Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters cz 527 .223?

My uncle was interested in a tikka t3 lite in .223 but did'nt like the 8 inch twist for 50 gr bullets,i suggested the cz .any feedback would be appreciated.

thanks

jeff.

I have a varmint model that shoots .5 moa and a carbine version that shoots .6 moa. very accurate shooters, I don't think you will be disappointed

Good suggestion.

I have the "regular" American version of the 527 (not varmint, not carbine) and it shoots 40-55 gr bullets into sub-inch groups consistently. It does not even like 60 gr Partitions or 64 gr PowerPoints. I also have a Savage varmint model with the 1-in-9 inch twist, and it shoots everything from 40 gr bullets to 69 gr HPs (the heaviest I have tried) very well. It is hard to say which rifle is more accurate. The faster twist does not seem to hurt accuracy with lighter bullets.

I have a couple of Tikka T-3s, too - and they also shoot extremely well. I don't think you can go wrong either way, IMHO.

cumminscowboy,

I am still looking at the CZ 527 in .223.
I started out looking for a Lux, with the full barrel and open sights, but so far have only found an American, which is almost the same size as a Ruger M77 MkII.

I have handled the full stock carbine in other calibers, and it is pretty nice and handy. Since my AR-15s do fine with a 20-inch barrel, there is no reason for a bolt action to not work just as well.

I just like the idea of eventually having a 427 in .22LR, a 527 in .223 (or a Hornet), and maybe a 550 to go with my other Brno rifles. Those little 427s and 527s with slim half stocks and open sights feel like miniature, but real, big game rifles.

If I have to buy a 527 American model, and add iron sights (stock a bit too straight), it gets me back to doing the same to a Ruger 77.

My CZ 527 American is quite a bit lighter and smaller than a Ruger M77, unless you are looking at an ultralite or compact model. (Mine is not the varmint model, but the sporter.) I see no need for iron sights for what I use mine for, and it is almost as handy as a .22 rimfire rifle. It does, however, have a feel of a miniature version of a "big game rifle."

Certainly, the CZ is smaller than my Tikka T-3 in .243 and since Tikka just makes one size action, I'm sure a .223 Tikka is bulkier than the CZ, though it may be just about as light.

Both the Ruger 77 and the CZ-527 American do have after market NECG aperture sights which fit their integral scope ring slots.

I see no problem with adding sights, just like my other M-77, but unless I just want a Ruger 77 with sights as a mate, I figure why not save the money and buy the CZ 527 Lux which already has sights.

CZ lists the 527 at 6.25 lbs. The action is very small.
The Ruger weighs 7.25 lbs or more, depending on wood.
I have handled both, and weighed the Ruger.

Like the Ruger M-77, the T3 in .223 has the same contour barrel as a larger caliber, so there is less hole and more steel, which is a good thing for accuracy.

I am going to buy some another Ruger M-77, and another T3, and a CZ 550 in big game calibers anyway, so I am fine with a .223 in any or all of them as a stable mate.

1:9 Twist Good walk about with HS precision kevlar stock

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=13

1:9 Thicker barrel http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=15

The above two are great for the 55 gr.and 60 up to about 69.
The below for lighter bullets. I have never owned a 1:8 twist, but think they should do fine with the 55 grainers. Many m-4 type self defense rifles are now using a 1:8 twist. Makes sense to use heavier bullets and they work fine on varmints too. Why not have a bolt action with the same twist.

most are 1:12 http://www.cz-usa.com/products_smallbore_rifles.php

1:16 http://www.cz-usa.com/products_smallbore_rifles.php

Lee24,

I like CZ rifles as well-great guns.

I do have a suggestion though. LEARN THE CORRECT MODEL NUMBERS, PLEASE.

There is no "427" CZ rimfire.

It is a model 452.

jef..,

A friend liked his 527 in .223 so well he bought another in .204 Ruger. I have shot and loaded for both. Both shot a little over an inch at 100yds, probably because they are light. Expect someone with better bench technique could get smaller groups.

Because of the light weight, they make great 'walking around' predator rifles. I can think of no earthly reason why anyone would want iron sites on rifles of this type. It would serve the same purpose as a hood orniment on a Rolls.

O

I have the 527 American in .223 and, though it doesn't seem to like 60gr. or heavier bullets, it is scary-accurate with 40-55gr. ammo.

The reason I want a .223 like the CZ 527 or Ruger M-77 with iron sights is that my larger centerfires have iron sights, and my .22 LRs have iron sights.

I like iron sights. I cut my teeth on iron sights.

From sitting or prone, I can always hit a drink can at 200 yards with open sights, if the rifle can do it and has a good set of sights, and I can do it most of the time offhand.

I enjoy stalking, and making a challenging, but clean, ethical shot on game. So, as long as my eyes hold out, I intend to keep shooting and hunting the way I enjoy.

The more I see and hear about the CZ 527, the more I think I would enjoy it, even as a rifle for small deer.

That reminds me to ask those of you who use the 527 for a "walk around rifle", what are you shooting with it?

In our case a few ground hogs and quite a few snapping turtles. The farm pond was polluted with turtles and baby ducks didn't have a chance. Shooting them is a real challenge. You have to spot'em, get on 'em and take the shot at a small target before they dive.

It also makes a great rifle for calling predators when you're carring decoys, blinds and elec. callers. Really just about any time you want to take a walk in the woods and not be burdened with a 10 pound rig.




O

It probably has to do with the twist. Most bolt guns have a slow one, say 1-12, what you really need is 1-9 or even faster for heavier bullets in a .223.

O

1-12 will do fine with 40-55 grain bullets.
The AR-15 was 1:12, because that worked in the .222 Rem (its original 5.56 cartridge) and the .223.

It was only after Vietnam, when FN developed some better bullets in 62, 63 an 69 grains, and a barrel to shoot them, that the world later caught up to building bolt rifles for those loads, with 1:9 twists. As the AR-15 became a 600-meter rifle instead of the 300-yard rifle it had been in Vietnam, even heavier match bullets were developed and rifles in 1:8 and 1:7 rates of twist.

I have a 1970s Smith and Wesson 1500 in .223 which is 1:12 and it shoots great with 55-gr bullets.

This shows my model of CZ 527 as weighing 5.7 pounds..

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=89

I use mine for ground squirrels. prairie dogs, coyotes, bobcats, small CA deer, javelina, jack rabbits,,,,

If they would make the 527 in 6.8 Remington, I would buy one for my kid in a heartbeat. When did we start drinking out of 55 gallon drums?

I like my 527 Lux, but I would like a faster twist for increased versatility.

I own a CZ in the Carbine version, it is very accurate and light weight, takes a bit of getting used to when most of my centerfires outweigh it, this is well put together in fit and finsih and one nice feature is the set trigger, the stock scope mounts are a bit high for my liking so I got a set from Millet that arent quite as high, the bolt handle comes up close to the scope and can get a bit busy there if you are ham fisted, as far as twist goes I figure if I want to sling heavier lead I will use my .243 or 6mm

I have never owned too many factory guns that have made me happy, I normaly change the trigger or the barrel. on my CZ-527 it came with the best factory barrel that I have ever owned. if you know how to ajust the trigger properly it is better than an aftermarket trigger for a Ruger. the stock was a bit ugly so I had a custom one made and could not be more pleased with the rest.
B