Whittling down the choices (new rifle)

[MLC]

I have several rifles bit none really suited for hunting.
I want a 6.5/260 bore, the 6.5 Swede specifically, and was originally going to get another heavy barrel.
I'm now leaning towards a more classic bolt gun.
Right now the two candidates are the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 or the CZ 550 American 6.5x55.
It's venerable Mauser action vs the American Classic, tough call.
Anyone own either?
How are the triggers?
Accuracy?
Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Jaywalker]

Have you shouldered either one of them? The M70 with a 13.5-inch pull length fits me better than the 14-inch pull on the CZ; changing pull length around here is expensive - $100 plus the recoil pad cost - YMMV.

Most rifles require trigger adjustments, and IIRC, both of your selections have adjustable triggers. I recall reading on one forum or another that some CZ (maybe not the 550, though) is impossible to adjust without special tools, as you can't access the necessary areas. It's worth trying triggers to see if they're okay for you out of the box.

Personally, I'd lean to the M70, if I could afford the difference in price.

Jaywalker

 

[Black Snowman]

Both the Model 70 and CZ 550 are good guns. If you're buying new I think the CZ is the better value and I like the option of being able to use the set trigger for target shooting. I have a CZ 550 Varmit Target in .308 and the normal trigger was a little rough until it broke in but now it's very nice.

My Dad has a Model 70 and after he adjusted the trigger it was just incredible. Might be a little light now for hunting though, but he always has the choice of re-adjusting it.

However his hunting rifle is a Styre Pro Hunter. If you can find these used they're a great value. His is a .270 Win. and quite accurate with 150 gr hunting loads. It's built like a tank and there's nothing on it that can warp or change in bad weather. Synthetic stock and all. It's also quite light. Another nice feature is you can cheaply adjust the pull length with half inch spacers that are redily available online.

I hear they sell in Europe for the equivilant of $1000-1200 USD but over here the don't have the same reputation and my Father got his use for about $600 with a nice Nicon scope.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have a 1949 Model 70 in 30 06.

The trigger is awesome. I don't know if the model 70 has changed much in geometry over the years. If it has not then I would lean to the model 70.

And, although I am no authority, I understand the similarity between the mauser action and the model 70 is great. I could be wrong but it is, to my understanding, an American implementation of the Mauser action.

I would never invest in either without putting one to my shoulder and seeing how I liked it.

 

[MLC]

I called the local gunshop and sadly they did not have either rifle in stock.
What I find odd is that the Winchester "Featherweight" is only 3/10 of a pound lighter than the full flavor CZ.

 

[Jaywalker]

I weighed a few rifles and that turned out not to be the case. Check this link.

Jaywalker