CZ 527FS in .222 Remington

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loose noose

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What is the general consensus on this particular rifle with the Mannlicher stock, actual value, versatility etc. Does anyone have actual experience with this rifle and caliber?
 
Cz 527 is a great rifle, I have a carbine. I have researched the heck out of the FS models, they regularly have amazing accuracy even in the mannlicher stock. The 222 is also a remarkably accurate cartridge, and from what I've read it doesn't disappoint in the cz. I want one in 222 or 221 fireball in a FS myself.
 
Dang I wish I had jumped on that one I saw on the internet in .222, I'm kind of partial to the Mannlicher stock and CZ definitely has a great reputation as far as accuracy goes, hopefully next time.
 
.222 is inherently accurate. It was the benchrest standard during the 70’s, IIRC, and set multiple records. The accuracy in the CZ should be no different. My .222 Remington prefers IMR4198 with 40gr and 50gr bullets. Nice find and congrats on the rifle!
 
I have one, but it's not in a Mannlicher stock. It's a really pleasant, petite little rifle, with an action actually made fit the cartridge (not oversized and blocked down). Adjustable, outstanding trigger.

Mine is not impressively accurate, but I can cut reliable 1MOA groups with 55gr SP handloads; perhaps further handloading will improve that. It's 3MOA+ with any factory ammo I've tried.

On the whole, I like it for its handling and elegance; an interesting cartridge I form brass for is a bonus.
 
What is the general consensus on this particular rifle with the Mannlicher stock, actual value, versatility etc. Does anyone have actual experience with this rifle and caliber?
Yes, I have this exact rifle in that caliber. It is a pretty little thing and a joy to shoot. I nearly always get compliments on it when it goes along on a range trip.

I have only one complaint: The ejector is not adjustable and it will not eject the case unless the bolt is kept meticulously clean with particular attention to the ejector. I often have to pick the case off the bolt with my fingers. It is not a dangerous game rifle, so it really does not bother me much. Just a minor irritation. I bought mine about ten years ago, so CZ may have addressed that issue by now.

My little 527FS is VERY accurate. Sub 1" 5 round groups at 100 yards is common with its preferred load of a light varmint bullet and Vita Vourhi N133.

The blued end cap on the stock had a habit of shedding its attachment screw but it was easily cured with a little LocTite.

I hope this is helpful.
 
Thanks folks for the thumbs up, looks like I'm gonna keep my eyes open for the next one I see. BTW I do load for the .222 in a Savage 24V (.222/20ga.), it definitely prefers the 40grn and will only put 1-2 projectiles where they are aimed, of course that barrel is less than pencil thin.
 
52 grs Sierra HP and 22.2 grs N133 for 3,150 fps incredible accuracy and explosive joy on contact. What a great looking rifle!
 
Went and checked my ammo supply and found two boxes of reloaded .222 ammo I reloaded way back in 1999, in the 45GRN JHP with 23.0grns of H335, unknown brand of bullet, but I do recall getting a couple coyotes while hunting quail with that 24V Savage 222/20ga. I'm gonna have to check my reloading supplies and see what I have in brass. BTW I've seen some N133 on one of the LGS's shelves, I know I don't have any. BTW I started looking min my vast supply of .224 bullets and danged if I didn't come up with 1 full box of Remington 45grn.HP and one box with about 20 bullets in it just waiting to be reloaded. Now I've got to get some new brass.
 
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Found just what I was looking for brand new in the box, at a very decent price, sent them a check yesterday and should have it in my hands in about two weeks, as I've ordered from them before, and that is generally how much time it takes, any way I'm looking forward to getting it.
 
Very nice choice of rifle and chambering! I picked one up on .223 Remington a few weeks back and so far I really like it. My thought process was the same as yours: I like this rifle and I have a pile of loaded ammo and components for this caliber. Let's do it!

Some quick notes, so you're aware of what you might run into. My rifle was very stiff feeding out of the box and it absolutely beat my dummy rounds. The magazine feed lips were very sharp, so I dressed them a bit with a diamond knife sharpener. I've also kept the bolt lubed liberally with Valvoline synthetic motor oil. It's breaking in OK after about 75 rounds but still isn't as slick as I'd prefer.

I can't comment on accuracy other than to say mine has been more than adequate so far. Temperatures in the teens, eye issues and a diet of 55gr FMJ ammo haven't really given me a chance to wring it out. I have scoped mine with a Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm scope for starters. I'll likely put a "nicer" scope on it come spring.

Scoping the rifle has lead to one other major revelation that should've been patently obvious but wasn't to me: the Warne 16mm groove rings are HEAVY. The rings themselves are easily 2/3 the weight of the scope sitting in them. The rifle still balances right at the magazine well and is quite pleasant to shoot offhand with. But it's a data point to keep in mind.

Good luck with yours and please be sure to post pictures when it arrives!
 
No comment on the 222 Rem, but I love my 527 in x39 and the Mannilicher stocks that CZ offers look sweet. It'll be a perty gun if nothing else.
 
I thank ya wanderinwalker for the tips on that rifle, I was thinking about placing a Leopold Rifleman on it 3X9X40, or a Weaver 3X9X40, or even a Vortex Diamond Back, I've got a couple of scopes laying around here so I just will have to make do. I just recently purchased a couple boxes of Hornady 50grn bullets at my LGS, in order to get some brass and to try it out .

Mosin, from what I gathered upon researching the rifle, it does have a steel nose cap, that is supposed to prevent the barrel from whipping around between shots. Don't know, but I'm sure I'll find out, I do know that my Ruger No.1 RSI doesn't seem to have a problem with the reloads I finally started feeding it with the 100grn. But like you said it is a purty lil rifle.
 
I thank ya wanderinwalker for the tips on that rifle, I was thinking about placing a Leopold Rifleman on it 3X9X40, or a Weaver 3X9X40, or even a Vortex Diamond Back, I've got a couple of scopes laying around here so I just will have to make do. I just recently purchased a couple boxes of Hornady 50grn bullets at my LGS, in order to get some brass and to try it out .

Mosin, from what I gathered upon researching the rifle, it does have a steel nose cap, that is supposed to prevent the barrel from whipping around between shots. Don't know, but I'm sure I'll find out, I do know that my Ruger No.1 RSI doesn't seem to have a problem with the reloads I finally started feeding it with the 100grn. But like you said it is a purty lil rifle.

Just as a heads up, I have a 3-9x40 on my 527, and every time I look at it, I kind of wish it was a 2x7.

Guess it depends what you are planning on using it for, but if you don't need a ton of zoom, I'd personally go with a smaller scope. You will see when you get your hands on the gun, they are smaller than you might think. I have the medium rings and the front end of the scope is almost flush with my barrel.
 
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I agree with Mosin. A 3-9x40mm scope is going to look like it's wearing the 527, not the other way around. It really is a very petite action.

Let's see if I can post a picture from mobile. The is the 527FS with a 1.5-4x20mm on it. By the measurements I can fit a Leopold 4x33mm on it comfortably, which I may do. A 2.5x20mm would look good but might be short of magnification.
 

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Wander that does look a lot better than what I had in mind, I'll have to get another new scope in order to make it look good and be a lot more in line with the rifle.
 
I agree with Mosin. A 3-9x40mm scope is going to look like it's wearing the 527, not the other way around. It really is a very petite action.

Let's see if I can post a picture from mobile. The is the 527FS with a 1.5-4x20mm on it. By the measurements I can fit a Leopold 4x33mm on it comfortably, which I may do. A 2.5x20mm would look good but might be short of magnification.

Yep.

I attached the only good picture I could find of my 527 with a scope. Not the clearest because it was just a quick cell phone picture I sent to a friend, but it gives you an idea.

The other thing I really noticed too was the weight. CZ mounts are a ring and base in one, and while they seem pretty strong, they are heavier than you might think. I had looked it up and they are about 8 oz for the two of them. Then you slap a 13-16 oz 3-9 on there and suddenly your petite 5.5 pound rifle has become a 7 pound rifle before you know it.

If you are scoping it, I'd try to go as light as possible and probably a 2-7 for magnification at the max. Personally, once I find another rifle I need a scope for, I am going to take the Redfield 3-9 I've got off this gun and buy a 2-7 or a Leupold straight-four to replace it, or maybe even just sell the rings and run irons.

That's another thing - the CZ iron sights are really frickin' nice. If you are planning to target shoot or hunt with your 527, then of course a scope is pretty much mandatory, but for just plinking the iron sights may be plenty.
 

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I'm gonna have to get a light weight smaller scope on it as I plan on hunting coyotes with it, out here in the desert most of my shots have been anywhere from 50-200 yards and mostly in the 150+ range as it is so open, and my eyesight ain't the best anymore.. My other bolt rifle that I've used to cull coyotes is a .223 with a 1/12 twist in a Weatherby. Which is why I have so many light .224 projectiles. Between Mosin and Wanderinwalker, you've got me convinced.
 
Well this morning I broke down and ordered the scope it is an inexpensive 1.5-4.5X32 10" over all with 10 OZ weight, I'll see how I like that, and after I pay my taxes etc. see about getting a more expensive scope. BTW it did have some very high reviews, what ever that means. Probable place that one on a .22LR rifle. BTW it's a Bushnell, entry level type of scope, any way we'll see here in a couple of weeks.
 
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I expect you'll like the FS. My 527s are all .223s, but the .222 is a great cartridge and seems to be "inherently" accurate as you know. I think that batch of .222s that is available right now was originally built for Mexico (and carries a Mexico roll mark), then brought into the US and distributed. I also think these .222s have have a plastic forend cap, which is normal for the rimfires but unusual for the centerfire FS guns as the US version centerfire FS guns have a metal end cap. If it does have a plastic one you can buy a metal one from CZ USA if you want.

I almost always wind up chasing accuracy when I have a rifle out - usually shooting for tight groups of some sort, or trying to shoot my best from some type of rest, so I tend to have at least 14x on the upper end of the mag range. I don't scope them for looks, but instead how they meet my needs. Here are a couple of 527s including an FS with a 4.5-14x42 on them. The 527 Classic now wears a 6-24, which is actually better for my purposes.

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