CZ527 review

[6MT]

So here's my brand new CZ-527 Varmint in .223rem with a 1:9" heavy 25" barrel. I topped it off with a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 and a Harris bipod. This will be my new 300 yard gopher, rabbit, and coyote gun.



These rifles have not been without their own set of issues over the years. One of the first I heard about was that the barrels were not free floated. So after I received mine, this was one of the first things I checked. A piece of paper under the barrel and between the stock confirmed mine was indeed free floated. I'm glad CZ seems to have gotten their factory quality issues sorted out.

The second thing was many complaints about the "stickiness" of the bolt when cycling the action. Mine was indeed like this, but it was also bone dry out of the box. A quick search on YouTube and I found a few videos showing how to solve the problem. Some fine grit rubbing compound and crocus cloth and some light massaging in three different areas for about 5 minutes seems to have helped. Then a very small amount of G96 lube, and the action now cycles buttery smooth.

CZ also has a some what "proprietary" mount for rings. Finding a set proved more difficult than I expected. Also, earlier versions of this "mini-mauser" bolt handle proved tricky when mounting a scope. You had to have very high rings so the bolt knob would not conflict with your scope. Thankfully, CZ changed the bolt handle design and this problem is not as tricky now.

But as you can see, I seemed to have gotten the "geometry" just about perfect.



BTW, those are Leupold rings. And I also got the scope nice and low over the barrel.



So, I've been out twice with the new stick. I tested 5 different charge weights. With 26.3gr being the best of the bunch at 2970fps velocity and 3/4moa at 102 yards. I decided on the second trip to try a last weight of 26.6gr to see if I could squeeze out any better accuracy. It actually was just a bit better. The speed was 3012fps and it is a consistent 1/2moa now. I found the lands with the Hornady OAL gauge. I decided to use a .010" jump and the accuracy of the rifle seems to agree, this is a good seating depth. Also this combination of bullet and seating depth works very well with magazine feeding. There's about .040" from the end of the bullet to the mag edge.



Load info:
Brass: Lapua
Bullet: Sierra 69gr SMK
Primer: CCI BR4
Powder: BLC-2 26.6gr 3012fps S.D.=9.2
COAL: .010" jump with no mag feed issues

I was also curious to see just how the 69gr SMK would perform beyond 300m. So I did some plinking out to 500m. It was a very calm Sunday...and it seemed I was having a hard time missing a 12" gong at that distance.



I really like this rifle. The smaller stock fits me beautifully. And the wood is pretty to boot. The quality feel, fit and finish is pretty much CZ....excellent. And if you've never tried CZ's "set trigger", you're in for a pleasant surprise. By moving the trigger blade forward after you have it cocked, it gives a very light and crisp break. There is really no creep either when you've got it forward in the lighter setting. I would estimate that the pull is less than a pound.

The heavier contour barrel did heat up with quicker shooting. Although with the 5 round magazine, I could let it cool down between reloads. The mini Mauser action is a well proven design and there were no feed or extraction issues. The Vortex scope is as advertised... not top notch, but decent enough to 300m (which is just what I am looking for in this set-up).

Cleaning is a breeze. But the "latch" or "button" bolt release to remove the bolt also needs to be pressed to get the bolt back into the action. That's something I wasn't used to, and I had some pretty perplexing moments the first time I tried to put the bolt back.

I have had a CZ-527 before. It was the shorter carbine in 7.62x39. It was pretty similar in performance even though the x39 round is not really known for its accuracy. I find that the 25" barrel on this rifle is the ideal trade off between "compactness" and versatility. This is going to make a pretty decent bush gun.


So all in all, I would rate this around an 8.5 out of 10. For what my stated purpose is...an up to 300yd varmint gun, it fits the bill very well.



Andy 6MT

[armoredman]

Nice review, thank you! They do make a fine rifle, don't they?

[LilHog]

6MT, very nice CZ you have there and beautiful pics. Thank you for the review. Mine is the carbine in 7.62 and I just have a small Leupold freedom 1.5-4 scope on it and for me it's perfect for shooting out to 150 yards. Good luck with yours.


Are your Leupold scope rings med or high?

[Model12Win]

Nice hunting gun, congrats!!

[Husqvarna]

Probably the rifle i shoot the most

Fun and practical

Would've a flush magazine and a 10rounder

[precision_shooter]

I also have the 527 carbine in 7.62x39. I mounted a Leupold VXR 1.25-4 scope using the DIP base so I could use pretty much any ring I wanted. Well worth the money for the case and I love the rifle.
http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=1133585

[LilHog]

The DIP base is what I have on mine also, and I use Leupold rifleman med rings. I like the fact that both the rings and base are very light weight aluminum. And the base lets you use any rings you want.

[fourbore]

My euro-varmint 527 in 223 came with cz rings. As in free, in the box. That was a perfect for for a leupold vx2 6-18x. No muss no fuss. I would have to pull out my notes, but I was getting under 1moa with factory loaded ammo. That was easy and that UNDER with 5 shot groups. (I have to edit this, the accuracy is 1/2 moa for the varmint, the carbine was 1moa) I used better grade of ammo in the varmint and that could account for the difference. They both shot so well, there was no need for expensive or time consuming ammo testing.

These are great rifles.

on the carbine, I used warne low rings with a compact scope.

[6MT]

Thanks 4bor. I really like developing a load for my rifles though. I'm sure the varmint would probably shoot decent enough with factory stuff.

Pretty cool you getting free rings with yours.

[6MT]

...oops, double post.