My brother has the CZ and I have the Howa 1500. There's no arguing the the CZ is far superior and I love the set trigger option. I reload for both of us and I find that 123gr. Hornady SST or Z-Max on top of 25.5 gr. of RL7 produces sub-MOA groups at 100 yds. out of both of our rifles. The mags for my Howa can be hard to find but they're out there. My one big complaint about the Howa is the very light mag retention spring. It needs only a slight touch to release the mag and you can drop it in the bush if you're not careful. Ask me how I know.
Bolt action 7.62x39
- Thread starter morp
- Start date
On terms of quality, you would certainly be much better off with a CZ or Howa, but here's my unpopular opinion.
Love my BCL Bison! Shoots great with surplus, decently smooth and almost like a lego AR regarding parts. Comes straight with a Triggertech too. Results you see here are with Mbus3 and Chinese surplus stuff with the 12.5 version as I couldn't get my hands on a 16 incher.
Love my BCL Bison! Shoots great with surplus, decently smooth and almost like a lego AR regarding parts. Comes straight with a Triggertech too. Results you see here are with Mbus3 and Chinese surplus stuff with the 12.5 version as I couldn't get my hands on a 16 incher.
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I gots one of these too... Cost friendly an works no flaws.
I have some videos on YouTube under hilldogtv 7.62x39 , I have to use 150gr bullets but take deer out at 200m with it in the right situations, under 150 it's deadly.
Throwing it out there as food for thought.. buddy has mentioned his Mexican match ammo has served him quite well. Hornady SST 123GR pressed into a Norinco NC unit, just pull the existing pill and press the hornady in. Never tried myself but definitely will when the time and or need comes along.
Thanks for the input guys. The Cz 527 would probably be my first choice, though I expect this gun to take a few knocks and bangs and the Cz is almost too pretty (and a little pricy) for me to sling around without worry.
Also like the sound of the 2nd gen Ruger, but new with taxes it’s getting close to the price of a used Cz, which I think would be a better quality unit ultimately.
I’ve found a decent deal on a Howa 1500 and three mags for a little over half the asking price of the average used CZ 527, so think I’m going with that.
If it shoots a variety of ammo reliably, can hit 1 moa (or sub!) with the right load but can still achieve 2ish moa with surplus, is light and easy to maintain, then that’s all I could hope for.
Also like the sound of the 2nd gen Ruger, but new with taxes it’s getting close to the price of a used Cz, which I think would be a better quality unit ultimately.
I’ve found a decent deal on a Howa 1500 and three mags for a little over half the asking price of the average used CZ 527, so think I’m going with that.
If it shoots a variety of ammo reliably, can hit 1 moa (or sub!) with the right load but can still achieve 2ish moa with surplus, is light and easy to maintain, then that’s all I could hope for.
A very sensible choice. By the way, the CZ 527 was discontinued in 2021. The used ones are simply overpriced. The CZ does not really offer more than the Howa Mini Action.
rimfirerick
Member
- Location
- Ottawa, Ontario
I have the Ruger in 7.62x39 with a vortex 3x9 and it's pretty good. The ammo I use is Norinco soft point non corrosive but I still clean the crap out of it just in case.Looking for a bolt action in 7.62x39. Sorry if this has already been covered in another thread. Currently deciding between the Howa 1500, Ruger American Ranch and the CZ600, although open to any other suggestions.
Main requirements are;
* Ability to cycle surplus ammo (I have a decent stock of red box Norinco and steel cored surplus corrosive rounds).
* Ease of quick cleaning/stripping if shooting corrosive.
* Weight and length. Looking for something relatively light and compact with an ~18” barrel ideally.
* Aftermarket support/upgrades. I’m a sucker for tinkering, although my wife and wallet would probably prefer a more limited aftermarket!
*Availability and affordability of spare mags.
This will be used as a plinker, bush gun and light hunting rifle.
Any input, experiences or recommendations very much appreciated
My only complaint is the Rugers are not super smooth compared to other guns.
I had one of the zastavas and it shot well but the one i had had a very tight chamber, it had a hard time fitting some brands of ammo in to close the bolt.
Another rifle if you can find one is the norinco jw-103 bushranger. It was one of the only options readily available before all the newer rifle started to get chambered in 7.62x39
Have had great luck with the Ruger minis. Nice metal mag, very reliable, sub MOA shooters. Actions wear in plenty smooth.
They do get sticky with Norinco red box but red box is dogsh*t ammo anyway lol. Military surplus has been more accurate, more reliable and it takes all of 5 minutes to spray some ballistol/water down the bore and swab it out.
They do get sticky with Norinco red box but red box is dogsh*t ammo anyway lol. Military surplus has been more accurate, more reliable and it takes all of 5 minutes to spray some ballistol/water down the bore and swab it out.
did you mean the Chinese Military surplus 7.62x39 or Russian/East European surplus?
Did your Ruger Ranch Gen 1 shoot Norinco redbox without issue? I have Ranch gen 1 and some Norinco redbox from last year Cabela sales. and saw some discussion about the norinco redbox had issue with Ranch and CZ and Howa (after I placed the ammo order
).Sticky extraction. Would occasionally have a hard bolt lift and to yank it to the rear.Did your Ruger Ranch Gen 1 shoot Norinco redbox without issue? I have Ranch gen 1 and some Norinco redbox from last year Cabela sales. and saw some discussion about the norinco redbox had issue with Ranch and CZ and Howa (after I placed the ammo order
Happens now and then with the milsurp ammo too but not to the same degree or as often.
