Another .223 post

[chemcal]

looking strongly at buying a cz 527 Varmint in this caliber. Are there any factors I should know that would undermine this choice?

[Tallest]

I haven't ever handled that specific CZ model, but every CZ I have ever shot has been very nice. If you're happy with the price, I'd say go to it and don't look back. I hope to get a 557 in 6.5x55 someday soon!

[Mobuck]

There are so many options for an accurate .223 at a reasonable cost.
Just my opinion, a .223 bolt action is akin to the 22lr of the "old days". It gets used, shot, maybe a little banged up, and used some more because it's easy and cheap to shoot.

[chemcal]

Agreed; so, are you saying to consider other bolt guns?

[ATCDoktor]

Are there any factors I should know that would undermine this choice?

I would not go so far as to say that this should "undermine" your purchase but CZ scope mounts are proprietary, pricey, and (in my experience) not included with the rifle.

That may be an issue to some, but as long as an individual knows that going in I wouldn't think it would be a "deal" breaker.

[chemcal]

how about accuracy?

[Kvon2]

I have one in 7.62x39 and it shoots wonderfully. The trigger on the 527 is awesome.

It's a great option. If the intended use is just for bench rest shooting I may look at something with a heavier/longer barrel but that's just my preference.

[Mobuck]

"Agreed; so, are you saying to consider other bolt guns?"

I'm saying buying an expensive .223 may limit the ".223 experience". Personally, I'm more likely to use/shoot a cheap but accurate rifle more than an accurate but more expensive rifle. My hunting rifles are re-worked Savage 110's and run of the mill AR 15's.

[schotzfyred]

My T/C Compass .223 is more than I expected.
I fired the first four rounds at 50 yards, and while the group was just barely on the 8 1/2 x 11 target, it measured .552".
After adjusting the no name scope that came in the deal from Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore, the second group measured .306", third group .356, and the fourth group was in the 10 ring and measured .382".
I was not using premium ammo.
I used my first ever hand loaded .223 Remington consisting of:
Once fired Lake City 5.56 cases.
Bulk Hornady 55 gr soft point bullets
H4895 powder
CCI 400 primers

Not bad for the first outing with the Compass.
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[chemcal]

For me, part of a firearm is its aesthetics(certainly not necessary but has a psychological effect). I don't work alot on my guns, so I try to buy close to what I want(so, I've traded many guns). If not the CZ, maybe a tikka. Please help with info on these.

[schotzfyred]

You can't go wrong with a CZ, any model, from their handguns to shotguns. High quality at a modest price.
Their rimfire line is awesome.

[chemcal]

yes; I have a 455; hoping their 527 is as good.

[Hilltop Shooter]

I have 3 CZ 527's. 1 of which is the Varmint 223 Rem. I love the rifle. Shoots great, looks great, has a fantastic trigger.

About the sights, from what I understand some of the rifles with open sights don't ship with CZ rings but all of the scope only models are suppose to ship with them so the Varmint should. Mine did.

[ch47gunner]

I have the CZ527 Varmint in .223 - This is a wonderful little rifle.
I used the 16mm Warne Maxima Permanent rings with a Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40 scope.
All the recent CZ's have the 1:9 barrel twist - I'm using Black Hills Ammunition .223 with their 69gn bullets. Very consistent & accurate stuff.
I can't say enough good things about CZ rifles, I have the 527 Varmint, a 452 Varmint in .17HMR, & 452 Special in .22lr. I sure wish CZ hadn't discontinued their 550 series as their CZ550 Varmint, in .22-250, would have been my next varmint rifle.

[chemcal]

Does your 527 varmint have a heavy or standard barrel?

[chemcal]

how does this compare to the tikka T3x .223?

[GLK]

If your able & willing to shop around and visit as many CZ dealers as you can you'll be amazed at some of the stunning wood that comes on CZ rifles occasionally.

[flashhole]

Not too much banter about what you will feed it. Check the barrel twist, should be 1:12 for a Varminter. This is optimized for light weight bullets but not so good for heavier bullets. I recommend a 40 grain bullet if you reload. Plenty of power in the 223 for "red mist" on small bothersome critters with the frangible bullets like Nosler or Sierra Ballistic (plastic) Tips. Fun to watch through the scope too.

My 223 bolt gun is a Kimber Longmaster Classic with a 1:9 twist barrel. Works great with 40 grain bullets and bullets 63 grains and heavier. Looks like a shotgun pattern with mid weight bullets.

Can't go wrong with the CZ.

[chemcal]

would the 5.56 chamber affect .223 accuracy?

[turtlehead]

I have the T3 Lite. It'll shoot 1/4 moa at 100 yards with great ammo. No experience with the T3X or the CZ. But I do have a 455 and just love it.

Wouldn't hesitate to buy another Tikka if I came across a good deal. Mags are ridiculously expensive though.

[cw308]

I had different rifles in the past CF & RF . Now I have two rifles Rem. 700 308 cal. & a CZ 452 Varmint in 22lr. That 22 CZ is the most accurate 22 I ever owned or shot . Can't go wrong with a CZ in what ever caliber you chose. You get what you pay for , sure you can get a shooter for a cheaper price but luck has to be on your side. If I didn't enjoy shooting my 308 so much I would go 223 or 6.5 CM in a CZ for sure.

Chris

[10-96]

I don't know anything about the Tikkas, but I do have 3 CZ 527's. A 2002 Varmint, a 2004 American, and 2016 Carbine in x39. The CZ's are fine rifles, and to some degree I agree with one of the above posts about shooting the daylights and sometimes getting rough with a quite often used rifle. But I did mention that the CZ is a fine rifle. But the finish on the CZ's, the built in quality, mini-mauser type action, the single set trigger, the accuracy... to me, that's all the stuff that makes me take a little EXTRA care of these rifles. I'll be lucky to spend another 20-25 years shooting in this world if I'm lucky, but the CZ's will definitely be the ones my kids and grandkids fight over when my race is run.

For the .223's, I haven't shot anything but reloads and PPU and bullet weights from 50gr to 60gr. For that, the 1:12 twists do great. And didn't the newer Varmint models come out with 1:9 twists? Seems I read that somewhere.

I can appreciate you're taking your time and studying before making a selection. That's a good thing to do in today's times. Lots of luck with your choice and happy shooting.

[chemcal]

Yes, i am taking my time. There is much i like about the cz527 but the Tikka has a sub MOA guarantee. The indecision is driving me nuts.

[chemcal]

the Tx3 supervarmint is over my budget, however, I can get the CZ 527 varmint in .223 for $700 otd. Is it a comparable gun or should I save for the Tikka?

[flashhole]

I think the big difference in price is between stainless and blued, synthetic and wood. I looked at the features on the Tikka. The warning flags go up when I see things like re-designed ejection port. To me that says they screwed it up the first time and had to fix it. So what else did they screw up?

If the CZ has the single set trigger that would be enough for me to go for the CZ. It's an excellent feature. I've not heard anyone report their CZ is not accurate. The two that I have owned were both tack drivers.