Cz527 carbine vs howa mini
- Thread starter double gun
- Start date
527 varmint 1-8 twist in a Kevlar stock because it shoots everything accurately 55-80+ and the trigger is great. Complaints are the throw of the lever is a tad high for a big scope. If you wanna go with a larger scope with a larger diameter occular lense this could be problematic once you get in the 30mm tube diameter or larger. I think over time the 527 will retain more value then a savage the workmanship is really good.
I have both in 7.62 x39. The howa is a bit heavier even with the pencil barrel and is kind of twitchy compared to the cz with its more normal barrel. The howa mag works well but is bulky and crude compared to the cz.. my cz has horrible trigger creep which cant be adjusted out. The howa is 2.5 pounds out of the box, mine anyway with no creep that i can tell but strangely i cant let shots go with it very easily. Both have tiny bolts although the howa action is a bit beefier. It still uses 700 bases they just cut a bigger radius on the front reciever ring top to match the curve of the 700 with the smaller reciever. The howa stock forend is wide and clunky and doesnt really match the idea of the gun i.m.o.. i like them both i think my howa is cerakote, which i dont like the looks of but its not any worse than an sps finish. The cz came with open sights not matched front and rear for elevation they were not useable. The howa has a modern cheap but good thing going about it.the cz is nicer
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?? I adjusted the creep out of my CZ 527, unless they've changed the trigger design in the latest versions. It's at the point now where I prefer the normal trigger over using the set trigger. It could still stand a bit of stoning, but I don't feel like taking it apart right now.
mastermind
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Ontario
I don't have experience with the Howa's, but I can't put my 527 Carbine down! It just handles and looks so perfect
The trigger is fully adjustable - best factory trigger I've handled. The newer ones from the last few years are 1:9 twist in 223
The trigger is fully adjustable - best factory trigger I've handled. The newer ones from the last few years are 1:9 twist in 223
I have a 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 and my sheep hunting partner has the 527 Carbine in .223. I like them, they have a few quirks though. I did a YouTube review on it. I'm not much of a cameraman though:
https://youtu.be/dH5oXQe-k7w
https://youtu.be/dH5oXQe-k7w
Mine has a notch so bad just before the trigger breaks i can hear and feel a click, then its set to go off like a two stage. I just left it it works well by fluke. Although i adjusted the weight.I had a 550 that i couldnt adjust the creep out of it wouldnt stay cocked safely without lots of creep. I never use the set trigger
I have wanted a 527 for a long time, but I can't get past the scope mounting situation. I like my scopes hugging the barrel, and the butter knife bolt knob is a no go for me.
I did choose the Howa, and it is great. I did shorten the mag release to avoid dropping the mag while carrying the gun. The bolt is smooth and the trigger is crisp. The one exception is the stock. I don't mid the lines of the howa, but it flexes like crazy. Also no "lightweight rifle" should sport a 35 ounce stock. I enquired with wildcat, and they said they were open to seeing if there current stock is capable of fitting a howa mini action, and they would need a sample, but I'm too lazy.
This rifle in a 20 ounce stock equates to about a 4.5lb rifle. I'd love to see it...
I did choose the Howa, and it is great. I did shorten the mag release to avoid dropping the mag while carrying the gun. The bolt is smooth and the trigger is crisp. The one exception is the stock. I don't mid the lines of the howa, but it flexes like crazy. Also no "lightweight rifle" should sport a 35 ounce stock. I enquired with wildcat, and they said they were open to seeing if there current stock is capable of fitting a howa mini action, and they would need a sample, but I'm too lazy.
This rifle in a 20 ounce stock equates to about a 4.5lb rifle. I'd love to see it...
mastermind
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Ontario
Good review! I had the same problems with the bolt binding when fully open and about to close. Seems to be pretty common with these. Doesn't discourage me as I like to tinker and polish rifles to make them cycle better if needed.
I also like my scopes as low as possible. This seems like a CZ thing, they all mount higher because of the bolt throw, unless you get a Leupold with a smaller ocular lens. However, with the 527 Carbine I am thoroughly enjoying shooting it without a scope especially for bush whacking and hunting. Keeps it as a lighter package which is nice for once. The Leupold VX-II 3-9x33 EFR's may be a good candidate for these rifles. Should fit with low rings like my 455.
I've only had mine for a few weeks. Also picked up a CZ 557 Range around the same time.. traded the Marlinitis for the CZ flu. Honestly I am trying to find a reason to pickup a second 527, I like them that much, but can't bring myself to shoot x39 out of a bolt action.
I really really like the 527 and encourage everyone to get one! They just don't make quality rifles with iron sights anymore.
Love the 7.62 x 39 CZ527's I've handled but like others the higher scope mounting drives me nuts and has held me back from getting one. Like scopes to be as low as you can possibly get them.
Of course all the recent stock issues are also a turn off. Prefer top quality synthetic stocks, wood stocks make me feel like I need to baby them.
Seriously considering a red-dot as a possible work around, and it works well with the cartridges effective range.
The Howa Mini in x39 is also of major interest. Stock needs to go on it imo though.
Love the idea of a good x39 bolt action so have to make some room in the safe ! This is going to be one of those might as well get both of them problems ....
Of course all the recent stock issues are also a turn off. Prefer top quality synthetic stocks, wood stocks make me feel like I need to baby them.
Seriously considering a red-dot as a possible work around, and it works well with the cartridges effective range.
The Howa Mini in x39 is also of major interest. Stock needs to go on it imo though.
Love the idea of a good x39 bolt action so have to make some room in the safe ! This is going to be one of those might as well get both of them problems ....
Yeah, I was just hoping to buy something this time instead of build.
I had a CZ carbine in 7.62x39 for awhile, it was a very nice little rifle. My two complaints were the high scope mounting, and the backwards safety. I haven't seen a howa mini in the flesh but the little research I've done seems guys aren't too fond of the bottoms metal/plastic.
I am not positive if this is still the case, but the 527 in .223 used to have a 1:12, so has trouble firing anything heavier than 45-55gr bullets. From my experience, couldn't properly stabilise 62gr. 68-77 is absolutely not an option. Not bad if you are just using it as a varmint rifle, but if you want to reach out at all, not really viable. Howa mini is a 1:9 if i remember right, a nice middle ground.
mastermind
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Ontario
Considering the capability of the round, but without knowing it's potential purposes (7.62x39 AND 223), a Leupold VX-II 3-9x33 might do the job and can likely be mounted with low rings as they're on the rimfires. Leupold's generally have a smaller circumference of the ocular lens, allowing you to mount lower on CZ's.
The newer 527's have a 1:9 twist. Mine is 2015 manufacture with 1:9
