Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles CZ 550 FS 6.5x55

Saw one at Bass Pro in Concord for anyone interested. $1299 if I remember right. Don't see these often

IMO, a rifle with a mannlicher style stock is intended to be used for stalking or still-hunting and should come to the shoulder with the shooters eye aligned with the sights for a quick shot. The CZ 550 FS has, again IMO, one of the worst mannlicher-style stocks put on a regular cataloged production rifle, the others that I have found to be inferior are those on the Mossberg 800 AM/BM/CM and Winchester 70. Once you've handled a Husqvarna with a factory mannlicher-style stock all others don't quite measure up, but I've got to hand it to Ruger, they make a better than average mannlicher-style stock for the old 44 International, the 10/22s, and the 77 series RSIs.

Sako has it down pat.


AII .308

Absolutely true! The Mannlicher itself has inferior handling characteristics to the Husqvarna.

Husqvarna 456:

But none reach the level of the original....




Although the Brno 22Fs come close....





My son has a CZ 550FS in 6.5 and you are entirely correct. The stock is entirely too clunky. It shoots like a dream and is as solidly built as you can get, but that stock! That may be why he has latched onto one of my Brnos and won't give it back....

I have shot a couple of Sako L579s in F/S version. A 308 and 243. Both do quite well for me but both have been "midgetized". LOPs of around 12.75". Works for me with a low powered variable LEUPOLD mounted low on each. Be well, RZ.

I own a CZ 550FS in 9.3x62 which is one of the most accurate rifles I own but you are all correct the stock is too chubby but does help manage the recoil of the 9.3 quite nicely and I do like the palm swell. The Ruger 77 RSI in 250-3000 is a treat and after some bedding and relieving around the nose cap is a solid 1-1/4” shooter. But none handle and just plain fit me as well as my Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1906 in 9x56MS. It is the ultimate still hunting and stalking rifle.

I forgot but my 9X56 and 6.5X54 fit me quite well. Be well, RZ.

There were a couple changes to the FS stocks, which are most noticeable on the 527 and 550 platforms (I believe the 452s went through some change too, but I’ve never personally handled the difference). With that said, the older style stock is thinner and, to me, superior. It handles much better and it isn’t as “clunky” as the newer ones. I really enjoy the FS platforms from CZ and think the older style stocks, and my personal form, align very well. With that said, my experience falls short on many other FS platforms. I’ve only ever been able to handle, not shoot, M70s, M77s, one Husqvarna, and an old BRNO. I would love to handle and shoot a Sako and an old Steyr!

I think I could find a lot of joy, and potentially even more “ideal fit”, from these others, but until our paths cross, I’ll keep shooting each of the FSs that I own. I enjoy every minute I get to take them shooting or hunting!

For reference:
“Newer Style” - Rounded type checkering with solid lines that run through checkering pattern and a solid butt pad. A serious palm swell was added, along with more wood in the bottom of the grip, forearm, and butt of the rifle. (Picture example pulled from Google.)



“Old Style” - No solid lines through the simple checkering (no fancy curves for the sake of it), thin grip, no palm swell, thinner butt and forearm. Most of these came with the vented pad, but there was a transition phase that kept this style stock but moved to the solid pad. (Picture of a 9.3x62 that I let go of due to having a duplicate of the caliber and this one never got shot.)

I briefly owned an exceptionally well figured example in 30.06. If I intended to use the iron sights, it would have fit me fine and I would likely still have it.

Using it with a scope proved frustrating, even with specialty Xlow rings. I sold it after a few short range sessions. Beautiful rifle... but they have to fit.

If it is all you've got, it's all you know and lhere's no shame in that. Kind of like the "wow" expression on the face of a guy when he sees the group he was able to shoot with his first really accurate rifle.

The one thing that I don't like and can't understand are the vented recoil pads that Sako seems to favor, even on rifles chambered for cartridges with negligible recoil. John Wooters is the only gun writer who I recall being a fan of or writing about, rifles stocked inthe mannlicher style, his being a Sako in 308.

+1

Mine was a 6.5x55 but certainly not designed for use with a scope.

i have the cz 527 fs in 223 and installed the 3 round magazine. what a delight to handle and is the perfect walk around rifle!

I need to get this one out and rigged up for hunting. An oldie that is New in the Box M72 in 7x57.