Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles CZ 7.62X39 Carbine vs Ruger 77-357 for Youth?

My Grandson is 8 and getting the bug to go whitetail hunting. Most of the ranges should be well under 100 yards. He took the hunter safety course last Saturday.

I already have a Marlin 1894C and reload for 357. I will probably just let him use it, but I'm thinking ahead toward his own gun, and I think a low power scope or red dot would be much easier for him to hit with. I base this on our experience this morning when we were shooting 22s. First he shot my Marlin 1897T (like a 39M only with a 20" octagon barrel)with peep sights. 10 shots were spread over about 5" at 25 yards. Next he shot my CZ 542 with a scope set at 4X and shot a 1.3" 5 shot group at the same 25 yards. The CZ also has a much nicer trigger than the Marlin.

I'm thinking of the CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62X39 or the Ruger 77-357. I'm leaning to the Ruger since it is stainless/synthetic and I already load for 357, but I'm wondering about accuracy and trigger compared to the CZ. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

no experience to make that call, but I certainly agree that a red dot or scope is a far better choice for a brand new hunter than irons.

they've already got enough stress going shooting that first deer, and enough new things to learn and keep track of all at once without adding the complications of holding a good sight picture as well.

Either one would probably be a good choice for the grandson.

But as he grows, he`ll more than likely expand his hunting distances beyond the capabilities of the 357 and want a longer ranged round. That`s just a likely guess and if so then he`ll want another rifle.

The Ruger 77-357 carbine is very good for what it is, but is range limited. The 7.62x39 would stretch the distances out for any future longer ranged hunting.

Between the two choices you give, the 7.62 imo is the better choice for future use.

But then again, determine what is the best for him to handle and use.

I have one of the CZs in 7.62 Russian so I may be a little biased but do have a 1894 in 357 too.

The CZ will have a greater range and will probably be more accurate than the 357. Currently with the 7.62 running about .20 to .25 cents a round for the Russian imported stuff it is probably cheaper and easier than loading for the 357. My CZ loves the Wolf 154gr SP. The little CZs are just so light and handy and neatly designed.

With that said a 357 rifle is just about as much fun as it gets too.

My freind's 12 year old girl took two nice bears last sping with a CZ 7.62 carbine...it worked. I'll get his load if needed.

Good points!

I think I have a scope base for the Marlin around here somewhere, and I know I've got a red dot not doing anything. I guess the sensible thing would be to mount that and let him use it for awhile, and then if he continues to show interest, a 243, 260 or even 7-08 would be a more versatile choice. He's already 100 pounds, so it won't be long!

Given only the two choices (why?), the 7.62X39 is by far the better deer killer, while having low recoil and being pretty cheap to shoot. The CZ would be an excellent choice w/ iron sights plus a simple scope in tip-off or Q/D mounts.

For plinking, and just learning to shoot well, get him a .22lr.

One of the pistoleers I compete with has the CZ 762 x 39 and loves it. Should be good to 175 yds. or so and has enough power in case of a less than perfect shot whereas the 357 may be marginal past 100 yds. Just my opinion.Lots of affordable entry level rifles out there. Don't forget lots of 243 and 7mm08 in youth guns. Maybe have him hunt a yr with your 357 and if he grows enough he'll fit into some of the other entry level youth guns.afish4570

7mm-08 or 243 For years I've recommended the 6.5x55 Swede for a young hunters first gun but the 7mm/08 rates right up there with the Swede. Mild recoil on both won't scare a young hunter from the recoil.

I LIKE the 357/rifle trim. 158s at 2050mv will reach 150 yds and drop deer. Lil Gun.....

Trigger? Ruger - add a ballpoint pen spring and maybe a little hone, quick 2.5# trigger Good locktime and should be 1-2 MOA accurate!

2.5 or 4x scope. A 357 btw has less powder than the Rusky round or 243/7-08........SOOOOO will be much less BOOM/Blast and thrust on your kids end.

Just my .02.

I'm partial to the 7.62x39 myself. I have one of the Rem 799 that I picked up used.

For deer/ hogs/ yotes under 200 yards its my favorite rifle. Good accuracy, decent rigger and cheap to feed.

I've taken several deer/hogs with both the Remington and Winchester loads. At one hundred yards the 2 loads are same same for elevation and 4 clicks for windage.

Currently running a K6 Weaver, but would like the K4 just as well.

Same here with the Rem 799. In my terrain where there are no wide open areas, just woods and swamp, the 7.62x39 works fine. Also a heck of alot of fun to take to the range with cheap ammo and have at it. I put a Redfield 2x7 on mine.

My wife uses a SKS and cheap Wolf 122gr. HP's for years for deer. Hardly ever seen one move out of it's tracks, I just shake my head.

IMHO if you were starting from scratch then I would go with the cz no question as it should be a much better deer collector than a 357 and would stretch the range over the 357 as he becomes more proficient. But you already have a 357 so I would probably use that for 2-3 years and then purchase him a rifle that he can use for the rest of his life such as a 243, 257 Roberts or maybe the 7mm-08 mentioned earlier. If I wanted to scope the 357 I would probably look to one of the little 1-3 variables that weaver makes and at low power the sight wobble should not be too bad.

Thanks to all of you. After thinking it over, I think this suggestion is the one I'll go with. My safe is already overflowing and I suspect if I bought another one now, no matter how perfect for an 8 year old, it would end up just sitting there in a couple of years when he outgrows it. And, honestly, the way I've watched my retirement savings shrink the last month and a half, I don't feel as financially comfortable as I used to.

I'd go 357 of the two mentioned.

Why, screw that commie 7.62x39 junk.

I have both rifles. A major factor to consider with the kids is weight of the rifle and recoil. I like the CZ in 7.62x39 for kids to start out. Good cartridge options, magazine feed (easy to load/unload and monitor with a new shooter/hunter in the woods), light weight, easy to shoot (these still may have the CZ backwards pull safety), smaller stock size, and not much recoil for 123gr factory load. It's a good rifle. My sons really liked to use the CZ when they were that age.

But, both are good choices.

........Funny!

I agree that the x39 is not a bad option - assuming proper ammo employed. I'd be sure as most know to use something for hunting, not FMJ. Cheap surplus practice/plinking ammo is a + even if it is Commie junk

Cheaper yet, practice w/rimfire and hunt w/centerfire.

The CZ527 will have the "forward for fire" safety. Been that way for a long time.

I have been wanting a CZ527 Carbine in 7.62x39 for years and last year, i was very close to being able to buy one. The choice was actually between a Ruger 77/44 & the CZ. What settled the decision was that i found a nice used 77/44 for a nice price.

target @ 50 yards with reddot


The 77/44 is a total pussycat to shoot and the 357 version will only be more so. I don't have a clue as to recoil of the CZ, but i can't imagine it would be significant, but in relation to the 77/44 or 77/357, it might prove to be more noticable.

I don't reload, but i have heard that, at least with the 77/44, OAL is an issue...i bet the same is true with the 77/357.

Considering cost of both rifles, I think you get more gun with the CZ. Overall quality and general design of the CZ is hands down better than the Ruger (which really isn't a true 77 action, otherwise they would be much closer to compare). The CZ has some nice features, but depending on your use of it (giving it to a kid), the Ruger would likely serve better being SS/Syn. I don't see any CZ (other than the 513 & 452 Scout) as an entry level gun...i think CZ in general is for a more discerning shooter.

For what it's worth, since i don't have the exact rifle in question, i do own a 77/44 & formerly owned 527 american, so i am familiar with both actions in question

DW