Interested in your thoughts on these two. How do they compare?

They don't compare well to my old Rem. 788 in .222, or custom Zastava Mini Mauser in .223 as they cost a whole lot more!

The bottom line is how well do they shoot per their sellers...? Perhaps they are worth it...cept' that CZ has that backwards safety despite its stellar accuracy reputation.

I just picked up a CZ527 .222 last month and took it to the range for the first time using reloads and I have to say that this rifle will put a smile on your face...

I'm going to reload and wonder how the CZ magazines treat the brass. They feel a bit 'scrape-y'. Are they?

Kimber...

Have a cz in 17 hornet mag isn't hard on brass and it definitely shoots well. Did eyeball the kimber in a 204 was hoping to read it was a lights out tackdriver. not many owner reviews on them.

I've owned a Kimber Pro-Varmint in 204 and 223. They both shot really well. 1/2", 5-shot groups at 100 were common. I've yet to own a CZ for comparison, but may give one a go someday soon.

Full disclosure on the 204....I only had it for about three days. Bought it, scoped it and shot a couple boxes of shells through it. A local farmer was at the house and I was shooting on the range out back. I let him shoot it and he loved it. He had to have it....and offered me more for the package than I had in it. I never did any load development with the rifle. I've never seen another on the shelf at the LGS.

I need another 204!

Hard caliber to be without. Ibought ruger 77 target and it just plain shoots. 200yds .333 with factory ammo. have yet to pull trigger and not have animal laying there . definitely makes me look like a better shooter than i am.

I have a CZ527 in 221 and my friend has two 527Varmint Kevlar's in 204.
None of the three are hard on brass.

One consideration is the mag length with the faster twisted 223.
2MuchGun on this site has one he wanted to AI but didn't because of magazine constraints with longer (VLD) bullets.
Don't know about others but if I had a fast twist 223 I'd want to be able to shoot long bullets.

Other than that, CZ makes a dam fine rifle IMO.

I have owned several kimber 84m varmint and pro varmint all will shoot lights out. The CZ shoot just as well but they have less of fit and finish to them. Don't seem to balance as well for me either. Just got to see if the extra frill is worth the cash

I've got a Kimber Varmint .22-250 and a CZ 527 American .223. The CZ is nearly as nice at nearly half the price. I like the magazine in the CZ, it is very convenient.

I have a CZ 527 American model in 204 that I have always been happy with the way it shot. It has never scratched the brass or anything like that, for the money I was surprised with the finish and fit. I can't really say anything for the Kimber though. I've never owned one.

I have four 527s, and none of them have ever scratched brass.

The "backwards" safety is no big deal, any normal person can adapt to it easily. If you're a little slow-witted, like Varmintguy, it might cause a headache, though.

Think of it like using a M94 Winchester, which you have to cock the hammer on, to shoot. Same motion, same direction. See? easily overcome with a minor amount of thought processes.

Plus one big time to the fit and finish. I just picked up one just like this and am very anxious to get it to the range. Hope this one shoots as well as all the others I've heard about.

My hunting buddy shoots a Kimber Pro Varmint in .204

I really like it, when you cycle the bolt it is so smooth and precise.
I have not shot it, but I have witnessed a few foxes get shot by it and old mate reckons he has never missed a fox with it

I don't think the CZ is a bad gun but I think the 2 rifles are in a different class