I created a thread a while back concerning a youth deer rifle: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/deer-rifle-for-12-13-yo-6-5-grendel.842847/
I acquired a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel and the reloading parts I needed. The rifle is very beautiful -- much better looking than the Howa I handled at the store. The walnut and the metal finish does not disappoint at all.
I haven't adjusted the trigger, but I'm pretty happy with it, especially when using the set trigger feature. I shoot paper plates and I'm able to stay on the plate at 200 yards. I figure that's pretty good considering I'm not well-practiced in riflecraft and I just put the cartridges together with new, unprepped Starline brass, the cheapest Speer bullet (I'll be hunting with Barnes), Hodgdon's starting load of H335 and set the OAL to fit the magazine. I'll be working on improving my skill and cartridge quality.
There's a few things not to like. At first I was indifferent toward the detachable magazine, but when I started actually loading it I realized what's wrong with it. A detachable magazine has fingers that keep the cartridges from popping out when the magazine is released. Those fingers keep you from simply pushing a cartridge in from the top, and since it's a Mauser-style action, you can't just push a cartridge into the chamber, it has to feed from below the extractor claw. Ok, so to load a cartridge, it looks like you have to detach magazine, load cartridge, and re-insert magazine. I do prefer the Mauser action over the Rem 700, but I like it where I can just push the cartridges into the magazine from the top. I can adapt though, not a big deal.
As I said before, the walnut stock is gorgeous, but the LOP is an inch too short for me and it already has a fairly thick recoil pad on it. It's too long for my sons who need it about 3/4 to an and inch and a half less. The rifle comes with rings that mount on the dovetailed receiver, but they're fairly tall to clear the 90-degree bolt-throw. I find the comb is not quite high enough when the scope is that high.
Since I intend to share the rifle with my wife and two boys, I'll probably get a Boyd's At One adjustable stock. When I acquire more rifles, I'd rather have a beautiful-looking stock on it just like the one it has now, but I don't know if I'll go with lower rings and change the bolt handle or a higher comb and different LOP. Like I said, for now it'll be shared. Deer tags in my state are issued for "party hunts" and elk, antelope, and sheep are all by individual lottery, so the whole family is putting in for tags next season and they've got to shoot their own, whatever we draw.
I don't have any experience on game with the Grendel yet, but reloading it has been a pleasure. I ordered shell holders for it, but it turns out Grendel works perfectly with .357 shell holders and vice-versa. I was also able to adjust the shell feeder on my Lee ABLP to feed both .357 and Grendel without any adjustments -- they're very similar in both diameter and length. So changing over is as simple as swapping 1/3 turn breech lock dies and powder measure and I can load Grendel on the progressive press that's usually churning out .357
I haven't introduced the boys to it yet. I need to get it to fit their LOP for the best experience. They'll be working on marksmanship through the summer, and they'll probably get started with Coyotes. I think they'll be well-equipped for deer next season. I would absolutely consider another CZ 527 in Grendel, a semi-auto Grendel MSR, or another CZ -- very happy on all accounts.
I acquired a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel and the reloading parts I needed. The rifle is very beautiful -- much better looking than the Howa I handled at the store. The walnut and the metal finish does not disappoint at all.
I haven't adjusted the trigger, but I'm pretty happy with it, especially when using the set trigger feature. I shoot paper plates and I'm able to stay on the plate at 200 yards. I figure that's pretty good considering I'm not well-practiced in riflecraft and I just put the cartridges together with new, unprepped Starline brass, the cheapest Speer bullet (I'll be hunting with Barnes), Hodgdon's starting load of H335 and set the OAL to fit the magazine. I'll be working on improving my skill and cartridge quality.
There's a few things not to like. At first I was indifferent toward the detachable magazine, but when I started actually loading it I realized what's wrong with it. A detachable magazine has fingers that keep the cartridges from popping out when the magazine is released. Those fingers keep you from simply pushing a cartridge in from the top, and since it's a Mauser-style action, you can't just push a cartridge into the chamber, it has to feed from below the extractor claw. Ok, so to load a cartridge, it looks like you have to detach magazine, load cartridge, and re-insert magazine. I do prefer the Mauser action over the Rem 700, but I like it where I can just push the cartridges into the magazine from the top. I can adapt though, not a big deal.
As I said before, the walnut stock is gorgeous, but the LOP is an inch too short for me and it already has a fairly thick recoil pad on it. It's too long for my sons who need it about 3/4 to an and inch and a half less. The rifle comes with rings that mount on the dovetailed receiver, but they're fairly tall to clear the 90-degree bolt-throw. I find the comb is not quite high enough when the scope is that high.
Since I intend to share the rifle with my wife and two boys, I'll probably get a Boyd's At One adjustable stock. When I acquire more rifles, I'd rather have a beautiful-looking stock on it just like the one it has now, but I don't know if I'll go with lower rings and change the bolt handle or a higher comb and different LOP. Like I said, for now it'll be shared. Deer tags in my state are issued for "party hunts" and elk, antelope, and sheep are all by individual lottery, so the whole family is putting in for tags next season and they've got to shoot their own, whatever we draw.
I don't have any experience on game with the Grendel yet, but reloading it has been a pleasure. I ordered shell holders for it, but it turns out Grendel works perfectly with .357 shell holders and vice-versa. I was also able to adjust the shell feeder on my Lee ABLP to feed both .357 and Grendel without any adjustments -- they're very similar in both diameter and length. So changing over is as simple as swapping 1/3 turn breech lock dies and powder measure and I can load Grendel on the progressive press that's usually churning out .357
I haven't introduced the boys to it yet. I need to get it to fit their LOP for the best experience. They'll be working on marksmanship through the summer, and they'll probably get started with Coyotes. I think they'll be well-equipped for deer next season. I would absolutely consider another CZ 527 in Grendel, a semi-auto Grendel MSR, or another CZ -- very happy on all accounts.
