Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 221 Fireball Rem 700 or CZ 527?

Getting ready to purchase one or the other and can't decide which. I've never owned a CZ and I'm not sure I really like the magazine the way it is. Hoping to find some here that might have experience with one or the other or both. Pros and cons etc. Is the 700 worth the extra money?

Thanks!!

CZ Remingtons did not always eject well

I have both.

I really like the CZ, it seems to be very accurate.

My 700's are just as accurate though.

The triggers are okay on both, fit and finish are similar.

The CZ's magazine works well, very reliable. I don't mind a bit where the magazine is.


They are both very good rifles.

What model 700 are you looking at?

I've just started to cruise GunBroker and such to see what's available. I like the LS the best but would be happy with a classic too. When I'm ready I plan to post a WTB ad here and hopefully find one.

Thanks for the response.

The Remington Classic I bought in 2002 was incredibly accurate. Accurate enough that 3 years later I was shooting it at the range and ended up selling it for a $200 profit. Such is not the case with the 17/221 I built, most finicky round I ever owned.

As far as the CZ, I have had them in 222, 223 and 7.62x39. I have never owned or fired a CZ 527 that was not accurate.

I always saw the 221 in the same manner as the 222. It seems that you have to try to make them inaccurate. But that's my own experience with a Remington Classic's and a Remington 788.

That's a real tossup. I have both and like them equally. Save your pennies and get one of each, that way you will no longer be worried about making the best choice.

.221s are very dangerous.

They are like potato chips.

I have five and could use a couple more.

Yeah, I'd like another. When I look at the data on Hodgdons websight you can see that it is no slouch. 3500 with a 40 grain and 3000 with a 50grain.

I would go with the CZ 527.

For those in the know.....are the CZs matte or gloss bluing? It's hard to tell in pictures. How do they look with a matte finish scope?

I am working a bit with the CFE BLK powder...it is showing some promise. And it is fast.

The American, which I believe is the only CZ model in .221, has nice bluing.

I have a 2x7 Leupold ultra light glossy on mine, so can't speak to matte scopes.

I am sure it would look fine, some folks like the matte look better.

I have a CZ 221 Fireball and it is scary accurate, of course all of my CZ's are.

The single set trigger is really nice and IMO a key factor it it's outstanding accuracy.

I had a R 700 classic in 221FB. It functioned fine and was very accurate. I was a dumb ass and sold it.
I have not owned a CZ of any type, can't stand the magazine hanging out of the action.
You can't go wrong with a R 700.

Of the two, I'd choose a Remington if only because of the CZ magazine. I've heard the classics shoot very well. My Fireball is a rechambered Sako Vixen. That's a good way to go too.

I also don't like the CZ magazine. I have a 700 LVSF that is very accurate, but a little fussy feeding the short cartridges. The XP-100 is fun too.

Jerry

Sounds like for the most part everyone is happy with either. Thinking the 700 is the one I want as the magazine on the CZ looks strange to me. Thanks all for the replies so far. I'd like to hear more too.

I have the 700 LS in 221 Fireball.
I am very pleased with it, and it feeds very well from the magazine. For loading single-shot I use the Score-High magazine adapter:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/63...t-action-short-cartridge-length-aluminum

I, also, don't care for the CZ magazine.

Some guys dont like the safeties on CZ's either.

Never minded the safety or the magazine.

Its just a trait of a fine little rifle.

If you get the chance, handle an example of each.

For whatever reason, for me at least, the CZ seems trimmer, sized more appropriately for the small .221 round.

Nothing wrong with the 700, but it is a big rifle.

This is not true.
Some people did buy 221 Fire Balls and rechambered them to 223(usually Ackley)and had ejection issues.
Problem being the plunger/extracter are positioned differently on the 221 FB bolt vs. 223 bolt.

I put up my WTB ad in the classifieds. Looking for a 700.

Thanks all for the replies and helping me with my decision.