unfired CZ527 in 222rem

[JonB]

In the Spring of 2014, I bought a new CZ527 American in 222rem to replace a savage 340 (actually it replaced two different Mod 340 guns, one was a 223), that I wasn't happy with. I am embarrassed to say, this CZ remains unfired and just sits in the back of my gunsafe.

Reading Spindrift's thread has made me start a new thread, to start a conversation, and maybe get you enablers to motivate me to bring it out to the range. I have some ammo loaded for 222, was for the Savage 340, while some is surely Cast bullet, some might be jacketed? but that might have been bought that at Gunshow? Also, I had swapped for a bunch of the nicest looking LC brass that was converted by Grumpa, may he RIP. I also have some NEW brass and I have a stack of different 22 molds, so I really have no excuse.

I think one reason it remains unfired is, that I mounted (and bore sighted) a gigantic Burris Target scope on it, which is really well suited for benchrest shooting, and if you read my recent comment in another thread about shooting "Off hand", you know that I don't really like benchrest shooting.

I may just remove that Burris. I have a smallish vintage BL-Japan Bushnell or a compact Leupold 3-9, one of those would be much better on that rifle if I plan to be shooting it off hand.

 

[Spindrift]

That is gorgeous!
I much prefer the «American» stock over the «Lux», that I’ve got. It is more suitable for the use of scopes.
I understand your mixed feelings concerning the large scope. The balance is probably better with a lighter scope. A Leupold 3-9x40 would be perfect, in my opinion. Getting the «right» scope and mounts for a rifle can drastically alter the entire feel of the gun.

That rifle really deserves your attention. You’ll have loads of fun with it, without decimating your stash of alloy and powder. Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[JonB]

In 2014, I thought the way to go was with a Scope. Today, I sure would pick one with Iron sites as well as scope mount-ability. While my eyes are old and not great, my off hand shooting would be more fun if I had the option of Iron sites...But I guess I have a couple leverguns for that.

 

[Glaciers]

Nice rifle Jon!! I've been wanting a CZ in just about any caliber. One day.
I had a Ruger #1 in 222 Remington back in 71 and made the mistake of letting it get away.

 

[david s]

The little CZ 527 Americans make about the nicest walking rifles in the 222/223 class that could be asked for. If you haven't already give the bore a good scrubbing before it's shot. CZ packs the bores pretty heavily with some serious grease.

 

[Brother_Love]

That is a gorgeous rifle and I want one! I have a Remington 722 in 222 that is great shooter but it is heavy. I’d love to have a LW 222 or 223. You will enjoy that CZ.

 

[RicinYakima]

Bought a .223 from an acquaintance who wanted to shoot 70 grain bullets from it, but it has a 1/12 twist. It is the only 1/2 MOA rifle I every had from new, not working on it, 25 grains of IMR4895 and any 53 grain bullet. Love mine.

 

[david s]

Just less than a year ago my last full size post 64 Winchester Varmint 222 found a new home. I just didn't use it any more. I've gone over almost completely to the little CZ 527 action. I still have a couple of Remington's a Classic in 223 and a stainless one with an alphabet soups worth of letters instead of a name in 220 Swift. My last Winchester is a 22-250 that began as a Swift back in 1950. And no Ruger's at all except there 77/22 Hornet. Being left handed I really like the old tang safety's and 220 Swift option. Ruger's were my favorite. When CZ brought back to the states some 527 Varmints in 222 Remington from Mexico I made sure to pick one up and the 375 H&H length Winchester 70 just seemed extreme in 222. Whod'a thunk 40 years ago I'd be off loading three American manufactures for a Czech? Six years of dust on that little CZ 222 Remington American tsk, tsk.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Very nice!!

My 222 is a Savage 24. I had a 24 in 223 but it was newer, larger and Heavier than the 222. Both was over a 20ga. The 222 does all I "need" from this one and for me at least the 222 shoots cast night and day better then the 223.
I picked up three old Lyman 224 molds last summer. One was a 63g strange lookin bullet, another was a 40 and the last was a 50g. I didnt expect the 63 to do well In the 222 cause of the twist. MISTAKE!! Its a one hole shooter @ 50 yards!!! I dint remember velocity but that too was more then I expected. But it is a 24" barrel.

 

[RBHarter]

The 340 I have in 222 shoots the same way with any 50 gr jacketed factory load tried to date and the NOE 225 55 @62 gr right up in the middle of jacketed data at 2628 fps .

 

[waco]

Love my little 527 in .221 Fireball.

 

[JonB]

I got to the range yesterday and shot the two different loads shown below.

39º, partly cloudy, calm...all shooting from 50 yds. The first 3 shots of each load was shot with elbows on the bench, to get a group to dial in the scope. I was surprised the two different loads shot pretty close to the same POI. The 3 shot groups (about 1") were about 2" apart from each other. Those two groups were 3" to right and 13" high...the scope was bore sighted in 2015.

The rest of the shooting was all offhand, at paper and some cans. It was a lot of fun.

Funny thing, I usually don't have a real keen sense of smell...well that may not be exactly true, it's better put I don't notice smells unless I am really trying to. The smell of that 748 (from the gunshow Baggie brand ammo) sure reminded me of the fun I had shooting Mil Surp guns and ammo, back in the early 1990s. The smoke from that 748 sure has a distinct smell.

It was interesting that the 51.5gr Bator shot so well. I had loaded in 2014 and tried that in the Savage mod 340, with RX7 (13.6gr), hoping for 2250fps. I guess the CZ's 1:14 twist has something to do with that?

Years ago, I was given a bunch of Lyman 225415 that were sized/GC'd and tumble lubed (by Fryboy), and figured I'd try them next.

 

[Spindrift]

Thanks for the report, good start