19-223 ??

[Acera]

Got a call from a buddy last night who has been offered a rifle and wanted my opinion on it. I had no clue about it.

It is a CZ in .19-223.
Don't know the model number, but it is a bolt gun with a detachable magazine.

Says it has a Ziess scope, don't know model number.

Comes with dies, brass, extra bullets, etc. Not sure on quantities but small 'buckets' is how he described the numbers.

Guy is asking $1,500 for the entire package.

Good deal??


Found this today trying to research it, guess this is conversion source.
http://www.jamescalhoon.com/


What do you guys know about this cartridge. He does reload, so that is not an issue.

I would assume that 4,000+ fps is a barrel burner, so any idea about the life of one of these barrels? Article says some things about deeper rifling than normal to extend life. Visual inspection and sticking a tip of a bullet in the barrel will tell some of the story, any other signs to look for?

From running numbers I find on the internet, it seems like a good deal if the rifle is in decent shape and has life left in the barrel. Guessing that it would take $2,200-2,400 to buy a similar set up new if I use as inexpensive Ziess as I can find, and guessing at extra brass and bullets.


Don't know enough about that caliber to figure out if it's a great cartridge and a bargain way to get into a good gun and caliber combination, or is it a money pit that should be avoided?

Oh, and he would use it for informal shooting, was not looking for this specific set up, offer came to him unexpected and unsolicited.


Any help and/or advice is appreciated.


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[cfullgraf]

Probably a product of James Calhoon. He make rifles in several different 19 caliber cartridges including the 19-223.

Check it out here.....

http://jamescalhoon.com

 

[Acera]

Probably a product of James Calhoon. He make rifles in several different 19 caliber cartridges including the 19-223.

Check it out here.....

http://jamescalhoon.com

Thanks, that is the exact same link I put in my original post.






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[WVGunman]

My response: Meh. There's a million different wildcats out there, and none of them do anything that much better than all the other legit cartridges in this class, from the 17 Remington to 220 Swift. Assessing value is tough if there is no regular market for a thing being sold. It's value is just what you can get for it.
So, if your buddy likes to experiment, reloads, and has $1500 to burn, then sure, why not? But that's a significant list of "ifs." But IF he just wants to shoot, he should just go spend half as much on a gun in .204 Ruger.

 

[Acera]

Just talked to him this afternoon.


He let the seller know that he is going to pass on the deal.


Said while he likes weird stuff, just does not want to go down that rabbit hole right now.





Thanks for the help.


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[CB900F]

Acera;

I agree with your buddy, pass. The rifle itself is almost certainly a CZ527 mini-Mauser action & they are a very nice piece of equipment, I have one myself. But, I'm sure it's had a new barrel put on it too. CZ never offered anything in .19 caliber. If he could get it with the original barrel for somewhere around half to two/thirds that amount of money (depending on just what Zeiss is on it) I'd probably go for it. The stock single-set trigger is a joy to use & the stock guns are quite accurate, though may need TLC handloading to get there. The 527 has been factory offered in some neat calibers like .221 Fireball and the triple deuce. If that's interesting, I'd call CZ USA & see if one of those barrels might be available.

900F