Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles CZ 550 in 7x57 Any Sense in Buying It?

I have a buddy who offered to sell me his like new CZ 550 in 7x57 and he’ll give me quite a deal as I have helped him numerous times over the years. I know he’s never put a scope on it so I doubt its been fired. I don’t reload. I have no NEED for the rifle but the nostalgia angle interest’s me. My biggest concern is finding ammo that is not anemic. Is there a particular ammunition manufacturer that loads this round to higher velocities? I would use the rifle for deer, hogs, and elk. Thanks

I'm about to try these out tomorrow


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001777450?pid=273774

soup,

A CZ 550 in 7X57 is a very heavy, clubby rifle in round that belongs in a slim, trim package. I tried to like a couple of 550s back when they were all over the place, both in 9.3X62 that has moderately stout recoil. The CZ hit me everywhere that hurt commonly and some places that didn't...terrible stock configuration, IMO.

They're good rifles in general if you trim up the wood plank, and I like set triggers. I think you would get to dislike the gun in a short while if you carried it much and shot it much.

You could do like John Barsness did with his, have the stock re-worked and re-contoured. His is awsome, IMO.

Can't say anything about a CZ 550 7x57 one way or the other, but based on a 550 9.x62'performance I had for a long time, I'd not hesitate to buy a 7x57 in a CZ 550 for sure . A couple years ago a friend I had helped get his gun shop off the ground as a Wholesalers Rep, traded a Winchester Fwt 7x57 to me as a favor. It shoots S&B ammo noticeable better than the Privi.

I did have a box of 7x57 PPU recently that had several rounds with loose primer pocket problems out of one box, that I have never had before in anything of using PPU's. I am not reloading again yet but would not hesitate to use PPU brass with US made primers.

I'm also am beginning to shoot a Tikka T3 Swede and it absolutely luv's SST Bullets with 1/4" & 1/2" inch groups. Just tough to find factory ammo in SST's though.
Ron

I love 550's. I'd buy it

I have the 550FS in 6.5X55 and love it. Yes, it is too heavy for the caliber, but it shoots VERY well! The 550 action is notable for being a strong and reliable modern version of the 98 Mauser action and is common in Africa because of this. I would jump on the deal because (1) the rifle is topnotch even if a little heavy, (2) the 7X57 is great, and (3) the 550 is no longer being made.

In general, no. Aside from the standard warnings about using it old rifles (e.g. M93/95, Rem. Falling Block) there's no reason that manufacturers couldn't load 7x57 to at least 7-08 velocities, or even a little higher if they wanted to do a "+P" version like was done with the Roberts. I've used every factory round that I could get my hands on, with the exception of Nosler's factory loads (which are loaded at the same velocity as about every other factory load, but cost about twice as much), and have found that the fastest are the Hornady Superformance and Hornady .275 Rigby loads. But even they aren't up to 7-08 velocities. So unless you start handloading you're pretty much stuck with what's available.

I will say this, though: even at the factory stated 2660 fps with a 139/140-grain bullet, inside of 250 yards I've never had anything walk away from a well-placed shot. If you want the CZ - well-made rifles, by the way, even if a bit on the stout side - then buy it. If you decide you don't want it you can always sell it. I've never seen one stay around long on either the GunBroker or Guns International sites.

Just my $.02

RM

If you want it, makes great sense!

Do some research, if it is a 550 American only 200 or so of these rifles were produced. I have one, yes it’s a little heavy but sure shoot’s good. People ask what make it is due to the outstanding wood grain in the stock.

I prefer FNs in general, but the machined contours on the old CZs, both long and mini, is nice stuff. I’d not hesitate, nor worry about the weight, if it’s something that tickles you.

I have three FNs and a Heym right now, though one FN is spoken for. No, they’re not NULAs, nor target rifles, but they are excellent, reliable hunting rifles, and I’ve never had an issue with any 98 that wasn’t bubba’ed in some way before it got to me. The CZs are mostly 98s and if opportunity and funds had ever synced for me, I’d probably have one.

As to the weight, it might be a blessing of sorts, depending on what you’ll shoot it it and how. The .30/06 FN I just got was pretty “noticeable” off the bench at about 7.5 pounds.

I tried the 550 FS and really wanted to like them, but try as I might, I hated the stocks. The 550 FS has the worst configured factory installed Mannlicher-style stock that I've ever handled and I've handled and/or owned a lot of them. They have the handling qualities of cedar fence post, with apologies to the fence post for disparaging it. Mine were in 6.5x55 and 9.3x62. They shot fine, but handled so poorly that I couldn't imagine actually taking them afield.

The 7x57 is a nice cartridge, like most others, but nothing that makes it stand out except maybe the cool factor.

The 550, if it is the FS version with the Mannlicher-style stock, is not a rifle that I would want to own again. I buy and keep rifles much more often than I sell them, but I sold both of my 550 FSs for well less than I paid for them just to keep them from taking up space and gathering dust.

Everything—good and bad—that people have said about this rifle and cartridge is true. I thought that my CZ 550 in 9.3x62 was a near-perfect combination of recoil, power, weight, balance, etc., but some rifles just don't fit some people.

Norma loads the 7x57 on the warm side, but most US ammo is about like a 300 Savage. That’s not a bad place to be for deer and hogs. I’ve only killed one elk so I’ll let those with more experience comment on that.


Okie John

If the OP didn't want it I'd be seriously interested. I've been playing with several 7x57 rifles lately and running them at or slightly above 7-08 velocity. Planning on using one on an elk hunt in the near future. Currently run the 150 gr. Nosler Partition at 2880 FPS. I'm pretty sure it'll do the job if I do mine.
PJ

I’d buy it

I don't need it but I certainly wouldn't think twice about buying it.... I'd buy it in a heart beat.

I like CZ rifles... and a little heavy doesn't bother me at all...

Cuts down on any recoil it might have anyway.

and yeah, I hand load... I own 3 of the 7 mm Mausers. Two Rugers and a Model 70 Featherweight.

had the same experiences with the FS models myself! If it has the American stock it is a better handling rifle for sure-been hunting with a 557 in .270 for the last 4-5 years and it is a great shooter, easy enough to carry and is one I don't see myself selling, ever. If it was a 7x57 instead of a .270 I would not know the difference...

If I were in your shoes I'd buy it on principle alone-he is selling it cheap as a favor to you or to "repay" you for help you provided in the past, I would let him "say thank you" if you know what I mean.

I have hunted and shot several whitetail, mule deer and hogs over the years with several different 7x57 with "anemic" factory ammo and never had any problems with animal recovery. can't remember any of them going more than 30 yards...

of course YMMV

At one time, I was in a similar situation. Owned a 70 featherweight, M77 mk II, and a CZ550, all in 7x57. The Ruger stayed, the others were sold.

No question on the rifle. But unless you find some of the older hornady +p stuff you’re going to get an “anemic” factory round.

Don’t let that bother you though. It’s worked for 150 years or so.

Well, its 7x57, so it should be: "Buy recommend".


I have one of the rare McMillan AHR stocks, but no CZ 550 as of yet.

I wanted it in a old classic caliber, but people have said the 6,5x55 is to heavy... so I was thinking a 9,3x62 might be perfect fit.
But then again, I haven't seen a lot of comments on the 30-06 CZ 550... as they seem to be the most common.


Is the 6,5x55 to heavy? Or should I wait for a 9,3x62...
OR... 30-06

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Liberals talking rifles.
LOL