CZ 527...What Caliber?

[Olympus]

I have an itch for a CZ 527 American but I'm still on the fence about what caliber. Gun would be used as an intro to coyote hunting and anything smaller than deer.

My initial thought was that I always wanted a 22 Hornet. Since 22wmr ammo is nonexistent, the Hornet would be a step above 22wmr, but not as hot or loud as 223. Then I started looking at reloading components and found no bulk brass available within reasonable cost and very little ammo other than premium stuff. $0.65/round for factory stuff is just a little too salty. So I'd have to buy factory ammo just to get brass to use for reloading. So a lot of negatives in terms of cost and availability. The one pro I've found is that I could have the barrel threaded and use my suppressor with 22 Hornet.

My other contenders are the 222 and 223. I like the 222 also because it's unique, but again it's hard to find and a little pricey. So why not just go to 223 which is relatively inexpensive and easy to find? Well, I already have 2 ARs and 1 Remington 700 VLS bull barrel in 223. Why would I need a 4th gun in 223?

I'm stumped with this one.

 

[Jackal]

7.62x39.

 

[Olympus]

Maybe one of these days. But I prefer the American model.

 

[Teachu2]

I have one in .223. It is NOT for sale! I resisted the .223 for many years (went with .22-250s) and regret not getting one sooner. Very versatile and relatively cheap to acquire brass.

 

[redneck2]

I bought a 527 in .204. Then a 453 in .22. The another 527 in .22 Hornet.

This is most likely a totally different gun from the AR's unless they're varmint/target models.

Or get a .204. Shoots as flat as a .22-250 and less recoil than a .223

 

[highlander 5]

Second the 7.62x39. I have 2 one for jacketed the other for cast.

 

[chris in va]

I have the x39 and it is truly FUN.


So guess what I want now? The 5.56 carbine with the updated 1:9" barrel.

I like it so much I'm willing to sell my amazing S&W Sport to fund it.

You mentioned the 233 being 'hotter and louder'. Being a bolt gun, you can play with powder charges and bullet weights to mitigate that. I shoot a 160gr lead bullet at 1700fps out of my x39 and have dropped it to mousefarts that squeak out at 1100 with no issues.

 

[Olympus]

223 would definitely be more economical than 22 Hornet. It's just a common caliber and I already have 3 other guns in 223.

 

[DPris]

Worked with the American 527 in .223 last Fall.
Had a very hard time letting it go.

Good gun, cheap to shoot & reload for.
Denis

 

[bannockburn]

Given the available choices I would probably opt for it in .223 but I still have this hankering for one in 7.62x39.

 

[Skyshot]

Got one in .222, very accurate and a super yote getter.

 

[Olympus]

I really like the 22 Hornet and I also like the 222. I just can't seem to get past the cost andavailability on those 2 calibers. I'd love to jump right in to reloading them, but components and brass are pretty much nonexistent. And I can't justify paying a huge premium for Lapua or Norma brass on a gun that I'm not going to be trying to wring out every ounce of accuracy. I want them because I think they are cool and unique calibers, but I'm finding that they're exactly practical.

 

[js8588]

204 Ruger

 

[RugerOldArmy]

.204 Ruger

It is a huge plus, to have minimal recoil, and be able to see a hit through the scope.

 

[algsey]

I have a 527 in 222 and love it! Its my go-to coyote killer. I will admit that i wasn't overly impressed with the accuracy when i first got it. I noticed the barrel wasn't fully floated like it was supposed to be. I sanded the channel out a bit and while i had it apart, i went ahead and glass bedded it. Now it shoots lights out

 

[sirgilligan]

I have the Varmint model in .223 REM and love it. Did you know that it actually has a 5.56 NATO chamber and I have shot both through mine. The 5.56 rounds seem louder. All ammo I have shot groups around 1" or less laying across the hood of truck on sand bags.

When you say you are shooting anything smaller than a deer, does that mean you are talking about what is legal to hunt deer with and you don't have to have that. For instance some places require a 24 caliber or larger, etc., so are you saying that it doesn't have to be deer legal? As far as I know there isn't any such of a thing as over-kill. You can shoot rabbits with a .22 LR or a .300 Win Mag, the rabbit is dead. If you want to eat the rabbit then that is different. But there is definitely under-kill, or in other words wounding an animal.

I would like the new carbine with 1:9 twist as well.

p.s. Mine wasn't fully floated either. I called and they said it was supposed to be but the wood can change, etc., so I sanded it and sealed the wood.

 

[gpurp]

Ok I don't know what the brass availability is but how about the 221 Fireball.

 

[hatt]

I really like the 22 Hornet and I also like the 222. I just can't seem to get past the cost andavailability on those 2 calibers. I'd love to jump right in to reloading them, but components and brass are pretty much nonexistent. And I can't justify paying a huge premium for Lapua or Norma brass on a gun that I'm not going to be trying to wring out every ounce of accuracy. I want them because I think they are cool and unique calibers, but I'm finding that they're exactly practical.

If you want the hornet, get it. You can buy PPU ammo for less than $.50/rd. After you reload the brass a few times the cost will be low. If you're looking at it purely from a cost perspective nothing will compete with the .223. But if it's not what you wanted does a few dollars matter?

 

[Olympus]

I wouldn't be using the gun for deer. My state says any centerfire is legal for deer. So technically I could use any, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with anything other than a head shot. Maybe taking a doe or culling a scrub buck, but I probably wouldn't take the gun at all for deer.

 

[12many]

Hard to beat 223 with bullet weights ranging from 40 to 77. What about a different barrel twist than your other bolt? I have the CZ 527 with a 1:12 twist for light rounds and am ordering my AR upper with 1:8 for heavier rounds. If you have that covered, then maybe you don't need another 22 caliber. What about 308 or 17 HMR?

 

[Teachu2]

You cannot use logic here, Oly. If you want an oddball chambering, don't expect to be able to pick up cheap ammo at WalMart or elsewhere. It costs more to be different. How different do you want to be, and how much are you willing to pay for the difference?

I once owned a beautiful .222. After having it a while, it took a ride to a gunsmith who spent very little time and money to bump the chamber with a .223 reamer. It shot better and doubled in resale value.

 

[CB900F]

Olympus;

I'd suggest going over to a couple of the major reloading sites, (handloader's bench would be one) and ask about reloading the Hornet. Most folks agree that it can be a nasty little number to work with. Thin brass leads to a lot of collapsed cases, lotsa lube gives you oil dent crushes.

In the real world, the .223 is the most practical, and if it's being the fourth gun in that caliber is a real problem, sell one of the AR's to finance it. There, problem solved. My 527/.223 is my secondary coyote gun, the primary is a 6mm Remington which isn't as wind sensitive.

900F

 

[Olympus]

The 223 bolt I have is a 700VLS with bull barrel and beavertail forend. Too heavy to carry or shoot offhand. One AR is an SBR the other is compensated and too loud to shoot hunting and a tad heavy to use as a walking rifle. Both ARs are consecutive serial number, so I'm not going to split them up.

308 is even bigger than I need. I have calibers covered starting at .243 and going up.

I can't really see a purpose for 17hmr. It's too small and loses too much steam.

 

[Olympus]

You cannot use logic here, Oly. If you want an oddball chambering, don't expect to be able to pick up cheap ammo at WalMart or elsewhere. It costs more to be different. How different do you want to be, and how much are you willing to pay for the difference?

I once owned a beautiful .222. After having it a while, it took a ride to a gunsmith who spent very little time and money to bump the chamber with a .223 reamer. It shot better and doubled in resale value.

I'm not under the illusion that uncommon calibers are cheap or that i should be able to buy them at Wally. But as an FFL, I have access to larger outlets and access than most shooters have and I STILL can't source components to reload or factory ammo undef $0.65/round for dealer cost.

 

[Olympus]

Olympus;

I'd suggest going over to a couple of the major reloading sites, (handloader's bench would be one) and ask about reloading the Hornet. Most folks agree that it can be a nasty little number to work with. Thin brass leads to a lot of collapsed cases, lotsa lube gives you oil dent crushes.

In the real world, the .223 is the most practical, and if it's being the fourth gun in that caliber is a real problem, sell one of the AR's to finance it. There, problem solved. My 527/.223 is my secondary coyote gun, the primary is a 6mm Remington which isn't as wind sensitive.

900F

I've been reading about that. Some people talk about how easy it is to reload for and others talk about it being difficult.