Questions for CZ 527 aficionados

[Gtscotty]

So, my search for a small and light, yet accurate bolt action rifle in .223 has pretty much been narrowed down to the CZ 527 (in no small part due to how much I love my CZ 455). Most places seem to have the 527 American M1 Synthetic (not the kevelar stock), and the 527 carbine for around the same price. The wood stocked version of the M1 tends to be about $100 more.

I'm trying to figure out which version I should pick up, and was hoping THR could help me with the following questions:

Does CZ use a high quality synthetic stock on the 527 (e.g. nice, Tikka type stocks, or maybe BC stocks)? The synthetic stocked 527's seem to be a new option and there isn't much information out on the web about the quality of the stock. Does anyone have one, or have you seen one at the gun store?

Secondly, I intend to use this rifle with a 4-12 scope (probably a Vortex Diamondback) to shoot mainly targets at medium range (100 - 300 yds). The rifle will also probably get carried around in the woods looking for hogs, and coyotes. For these purposes, would the carbine really limit me in any way as compared to the American M1 version? Is the accuracy of the carbine comparable to the full sized 527? Will velocity loss be a significant issue on the 18.5" barrel versus the 21.9"?

Thanks in advance for any insights yall are willing to share.

 

[viking499]

Does the M1 have the three round flush mag? If so, I have seen some issues on quality. I don't think I would pick that one.......all the others seem to be good.

 

[gazpacho]

I don't recall anyone ever recommending 223 for hogs. I would imagine it would be even less appropriate out at 300 yards.

Velocity loss is brand and weapon specific, but expect 15 to 30 fps per inch difference. Last I checked, the rifle twist of CZ 527s is 1 in 12", so I would recommend against bullet weights over 60gr and would suggest under 55gr would be better.

I have no experience with CZ synthetic stocks, but sometimes, you win the woodgrain lottery with their wood stocks.

For a woods and brush gun, the carbine would be the best choice.

 

[Gtscotty]

Viking499,
The M1 is the newer version that can use flush fit 3 rd mags as well as normal 5 rd mags. What kind of QC issues have you seen? Were the issues just on the M1 version of the 527? If so that's kind of a bummer, I was sort of leaning towards the M1.

gazpacho,
A lot of folks around here hunt hogs quite successfully with 22 mags. Most of the pigs I see in the area that I hunt run in the 60 lb - 100 lb range, and probably average around 75 lbs. For hogs of that size, I think the .223 with appropriate bullets should be fine. Regardless, I have several other larger caliber rifles I can hunt with if I don't think the .223 is enough. Also, I only mentioned 300 yds in the context of target shooting. I don't plan on pulling the trigger on hogs at that range with any rifle, they aren't that hard to get closer to unless the wind is against you.

There sure are a bunch of 527s out there for nobody to have an opinion on them. Has anyone chrono'd the .223 carbine version? I realize the synthetic stocks are a pretty recent addition to CZ's product line, has anyone seen/fondled one? Has anyone else had problems with the new M1's?

 

[viking499]

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=53502.0

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=702884

 

[stubbicatt]

I had a 527 LUX model which was stolen from me. Shot at least 3000 rounds through that rifle, it was one of my favorites. I did chronograph it, and pressure tested my loads with a piezo transducer on the barrel over the chamber. All that data went with the hard drive on another computer.

They are good rifles.

If it were me, I'd get one with the 5 shot magazine. Some don't like the way they look, but I have read elsewhere that the 3 round receiver won't accept the 5 round mags and vice versa.

 

[Gtscotty]

Well, I got a bit off track and decided to put the CZ on hold in favor of a new Winny M70 Featherweight in .243. I have been curious about the .243 win for a while, and wanted to go ahead and pick up one of the excellent FN M70's before parts of the production get shifted to Argentina this year. It's a Win-Win... now I just have to decide whether I should top it with a Vortex Diamondback in 3-9x40, or in 4-12x40..... decisions decisions.

Does anyone have experience with either of these two scopes?