I have decided that I am enjoying my .22 rifle (target shooting) so much that I would like to get a 527 in either .223 or 7.62 - Anyone with either of these or both care to share experience?
Pistols are what I shoot most often and compete with (and have the most fun with until the 452 fell into my lap :P ) and the AR-15 in .223 just languishes in the safe and doesn't attract me at all these days. Due to budget constraints etc... I need to swap one for another. So... I've been thinking about the 527 scoped for 200-400+ yrd rifleman practice (like some steel redcoats :cool2:) and events but not sure which caliber.
Really just wanted to kick this idea around with some folks and think it over out loud.
Thanks, Fynn
Personally, I'd take .223 Remington over 7.62x39 for most rifle applications an American shooter is likely to have. Ubiquitous, match loads are very easy to get, the common twist rates of 1:9 through 1:7 are super flexible with modern bullets, etc. For short distance shooting (i.e. semiauto carbines with red dots) I think x39 vs .223 becomes more of a toss-up.
Don't have a 527 myself, but I went through a similar decision-making process when I sold my AR in order to buy a bolt gun last year (.223 vs .308). Opted for a heavy barrel to match my 452 Varmint and ended up with a 700 Police LTR in .223 - will get to see how smart (or dumb) that was in mid-April.
What kind of a setup do you have in mind? Optic, etc.
Love my CZs. I have a couple versions of the 452 and a 512. I do not think you can go wrong with one. They build high quality very accurate rifles. One so far unmentioned factor in favor of .762x39, Do you hunt deer? In many states .223 is not legal for deer but hunting loads in .762x39 would give your rifle additional purpose during deer season (out to about 300 yards anyway).
I have a 7.63X 39 CZ.
It is a nice, solid rifle. Accuracy is not too great with cheap ammo. Accuracy is excellent with good handloads.
The four round mag is an added challenge for rapid fire strings at appleseed, and a little challenge is good for us.
For hunting in my area, the 7.62 is a little light, it will kill deer okay. but the woods in the county where I live also have elk, moose, and grizzly bears.
The four round mag protrudes a lot from the bottom of the rifle. After killing a game animal, it is usually required to drag it back to the road.
When dragging fresh meat through the woods, I prefer a full magazine and an empty chamber in the rifle slung over my shoulder. That mag does some digging in my back.
I have a 527 Carbine, in 7.62x39, and have spent a little time behind a 527 Varmint Kevlar in 223. They are fantastic rifles - accurate, light, handy, and reliable. The mags are expensive, which hurts if you're shooting AQTs, and 7.62x39 is available in subsonic if you're inclined to have the rifle suppressed, and legal for deer in all states where rifles are permitted for deer, but if you aren't planning on suppressing and you don't want a venison-getter, .223 is lighter, cheaper, stays accurate and effective to longer ranges, and gives you many more choices in terms of sights, stocks, etc from CZ.
Thanks for the replies folks.
Quote from: Kennebago on March 13, 2018, 12:14:27 AM
Don't have a 527 myself, but I went through a similar decision-making process when I sold my AR in order to buy a bolt gun last year (.223 vs .308). Opted for a heavy barrel to match my 452 Varmint and ended up with a 700 Police LTR in .223 - will get to see how smart (or dumb) that was in mid-April.
What kind of a setup do you have in mind? Optic, etc.
Not sure about the scope yet. I have spoken to a couple of guys who love the weaver Grand Slam 5-20 EBX reticle but I know next to nothing about scopes and am still researching. The CZ 527 Euro Varmint 25.6" heavy barrel is on the short list :)
Quote from: lupis42 on March 13, 2018, 01:58:35 PM
but if you aren't planning on suppressing and you don't want a venison-getter, .223 is lighter, cheaper, stays accurate and effective to longer ranges, and gives you many more choices in terms of sights, stocks, etc from CZ.
No, not planning on suppressing or hunting and am leaning hard toward the .223 for the reasons you point out.
Quote from: Fynn on March 13, 2018, 05:52:57 PM
Not sure about the scope yet. I have spoken to a couple of guys who love the weaver Grand Slam 5-20 EBX reticle but I know next to nothing about scopes and am still researching.
I feel for you. Last year I bought my first scope, having little to no experience or idea of what I wanted. The research & decision process was brutal, considering the veritable ocean of different models. I like to really look at all the options & decide what's best before plunking a sizable chunk of my hard-earned money down. That's not easy when one manufacturer alone makes 70 different reticles. #)
A tip: Once you narrow down your choices to 2-4 models, go to Optics Planet & buy one of each. That way you can look through each of them & make your final decision based on a side-by-side comparison. As long as you treat the scopes gently, don't mount them in rings or scratch them, you can return the ones you don't want for a full refund (less about $9 for return shipping). I've done this twice & never had an issue with their returns. Their shipping & returns can be slow, so as long as you're not in a hurry you'll be fine.
I really like CZ.
Another option to consider is the Mosberg MVP. I like the laminate stock versions. The predator is light and nimble the Benchrest varmint is rock steady. The biggest benefit is you already have AR mags.
I would lean toward 5.56/223. Cheaper, higher quality ammo is available. It is much cheaper to reload also.
Fynn
For my 2 cents, you can't go wrong with a CZ in .223. Accurate and reasonable to feed regularly. As to Optics, I'm a big fan of Vortex...can't beat their warranty!
I own a CZ527 Carbine in 7.62X39. I'm very happy with it. I get "minute of hog" accuracy (about a 2-3 MOA on a good day); Leupold 2-7x33 scope. Pros: has a built-in iron sight, good size for brushy terrain, cheap Russian ammo (cheap enough that I don't bother with reloading). The longest shot I would ethically attempt is about 100 yds (the caliber is more than adequate for that). If you are interested in accuracy, the .223 rem might be a better answer. If you want what I consider a more all-around round, look at the .308 win. I guess you need to narrow down your needs (and probably your wants) and get the rifle that satisfies them. Don't forget it's just a tool. Try not to overthink the problem. There is really no perfect choice.
aj
Quote from: Kennebago on March 13, 2018, 12:14:27 AM
Opted for a heavy barrel to match my 452 Varmint and ended up with a 700 Police LTR in .223 - will get to see how smart (or dumb) that was in mid-April.
So... was yours a good idea or not so good?
Postponed, unfortunately. Had to travel for work.
Trying to see if I catch another KD over the summer.
My 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 shoots MOA with the cheap Wolf black box ammo; no kidding!
Make sure the action screws aren't loose, otherwise she'll refuse to feed ammo. Spitzer bullets work great; soft point Brown Bear, not so much.
Can't get the scope (Meopta 6x42 fixed power) forward enough, so a 1" pad on the butt and an extended dovetail to picatinny adapter from DIP Products is helpful.
For target and sport only, the .223 probably recoils less, but practice with a big boy caliber will leave you with an effective tool for "other" situations.
I'll probably get another, except the American with no iron sights and a threaded barrel.
Not sure how the set trigger will affect your shooting sequence, but the backside of mine has some sharp edges that need to be de-burred before I put in a 500+ round weekend.
Hope this helps.
Quote from: SIGSauerKraut on October 21, 2018, 04:35:39 PM
My 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 shoots MOA with the cheap Wolf black box ammo; no kidding!
Make sure the action screws aren't loose, otherwise she'll refuse to feed ammo. Spitzer bullets work great; soft point Brown Bear, not so much.
Can't get the scope (Meopta 6x42 fixed power) forward enough, so a 1" pad on the butt and an extended dovetail to picatinny adapter from DIP Products is helpful.
For target and sport only, the .223 probably recoils less, but practice with a big boy caliber will leave you with an effective tool for "other" situations.
I'll probably get another, except the American with no iron sights and a threaded barrel.
Not sure how the set trigger will affect your shooting sequence, but the backside of mine has some sharp edges that need to be de-burred before I put in a 500+ round weekend.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for weighing in. It'll be a while before I can try my hand at this but your reply helps for sure.