CZ vs Ruger which Would You Choose?
- Thread starter trky chsr
- Start date
My goal is to turn it into a long range squirrel gun (black and grey, not ground) and the 204 is just a little too much. I could get a 17HMR for half the price but the ballistics are just so flat for the Hornet. Plus if I wanted to hunt coyotes it will work for that purpose as well. Also being a centerfire I can reload for it (I am set up for pistol now so I only need dies). TC
I have had dozens of both... when the decision was made to downsize my collection, I found that it hurt to see the Ruger rifles go, the CZ's not so much... I don't own a CZ now... this does not mean that the CZ is not a fine rifle, I am a fan, but when something HAD to go... it turned out it was the CZ rifles that went to new homes.
If you know how to fix a Ruger trigger then the trigger is a draw....... and everything else is subjective.....
If you want to compare either to a cooper, I can't help you there....
Based on price, you may as well compare the American to the M77 as a multiplier.....
The CZ trigger does not need to be fixed.
I have the CZ in 17 hornet. I had some difficulty finding both ammo and components when I first purchased the rifle last fall (2015) That fortunately was short lived. I picked up some factory ammo, 20gr V-max and LIL-GUN powder. I just shot my first development loads and they are already inside 3/8 at 100 yrds. The factory ammo was just under/over an inch. Sweet to shoot, MASSIVE destruction upon impact (gophers) and not much louder than a 22. I would grab one again in a heartbeat.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Thanks for all the replies. I recently handled a CZ 452 varmint as well as a lux and due to all the positive feedback I will probably see if I can get a 527 varmint. They weigh the same as the Ruger plus are a little less expensive. Next in line will be the 527 American and in 3rd place will be the Ruger. TC
You guys don't help 
Maybe I'll go for a 527 Varmint in 17, and a Ruger 77 in 22 Hornet. Just don't know if I want the 77/22 in stainless and laminate 24" barrel, or the 77/22 with walnut and 20" barrel. Better sell a couple more first, lol.
Maybe I'll go for a 527 Varmint in 17, and a Ruger 77 in 22 Hornet. Just don't know if I want the 77/22 in stainless and laminate 24" barrel, or the 77/22 with walnut and 20" barrel. Better sell a couple more first, lol.
You guys don't help
You may want to check with some guys that actually use a 77 for varmints or moderate range.target.shooting. I have not owned or tried a Ruger accurate enough for varmints or for long range target shooting. All the Rugers I have used were around 2 MOA - good enough for big game at typical hunting ranges, but not to reach out and touch something out past 300 yards or to schmuck a groundhog.
I own and have owned A LOT of Ruger rifles... save for a couple, I have been able to get them all to shoot with MOA accuracy or better, which is typical for any brand. I have owned many CZ rifles also, two of which, a 550 .308 and a 527 .223 were a struggle to get to 3 MOA... So your expectation that CZ rifles are inherently more accurate does not line up with my experience. Of the Ruger rifles that I currently own, only one is being stubborn at the bench... and that is a work in progress... I am confident that I can get it to shoot.
My experience has been exactly the opposite, having owned 4 Rugers , 3 of which shot so poorly they could have been muskets. The other one a hawkeye the would shoot the eye out of a gnat at 100 yds and a lovely little rifle. I've owned a number of cz 550's , 527's, 452's that have all been shooters and not a bad one in the bunch, though I'm sure people have got them that spray bullets too.
Just goes to show your mileage may vary and there isn't a surefire way to pick an accurate rifle off the rack and no sense in getting hung up on a particular brand as they all produce lemons from time to time.
Im having my best luck these days with vanguard 2's, lotta rifle for the money .
Just goes to show your mileage may vary and there isn't a surefire way to pick an accurate rifle off the rack and no sense in getting hung up on a particular brand as they all produce lemons from time to time.
Im having my best luck these days with vanguard 2's, lotta rifle for the money .
Last edited:
Thanks for the input. That is exactly why I did not condemn the Rugers out of hand, but suggested he check with other Ruger owners. In the post after yours, Bwana Dave seems to have had the same experience I did. Now I am the first to admit that I did not do a ton of load development for any of the Ruger rifles I owned, and the only CZ I can remember shooting is my son`s .22.
re: CZ accuracy
My CZ 452 fullstock 452 in .17 HMR will put 5 shots into 3/8 inch at 100 yards and seems to shoot almost dead flat out to 200 yards.
re: Ruger accuracy
In the early 80's I had a Ruger M-77 30-06 that would shoot under 1 inch at 200 yards w/ 4X scope.
My CZ 452 fullstock 452 in .17 HMR will put 5 shots into 3/8 inch at 100 yards and seems to shoot almost dead flat out to 200 yards.
re: Ruger accuracy
In the early 80's I had a Ruger M-77 30-06 that would shoot under 1 inch at 200 yards w/ 4X scope.
