First Day at Range CZ 527 Varmint .204 Ruger

[Jcinnb]

I spent an hour putting together a big time post, and when I pressed submit, screen went blank, and lost it all. I recently received my CZ 527 Varmint in 204. Here is what I did today, theexecutive summary.

1. Get a 204 Ruger TODAY!!!!!
2. Sighted in an aligned scope at range, looking down barrel and adjusting scope (Nikon Monarch). First shot.


Felt pretty good about that, but messed up bad, subsequent adjustments, but by shot 16 (still doing break in tuning) shot this 5 shot group with VMAX-32's. Never before.



I took a variety of loads. At the end, I was down to 3 26 grn Barnes, and my last three VMAX as well as 2 39 grain SGK (that were not impressive today)
Here are two groups, one SDK high, and last shot of the day, the last SDK right down the pipe.



As I was reloading I was wondering why anyone who wants to/likes to hit a bullseye doesn't get one of these. I am 1000 times more curious today. This was bound to be 95% gun and 5% me.

Truly awesome firearm!

 

[redneck2]

I have one identical to yours. Had a real hard time getting the first loads to shoot well. They were worse than awful Finally got it to shoot with 39 BK's. Shooting five shot one hole groups, in the .4's with my current load. Guess I had to get the barrel broken in. Dunno

Never have gotten the light bullets to group, but haven't tried many after seeing the 39 BK's group. I've got four boxes of Berger match, and none did well so far.

After seeing mine shoot, the 22-250 is going away.

 

[viking499]

I have one identical to yours. Had a real hard time getting the first loads to shoot well. They were worse than awful Finally got it to shoot with 39 BK's. Shooting five shot one hole groups, in the .4's with my current load. Guess I had to get the barrel broken in. Dunno

Never have gotten the light bullets to group, but haven't tried many after seeing the 39 BK's group. I've got four boxes of Berger match, and none did well so far.

After seeing mine shoot, the 22-250 is going away.

Do you use yours for varmint or target work?

 

[Armored farmer]

I have an H&R Handi in .204.
It is just an awesome round. Virtually flat to 300yds.

 

[Jcinnb]

That is an interesting comment on the first rounds. In my initial post, the one that got away, I went into details about shots two through about 12 or so. I have a Russian POSP scope that adjusts in reverse to US. POI to POA, vs POA to POI...I still cant remember, but I am sure I did it wrong, taking me off target, severely. Now that you say that, maybe in addition, I had some bad shots, early. At about 12 shots, I got disgusted and "re-bore sighted" made three adjustments and was on center, ready for the next five rounds, the 32 vmax.

I had just the opposite luck in the first 40 or so shots, the 26 and 32's did great, the 35s were pretty lukewarm and the 39s were noticeably worse...other than the last, lucky shot! My 35's are Bergers...which I LOVE in my 25-06!

I finally ordered some 40's to try, but they are not here yet and based on yesterday may just not work, but I will surely try them. All teh powder on the the three smaller bullets was 8208, Can't remember what I did with the 39's that data is upstairs.

 

[redneck2]

"Do you use yours for varmint or target work?"

Both. Mainly use the precision AR for target. Use the .204 mainly for prairie dogs.

 

[viking499]

What powder does the 39's like?

 

[scottishkat]

I have to CZ 527 both in 22 hornet one has a full length stock both are excellent shooters. The triggers are really good bores are excellent. The backwards safety takes some getting used to.

Congrats on yours.

Shoot straight

Bob

 

[redneck2]

What powder does the 39's like?

Gonna say mine likes Varget, but I'd have to double check. Info is out in my loading shop. All I know is, once it got dialed in it is great.

If you go over to Varmints Den, look thru the reloading forum. Lotsa .204 shooters there that crank significant rounds thru their guns. That's where I got my data

 

[viking499]

Hmm......got the Varget, just not the 39's......

 

[redneck2]

I can tell you that the throat on mine is way long. Even with the 39's, there is maybe .15 or so inside the case neck when I stretch them closer to the lands. Jump with Berger 32's seated to normal depth of one caliber is probably close to 1/4"

I check jump by taking an empty case and drilling out the primer hole. Slit the neck lengthwise with a Dremel down to where the shoulder starts. Insert a bullet into the case neck, then use a piece of wire or small screwdriver thru the primer hole, and gently push the bullet to touch the lands. With 32's, the bullet falls out before it touches