CZ 6.5x55 Swede

[deerhunter61]

Ok...I needed to start a new thread.

Does anyone own one of these? I saw one today at Sportsmans Warehouse and I REALLY liked it. I own two CZ rifles and love both of them. But neither of them are deer hunting calibers. I would like to purchase a CZ in a caliber that I can deer hunt with and this might be it!

If you are wondering what I like about them so much? With my 22-250 it is the fact that it has a single set trigger and shoots REALLY accurate! 1/2 inch 100 yard groups. And the other is a 452 in 22 caliber. Again...it shoots very accuately!

Now I want to own one with a single set trigger for deer hunting. And for that I want to buy a caliber that I currently do not own and this is one of them.

If I choose to buy it I will most likely have to sell one of my other guns...although I do not want to it will probably be my Ruger 280. It shoots well...3/4 inch 3 shot group with a couple of different loads, but...well I am not sure why this is it...but it is the one I will most likely sell to purchase the CZ.

Feedback is appreciated!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Are you talking about the FS or the regular 550?

 

[NCsmitty]

you have a Ruger in 280? If that's so, why would you want to sell it? As much as I love the 6.5x55, the 280 Rem is a superb caliber for deer and about anything else except maybe big dangerous game. It's the great forgotten caliber.

NCsmitty

 

[Drgong]

CZ 6.5x55 Swede - I own the American (scoped) version. from a bench rests I have friends who can shoot it with quarter cover groups at 100 yards. (I can't, as I am not that good yet)

 

[ziggy222]

why would you sell a cartridge thats close to a 30-06 ballistics for one that does'nt even aproach it?

 

[deerhunter61]

Seems to be a lot of wondering why I would consider selling the 280....

All,

The reason I am considering selling the 280? Well I bought it because I was looking for a deer rifle at the time to replace my 7 mag. Why? Because of recoil. Getting a little older and wanted to hunt with a gun that has less kick. But I bought this before I had done any research on the Ruger 280 I purchased. What I found out after buying it was the recoil was almost as bad as my 7 mag. I figure if I am going to take the recoil I will just keep hunting with my 7 mag. I think it will perform just as well as the 280.

Also for that much kick I simply trust my 7mag more...been with me for over 20 years and can still drive nails.

The REAL reason is my wife will not let me buy it without selling one of my other rifles and this is simply the one I have chosen...

The reason she is a little against me buying another one outright is because it would be my 7th rifle I purchased in the last year.

Thanks,

 

[CB900F]

Deerhunter61;

Percieved recoil can be as much a function of stock design as actual energy. A good recoil pad might change your opinion of the .280.

However, on to the subject at hand. I'm a huge fan of the 6.5 Swede, but do not own one at this time. If CZ would just start importing the 550 left hand bolt guns, I'd own one of them in Swede in a heartbeat.

Several years ago I bought my son his first centerfire hunting gun for his 16th birthday. It was a Swede. Over the years I've come to appreciate the round's considerable merits. Someday I'll have one, but I fear it'll be at the cost of a custom gun. I did price the Mauser's, Blaser's etc. available in 6.5 & determined I might as well have a custome made for me at that kind of money.

900F

 

[NCsmitty]

Explanation understood deerhunter61! You're gonna love that 6.5x55.

NCsmitty

 

[rangerruck]

I think the 6.5 is just as good a deer cal as a 280, with less kick.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i'd prefer the 6.5x55mm over the 7mm mag too. it's a lighter recoiling round and highly accurate/efficent at longer ranges

if you need something bigger than the 6.5x55mm, you be in the .375H&H Mag territory. i'd consider selling the 7mm Mag

 

[brentwal]

Excellent cartridge, it's one I always recommend to people who are 1] young 2]small statue 3] recoil sensitive.

 

[9mmepiphany]

and in the CZ 550 FS, it is extremely handy as a deer rifle

if you plan to tackle Elk, you might want a longer barrel

 

[Colt46]

The .280 is a fantastic cartridge

The 6.5 Swede is probably the finest deer cartridge on the face of the planet. Moderate velocity, low recoil, superb accuracy. Most hunters could switch from their caliber of choice and get better results with the swede. It's just 'foreign'.

 

[Shawnee]

The .243 will be as effective as the Swede with less noise or recoil or expense.

 

[one-shot-one]

$0.02

i don't own a CZ but have only heard good things about them.
unless your going to hunt larger than elk or farther than 200 yards the 6.5x55 is superior to .280/30-06 or any magnum.
i have .308, .30-06, 300wsm, 45-70 and my 6.5 is more enjoyable to shoot and just as deadly to deer sized game. it is a easy on the shoulder as my sons
.243 but more confidence inspiring for mule deer or northern whitetail sized game. inside 200 yards i would not hesiatate to shot a well made 6.5 bullet into an elk.

 

[Horsemany]

Excellent cartridge, it's one I always recommend to people who are 1] young 2]small statue 3] recoil sensitive

I had a friend who was a small statue. He could keep still in the deerstand.

 

[Drgong]

My Only regret is that I bought the american and not the FS, I have become more of a Iron sight person and wished I got that rifle with Iron Sights.

 

[kentucky_smith]

The .243 will be as effective as the Swede with less noise or recoil or expense.

Negative. Have both, love both. 6.5 ammo is plentiful and cheap and I can get Euro hunting stuff for $14/20.

6.5 also has less pressure = less recoil and noise. Plus it has a higher BC.

 

[Poper]

deerhunter61:

I have the CZ550 American in 6.5x55 and love it. It's easy to shoot and easy to load for. It seems to be very tolerant of loads and bullet weights and shoots most quite well. Most of the 6.5mm bullets available have excellent ballistic coefficients and sectional densities, which mean they tend to resist wind drift and have less drag than most. With a better constructed bullet, it is more than enough gun for elk. - Provided you take reasonable shots and your placement is good.

I doubt you would regret the having the 6.5x55. Enjoy!

JMTC,

Poper

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Im also interested in the CZ 6.5. I own a Swede Mauser and love the caliber.

 

[Z_Infidel]

My Only regret is that I bought the american and not the FS, I have become more of a Iron sight person and wished I got that rifle with Iron Sights.

Contact the folks at New England Custom Gun and ask them to send you one of their ghost ring sights for the CZ550. You can install it yourself very easily. Also order a suitable front sight (NECG can help with that) and have it installed by a gunsmith.

My CZ550FS is set up with the ghost ring rear sight and a sourdough front sight post and it works very well.

 

[Drgong]

Thanks Z_Infidel, will have to check that out.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I would love to have one, but I cannot justify it with all my other similar deer rifles, including a sporterized 94 Swede Mauser. The 550 regular and 550 FS are both very nice rifles however - post pics if you get one.

 

[woof]

"I had a friend who was a small statue. He could keep still in the deerstand."

I think you guys mean small stature, unless your friend also rides on the dashboard of your car

 

[feedthehogs]

I have the 6.5 CZ with set trigger. Beautiful rifle, will shoot better than 90% of the owners.

Everyone I let try it, wants one.