CZ 6.5x55 Swede

[missouri dave]

I have one of the full stock models in 6.5 swede. My brother loaned me an old scope of his to put on it till I saved enough to put one of my own on it. It's so old you can't read the brand on the scope. He told me it was an nc star. This combo with the right factory load (I don't handload) will shoot sub moa groups at 100 yards. He ain't getting his scope back. The cz swede is plenty accurate. BTW, I'm quite near sighted and have arthritis in my hands. A real rifleman could probably do better.

 

[deerhunter61]

Ok all,

I purchased it yesterday! I was up until 1am this morning reloading for it...put the scope on it this morning and took it to the range this afternoon. Here is a photo of it along with the target from this afternoon.

I fired 8 rounds through it but stopped simply because of the heat. The first group is a 5 shot group of a inch and a half at 100 yds. I yanked one shot. The other four were quite nice.

I have three other bullet powder combos that I still need to try but unless they can improve appreciably over the 4 shots that are really close then I will just stick for this load this deer hunting season.

The picture of the gun really does not do it justice...it is simply beautiful and shoots that way too!

Thanks,

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Looks like a fantastic start, and a great looking rifle. Post up some deer pics later in the year!

 

[johnson_n]

Is that a 3-9 scope? I might get the exact same setup.

 

[deerhunter61]

THe scope is a 3.5x10x50. Works well.

 

[Shawnee]

I'm betting you're gonna love it, Deerhunter. Make sure you keep it locked up, though, because your pals are gonna love it too!

Congrats Bigtime !

 

[johnson_n]

Are those the rings that came with it or did you need taller ones?

 

[CB900F]

Johnson n;

I put a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10X on my Tikka Whitetail .338 WM. I called Talley & discussed the situation with them & had them send the mounts they thought would work best. They were a set of the lightweight integrated base rings. I'm a happy camper with many rounds through the combination. The Burris mounts I had had on the gun couldn't stand the recoil.

900F

 

[deerhunter61]

N

They are the rings that came with it...I thought I was going to have to purchase them but when the salesman brought out the box and opened it up they were in there. I did not even think to check them to see if they were high enough while I was there...only after I got home and started getting ready to put the scope on it did I think about checking to see if they were high enough...as you can see they were.

Shawnee,

Never thought about the need to lock it up to keep it from my friends but you are probably right.... hum...I wonder where I can get a lock secure enough to keep them away from it? After shooting it yesterday it has become pretty valuable to me and sentimental as well.

 

[deerhunter61]

Premium

I will post the pics if I get one...the owner of the land I am going to be hunting on just sent us an email...he saw 7 bucks yesterday morning feeding at the protein feeder they ranged from 8-12 points! I am getting a little excited! This is my first year on this lease. I looked at it last year the week after Thanksgiving. I went and sat down on the ground by the owners stand and saw one of the biggest racked deer I have ever seen in the wild. 11 points with about a 19-20 inch spread. Needless to say I was sold! I am going out this coming weekend to participate in counting deer. I will have my camera so if I can get some good photos I will post some of them!

 

[deerhunter61]

Better photos

Hey All,

Here are some hopefully better photos for you all to view. I have taken one of my 6.5 and then one of all three of my CZs....6.5, 22lr and 22-250. Thought you might enjoy...I know I sure do!

 

[deerhunter61]

oops

Attached the wrong one... here is the 6.5

 

[Drgong]

Best of luck with the gun!

 

[deerhunter61]

Thanks Drgong! I am planning to!

 

[brooks]

All you have to do to get a long thread going is mention the 6.5x55 or.260 Rem.

I looked at the same Swede CZ this year but bought the .308 Varmint laminate which looks exactly like the 22-250 in the above photos. It is a beauty and the laminate stock looks great in grey.

In a caliber wish list poll, Savage Shooters wanted the factory to start making a 6.5mm again.

 

[maxbolen]

I have a 550 FS 6.5x55 - shoots 3/4in groups with 140gr handloads,easy recoil & deer hardy move after 1 round. Just a joy to shoot.

 

[jkingrph]

Good rifles, I have one in 22 Hornet the other in 375h&h. The 6.5x55 is also one of my favorite rounds, I only have several M 96 Swedes, one in the 1938 short rifle version. All are good shooters, and recoil is very mild.

 

[rust collector]

You've already made the move, so probably don't need to hear from another 6.5x55 cheerleader. You have been assimilated!

I love shooting my M-96s. Quiet, gentle, accurate and deadly. That's all I ask from a cartridge. The rest is marketing or compensation. As for the CZ, it's made like the guns we grew up with.

Great choice. Enjoy.

 

[one eye joe]

I have a 550 American in 6.5. Handloads with 120-130 grain bullets are boring - everything I have tried went into an inch or less. have several loads worked up with the 129 Hornady right now. Will let you know how they shoot when it cools off enough to get out. You will like the gun!!

 

[juk]

How does that varmint laminate in 22-250 shoot? I knew that I absolutely had to have one when I saw one in person. I am hooked on CZ and am positive that the next rifle I buy will either be a maple stock 527 in 223 or a 550 varmint laminate in 308 or 22-250. Congrats on the recent purchase.

 

[Ed from Maine]

want one too...ammo question

I stopped in a local dealers this weekend and held a CZ 550FS in 6.5 Swedish, and fell in love with it. It just felt 'right', and I like iron sights. And I am liking the European stock. Dealer invited me to dry fire it, and wow, really nice trigger.

Question, where is the best place to get ammo at a reasonable cost? Or should I be thinking reloading? That's if I make the move...
Second ammo question, can a hand-loaded 30-06 be dialed down to match or better the recoil and accuracy of the 6.5X55? this would be at moderate ranges, no long range stuff. Bear with me, I am a rifle newbie...

 

[CB900F]

Ed;

Handloading a .30-06 to 6.5 Swede velocity & energy levels isn't hard. However, in doing so, you're doing the .30-06 a disservice. The great advantage of the Swede lies in the bore diameter/bullet weight ratios. When you start comparing sectional densities and ballistic coeffecients it becomes obvious that the thing will drive a 140 grain bullet through a brick wall at a hundred yards.

Factor in the modest velocities, & therefore mild recoil, as well as the sterling reputation for accuracy, and it becomes quite clear why so many of us are championing this excellent European cartridge.

I own .30-06's & love them. Been shooting & loading for the round for decades. But because I'm left/left, it's almost impossible to obtain a left handed factory bolt gun in 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser. Therefore, I'm having a custom gun built in the caliber. Which won't be an inexpensive propositon, but I knew that going into the project. The point being that even though I have a .30-06 that does it's job very well, I can still see it worth spending the money to obtain a 6.5 Swede. And no, I'm not a millionaire, I'm a working stiff.

900F

 

[rust collector]

Ed, AIM has Prvi Partizan fmj for $10, softpoint for $12. I have also seen Winchester, Remington, Serb (Igman), Wolf (high grade), Century and Hornady at various price and quality points. I even have an old box of Norma that I now couldn't afford to look at. Lapua makes some great 6.5. Midway did have Lapua brass, and I should have bought a bunch when it was on sale. Don't know if they still do, but you might check there.

6.5 loaded ammo and componenets aren't nearly as rare as they were 15 or 20 years ago when the Swedish mausers started to show up. It's not nearly as hard to find as 7.5 Swiss, for example.

 

[deerhunter61]

juk

It shoots great...its the most accurate rifle I own. It will shoot consistent groups of better than 1/2 inch.

 

[deerhunter61]

Ed,

I am reloading for my 6.5...I had to basically start over today with my reloading because of the results from this past Saturday. I just could not get it to duplicate the results from the first day. I tried different length brass and that was a mistake so I trimmed all my cases today to the same length and loaded three rounds which I hope to shoot tomorrow to see if this is what the issue was.

I will let you know.