CZ527 223

[Intheshop]

The hog back isn't to my liking for scope use,exacerbated by the bolt throw requiring a high'ish scope.Meaning a low,straight 1-4x20 still needs higher rings so bolt will clear.I "think" CZ has addressed this?But ours is an early example.

The mini action is very cute,but stiff as a.....And yes,I worked it in,operating it briskly for HUNDREDS of reps.It helps but the geometry is a little wonky.

The finish?As a professional finisher on a 1-10,it's prolly a 6.And that's not really a criticism.The technical reasons are explainable but gets very "industry".Grit change regimens,resulting in evident scratches sorta under the finish.Which can also be explained.It's a price point finish.I know what to do to it.....no biggy.Decent figure.

The gun is stupid accurate with JB's.From old white box Winchester's from chinamart to fitted handloads.1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 with boring regularity.But if you're running them up the mag,better be prepared to utilize a crimp(which I do on all rifle loads to varying degrees anyway) cause that cartridge angle and folks not jackin the bolt positively enough......will play heck with that perfect zero R.O. load you worked up.

So,no scope,crimped(enough) handloads,practice with the bolt a Lot,and it carries...handles very well.Set trigger is well made and even when it's NOT set,is middle of the pack in crispness and let off.And I use it unset probably more than set.

 

[RicinYakima]

Since you asked, this is my experience: the .223 is the only factory rifle that I have that is a sub-MOA from the box (if I use the set trigger) on demand with jacketed bullets. With 50 grain Rem BR's, 52 or 55 grain match bullets it is better than any Remington, Winchester or Savage I have ever owned. Metal finish is an A, wood finish is an A-, and fit (if you like free floated barrels) is A-. It is at least equal to a 1950's Super Grade Model 70 I once owned. I bought the rifle from an acquaintance who tried to get it to shoot 70 grain VLD bullets, which it will not do. So after 100 rounds, I bought the rifle.

That experience was so good that I bought the 7.62 X 39. Since I keep an SKS in the RV and a 7.62 X 39 truck gun on an '03 action in the pick up for jacketed bullets, the CZ will be a cast bullet only gun. I'm shooting a modified 311316 converted to PB with 4.0 grains of WW231. It will hit anything I can see over the open sights. It has very good Turkish Walnut with nice grain and good metal to wood fit. It was hunted with for about 5 years by a teenager, so shows some wear, but nice to look at and carry.

The magazine hanging down is ugly, they are expensive and none available at gun shows cheap. But they feed well and are quality built, but you need at least two.

I hope that helps. Worth the money? They are to me, but not to some of my other shooting friends.

 

[Intheshop]

Well there you go,two different looks at the same thing.

I like the mag sticking down.And the metal finish isn't as good on ours as some newer Remington,Savage,Winchester(or whatever they're called).

 

[RicinYakima]

It may be the time period of build (?), as my 7.62 carbine is one of the first batch with the European hogback stock, maybe 2002 as I have known the original buyer. The .223 is an American from 2011, back when I was flush with money (pre-retirement). But again, I'm a shooter and not a professional wood or metal worker, so my standards are lower.

 

[Chris]

Ric and Brian: thank you for the review, really well done by two veteran shooters. Appreciate it.

Any one else want to weigh in? Kind of a neat little package with some appeal to shooters. I am within an inch of buying a new one, maybe I should investigate Gunbroker first.

Buy a .223 or 7.62x39? Interesting dilemma. Leaning toward cast loads, I'm thinking the AK round.

 

[Intheshop]

I ordered it from a dear,dear friend who owned a great gun store.When my boys were little he'd give them all,leftover camo from the previous year.Top,USA labels....

Got the rifle for my youngest for his 10 or 12th b'day... he moved onto bigger cals pretty quick.

The gun has been a treat to shoot sans scope.Every time a bunch of us get together the CZ ends up being the most "fun".....right along with dad's #62 Winchester.

Have been reading up on H322.Looking for 2600-2800 fps.It's gonna be nuthin but CB's from here on.

 

[Canuck Bob]

The 223 American with a scope and full mag balances with three fingers ahead of the mag and two on the mag front edge. The 223 Lux balances the same. I have already forgotten about it with my linebacker mitts. There is a model, M1 I think, that comes with the three round mag and different bottom metal. My fit and finish is outstanding and both rifles were bought used. Other than the rubber butt plate the rifles are Turkish Walnut and steel. No ballistic polymer parts cleverly camouflaged as injection molded plastic! The bolts are not stiff and the magazines cycle well on mine. This is a concern for owners though.

If buying be aware that the earlier rifles in 223 were 12 twist and current is 9 twist. The current bolt handle is modified for max clearance but earlier ones were higher. CZ USA handles replacements but stock seems spotty. The Lux uses a different iron sight adjust. The windage is old school punch and hammer while elevation is by buying different front sights, royal pain for me being in Canada. The rifles are accurate but I've done no group work yet.