I've already blown the annual gun budget, so why not add a 7.62x39 bolt. Which one?

[Boomer]

My only complaint with the CZ 527 in 7.62X39 is that its only available in the carbine version, if the FS was available, I'd be more likely to bite. To be clear though, if I was to own a 7.62X39 rifle it would be a CZ 527.

 

[The Kurgan]

Nothing wrong 7.62x39 once you get over the stigma that it's made for old, shot-out AK47 semi-autos. In reality, most commercial 7.62x39 is every bit as accurate as 30-30 out of a decent rifle. The CZ 527 is a decent rifle, well made, and with a touch of class. If you handload, you will be surprized by the accuracy potential! A great low-recoil, 200 yard (or less) deer round.

 

[Dosing]

With the dollar the way it is, the Howas will probably be close to the same price as a used 527 - and then I'd have to throw out the Nikko scope and live with a synthetic stock and magazine of the Howa. We'll see, but I don't know if this 'need' will last until late 2016.

Their catalogue shows several variations, including (IIRC) just a barreled action. 20 or 22 inch, including a heavy 20 (750$ msrp in their catalogue with the rifle only). I wouldn't waste my time with the packages, just the plain rifle. That said, yes the Canadian peso will hurt, but then again, the same is true for alot of makers. Frankly I have wanted a howa in 7,62X39 for years, but the cost to work one over was to high. I like the action of the Howa more than most others, a mini in 39 will be awesome.

 

[diemaco]

The CZs are nice. I've had a couple mis-fires with military primers. IIRC Ruger is also chamber ing guns in 7.62x39

 

[Zedbra]

cant really beat the price of the zastava m85. Wait for the Canada ammo sale and pick one up.

I was just checking these out on CanadaAmmo - I really don't want/like a floorplate. I do reload, and I was thinking that this may be a good first rifle for my sons when they get to the proper age; I would rather they have the ability to remove a magazine as we quad a lot and its not legal to have a loaded rifle in a vehicle here in BC. In the meantime, I will 'develop a load' for it with a few thousand rounds or so. WIN/WIN

 

[Zedbra]

Yeah, it happened. A couple emails to Clay at Prophet....he always says 'yes' (he's such a good enabler)....will be calling in tomorrow with my deposit on a CZ.

Before others run in with "you should have bought it <here> for cheaper" remarks - I'll just say that I have been extremely impressed with Clay's customer service and therefore, even though I saw the same rifle $100 cheaper elsewhere, he will get my business again....and more than likely again....hopefully not sooner than later cuz the budget deficit is reaching soon-to-be Liberal proportions

 

[8x68]

I have the CZ 527 in 7.62x39. Nice quick handling rifle. The drawback that I have experienced was that you cannot single feed a round into the chamber unless it is loaded from the mag. The problem I had was if I tried to single feed a round the extractor claw would not 'cam over" the rim of the cartridge. When you tried to pull the bolt back the claw disengaged from the extractor collar causing much frustration and expletive laden sentences. You could not disengage the bolt from the rifle. You had to "pinch" the extractor collar together while pushing the bolt and extractor forward to engage the collar "clips". Pain in the butt!
I questioned CZ USA about this and was told not to single load and to use the mag only. I don't know if this was a design flaw or something I did.
The other issue I had was that it would not shoot military ammo. I had some old ammo kicking around that I had fired from various AK'S years ago. I was not able to shoot the military ammo in the CZ unfortunately as the firing pin would only "touch" the primer (I was told that I could bevel the firing pin hole on the inside of the bolt or adjust the pin to hit it harder but as I reload didn't really need to).
If you decide to take apart your rifle for what ever reason pay attention when trying to put it back together. The mag well, mag release and receiver have to line up perfectly and I mean perfectly in order for everyone to maintain happiness.

What I don't like about CZ rifles is the type of bluing used. It seems to get a film of rust fairly quickly, and yes I apply a thin coating of oil as per usual protection requirements. Any of the other rifles I have from various manufacturers this doesn't happen.

What I did find was that the chamber seemed to be really tight. I was trimming the case as per Hornady spec's (1.518") but a number of rounds would not chamber when closing the bolt. I just happened to pick up the LEE Modern Reloading manual #2. It lists the case trim length as 1.516" which solved the problem.

It's a great little deer gun out to 175yds or so. My CZ shot under MOA using Hornady 123gr SST's. Best load for me was 26.6gr's of RL 17 using CCI 200 primers and Lapua cases. Avg velocity of the string set was 2316fps. Grouping was 0.35"
If you have trouble getting RL17, IMR 4198 works too. I used 23.7gr's IMR 4198, CCI 200 primers, Lapua cases. Ave 3 string set was 2225fps. Grouping was 1"

I picked up a box of factory PRVI 123gr & 150gr RNSP just see how they performed. Accuracy was avg (around 2" at 100yds) but the velocity was really moving at 2513fps for the 123gr and 2195fps for the 150gr!

***UPDATE*** Thanks to the eagle eyed Zedbra I made a typo when listing the Alliant powder I used. Got a little to "copy & paste" happy. Should be RL7 not RL17. IMR 4198 is correct. ALWAYS VERIFY INFORMATION GIVEN.

 

[Zedbra]

^ thanks for that good info - especially the reloading data. I will be trying some surplus ammo through it, we'll see how my rifle strikes the primer. Just tonight another member messaged me that he has a new and better striker spring for my rifle, so that will be in the mail tomorrow. I can't say I like hearing about the inability to not single load, but that isn't a deal breaker; I prefer mags to floor plates.

How do you like the set trigger? Any tips on that? Also - what dies do you use?

 

[8x68]

^ thanks for that good info - especially the reloading data. I will be trying some surplus ammo through it, we'll see how my rifle strikes the primer. Just tonight another member messaged me that he has a new and better striker spring for my rifle, so that will be in the mail tomorrow. I can't say I like hearing about the inability to not single load, but that isn't a deal breaker; I prefer mags to floor plates.

How do you like the set trigger? Any tips on that? Also - what dies do you use?

When using the set trigger I found that only about 50% of the rounds fired so I don't use it. The regular trigger is quite good in my opinion. If reloading you also need to pay attention to primer depth. If you seat them too deep the firing pin won't hit the primer hard enough to fire the round.
I bought a set of Hornady Dimension dies about 20 some years ago which I currently use.

 

[Zedbra]

Thanks for the clarification. I picked up 4lbs of RL-7 today from Henry. Oh - and the rifle FINALLY made it here after spending three weeks seeing the country with Canada Post. I'm going to give it a clean and then post some pictures - the walnut is gorgeous on this CZ (which is a rarity it seems).

 

[Zedbra]

It would seem that the wait was worth it. The dining room now smells like Ballistol and the CZ is sparkling clean. From the few dry fires, the trigger is CZ crisp and the set trigger is very light - we'll see how that works at the range.

The walnut is naturally quite dark but the flash pics really show the grain.

 

[Cleftwynd]

Nice rifle!! But it's missing a trigger. Haha

 

[8x68]

Thanks for the clarification. I picked up 4lbs of RL-7 today from Henry. Oh - and the rifle FINALLY made it here after spending three weeks seeing the country with Canada Post. I'm going to give it a clean and then post some pictures - the walnut is gorgeous on this CZ (which is a rarity it seems).

You had one of those rifle tourists too huh? I had one traverse several Provinces for a while.
Don't forget to "break it in" properly. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Seasoning-Your-New-Rifle/533158.uts

 

[silverfoxdj]

It would seem that the wait was worth it. The dining room now smells like Ballistol and the CZ is sparkling clean. From the few dry fires, the trigger is CZ crisp and the set trigger is very light - we'll see how that works at the range.

The walnut is naturally quite dark but the flash pics really show the grain.

Nice CZ still builds these rifles the old fashioned way

 

[Zedbra]

Nice rifle!! But it's missing a trigger. Haha

I can barely contain myself with one set trigger! hehe

You had one of those rifle tourists too huh? I had one traverse several Provinces for a while.
Don't forget to "break it in" properly. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Seasoning-Your-New-Rifle/533158.uts

Yeah, Clay from Prophet was more worried about it not getting here than I was about the situation/ Sure enough, it made it alas. I've never done the 'clean after every shot' on a new rifle, I would clean after each magazine of 3 or 4 for the first 20 rounds and then let it get a little dirty for the next 10. I will work it the way suggested on that link this time.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

You can't compare the other 7.62x39 bolt actions to the CZ. The CZ is king.

 

[fuzzy39]

I have the CZ 527 in 7.62x39. Nice quick handling rifle. The drawback that I have experienced was that you cannot single feed a round into the chamber unless it is loaded from the mag. The problem I had was if I tried to single feed a round the extractor claw would not 'cam over" the rim of the cartridge. When you tried to pull the bolt back the claw disengaged from the extractor collar causing much frustration and expletive laden sentences. You could not disengage the bolt from the rifle. You had to "pinch" the extractor collar together while pushing the bolt and extractor forward to engage the collar "clips". Pain in the butt!
I questioned CZ USA about this and was told not to single load and to use the mag only. I don't know if this was a design flaw or something I did.
The other issue I had was that it would not shoot military ammo. I had some old ammo kicking around that I had fired from various AK'S years ago. I was not able to shoot the military ammo in the CZ unfortunately as the firing pin would only "touch" the primer (I was told that I could bevel the firing pin hole on the inside of the bolt or adjust the pin to hit it harder but as I reload didn't really need to).
If you decide to take apart your rifle for what ever reason pay attention when trying to put it back together. The mag well, mag release and receiver have to line up perfectly and I mean perfectly in order for everyone to maintain happiness.

What I don't like about CZ rifles is the type of bluing used. It seems to get a film of rust fairly quickly, and yes I apply a thin coating of oil as per usual protection requirements. Any of the other rifles I have from various manufacturers this doesn't happen.

What I did find was that the chamber seemed to be really tight. I was trimming the case as per Hornady spec's (1.518") but a number of rounds would not chamber when closing the bolt. I just happened to pick up the LEE Modern Reloading manual #2. It lists the case trim length as 1.516" which solved the problem.

It's a great little deer gun out to 175yds or so. My CZ shot under MOA using Hornady 123gr SST's. Best load for me was 26.6gr's of RL 17 using CCI 200 primers and Lapua cases. Avg velocity of the string set was 2316fps. Grouping was 0.35"
If you have trouble getting RL17, IMR 4198 works too. I used 23.7gr's IMR 4198, CCI 200 primers, Lapua cases. Ave 3 string set was 2225fps. Grouping was 1"

I picked up a box of factory PRVI 123gr & 150gr RNSP just see how they performed. Accuracy was avg (around 2" at 100yds) but the velocity was really moving at 2513fps for the 123gr and 2195fps for the 150gr!

***UPDATE*** Thanks to the eagle eyed Zedbra I made a typo when listing the Alliant powder I used. Got a little to "copy & paste" happy. Should be RL7 not RL17. IMR 4198 is correct. ALWAYS VERIFY INFORMATION GIVEN.

8x68 there is nothing wrong with your gun in regards to not being able to feed a round from on top. With the true Mauser action, you cannot top load unless there has been modifications to the bolt. The Mauser Action on the Ruger Bolts is modified so you can top load. I think "Guns and Ammo TV" did a nice little 3 minute or so video on this a year or so ago when reviewing one of their Ruger bolt actions. In regards to the short strikes on the primers, I have never had that problem but I also have never shot Mil-Surp stuff through mine. Mine sounds similar to your in how it loves the Hornady SSTs as mine will go 3/4 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yards! My load is with H4198 and Federal LR primers. I have found my gun eally likes the American Eagle FMJ ammo from Federal. It always shoots these around an inch. I picked up an ammo can of these when I purchased my rifle. I will always have brass

 

[tlsdad]

Why slow down when you're on a budget shredder - politics has taught me so much. Being a new owner of a CZ 452 Ultralux, I am very impressed with the quality and accuracy of that little rimfire rifle. So, I made the silly mistake of reading up on other CZ rifles and now I have the notion that I somehow need (really just want) a 7.62x39 bolt action, with the CZ 527 being the stretch of my reading thus far; the bulk of feedback suggesting the 527 is a great rifle.

Am I just being a newly enamoured CZ fanboy, or should I be looking at another brand for my 7.62x39 bolt rifle? I saw they make a FS 527 in .223 - do they offer that for 7.62x39?

YUP....do it!!

 

[Zedbra]

8x68 there is nothing wrong with your gun in regards to not being able to feed a round from on top. With the true Mauser action, you cannot top load unless there has been modifications to the bolt. The Mauser Action on the Ruger Bolts is modified so you can top load. I think "Guns and Ammo TV" did a nice little 3 minute or so video on this a year or so ago when reviewing one of their Ruger bolt actions. In regards to the short strikes on the primers, I have never had that problem but I also have never shot Mil-Surp stuff through mine. Mine sounds similar to your in how it loves the Hornady SSTs as mine will go 3/4 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yards! My load is with H4198 and Federal LR primers. I have found my gun eally likes the American Eagle FMJ ammo from Federal. It always shoots these around an inch. I picked up an ammo can of these when I purchased my rifle. I will always have brass

Good info. Do you have any specific load details you could recommend? I have the components to try 8x68's load: Lapua brass, CCI primers, RL-7, and Hornady SSTs. I would like to try a variety of loads, if possible.

I broke out the trigger scale last night and was impressed. Trigger breaks with no creep at 2.5 lbs and the set trigger at 1 lbs. This is going to be fun to shoot, I think.