CZ 527 Varmint?

[sniper848]

Hi guys, I have been looking at several different guns since I last posted. I have been looking at reviews and videos of several different rifles, but still did not really find what I was looking for. The Tikka Varmint looks great, all but the stock and the rail system. So it got me looking at more rifles and I found this one. The CZ 527 Varmint in the kevlar stock, it looks nice, but I haven't found any reviews on it. So if anyone has any experience with this gun please let me know.
Since this will be my introductory rifle into long range shooting I think I will just get it in .223 like some have suggested. Then I can work my way up from there. Right now I'm trying to decide this the Tikka Varmint or a Savage Model 12.
Thanks,
Jake

 

[OutRider]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

...CZ rifles tend to be accurate in my experience, but I do not think that the 550 varmit comes in .223...

...as far as I know, it is only available in 22-250 and .308, and the rate of twist in both chamberings does not favor the long, heavy bullets you will want to shoot...

...methinks the guys here will be in favor of the Savage...

 

[sniper848]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

Sorry I meant to put the 527 my mistake

 

[OutRider]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

...I am fond of my CZ 527 in 7.62x39, and it is very accurate, but believe the Savage M12 will be your best bet out of the rifles mentioned...

...one thing to note is the rate of twist of the barrel...you will want rate of twist no slower than 1 in 8 in a 223 for the kind of shooting you have in mind...

...you should probably get something chamberd in 5.56 NATO, though...the two cartidges are not actualy the same...

...you can use 223 in a 5.56 NATO chamber, but not the other way around...

 

[OutRider]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

...ya know, that Tikka rifle looks pretty interesting, actualy...

...it does not seem like bolt guns come in 5.56 NATO...

...hopefuly by uninformed blathering will attract some more knowledgable members with some experience with these rifles...

http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?tactical

 

[awp762]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

My personal experience with the CZ 527 varmint is that it is an accurate rifle out of the box. I have adjusted the regular part of the trigger down to 1 Lb 11oz & it can go lighter, it is fully adjustable. It has a full length aluminum bedding block in the stock.

The only down side is that it is a 1 in 9 twist. It shoots well with 68gr Hornady match/69gr SMK reloads. I would prefer a 1 in 8 or 7 twist to use heavier bullets for longer ranges.

For the price of the CZ you can use it as a starter rifle & rebarrel it at a leter date if you want a different twist.

 

[sniper848]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

What twist rate do I need exactly? And why is one twist better than another for longe range?

 

[awp762]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

The faster twist rates stabilize heavier bullets better. The heavier bullets have a better b/c therefore have less wind drift at longer ranges & require less vertical adjustment at longer ranges.

A 1 in 9 will stabilize up to about a 70gr bullet, the 1 in 8 or 7 can stabilize bullets up to 90gr. This is using the greenhill formula.

Also according to the greenhill formula using a 123gr 6.5 cal bullet the optimum twist should be 1 in 8, that is what the Krieger tech told me when i researched twists for a custom bolt gun in 6.5, However i am using a 1 in 9 twist currently & it shoots extremely well with the 123 gr tips.

Sometimes i think it all depends upon your barrel but the theories & actual shooting data are a safe place to start.

Another example: i have 2ea .308 barrels both with 1 in 12 twists. One likes 168gr & doesn't shoot worth a dam if i use 175gr. The other one shoots 175's much better & doesn't like 168gr. Both tips being SMK's.

I haven't tried the 70- 80gr tips in the CZ to see what happens but theory says it won't work. without trying i will never know.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

It's possible to stabilize the 75gr AMAX in a 1:9. However, the problem with the CZ is actually the magazine confines. IIRC, my CZ 527 allowed for a OAL of around 2.35" in the magazine. Handloaded ammo using the 75AMAX will be closer to 2.45-2.5", unless significant case capacity is consumed with a deeply-seated bullet.

 

[awp762]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

Darrenk75b, what load data were you using for the 75gr AMAX? I normally set my loads long anyway so single feeding isn't an issue with me.

 

[sniper848]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

So the Savage Model 12 will be better for heavier bullets because it is available in a 1 in 7" twist rate?

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: awp762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Darrenk75b, what load data were you using for the 75gr AMAX? I normally set my loads long anyway so single feeding isn't an issue with me. </div></div>

Never got around to loading for the 527. Sold it too early. Ended up with a custom .223AI throated for the longer bullets.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniper848</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So the Savage Model 12 will be better for heavier bullets because it is available in a 1 in 7" twist rate? </div></div>

That twist certainly opens up more possibilies regarding bullet weights

 

[OutRider]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

...methinks he just said "yes"...

 

[awp762]

Re: CZ 550 Varmint?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: darrenk75b</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: awp762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Darrenk75b, what load data were you using for the 75gr AMAX? I normally set my loads long anyway so single feeding isn't an issue with me. </div></div>

Never got around to loading for the 527. Sold it too early. Ended up with a custom .223AI throated for the longer bullets. </div></div>

Thanks for the info!
The 527 is for my son & i already have 68gr match loaded for him that group well.
This will get rebarreled into 300 whisper when he burns out the barrel.