What Caliber CZ 527 Carbine?

[Prometheus1987]

Hello. I am currently looking into purchasing a CZ 527 Carbine. I want it because it is a mouser design (made smaller) that is light weight, has backup iron sights, and both chamberings allow me to plink with cheap ammo when not hunting.

I love varmint hunting, but realize that if the economy falls to far down the toilet that I might need to set my sights on larger game for food. Now I have heard that the 7.62x39 when using brand name ammo can be quite accurate with a capable rifle (Not an SKS). I have also heard the opposite. I have also heard mixed reviews on using this caliber on varmints (even when using appropriate soft or hollow points).

What are your thoughts on the subject? My primary mission with this rifle is varminting and plinking, If the 7.62 is capable of that, than I might would get that instead of .223.

Also, with the action being as short as it is, what scope would you recommend for this baby bolt action?

 

[mnrivrat]

While either caliber will do a reasonable job I think the .223 will serve you better for the general purposes you mention. Even on larger game it can do well with proper shot placement .(head shots)

The heavier slugs of the 30 caliber cartridge perform well where penitration is needed, but that's not what you need for varmit hunting, and general plinking.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I'd put up another vote for 223 for the application you're talking about.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

It is much easier to get accurate ammo in .223 than x39. If you want to punch paper or scope rat sized targets at 100yds. go with the .223. If you want this rifle for hunting see if you can hunt deer, piggies or whatever is in your area with a .223. If you can't you need to go x39. Cheap Wolf x39 or .223 is plenty accurate enough for deer hunting.
If you are going to be using the iron sights, you are probably not going to notice an accuracy difference between cheap x39 and match .223 anyway.

 

[juk]

I would probably buy one in 7.62 just for the added punch. I would stay with a 1-4x or 2-7x scope. No need for more magnification. I would bet that with the right ammo, even the 7.62 would put impressive groups on paper.

I would like to have one as a project. I always thought that one of those little rifles chambered in 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel would be just about perfect.

 

[goon]

Agreed on the .223. I'd love to have one in 7.62x39 as a deer rifle, but for a dual purpose rifle for varmints up to smallish deer with careful placement and the right bullet, I'd go .223.

 

[JShirley]

A .223 is a poor choice for a beginner's deer rifle. A 7.62x39mm, on the other hand, is a pretty decent choice.

John

 

[T.R.]

My daughter killed her first 3 mule deer with my heavy barreled Savage rifle in .223 shooting Winchester SUPER X 64 grain hunting ammo. This rifle has almost no recoil which makes target shooting quite pleasant. It is an easy rifle to master. Heck, she was shooting dixie cup sized groups all summer long. Winchester SUPER X 64 grain hunting ammo is most excellent for broadside shot through the chest organs. We never recovered a single bullet due to 100% penetration.

Is the .223 IDEAL for deer hunting? No, because one must pass up shots that do not present a perfect broadside shot.

In contrast, my Dad ( 1922 - 2004) hunted with his SKS carbine for last few years of his life. He had good luck with Winchester SUPER X 123 grain hunting ammo. This cartridge was developed for warfare but is quite lethal for deer hunting within its limits of approx 175 yards or so. Dad's SKS carbine would typically shoot 3.5 inch groups (at 100 yards) and he never lost a deer with it.

The CZ rifle is exceptionally well built which justifys the price tag.

Good hunting you.
TR

 

[Hardbawl]

The CZ 527 in 7.62x39 has become my favorite rifle. Having too many rifles already, I still talked myself into a CZ 527. My son wanted me to get the .221 Fireball but that didn't excite me. I already have a .223 that shoots real good. I just wanted to try the 7.62x39.

First, let me say the CZ 527 carbine is really well made. Wood to metal fit is excellent. They put a nice stick on mine, with a fair amount of character. The metal work is well polished and nicely blued. The bolt worked well at first, and has really smothed up as the "Little Russian" [my grandkids have named this rifle] and I get to know one another.

The trigger was both great and terrible at the same time. The single set trigger is wonderful. But, the regular trigger sucked green tomatoes. Fortunatly it is adjustable and I was able to follow the included instructions and the results was a really great trigger.

I put a Leupold 2.5x8 VX3 with the Boone and Crockett cross hairs on the Little Russian. Much to my surprise, $4.50 a box Silver Bear 123 gr. HP will shoot about 1.5" groups off a rest at 100 yards. The grandkids just love to shoot the Little Russian at clay birds laying on a bank in the pasture. We have great competitions. They shoot from a rest and I shoot offhand. Clay birds are not at all safe out to 200 yards. If they beat me, I get them something at Dairy Queen when I take them home. Sometimes you have to loose to win.

Handloads changed my perspective of the little 527 carbine. A set of Lee standard full length dies were used. Hornady 123 gr .310" bullets and RL-7 powder in Lapua cases. My first 3, 3 shot groups AVERAGED .550". For me, this is good for any rifle. For a 5.75# carbine this is really good.

The Silver Bear loads were tested for expansion on water filled gallon milk jugs. They expand violently on the first jug and leave schrapnel in the second. This is a varmint bullet. No ricochets here. The Hornady bullet comes to rest in the 4th jug with a perfect mushroom. This is what we would expect from say a .30-30.

The Little Russian has another trick up her sleeve. She shoots cleaner than many of the faster rounds. After shooting say 50 rounds cleaning goes like this: I put the rifle in the cradle and put a folded patch under the bolt release because my bore guides are too fat for the CZ action. A pactch wet with Butches Bore shine is followed by 10 strokes with a brass brush. Four more patches wet with Butches and they are comming out clean. A final patch with EEZOX for rust protection and we are done. The slower bullet and the smooth CZ bore make for little if any copper fouling.

If you are into shooting lots past 200-250 yards you may want a .223 for its flatter trajectory. Inside of 200 yards, the Little Russian shoots flat enough, is just as accurage as a .223 and it hits a little harder.

Everyone who has shot the Little Russian has commented on how much fun she is. One of the guys at work has started a kitty to save up to buy his own. Shooting the Little Russian is about as much fun as I have had with a firearm in years.

Load 'em hot! Hardbawl