Need some advice/to hear your thoughts

[WayBeau]

So, I've been searching for a modern rifle chambered 6.5x55. I'm not necessarily looking for a brand new rifle, but I don't want sporterized surplus. The other hang-up is that I can't afford to pay $1k for a rifle at the moment. Whenever I see one for sale on a site I always end up getting beat out at the last minute, or miss it all together.

So I've been looking at the two options that I (seem to) have for buying one brand new, CZ or E.R. Shaw (if there are others that don't require a second mortgage, I'd love to hear about them). I've heard good things about the CZs, but I'm a little in the dark about the quality of the Shaw guns. I kind of like the idea of being to 'build' my own, but I don't like it enough to sacrifice quality.

I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts and advice on this situation. Idealy in a perfect world I'd be able to snatch up a Remmy 700 in this caliber, but they're kinda hard to find.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Ruger made the M77 in the caliber but I don't know how common it is.
Also, for less than $1k, Tikka makes it as well.

 

[WayBeau]

Ruger made the M77 in the caliber but I don't know how common it is.
Also, for less than $1k, Tikka makes it as well.

If I could find a M77 in that caliber I'd have already bought it.

I guess must have become so discouraged in my attempts to get one off one of the trading sites that I forgot all about Tikka, and Sako for that matter.

So that changes my initial question a bit. Which, of those four options (the original 2 - CZ and Shaw, and Tikka or Sako) would you go with and why? I haven't heard anything bad about the Tikkas or Sakos so I realize it might just be six of one, half dozen of another. Are they truly a far superior rifle than the Shaw or CZ?

Thanks.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

What do you think about Howa? FYI, I have a Weatherby Vanguard which is the same thing, and I love it. It's a bit heavy. That's my only complaint.


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...686/Howa+Hogue+6.5x55+Gameking+Combo+22+Black

 

[denton]

Yugo M48 or 24/47 Mauser, $200.
Drill, tap, for scope, change safety, $100.
Commercial trigger, $60.
Replacement barrel, $200.
Install barrel and re-blue, $75.
Unfinished stock, $200.

Not much shy of the $1,000 mark, but not a bad route. When you get done, you've got exactly the combination you want.

 

[urbaneruralite]

The last time I looked, the Shaw was a Savage. If Savage isn't currently offering a 6.5x55, they are a .260. Tikka isn't importing 6.5x55s now? Even if they aren't common, I bet europtic could get one. And I'd bet K-var is getting Zastavas in the Swede these days, too.

 

[WayBeau]

Savage isn't offering the 6.5x55 at the moment. So if the Shaw is basically a Savage, and I've heard good things about Savages, the Shaw might not be a bad route to take if getting my hands on one of the others proves much costlier. I'll have to check with my LGS about the others.