Bolt Bug CZ 527

[12many]

I bought / built an AR and was shooting it. It turned out great, but I sure do like bolt rifles with a scope.

Which would you choose and why?

CZ 527 Varmint or CZ 527 American? both in 223

I like the heavier (but not too heavy) barrel of the varmint - will be used for target shooting and maybe some walking around hunting.

I like the 3 round mag of the American, and dislike the 5 round mag of varmint.

Anything better? Wood stocks only.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

 

[eldon519]

It's worth noting that both of those are 1:12 twist rifles meaning they won't shoot a bullet much heavier than 55gr. I think the Varmint Target has a 1:9 which will get you into the 60 or maybe low 70-gr range.

 

[redneck2]

I have a 527 in .204 Ruger with the single set trigger. Also have a 453 Varminter .22LR with the single set trigger. Both are exceptionally accurate.

So, I'd get whichever has the set trigger. For precision shooting it's awesome.

 

[LAGS]

If you like the grip of an AR, but you like a Bolt rifle, then PM " Armoredman " and ask to see the stock on his CZ527.
Those are great shooting rifles with or without a scope.

 

[viking499]

Rumor is all 527's in the near future will be wearing a 1:9 twist barrel. Don't know the time frame.......

 

[LAGS]

I would say to check on CZ-USA website for the latest product info.

 

[Capybara]

I have the CZ527 Varmint Laminate in .223. I usually shoot .55GR, although now that I am getting into reloading, I am eager to try it with 62GR.

Great rifle, built solid. I have not shot the American but CZ in general, you can't go wrong.

 

[LAGS]

'Armoredmans ' CZ527 is the Carbine in the 7.62x39.
He is trying to dial in the rifle with open sights at 200 yards with 155 gr cast Lead bullets.
He is getting good groups so far at 200 yards with open sights on an 8" steel target. Consistant 5 for 5 hits.
BTW, he did have a Custom Folding rear sight made for his rifle since the 527's rear sight is only windage adjustable from the factory and they do not make any aftermarket rear sights for that model.
Now he can still install the scope, without removing the rear sight.

 

[armoredman]

And LAGS is the miracle gunsmith who put it all together.





What I did at 200 yards, front rested, with handloads. Not as consistent as I'd like, but yes, it get's the job done. Need to try it on a B-27 at 300 yards.

 

[targetshooter22]

My American Varmint has the faster twist, and works quite well with 55 and 60 grain bullets. Plan to do more testing with 69 and 77 grains next, we will see what they do next.

You will not need to look long or hard for 527 fans.

 

[LAGS]

The CZ-527 is one of the finest actions I have seen in years.
I will purchase one of them in the future, rather than building a custom rifle on the Mini Mauser action.
I really like the set trigger, easy to adjust, and stays set once you adjust it.

I havent settled on what type of stock I will build for it yet, but maybe a full length Mannlicher stock in in order.
Maybe full length with the pistol grip ? Hmm... ?
Sort of an adaptation on what I built for Armoredman.

 

[conrad427]

I have a 527 in .221 fireball and my friend has the varmint laminate in .223 of course.
We have not found the twist rate to be a problem as both shoot 40 and 50 grain bullets well.

We are both very happy with our rifles. I have not adjusted the trigger on my and use the set. My friend had our local gunsmith adjust his trigger and never uses his set anymore.

The only way to get a bolt varmint gun in my area is to order one.

 

[LAGS]

I like the size of the rifle, but I just like Bigger Calibers or Bullets, .25 or larger.
The 527 only comes in the 7.62x39 in the carbine length and I would like a little longer barrel.
I just may end up using the action only, and rebarreling it to something else.
Maybe a .357 maximum ?

Sorry, just dreaming of future projects.

 

[12many]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful replies.

 

[dubbleA]

I have several CZ's and find them to have a nice fit and finish. I am not really thrilled with he set trigger as I cant get over the severe over travel it has.

You mention wood stocks only but are missing out on their Kevlar model. Tt's a decent synthetic for a factory rifle and is free floated. Here's mine in 204 Ruger, I just weighed it and it tilts my postal scale at 9lbs 10 oz loaded ready to rock.



My little 221 FB is at the ranch so I cant weigh it but it's quite a bit lighter. They both are good shooters but serve different purposes with me.



I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and satisfied with any 527 models.

 

[redneck2]

I haven't weighed my .204, but I can't imagine that it's over 9#, even with the Leupold 4-14x50 VX-L. Mine has the wood stock. Had a hard time getting it to shoot tight at first, but now it will put 39 grain Blitz Kings into .4" using Varget.

Never had an issue with over travel on the trigger. Never noticed it. All I know is that it's exceptionally accurate and laser flat shooting. It was awesome on a PD hunt in Montana this past fall.

 

[Corn-Picker]

In my opinion CZ is missing a real oppurtunity with their micro-mauser action. There would be minimal effort on CZ's part to offer it in 6.8 SPC, 300 blackout, and 6.5 Grendel. I would also be interested to know whether the WSSM cartridges could fit; they are definitely short enough but may be too fat. A CZ carbine chambered in 6.5 Grendel or 25 WSSM would be enough to kill a deer as far as I can shoot, in an ultra-lite and compact package.

As it stands you can buy a "drop-in" barrel for the 527 to make it a 6.5 Grendel.

http://www.competitionshooting.com/catalogue/category33/p1619

Also, according to the man who developed the Grendel (Alexander Arms), the case is rated to 58k psi but the ammo is down rated to 50k psi to avoid over stressing the AR. He states that the 6.5G could handle 58k psi in the CZ 527.

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=585432

 

[LAGS]

The 6.5 grendel would be one of my choices, then the 300 Blackout.
Like I said, I like little rifles with bigger bullets.
The 25 WSSM is to Fat for the action, and so is the 458 SOCOM.
But for a compramise, I want to look into the 256 winchester Magnum with a twist.
Instead of forming the cases from .357 Magnum, wht not supersize it and use a .357 Maximum case and create a whole new caliber or wildcat round.
The Bolt face on 7.62x39 rifles will fit the .357 case head.

 

[Corn-Picker]

LAGS, I really like your custom work, the extra magazine in the stock looks well done. If I ever bought a CZ 527 carbine I would have to shorten the LOP to 12.5" and would like to add the extra magazine to the stock as you did.

Seems like the 7.62x39 would allow for the cheapest center fire plinking available (25 cents per round) and would make an OK deer round out to 150 yards. Seems like open sights might be perfect for the 7.62x39 carbine, if you say to yourself "man that's a far shot for open sights" you know that the deer is too far away to shoot

 

[LAGS]

@ corn-Picker.
Thank you for the complement.
The rifle was "Armoredmans" Idea.
He wanted a Bug out style rifle that was quick to come to the shoulder, and he wanted magazines in both sides of the buttstock.
But there was no way to attach them and still have a comfortible rifle.
So, I built the spare Mag well, and it works like a dream.
The pistol grip stock is my design that I have done on some of my Mosin Nagants, and it really reduces the felt recoil on the MN's
The rear sight was a challange and that is how I met Armoredman.
He was reviewing the rifle on another forum and complained that you had to remove the rear site to install a scope, and it was only windage adjustable.
Plus, no one made a adjustable sight for it.
So I made him one on a dare so to speak.
The thing we both like about the spare magazine being so handy is,
You can change magazines with the rifle still on your shoulder.
And he can carry the rifle loaded with cast lead bullets for Coyote, Rabbits and Javilinas , and the spare magazine loaded with JSP's for if he gets a shot at larger game like a deer.

 

[armoredman]

It was great to shoot with the original stock, but this custom one is just fantastic. He also pillared and bedded the original stock if I ever get a hankerin' to switch back...not so far. Might be running this out to the range today if the weather holds, try a dare I was given, man sized targets at 300 yards standing. 26 inch drop at 300 yards - this could be interesting.
Corn-picker, you cannot go wrong with LAGS work, seriously. You see what I did with open sights at 200 yards, so the cartridge and the rifle are far more accurate than most people expect - I know it could do far better in the hands of someone who really is a good shot.

 

[LAGS]

Armoredman is a good shot as you can see by the steel target.
But he has a tendancy to shoot LOW on a Man target.
I call him "The Vascetomizer"
The enemy wont need Medics, just Uralogists.

 

[chris in va]

I call him "The Vascetomizer"
The enemy wont need Medics, just Urologists.

That's just priceless.

I adore my 527 in x39, one of the best purchases I ever made. It wears a 4x scope right now but handy as the little 5# rifle is I might take it off.

 

[armoredman]

Well, it solves two problem, as it takes the will to fight right out of them and prevents them from breeding a new army later.

 

[TEC]

CZ-527 Varmint, 1/10" twist, replaced trigger guard, flush fit 3-round mag. Single set trigger. 1-Inch groups at 200 yards with Sierra 68gr HPBT if it's not too windy. I believe it will keep up with anything other than custom rifles at more than 2-3X the price. This one wears a 6-24X 42MM Sightron II, with Warne rings. No modification to the bolt needed.