CZ 527 or Winchester Model 70?

[CmdrSlander]

I will be buying a new bolt action rifle soon and want a small caliber target rifle that will maybe with some light varmint work. I've decided to get a .223 or .22-250, both calibers work fine for my purposes and cost about the same where I buy ammo. I want a Mauser based CRF, so that limits my options to basically a Winchester Model 70 in .22-250 or a CZ-USA model 527 Varmint Laminate. Both would be purchased new. What are the advantages of each rifle? I'm leaning towards the CZ because it fires the .223 and has 1 in 9 twist, allowing me to move up to bigger stuff if I want/need to. The model 70 is a classic though, so I am really torn. I'm fairly sure both rifles will shoot sub-MOA, but if anyone would like to disabuse me of that notion, speak now.

Also, is the M77 Mark II Target a Mauser based CRF? I'm not sure but that would give me another option.

 

[Taurus44]

I have three CZ 527s. IMHO, you really can't go wrong with them.

 

[rcmodel]

I and my hunting pard both have CZ-527 Americans that weigh about 5 1/2 pounds without a scope.

Both will shoot ragged one-hole groups at 100 yards almost on demand.
When they don't, it's us, not the rifles.

I'd rather carry one of them hunting on foot then any heavy-barrel varmint rifle ever made.

A HB might be better on an all day Prairie dog shoot.
But we hunt more coyotes & crows, and over-heated barrels are not going to happen if you only need one shot.

rc

 

[jmr40]

Ruger and Kimber also make CRF rifles in those calibers. The Ruger would be the least expensive of the 4, the Kimber the most expensive, and lightest.

If within your budget the Kimber is the best rifle of the bunch, followed closely by Winchester. CZ's shoot very well, but are often a little crudely finished with rough actions and triggers. The Ruger would be the least expensive, and likely the least accurate. Of the other 3 accuracy is likely a toss up and would come down to which one you happened to pick up.

For me, I'd buy the Winchester. But none are a bad choice.