it accurate and does it have legs?
Click to expand...
This one has too many variables to give a definitive answer. But considering many of the military Swedish Mausers had sights calibrated to 600 or 1000 meters, my guess would be "yes".

Lastly:
does a full stock really effect accuracy very much if the barrel is floated?
Click to expand...
This will probably be dependent on individual specimens. I have a 527FS in .222 Remington (I had to special order it) and it holds it's zero pretty well when the barrel heats up. Dead cold, it will put 5 rounds together you can cover with a dime. When warmed up, it will commonly open up to quarter size. This one could very well be a freak and the 550FS might be more temperamental.

Bottom line, if I could find a 550FS in 65.x55, I would be on it like a chicken on a June bug! :D:D They are beautiful guns, IMHO.

I hope this is helpful.

Poper

PS: I found my 550's accuracy improved measurably after 300 or so rounds had gone down range. Exactly why, I do not know. Seems like a lot of break-in to me.
 
Only downside is taking it to a deer camp, and having the running joke for the weekend be a 1000 uses of the word "Mannlicher".
 
*IF* it is loaded up to its potential for modern turnbolts and not "dumbed down" to the old military loadings, then it's closest living relative is probably the .270 Win. And now what was it that Jack O'Conner said about the .270 win?

Only downside is taking it to a deer camp, and having the running joke for the weekend be a 1000 uses of the word "Mannlicher".
Click to expand...

I'd imagine that one would have to be in deer camp away from civilization and the wifey a looooooooooong time before the word became reality. For most of us anyhow. :eek: :D

Bamajohn, welcome to the forum.
 
Rancid;

The 6.5 X 55mm Mauser is now in it's third century. That sorta staying power doesn't come by accident, it is a truly fine cartridge. The round has, albeit in the past, won 1000 yard Palma matches. Which speaks credibly to it's accuracy potential.

Full stock guns can be fussy about accuracy, particularly if long sessions are the norm. However, the CZ550 is as solid a piece manufacturing as exists in the firearms world today. I'd have one, but CZ isn't importing the LHB's yet.

Therefore my custom LHB 6.5 Swede is being built on another action. If the CZ were available, it'd get built on that.

900F
 
I would not buy a Mannlicher stocked rifle with visions of one MOA dancing in my head. I tried that once with a Sako. Pretty, but not as accurate as a conventional sporter or varmint model.
 
*IF* it is loaded up to its potential for modern turnbolts and not "dumbed down" to the old military loadings
Click to expand...
The old military loadings are fine, the european loadings are fine, its the goobers at places like remchester who dumb down the loads.
 
"...not happy with the trigger..." If it's a hunting rifle on a Mauser action, put on a Timney trigger. If it's a milsurp, they're not made for target accuracy. Mind you, even milsurp 6.5's tend to shoot very well.
 
The 6.5 x 55 is a great cartridge. In my opinion it is one of, if not the most, efficient rounds ever developed. it has been used very successfully on everything from targets to elephant. I have a Kimber sporterized 6.5 that is great, but i have always kicked myself for not buying one of the Remington 6.5 700 Classics made in '94 or the Win 70 featherweight before they went belly-up. I am eyeing either the CZ 6.5 x 55 or the Swede's faster brother, the .264 Win. on a 700 action. you will be very happy w/your 6.5.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
CZ 550 Mannlicher vs. American
Replies
16
Views
4K
Bear2000
B
J
  • Locked
CZ 550 6.5X55 Full-Stock
Replies
19
Views
1K
sumpnz
S
J
  • Locked
Best off the shelf factory load for deer with 6.5x55 Swede?
Replies
21
Views
8K
Hokkmike
Hokkmike
M
  • Locked
Whittling down the choices (new rifle)
Replies
5
Views
655
Jaywalker
J
G
  • Locked
CZ 550 Full Stock in 6.5x55
Replies
17
Views
4K
Rio Laxas
R
Back
Top