Author Topic: CZ 550, are they good? (Read 1089 times)

anweis · « **on:** June 23, 2004, 04:03:10 AM »

Any experience with these?
How do they compare to other rifles?
I would be interested in a 6.5x55.
Thanks

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:04:53 AM »

No 550 yet. I do have a CZ 452 V and a CZ 527. They are simply amazing rifles. Don't think you will go wrong with a CZ.

savageT · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2004, 06:16:38 AM »

anweis,
I too am considering a CZ 550 in 6.5x55mm as I would enjoy a modern mauser action in this caliber. I did a quick search and found a number of CZ 550 reports...all great! Most were in Dangerous Caliber catagories but still considered to be an excellent value in the American Stocked version.
JIm

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2004, 06:33:11 AM »

From what I gather, the Tikka and CZ are in a similar class - very high. Both are very high quality rifles, although I think that Tikka is a bit better.

Zachary

anweis · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2004, 09:36:18 AM »

Zachary, i can clearly see that you are biased towards Tikka. Which is good because they are the best no frills no-nonsense engraved rifles.

From what i can see while perusing other boards, the CZ 550 is an excellent rifle, but...i may have to bed it properly, and have the barrel floated.

I may get a Tikka in 6.5 Swedish after all. I would very much like to shoot the long 160 gr. bullets out of it. Do they work in the Tikka?

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2004, 10:57:40 AM »

I honestly don't know as I don't own a tikka in that caliber. Still, most bullets in the 6.5mm are 140 grain. You're talking about 160 grain? Wow! :eek: That sure is one heck of a loooooooonnnnnnnng bullet. Don't know what the real practical benefits of that would be. Kinda like a 220 grain bullet in a .308 - way too long for caliber and not nearly as practical as a 180 grainer.

Zachary

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2004, 03:07:25 PM »

The 160s are the way to go in the older military rifles which are throated and sighted for them. They also give fearsome pentration. Dunno about the modern rifles because all my 6.5x55 experience has been with surplus Swedes.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2004, 07:31:40 PM »

The long bullets are what many of these smaller cacses made their reputations with. The 175 in the 7X57, the 156 in the 6.5X55, etc. They penetrtate well and kill better than they should for the power the case produces. The long 160(+or-) bullets in the 6.5Manlicher Schoener(sp.) are what W.D.M. Bell perferred for killing elephants!!! Solids of course. If the rifle is throated for them they will work just fine..

Judson · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2004, 12:01:32 PM »

We have sold several 550 Magnums in both .416 Rigby and .375 H&H magnum. Not only do they shoot very well but that set triger makes for good groups also. On all, the trigger needed to adjusted and on the big stuff I would recommend glass bedding but for the money you can not beat the CZ 550 Mag.

razmuz · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2004, 01:57:59 PM »

Great rifle. Really like the 23+ barrel. Best load so far: 140 Sierra/ 47 H-4350/ OAL 3.0. Only negative thing I can thank of is it's on the heavy side. Had a Tikka, traded it off; why? I don't know, just didn't move me, to much plastic.

oneb · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2004, 03:47:20 AM »

I had one in 6.5 x 55 but got rid of it.

The pluses included: Very robust construction and good heft -- I like a heavier, reliable, rifle. The barrel was free-floated from the factory. The single set trigger worked very well and the regular trgger was adjustable by my smith down to three lbs. Very nice wood and fit and finish at a great price. The 550 American model stock is the only one to have unles you like shoting over iron sights.

The down sides were: It was "clunky" in the hands; by which I mean it carried, pointed, and tracked in a cumbersome manner that my other heavy rifles do not display. It did not like 140 grain rounds until I had the action pillar-bedded. And it made an annoying, distracting, clank sound -- the follower spring, I think -- every time you touched off a round.

When safe space got down to a premium, a rifle had to go. The choice was between two Tikkas, a Vanguard, a customized Swede, and CZ. With some regrets, the CZ got sold off.

Good luck in your choice.
oneb

pc · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2004, 02:10:37 AM »

I have 5 cz's with a 6th on lay away. I like them much more than the Tikka's there is to much plastic on them for my likeing. Yes they are heavier but they are quality. My cz on layaway is a cz 550 safari in .300 win mag...it is a big rifle for a .300 winnie but I like heft and it will match my other cz 550 safari's.

Buy that cz you will not go wrong...550 magnums have express sights magnum square bridged masuer cation. Hell there a bargain...old world quality.

TomD · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2004, 05:02:01 AM »

Leftoverdj, I was glad to see your post. I have an Arisaka M38 that was reamed from 6.5x50 to 6.5x55 swede. I keep it in TX as my Hog rifle (so I don't have to bring a rifle evrytime we fly to our families TX property).

I struggled to get it to group at 100yds with 140gr factory ammo, it just wouldn't group. I was talking to an older gentleman at a small local gun shop and he suggested that I try the 160gr ammo. I decided to reload in the 160gr RNSP as the factory ammo is expensive.

What a difference!! That old gun puts 1/2" - 3/4" groups at 100yds consistently with the 160s!! I took it on my last hog hunt in April. I took a 50lb sow @ 100yds. Dropped in its tracks...the bullet did not exit but made soup out of the vitals. There was actually a piece of the Hogs heart on the ground next to it. It had come out the entry wound.

I'm very exited to have found a solution as I was told the old Ariska was a good target shooter from the 90 yr old gentleman that I bought it from.

I recently found a 140 gr recipe that works as well, but for the hogs, I'm sticking with the 160gr RNSP.

TNrifleman · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2004, 06:01:02 PM »

A hunting buddy has one in 6.5X55. I have shot it and found it to be an accurate, well made rifle. The CZ 550 is a good choice for anyone looking for an affordable hunting rifle.