CZ 527 (.223) Scope Ideas/Opinions?

coleman1495

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I have a CZ 527 carbine in .223 inbound and am looking for some suggestions for an optic. Rifle will mainly be used for plinking/target shooting and potentially a little hunting.

Optic must meet the following criteria:

- Must be small in size and weight. This gun is small and convenient. I would like a optic that matches that.
- Must have a ballistic turret. I am hooked on being able to dial my shots out. Obviously must track 100% (No Viper PST!)
- Must be 1' tube

My understanding is that there can be clearance issues with mounting optics to these rifles so I can't have anything too large. So far I have found the Nikon M223 2-8x32. It seems to be well reviewed and checks all the boxes nicely.

I look forward to the suggestions.
 
I have had two 527s, the full-size varmint and the youth, both in 223/5.56.

They are amazing rifles, both in terms of build quality and accuracy.

The only thing I would recommend is that you don't insult the quality of the rifle by putting a crappy scope on it.

Start with something like Vortex or Leupold, and if you can pull it off go with a Zeiss or Swarovski.

It's not about being an elitist snob, so much as it is understanding that you will have an amazing rifle on your hands, and it would break my heart to see you go put a Redfield, Burris, or Cabela's budget scope on it.

Anything less than Leupold/Vortex would be like putting all-season Toyota Camry tires on a race Ferrari.
 
I have had two 527s, the full-size varmint and the youth, both in 223/5.56.

They are amazing rifles, both in terms of build quality and accuracy.

The only thing I would recommend is that you don't insult the quality of the rifle by putting a crappy scope on it.

Start with something like Vortex or Leupold, and if you can pull it off go with a Zeiss or Swarovski.

It's not about being an elitist snob, so much as it is understanding that you will have an amazing rifle on your hands, and it would break my heart to see you go put a Redfield, Burris, or Cabela's budget scope on it.

Anything less than Leupold/Vortex would be like putting all-season Toyota Camry tires on a race Ferrari.
No worries. I definitely would like quality optics. You are talking to a guy with a Swaro on a Savage. What scopes are you running on your 527’s?
 
I put a leupold 2-7 on mine and think it's a great match - I rarely shoot past 300yds with it so have no desire for target turrets

I doe have a weaver super slam in a 1" tube on a rem 22-250 HB that wouldn't bulk the 527 up to much as it has low pop up turrets but hard to find one of those
 
What scopes are you running on your 527’s?

I currently have a Swarovski Z3 on it, but I think that may be overkill if I ever hand this rifle off to my son to bush bash with beside me when I'm using my 30.06.

At that point I'll likely swap it out for the Zeiss Terra that I now have on my 10/22, once he works his way up through that.

They go on sale often, and I'd put a $500 Zeiss on it any day over another brand that sees $500 as their high-end option.

If you're just using this for yourself, then don't feel bad spending the same $1000 for a scope that you spent on the rifle.

As I wrote above, this rifle deserves the best. It truly is an amazing shooter.
 
the Nikons have huge ocular bells which is where the clearance issue is (along with the rear sight on the carbine), so they are basically the worst option on CZ. I've got A Leupold vx-2 2-7 on my Carbine and it is a good match. something with a bit more magnification might be better for your uses... maybe a 4-12. might have a hard time finding a reticle you want in a leupold though.

I also find the Nikon M223 hideous, but to each their own.
 
I didn’t think about the ocular bell size. Nonetheless I still want a scope with a turret.

Edit- BeanKozi, assuming you are referring to the Leupold VX2 2-7x33 it is listed as having the same ocular bell size as the Nikon
 
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I use a Trijicon 1-8 on my 527. I can keep my rear sight and the bolt clears(barely). If you're into dialing your shots then don't buy cheap scopes. You need to spend serious money to get an optic that will track properly and consistently over time and repeated use.
 
I have had two 527s, the full-size varmint and the youth, both in 223/5.56.

They are amazing rifles, both in terms of build quality and accuracy.

The only thing I would recommend is that you don't insult the quality of the rifle by putting a crappy scope on it.

Start with something like Vortex or Leupold, and if you can pull it off go with a Zeiss or Swarovski.

It's not about being an elitist snob, so much as it is understanding that you will have an amazing rifle on your hands, and it would break my heart to see you go put a Redfield, Burris, or Cabela's budget scope on it.

Anything less than Leupold/Vortex would be like putting all-season Toyota Camry tires on a race Ferrari.

Says to not insult the quality of the rifle by putting crap scope on... immediately suggests vortex and insults it. Laugh2

My cz527 has a zeiss conquest hd5 2-10x42. Mine is more of a holdover based with the rz6 reticle but you should be able to grab a leica with the ballistic turret for not much more.
 
I didn’t think about the ocular bell size. Nonetheless I still want a scope with a turret.

Edit- BeanKozi, assuming you are referring to the Leupold VX2 2-7x33 it is listed as having the same ocular bell size as the Nikon

I believe you're thinking about the objective (front) of the scope. I'm talking about the part closest to your eye.
 
My suggestion is a Leupold.

They are good and the eyepiece is small so it will clear the bolt handle pretty well compared to lets say a Nikkon...
 
My 527 in 17 Hornet has a Vortex 4-16 Diamondback HP on it. My range is quite a bit less than a 223 but shooting gophers I can use the extra magnification to find the little buggers.
 
I believe you're thinking about the objective (front) of the scope. I'm talking about the part closest to your eye.

I’m talking the eyepiece(rear). Both scopes have the dimensions posted and they are listed as the same.

The Nikon has a eyepiece diameter of 41mm (1.61”). A Leupold VX-2 2-7 is 1.6”

Are you referring to the Leupold VX2 ultralight?
 
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I had a Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20mm on my CZ527 Carbine initially and then when I wanted higher magnification I put on a VX-R 3-9x40mm. Another issue in addition to the occular lens diameter is the length of the scope, since if the scope is to long you will have to remove the rear sight. The 3-9 was at the limit in regards to length after which I would have had to remove the rear sight. The Leupold 2-7x33MM is a very good choice for this rifle
 
I have very little experience with Nikons but became interested after seeing my buddies Buckmaster scope I am intrigued. It was very impressive for the price.

How much have you used the turrets on the 223 scopes?

I have to admit that I have limited experience on my .223 with the scope (read banging gongs at camp from 100 to 300), but they ring the gongs, which equals a dead coyote to me.....

I have 6 zeiss scopes and 4 prostaffs, and will acknowledge that the zeiss are more clear...... you do get what you pay for..... but how much do you need?.....

As for the previously m motioned vortex, they can take a long walk off a short pier...... had 6 of them as well and now own none...... great warranty from a condescending company.....
 
I just bought a 6-24 Bushnell Elite on my 527 Varmint. I had a Razor on it but way too much scope.

I’ll use mine for precision, gophers and maybe a coyote. I wanted a reasonably well made optic that wasn’t huge or heavy.

I haven’t had the chance to sight it in yet! Just an option for you to consider.
 
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