CZ 550 FS 6.5x55 value...

[Messer]

Happy Friday all,

I stopped in at a local gun shop yesterday - to my surprise they had a used CZ 550 FS on the shelf. I say surprised because they don't carry CZ stuff.

Anyway - the gun looks mint, except some of the bluing on the receiver is a little mottled (looks like it came that way from CZ). They are asking $480.00, and I'm sure I could get it for $450.00 or less.

So the question is - what are these things going for nowadays?  It's not a gun I need, but one I'd like to play with. But if they are $500.00 new, I'll hold of for a better time (money wise)

Have a good weekend,
Bob S.

[MGMorden]

From my looking around online and in a few local shops these look to be going new for $625-700.  If I could get one in good condition for under $500 I'd probably go for it.  I recently sold my Mauser 96 sporter in 6.5x55 and am looking to replace it with a newer manufacture 6.5x55 myself.  Tikka, Howa, and CZ all made the short list for new rifles, with Howa looking likely due to the cost (the barreled actions for most of their chamberings go for $350  - bring your own stock).  I just haven't seen the Howa barreled actions in 6.5x55 yet.  Besides that I've been keeping my eyes open for a used model of some sort.  A good Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55 would be really nice if I could find it for a good price.

[kb]

I have been looking for one of those myself.  Where is the shop?  Personally Id buy it.  I have several swede mausers in that caliber, and really enjoy shooting them.  A decent price on a decent gun.

kb

[dbriannelson]

I paid $725, plus tax and the normal CA harrassment fee for mine a few months ago.  Retail is currently $847.  Slick rifle.  With a decent scope and hand loads it's staying well inside an inch at 100 yards.

For $480 I'd buy a second one in a heartbeat.

-Don

[jager]

Great deal at that price, and a great cartridge! Wholesale is around $550+ new. It is a bit heavy for a carbine, but it is one accurate rifle and a nice overall package to carry.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

OUCH!!!

I just put a NIB CZ 550 American .308 on lay-a-way for $399----was originally marked at $549 but they couldn't sell it and kept on marking it down just to get it out of there.

[Skunk]

OUCH!!! I just put a NIB CZ 550 American .308 on lay-a-way for $399----was originally marked at $549 but they couldn't sell it and kept on marking it down just to get it out of there.

Omaha,

Is yours a FS or is it the regular American? That is a fantastic price no matter which it is. If it is the regular model, I'm guessing that it must be the older version without the new checkering pattern. There has to be something about it that put the price down to $399.00. I recently paid $650.00 for my American 6.5 X 55.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Reg American---been sitting on the rack for at least a year---I looked it over before when I took home a Browning X-bolt.

I was in there Fri night pretty much with the intention of putting a stainless Mini-30 on lay-a-way--but looked over everything when I saw this one marked way down---went home and thought about it---went back Sat afternoon hoping it was still there----told em if the scope rings were in the box I'd take it---they were still wrapped tight in the plastic---so I put it on lay-a-way---was $427 and change with all the taxes and stuff.

The stock is on the plain side but I can't complain for that price and the rifle is HEAVY---it will be a back up to my X-bolt and maybe a leave in the car SHTF rifle.

I have a Ziess Diavari-C 3x9x36 laying around that I'll mount up on it.

I also 200rnds of .308 ammo that I didn't have a rifle for----now I need to get a set of dies.


I think the weight of the rifle is what put most people off it--plus from the start they only had 3 CZ big bore rifles(1 each .308--.270--.30-06) while they have Tikka T3's up the wazoo for the same money--most short action buyers are looking for a light weight rifle. They also had a bunch of blued/wood T3's marked down--but not as cheap as this. I think since its almost deer season might have a part of it too--what better chance to get rid of something that's not selling but mark it way down with deer season coming.

This place--Scheel's---also operates on the philosophy(sp??) to get rid of anything thats not selling to make room for something they can sell at full price---picked up a stainless 580 Mini-14 for $599 about a month ago that had been sitting there since '06---go into Cabela's and they want $750 for the same thing. Scheel's also had a 16ga 870 Express for $199 but passed on that cause I already have enough shotguns and this is on a 12ga frame--so no weight advantage with the 16----plus being an Express pretty sure it only had one choke tube----good luck finding 16ga Remchokes.

[Skunk]

A great price will often make up for a plain stock.  It's really nice to get a super deal once in awhile, and you did very well. That will be one fine rifle when you get the Zeiss mounted and the barrel all worked in, especially in the .308 caliber. If you've never had a CZ before, I'm hoping you will be pleasantly surprised with your new American. It should prove to be very accurate.

[wareagleguy]

I just got back from shooting my 6.5.  You will love this rifle.  I think I gave something like 490.00 new.  I will shoot!!!  It likes both Nosler 100gr Partitions and Berger 130 VLD.  The greate thing too is you can load the VLDs very long and not worry if it will feed in the mag.

What I mean by it shoots is 5 shots and one hole at a 100 yards.  Now, the gun didn't do that at first.  I would shoot around 3/4 groups and now with a little load development and break in is doing a one hole groups.

[Skunk]

I just got back from shooting my 6.5. You will love this rifle. It likes both Nosler 100gr Partitions and Berger 130 VLD. The great thing too is you can load the VLDs very long and not worry if it will feed in the mag. It shoots...5 shots...one hole at...100 yards.  At first...[it shot] 3/4 groups [before] load development.

I agree WarEagle, I love my 6.5 X 55 too. Mine seems to like 100gr Sierra Varminters, 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, and Sierra 140gr MatchKings, all with varget, but I'd also be interested in trying the bullets you mentioned.

I'm happy to hear about the VLDs fitting the mag, but my worry is getting them to fit the chamber without having to stuff them too far back into the case. It seems the free bore on my rifle must be next to none. I just barely got the MatchKings to work and if I'm not mistaken, the Burger VLDs are even longer. What overall length are your rounds with the VLDs coming out to, or better yet, if you have the info, what is their overall length when measuring them at the ogive?

Mine is also shooting around that 3/4" in the early stages of load development. I think my biggest problem is that I'm trying to shoot targets with a 3 X 9 scope and I'm finding it very hard to be sure if I'm placing the reticle of the scope in the same place each time I fire. I have a new 5 X 20 X 44 Monarch on the way and I will probably first mount it on the CZ to do load development before it goes on my Savage for which it was originally purchased.

I've also done no bedding or trigger work to the 6.5 as it seems to be doing well right out of the box and I'm hoping to get down to the 1/2" or better mark while leaving it completely stock. All in all, the CZ was a great buy for me. I'm really happy to own and shoot it. I fear though, that it has started an unquenchable CZ addiction in me.

[wareagleguy]

I did work on the trigger a little and got it to break around a pound and a half.  Other than that it's bone stock.  I don't have any ogave measurements but here are some loades I have with good results.  H380 shoots like a dream but I found this changes when the temps get 80+ degrees.  4064 and Varget works well.  Not had a chance to try anything else.

43g-H380 / 100gr Nosler Part
36.5 gr 4064 / 130 VLD  - OAL 3.215  - This is a LONG round but loads fine in the mag and still not jammed into lands.
40.5 gr 4064 / 130 VLD - OAL 3.215
42g Varget / 100 Hornady SP

All this is loaded with Lapua brass and Fed 210m primers.

[Skunk]

Thanks WarEagle, I'll give those VLDs and 4064 a try with your specs. I'm also using Lapua brass, but for primers I'm using CCIs. 4064 is suppose to work pretty well with .308s, so I'll try some with the 168 Matchkings in the Savage too.

[Ghostman]

I've got one that is in brand new condition. It's for sale in the classifieds since I don't need it and don't reload.