Short barreled bush rifle: A CZ 527 , or a cut down mauser sporter?

simko

simko

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Greetings all!

Ive been on the hunt for a short rifle to use in the bush here in SW Ont. Likely for small game, but occasional coyote, and may take up north as a bush gun also.

I was thinking of two options
1) a factory newer rifle with a short barrel, something like the cz 527 carbine in 223.... overall length is short, barrels are 18.5" if i remember correctly and these things have iron sights (something i really want.)

2) A mauser sporter from tradex in 6.5x55, i think this caliber would be better in the bush as i have the option of using heavier bullets that wouldnt bounce off twigs etc as easily as a 223 might.
I would likely have the barrel cut to 19" , crowned and tapped for a front iron sight.

I think with the smith work, the mauser may end up costingf the same amount as a new CZ.

is there one option better than the other?
 
I like my CZ 527 in 7.62x39 very much. The ergonomics are great with iron sights. I like how it is a small rifle but has a full sized lop. I get a big kick out of the downsized mauser action as well.

It took me a while to figure out a hold with the irons that gave me a good poi at 100 yards. I have to hold the dot above the top of the rear sight, which is a bit awkward in terms of lining it up offhand. I'm considering getting a lower front sight so I can put the dot in the groove as was intended but I'm afraid that it will not give me the correct poi as well.
 
simko said:
A mauser sporter from tradex in 6.5x55, i think this caliber would be better in the bush as i have the option of using heavier bullets that wouldn't bounce off twigs etc as easily as a 223 might.
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All bullets will deflect and/or bounce off twigs so be best put that old wife's tale aside.
 
Sometimes you'll find a 6.5x55 on tradeex that will already have it's barrel trimmed down to about 19".
 
I just sold a 527 carbine in .223 last week. They're really nice guns. Mine just wasn't being used so I figured I'd free up the money I had invested in it and move on to something new. I still have a 527 carbine in 7.62x39 though and it's one of my favorite rifles. Short, lightweight, accurate and deadly. Honestly, there isn't much not to like about them.
 
Just buy a carbine. The Ruger M77 GSR in .308 would be about right... or just buy a Pre-64 Win 94 .30-30, they handle and carry more compactly than even their length would indicate.
 
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hoytcanon said:
Just buy a carbine. The Ruger M77 GSR in .308 would be about right... or just buy a Pre-64 Win 94 .30-30, they handle and carry more compactly than even their length would indicate.
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Southwestern Ontario may have caliber restrictions. But Ruger did do a run of 6.5 Creedmoor in the Gun Site Scout. That would probably fill all his needs.
 
I sold my last CZ carbine in 7.62x39 awhile back and replaced 'er with a 527 American in 6.5 Grendel which has the longer barrel, but is still a light little stalking rifle. Nice for workin' the clear cuts for deer & pest critters.;)

Still can't beat a model 94 Win for woods hunting though. :)
 
30-30 (336 or 94) 45-70( guide) make great bush guns. I have a 308 built on a mauser action that I loped the barrel back to 20" that handles nice. Also have a no4mk1 that I cut the barrel down to 19" mounted a ramp and sight, barrel mounted a section of rail for a red dot and fit a removable scope mount with 3-9 Bushnell on. The peeps are regulated to 100 and 200 yds. The red dot is sighted for 100 yd and scope at 175 yds. Takes less than a minute to switch between sight types and all return to perfect zero when mounted. Perfect little bush gun for any situation.
 
You mention small game, perhaps coyotes, and bush rifle as the purposes. I’m not sure if bush rifle implies use for deer hunting as well as that would rule out the .223 for most areas. I have both cz 7.62x39 and .223 carbines and they are great little rifles but I can’t really imagine using them for small game unless I loaded some sub caliber loads or an old Hammond Game Getter, etc. If you like slick carbines, open sights, and ranges of 100 metres or less, then a lever action carbine in .357 could be fun and provide another option. Rifle cartridge carbines are plentiful from Winchester, Marlin or a slick feather weight Savage 99 but they are not ideal small game rounds.
 
Durham Outdoors has CZ 557 carbines in 308, 20" barrel with iron sights, on sale for $799
 
Id take the short 6.5. I hunt the real southwest ontario amd use a 2506 and its a perfect round for farmland and not an issue in the bush. All bullets will deflect upon hitting branches. Even my 458wm with 500gr bullets. The light weight 6.5 bullets will be more effective on game and offer more versatility for all game in ontario
 
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Forget about the Swedish M94 Carbine. Even though I like the Swedes, anyone who has fired a M94 will tell you about the muzzle blast.

As mentioned, it might depend upon where in Ontario that you live and hunt in. There are calibre restrictions for hunting in Southern Ontario, so that kind of limits it to under .270 for a hunting rifle.

For over 40 years of western hunting, my go-to rifle was a Ruger .308 carbine with the 18 inch barrel. Loaded with 165 grain handloads, it took everything from the big Whitetails, Mule Deer, Elk,Moose and even Bears. I did not feel undergunned with that rifle, and it was a joy to handle in that dark timber of the Western mountains and even prairies. Although a bit large for Coyotes, it did the job on them, but there are some better Varmint cartridges.

I personally think that the .22 calibre is a bit light for Deer, even the smaller Ontario ones. The problem here is shot placement and suitable bullets, with most .22 bullets being thinner jacketed, intended for Varmints. The 6mm/243 would suit your needs for a Deer/Varmint cartridge, but the .25 calibre or 6.5 calibre rifles would also do so. If you do not reload your own ammunition, the .243 Winchester is available almost everywhere, where some of the more exotic calibres are not available and more costly. The .243 ammunition can even be selected with lighter jacketed bullets for Varmints and heaver hunting jacketed bullets designed for larger Game animals and more penetration.

There is not really that much difference between and 18 inch and a 20 inch barrel for carrying purposes in the woods. Even a lot of manufacturers now make "compact or youth models", designed for younger shooters. These are usually a bit lighter in weight and have shorter barrels. The disadvantage to them for a larger adult is the length of pull of the butt stock. However, a gunsmith can fit a thick recoil pad to most of these stocks, bringing the length to fit, at a reasonable cost. This would give a more modern rifle, and at a modest price.
 
buffdog said:
.Forget about the Swedish M94 Carbine. Even though I like the Swedes, anyone who has fired a M94 will tell you about the muzzle blast.
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I've never fired one of those Swedes in 6.5x55.

No flame intended, but am wondering why/how they would be louder than any other similar cartridge in same bbl length.
 
I have more Swedes than my wife knows about...Tradeex has a good selection at very affordable prices...I consider the 65x55 a very versatile cartridge with a good range of bullet weights ,but mostly I just use PP 139 gr ($30 a box)which works for pretty much anything you want,coyotes to moose.Has one pf the highest SDs of any hunting bullet,which makes it very efficient .Very accurate ,low recoil and not fussy what you feed it.
 
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