I don't have a place to shoot beyond 100 yards for the foreseeable future. I've thought about getting a good .17hmr for shooting at 100 but am now weighing the option of going for .223 cal. I'm new to shooting CF for target, having used them in the past for hunting. I've heard good things about the CZ 527 and figure that .223 might be more affordable, ammo-wise (I don't reload). Am I on the right track? Is there another rifle I should consider? A better caliber that I can afford to shoot? Any thoughtful advice and suggestions are appreciated.
How is the CZ 527 in .223 for target at 100 - 300 yards?
- Thread starter grauhanen
- Start date
push my 223 out to 500 regularly with 55 grain... Some bigger pills and hand loads ive seen them hit the 1000 yard mark
I would go 223 over 17 for sure if your going past 150 yards.
Tons of rifles out there, get what you like.
I would go 223 over 17 for sure if your going past 150 yards.
Tons of rifles out there, get what you like.
Hey Glenn,
I had a CZ 527 Varmint in .223 a couple of years ago. Fantastic rifle, like a real CZ and much fun to shoot. Accuracy was there also. I foolishly sold it ( that was before you helped me control my selling impulses - lol) but I am regularly tempted to buy another one.
Gilbert
I had a CZ 527 Varmint in .223 a couple of years ago. Fantastic rifle, like a real CZ and much fun to shoot. Accuracy was there also. I foolishly sold it ( that was before you helped me control my selling impulses - lol) but I am regularly tempted to buy another one.
Gilbert
Hi Glenn
I have the CZ 223 MTR, ( not with the SS trigger) as well as the Savage 12 LRPV left hand port. I do not reload, and also am limited to 100 yards . I wanted something with a bit more punch at 100 yards ( more than my 22lr's)
I chose to buy the Anschutz 17HMR SBR with two stage trigger. ( i can do .5-.6 MOA at 100, if i do my part)
I also have the 223's, problem is the whole reloading thing, and trying to figure out the optimal bullet weight, charge etc . ( another whole learning curve.) the !7 HMR was a good choice to start out . Cheap ammo, yes, not match ammo, but if you find the one it likes, well then
Bohdan
I have the CZ 223 MTR, ( not with the SS trigger) as well as the Savage 12 LRPV left hand port. I do not reload, and also am limited to 100 yards . I wanted something with a bit more punch at 100 yards ( more than my 22lr's)
I chose to buy the Anschutz 17HMR SBR with two stage trigger. ( i can do .5-.6 MOA at 100, if i do my part)
I also have the 223's, problem is the whole reloading thing, and trying to figure out the optimal bullet weight, charge etc . ( another whole learning curve.) the !7 HMR was a good choice to start out . Cheap ammo, yes, not match ammo, but if you find the one it likes, well then
Bohdan
the CZ 527 is my favourite sporting rifle though mine is 7.62x39. If I were to buy a bolt gun in .223 I wouldn't even look at others I'd just but another CZ527 in .223
I think the rifle in .223 is a bit more accurate and can probably reach a little farther but at least at 100m with good ammo mine in x39 with group within 1inch.
I think the rifle in .223 is a bit more accurate and can probably reach a little farther but at least at 100m with good ammo mine in x39 with group within 1inch.
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
I have a 527 Carbine in .223. Really cool little rifle. The mini-mauser bolt is neat. Also the set trigger is awesome. Accuracy is pretty good so far as factory sporting rifles go. .223 is an excellent round for what you are describing.
It depends on whether you plan on using it exclusively from a bench or have some bush/field use. I personally bought one because they are accurate, reliable and lightweight. I don’t think it would be the best choice if you are looking for a bench gun though.
It depends on whether you plan on using it exclusively from a bench or have some bush/field use. I personally bought one because they are accurate, reliable and lightweight. I don’t think it would be the best choice if you are looking for a bench gun though.
I would actually recommend that you go with a Rem 700 for 223, and I don't make this suggestion lightly.
The reason is actually not that I think the Remmy is a better rifle, it's just better for 223 if one day you decide to reload.
There are after market stocks available that will allow the Rem 700 to feed from AI mags.
AI Mags are longer than typical 223 mags since they are designed for 308 Win.
Ruger, MDT, Accurate Mag, and others make AI format mags to fit the 223 and hold and feed ammo that is up to 2.6 inches long.
That is a total game changer for the 223 because you can then run heavy bullets... 75 to 90 grains with an over all length that is 0.35 inches longer than a SAMMI spec 223 round.
What that means to you is that you can exactly replicate 30-06 trajectory with a 223 repeater.
I have a Ruger Precision Rifle in 223 as a practice rifle and I run loads that are 2.5 inches long with 75 grain Hornady ELDs with 8.5 MOA drop at 500 yards.... which is exactly the same as my buddy gets with his 30-06 using 168 grain SMKs
Basically I'm suggesting that you are better off long term, with relatively minor upgrades to make a humble 223 (with 1:7 barrel twist rate) into a viable medium to long range varmint or target rifle.
Most people will under value the 223 because the opinion is based only upon factory offered ammo, but when the rifle is chambered to run 2.6 inch long rounds and you run the right hand loads, you'd be surprised how well you can shoot with a 223 even out to 1000 yards.
The reason is actually not that I think the Remmy is a better rifle, it's just better for 223 if one day you decide to reload.
There are after market stocks available that will allow the Rem 700 to feed from AI mags.
AI Mags are longer than typical 223 mags since they are designed for 308 Win.
Ruger, MDT, Accurate Mag, and others make AI format mags to fit the 223 and hold and feed ammo that is up to 2.6 inches long.
That is a total game changer for the 223 because you can then run heavy bullets... 75 to 90 grains with an over all length that is 0.35 inches longer than a SAMMI spec 223 round.
What that means to you is that you can exactly replicate 30-06 trajectory with a 223 repeater.
I have a Ruger Precision Rifle in 223 as a practice rifle and I run loads that are 2.5 inches long with 75 grain Hornady ELDs with 8.5 MOA drop at 500 yards.... which is exactly the same as my buddy gets with his 30-06 using 168 grain SMKs
Basically I'm suggesting that you are better off long term, with relatively minor upgrades to make a humble 223 (with 1:7 barrel twist rate) into a viable medium to long range varmint or target rifle.
Most people will under value the 223 because the opinion is based only upon factory offered ammo, but when the rifle is chambered to run 2.6 inch long rounds and you run the right hand loads, you'd be surprised how well you can shoot with a 223 even out to 1000 yards.
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Tikka make a nice HB 223 for about the same money as a CZ, I have the . CZ you are talking about, and it is a great shooting rifle. usedTikka's seem to come up for sale used here more often than CZ 527's.....FS
What's the heaviest bullet you can reload into a 527 magazine? I've been toying with the idea of doing a 527/MDT build lately. Start with a used action/barrel (9 twist) and rebarrel to a 7.5 or 8 twist later on.
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
Max COAL is approximately 2.320” on a 527 magazine. 68gr work nicely but I can’t see it being great with 75gr.
