Getting another 6.5x55 Swede... but which one?

[cdb1]

I periodically check Gunbroker for CZ 550’s, quite often there are none and at most there are one or two, always used. I’m excluding the 550 magnums chambered for .375 H&H on up. If I’d have known they would be discontinued in a couple of years I’d have probably purchased two 550 Americans in 6.5x55 instead of one. So I question the statement that NIB 550’s can be found.

 

[cdb1]

What gave the 550 most of it’s cachet IMO was the fact they are CRF. When the 557 came out they all had 20” barrels which was a huge mistake I believe. CZ finally remedied the barrel situation by increasing the standard barrel length to 24” on the 557. I certainly wouldn’t turn down a 557 if one was given to me but since they are push feed the allure isn’t there anymore. And I know my feeling is silly because I’ve never had an encounter hunting where a CRF rifle was even remotely needed, and probably never will unless I go after a grizzly or DG in Africa. Even then I know it’s not imperative because there would be a guide there take over if things got hairy.

 

[gregp74]

What gave the 550 most of it’s cachet IMO was the fact they are CRF. When the 557 came out they all had 20” barrels which was a huge mistake I believe. CZ finally remedied the barrel situation by increasing the standard barrel length to 24” on the 557. I certainly wouldn’t turn down a 557 if one was given to me but since they are push feed the allure isn’t there anymore. And I know my feeling is silly because I’ve never had an encounter hunting where a CRF rifle was even remotely needed, and probably never will unless I go after a grizzly or DG in Africa. Even then I know it’s not imperative because their would be a guide there take over if things got hairy.

I was just looking back at my old orders from Bud's. I knew the first thing I ever got from there was a CZ 6.5 and I sent it back but I couldn't remember which model. Turns out it was a 557 Sporter. I don't recall why I sent it back and got a Remington 700 vls in 223 instead.

 

[cdb1]

The first firearm I ever bought from Bud’s was a 550 American 6.5x55.

 

[MJ]

I think many underestimate the 6.5X55 and M96.

 

[I6turbo]

I periodically check Gunbroker for CZ 550’s, quite often there are none and at most there are one or two, always used. I’m excluding the 550 magnums chambered for .375 H&H on up. If I’d have known they would be discontinued in a couple of years I’d have probably purchased two 550 Americans in 6.5x55 instead of one. So I question the statement that NIB 550’s can be found.

I agree. I also watch GB for the non-magnum 550s. They have taken off in price over the past year or two, with the 6.5x55 having done so a couple years prior to that. Over the past couple of years, the 550 likely to bring the most money is the Full Stock 6.5x55. One of those in excellent condition and with nice wood is likely to bring $1300 or more. A very plain one recently brought $1075. A NIB .243 (historically one of the lowest-demand 550 chamberings) recently brought $1220, and a NIB .308 sold for $1250, so I think those are indicators that the 550 has seen an increase in demand. A year or two ago the .308 would have needed good wood to bring $800, and the .243 would have probably topped out at $700.

NIB or legitimately LNIB ones occasionally show up, but more likely is to find one that is in excellent condition, but not necessarily new. That said, there have been a few NIB ones on GB recently, including the ones mentioned above, as well as a beautiful 2002 model .30-06 that sold for $929.

FWIW, the metal on earlier models (prior to about 2007 or so) was finished to a little higher level (higher polish prior to bluing), and they had a rubber waffle-pattern recoil pad instead of the foam pad. The stocks on the FS guns were just slightly trimmer through the wrist and across the forearm, as well.

My 550s: a 2002 model .308 Varmint, a 2005 model .243 FS (near side in the bottom photo), and a 2012 model .308 FS.




Speaking of 6.5x55s on GB, here's a photo of an American that sold for $900 and some change a few months ago. It appeared to be like new. I had to nail down my mouse hand to keep from buying it (too rich for me), but I still have remorse every time I come across the photo in my library.


A 550 is a hoss of a gun, not something that a lot of people would want to carry on a long walking hunt. But I like them a lot.

 

[gregp74]

I'm going down the same path I always do. Just like the 22 revolver that turned into a pair of them last month. And the shotgun last week.

I know I don't need one and I tell myself that. Then I start thinking about a particular one but I decide against it. Then I get on gunbroker and look a whole bunch of others. Then I narrow it down to one, but it sells or I change my mind and I tell myself it's ok I didn't need one anyway. Then I look through them again and buy a different one. And then I tell myself wait I really didn't need this but wow it sure is neat and (rifles moreso than handguns) it sits in the closet collecting dust but getting cleaned once a month or more) until I get around to trying it out.

But hey, I'm working from home and don't go out and spend money these days. I quit going to the bars and wasting my dollars there, so what else am I going to spend it on besides guns?

 

[gregp74]

I agree. I also watch GB for the non-magnum 550s. They have taken off in price over the past year or two, with the 6.5x55 having done so a couple years prior to that. Over the past couple of years, the 550 likely to bring the most money is the Full Stock 6.5x55. One of those in excellent condition and with nice wood is likely to bring $1300 or more. A very plain one recently brought $1075. A NIB .243 (historically one of the lowest-demand 550 chamberings) recently brought $1220, and a NIB .308 sold for $1250, so I think those are indicators that the 550 has seen an increase in demand. A year or two ago the .308 would have needed good wood to bring $800, and the .243 would have probably topped out at $700.

NIB or legitimately LNIB ones occasionally show up, but more likely is to find one that is in excellent condition, but not necessarily new. That said, there have been a few NIB ones on GB recently, including the ones mentioned above, as well as a beautiful 2002 model .30-06 that sold for $929.

FWIW, the metal on earlier models (prior to about 2007 or so) was finished to a little higher level (higher polish prior to bluing), and they had a rubber waffle-pattern recoil pad instead of the foam pad. The stocks on the FS guns were just slightly trimmer through the wrist and across the forearm, as well.

My 550s: a 2002 model .308 Varmint, a 2005 model .243 FS (near side in the bottom photo), and a 2012 model .308 FS.
Speaking of 6.5x55s on GB, here's a photo of an American that sold for $900 and some change a few months ago. It appeared to be like new. I had to nail down my mouse hand to keep from buying it (too rich for me), but I still have remorse every time I come across the photo in my library.

A 550 is a hoss of a gun, not something that a lot of people would want to carry on a long walking hunt. But I like them a lot.

I really like those FS ones. I am tempted to get one and put a q/d scope mount on it so I could just shoot iron sights easily if I want. Actually I've been thinking about that off and on for a couple years.

 

[gregp74]

What gave the 550 most of it’s cachet IMO was the fact they are CRF. When the 557 came out they all had 20” barrels which was a huge mistake I believe. CZ finally remedied the barrel situation by increasing the standard barrel length to 24” on the 557. I certainly wouldn’t turn down a 557 if one was given to me but since they are push feed the allure isn’t there anymore. And I know my feeling is silly because I’ve never had an encounter hunting where a CRF rifle was even remotely needed, and probably never will unless I go after a grizzly or DG in Africa. Even then I know it’s not imperative because there would be a guide there take over if things got hairy.

I'm not really sure what the length my of Mauser was. All I remember is it was very short. Seems like a lot of them I'm seeing are in the 22" range is that good or is it better to go with a 24"?

 

[Garandimal]

I'm not really sure what the length my of Mauser was. All I remember is it was very short. Seems like a lot of them I'm seeing are in the 22" range is that good or is it better to go with a 24"?

For lower pressure bottle-necked rounds... Bbl length is your friend.

Have no issues w/ the 24" Bbl'ed Ruger African 6.5x55mm.

My .270 WCF's, on the other hand, are all 22".




GR

 

[cdb1]

so what else am I going to spend it on besides guns?

Sex, drugs and rock-in-roll.

 

[cdb1]

I'm not really sure what the length my of Mauser was. All I remember is it was very short. Seems like a lot of them I'm seeing are in the 22" range is that good or is it better to go with a 24"?

I prefer 24” but 22” is okay. When CZ says 24” it is actually 23.6” since they use metric, unless something has changed.

 

[gregp74]

Sex, drugs and rock-in-roll.

The auction for that Winchester ends in another hour. I'm thinking I'm not going to get it. Party because I'm being indecisive again, partly because I don't want to spend the money, and partly because I was looking at it and that front end is awful narrow. Most of my rifle shooting these days is with a bipod on a picnic table and I don't think that's going to work very well.

 

[George P]

I think many underestimate the 6.5X55 and M96.

When I bought mine - pre-internet days - in a small town gunshow in ND, my sporterized gun came with a 16 inch barrel, Williams peep sight, 200 rounds of Norma battle pack ammo for all of $55 in 1982................killed a few deer with that

 

[eastbank]

my two cz 550 americans, top 375H&H and bottom 6.5x55. i was hunting a 550 in 7x57, but found non for sale when the 6.5x55 came along. i would still buy a 550 in 7x57 if one came along, my six swedish army rifles get loaded to milder loads than the cz 550.

 

[cdb1]

I’d buy a 550 American 7x57 too if I ran across one.

 

[gregp74]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/869516982

Gunbroker seems to think I should be interested in this $37,000 .500 Nitro Express that's ending in a half hour.

 

[eastbank]

the first house i bought cost half of $37,000. i guess that ages me.

 

[gregp74]

I've managed to hold off on buying anything so far. I came close a couple times but didn't do it. I'm going to hold off until I find something that just screams "You need me!" There's a used 700 classic that I think someone has over priced by a lot. I'm going to see if he relists it at a lower price. Or perhaps I can make him an offer. But I've gotten the "need" out of my mind lol

 

[gregp74]

Ahhh leave it to me to get myself into a pickle.

A few hours after after I posted about not buying anything right away I saw a message from a local guy looking to buy a lever gun just like the one that's been sitting in my closet unfired for the last year and a half. I emailed him with a price, we haggled a bit, and came to an agreement. I promptly. bid on another 6.5x55 Remington 700 Classic auction ending in the middle of the night and went to bed.

Yesterday morning I awoke to a pair of emails -- one that I'd won my election, and another from the guy who was going to buy my Winchester explaining that his wife had said NO! to him having another gun.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
oops...

 

[gregp74]

Not really a big deal I moved a few $$$ around to cover it but normally if I'm selling something to buy another I like to have the money in hand first. Of course the thought of selling the lever gun really hadn't even crossed my mind until then. (Although the more I think about it, that's one I probably could let go. I've only shot it a few times. Although I like the idea of something that doesn't need a magazine and can be reloaded easily at will I just never found it real comfortable to use.

 

[rust collector]

Yep, lever guns have a certain romance to them. I remember Dad trading a bringback Luger for a Winchester 94 back in late 60s early 70s, firing the 30-30 maybe a couple times, then trading it for semi-auto shotgun that repeated only occasionally. Rem 878. That's the way our gun trades usually go, so anymore I am careful what I wish for.
I do enjoy my Marlin 1895 45-70 rifle on occasion, but it's not one of my core guns.

 

[gregp74]

Yep, lever guns have a certain romance to them. I remember Dad trading a bringback Luger for a Winchester 94 back in late 60s early 70s, firing the 30-30 maybe a couple times, then trading it for semi-auto shotgun that repeated only occasionally. Rem 878. That's the way our gun trades usually go, so anymore I am careful what I wish for.
I do enjoy my Marlin 1895 45-70 rifle on occasion, but it's not one of my core guns.

Yup. I bought the lever gun in the spring of 2019 as a birthday present for myself. I was really excited about it. I could share 357 ammo with a revolver I had at the time, and everything else I mentioned and the wood looked great. All the western movies I'd been watching may have pushed me in that direction also.

It ended up just not feeling real good to me though. Maybe lever guns aren't meant for fat guys with short arms lol. My mother actually helped me out with putting some leather goodies on that gun. We put a leather wrap on the lever and a nice leather wrap/shell holder on the stock with some foam inside there to keep that metal butt plate from digging into my shoulder. After all that I feel kinda bad selling it but if I don't like shooting it there's really no sense in keeping it just because.

 

[Hokkmike]

I have shot the 6.5x55 in:

1. Winchester Featherlight - great handling, light, good looking...
2. Winchester Model 70 - Most accurate rifle I have ever owned. Literally sighted in on a postage stamp.
3. SAKO Finnlight - the ultimate practical mountain rifle for all kinds of weather.

All on your list are good choices. My philosophy is, if you are going to the Swede might as well get the best you can afford. It will pay you back over time. Of course everybody's opinions vary but for my money get a SAKO. Of your choices I LOVE the Winny...