Cz 527 7.62x39 factory hunting ammo

northerndad

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Anyone with 527 7.62x39 care to recommend factory hunting ammo? My local selection is somewhat limited. Have Barnaul SP and some Hornady SST to try out when I get to the range.
 
Don't have a 527, just a couple SKS's, an 858, and a Zastava bolt.

I've tried the Barnaul SP, PPU SP, American Eagle SP, and the Hornady SST factory ammo in all of them.

The Hornady was the clear winner, across the board. It's not match ammo, but you should still be able to get groups under 2" at 100 yards with it, and it's highly effective for hunting. Problem coyotes and badgers just don't stand a chance, and I've gottenbang-flop on white-tail.
 
I have some PPU stuff that was so-so and I've yet to use the Federal Fusion ammo, but I really like Federal ammo as rule. Out of my Howa and my brother's CZ 527, we were printing 1" groups at 100 yds. with my handloads. I'm loading 123 Gr. Hornady SST on top of 25.5 gr. of Varget. I'm aware you're asking about factory ammo, but bear the load data in mind if you decide to reload or have a good buddy reload for you. The PPU stuff would have knocked down a deer (about 3-1/2" -4" group at 100 yds.), but I personally prefer better accuracy. See if you have buddies who will do trades? For instance I'll trade you 5 rnds. of PPU for 5 rnds. of Sellier & Bellot, etc. We've done this in the past so everyone gets a chance to try out different ammo to see what their rifle likes. Good luck to you.
 
I haven't hunted with my 527 yet, but at the range both Hornady and PRVI(PPU) performed well. Sub 2" groups at 100 yards.
 
I'd say Federal Fusion is at the top of heap for cup-n-core style bullet on big game. Hard to find ammo though
 
My 527 likes the steel case Hornady SST best, it's as good as my best hand load.
No first hand experience with federal factory ammo, but rounds I reloaded using FC brass and CCI #200 primer had a serious issue of ligh primer strike in my 527. 1 in 3 to 5 rounds would not fire. Same load fired fine out of all my other 7.62x39 rifles though.
 
I really like PPU, but Fusion is hard to top for cup and core. I exclusively use Federal Fusion 150 grain in my 30-06--wicked stuff and very accurate. If I can find Fusion in 7.62x39, I'll jump on many boxes.
 
i handload , so factory don't much matter.Shot 4 Wt's with mine since I bought it. The Ukrainian bi-metal HP Dominion ammo worked well on deer for a buddy of mine out to 200 yards.
 
My CZ527 took approx 200rds break in for best accuracy first 100rds went from 9/10 o'clock to centre

My gun loves Barnaul FMJ and SP it also shoots S&B SP to the same accuracy within a cm or so. Personally I love S&B ammo it hits true every time and seems to somehow work perfectly with the iron sights on any European rifle in any calibre I have used without any adjustment.

I have used with good success on paper targets which hopefully may translate for hunting up to 200max
Sellier & Bellot ( I buy any and all S&B soft point ammo I can find/afford in .308, 7.62x39 & 8x57) it's the best
Barnaul FMJ
Barnaul SP
Norinco FMJ (least accurate approx 1 to 2 inch group depending on what rds i picked from the box)
Chinese FMJ surplus (scary accurate with same holes)
Hornady steel case (equal with Barnaul except they land about 4 inches lower than the European loads)
Can Am remanufactured surplus, same as Norinco FMJ hit and miss

This gun seems as reliable as a SKS. It's one of my favourites that comes to the range a lot. I have nothing bad to say about Barnaul ammo. It shoots evertime and works well. The only bad experience I had with it was with Soft Points in a SKS. When unloading a round that is chambered the SKS would chew up the tip of the SP when extracted. This is not an issue in the CZ527. The SKS doesn't come hunting anymore.
 
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i handload , so factory don't much matter.Shot 4 Wt's with mine since I bought it. The Ukrainian bi-metal HP Dominion ammo worked well on deer for a buddy of mine out to 200 yards.

Really? I've done some water jug tests with those HP and they blew up. Massive fragmentation with the biggest piece left being like 18 grains. I decided they were best suited for coyotes and the like. Maybe they're less explosive at range, I was shooting the water jugs at like 30 yds...
 
Hornady SSt, my daughter took a whitetail buck at 175 yards. It's the only ammo we use now.
 
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