Tikka T3 Varmint HB SS vs CZ 527 Varmint Kevlar pro and cons

Cummins4x4 said:
epoxy7, what are you putting on for glass and rings? Pics when its done?;)

I'll make some inquiries, see if I can find out why CZ pulled this bonehead move:confused:
Click to expand...

Well I have a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x 50mm with Rapid Z varmint reticle sitting here, and Zeiss quick detach rings (The same as Warne only with a Zeiss logo). If the extra pair of Zeiss rings doesn't work for the CZ then I'll order a set of Warne rings. I have these rings and the same scope on my SA PE-90. Works well and looks sharp.

I managed to get a deal when I bought my scopes, since I bought them in bulk :D. It turns out I had one left over. The other option is to put a Falcon 4-14x 44mm on it. I have some of those showing up soon as well. I think I'll go with the Zeiss though.

the Shooting times has a review and uses the same scope/rings as I have There's a poor looking picture on their website.

I'll post some pics when it's done :).
 
Just got the call today. The trigger is done and the Warne rings are in. Just need to have the scope mounted.
 
tabs4u said:
just my luck they decide to discontinue them when I am all set to purchase one.
Click to expand...

It's not 2009 yet ;).
Try ordering one from Guns n things. That's where mine came from. No one else seemed to have them and the price was excellent.
 
Just got mine back.

I had the trigger worked on. Regular trigger now at 3 pounds, set trigger as low as safe (feels pretty much the same as before though) and all of the creep taken out.

The regular trigger is now very good. I'm amazed that they were able to turn a really bad trigger into a very good without much hassle. No creep, smooth and at 3 pounds as I requested.

The cost $50. Also was advised that these triggers are very good to work on.

I also had my Zeiss conquest 6.5-20x 50mm mounted with Warne rings. Perfect fit.

The one issue with the CZ-527 and rings/scopes is the fact that you have to mount them fairly high due to the bolt handle clearance. I would prefer a bit more cheek weld but it's still good. The bolt clears with about 1mm of clearance and the bell of the scope is resonably close to the barrel. It looks good and works.

I'll be ordering a versapod for this rifle. Cummins 4x4 has one on his. I've always like the look of them, ever since I saw them on the Les Baer AR-15.

I hope to take this rifle out for at least one shoot before I go on vacation.
 
I'll see if I can get a camera tonight.

Well I couldn't resist. I had to go shoot this rifle. It was pouring rain and heavy wind. So the accuracy was pretty disapointing. Still it was fun to shoot this rifle. It'll be interesting to see which ammo it likes.

I shot 55 grain Federal Eagle, 55 grain Lee and something and 69 grain Lapua.
The Lapua did the best, but with the wind gusting between 20 and 30 km/h it was pretty much hopless for groups. On target yes. Groups nope.

So initial thoughts:

This set up is pretty slick. The scope/rings combo matches this rifle and works perfectly. The scope was excellent (Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x 50mm with varmint reticle). For this rifle I can't recommend the Warne rings enough. For my scope they worked perfectly. Just clears the bolt handle by about 1mm and keeps the bell of the scope pretty close to the barrel. Also the unique style of these rings compliments the CZ-527.

The stock is excellent. The palm swell works very well for me and the flat forend sat nicely on the front bag. It was very stable and comfortable to shoot. I was worried about the cheek weld with the scope height. Not a problem at all. It was very good.

The trigger. The three pound trigger was very good. A tiny bit of travel but smooth. Crisp let off. I liked it. Considering how horrible it was before I had the work done, I can't complain. It as like night and day.

The set trigger was fantastic. Although it is now too light for anything except bench rest. I asked for 10 ounces or less if safe. The first time I tried it, I was caught off guard. It's extremely light. You think breath on it as your finger touches and it lets off. Again crisp, and clean. Almost too light!!!!

The bolt. pretty good. locked up nice and firm. Ejection was good. Although I like the ejection on my Remingtons better. Still it worked flawlessly.

The Magazine. Here is where it was't so perfect. First of all the one thing I dislike about all CZ magazines that I've encountered (CZ-75 pistol and now CZ-527 rifle) is that they seem to need the bullet to be pushed in at the front of the mag and then slid back. Unlike other mags where you just push down. This ticked me off a bit. But after a while I got the hang of it. Still I prefer the regular just push down method.

Feeding from the magazine. It was stiff and at first very rough. I had to work the bolt a few times to force the bullet from the mag and into the breach. After shooting for a bit, the magazine started to smooth out. I suspect another range sesson and this will be perfect.

The mag release wasn't bad. I would prefer a spring type ejection like an AR as well as a more accesable mag release. The mag release was usuable but again it took some getting used to.

My range sesson today wasn't a good test for accuracy. That being said I'm hoping I can find ammo that this rifle really likes. Hopefully it'll be a tack driver. If it's not I think the rest of the package is worth it, so I could see having this rifle rebarrelled. But... I'm hoping it won't come to that.

Overall it's a nice looking package that's fun to shoot, and comfortable. I'll see how accurate it is when the heavy winds stop.

I should have pictures in the next day or two.
 
By the way what ammo have you guys found to be tack drivers in your CZ-527 Kevlar (.223)?

Is there any factory ammo that does the job?

I'll be reloading this winter.

Here are the two loads I plan on trying first:

1) 70 grain Berger VLD match with Varget powder, CCI benchrest primers and Winchester brass maybe some with Lapua brass as well.

2) 64 grain Berger match with the above components.

What do you guys think?

Thanks
 
I purchased some ammo to sight it in but intend on loading some rounds for target shooting. I have a 4 different brands at this time to see how they work. I do have some 70 gr. VLD’s that I‘m looking forward to trying. Let me know how you do with yours. I won’t be shooting mine till it cools off some...
 
Grabbed a couple of pictures. Keep in mind I make no claims of being a photographer.

CZ-527Kevlar1.jpg
 
Second picture: Same rifle, same rings as Cummins 4x4. Harris Bench rest bipod instead of the versapod and Zeiss Conquest instead of the Leupold scope. I had a harris around and it seems to suit the rifle fairly well. I may change to a versapod later on. Also my stock seems to be darker than Cummins 4x4's. The webbing on mine is more alive drab on dark green.

CZ-527Kevlar2.jpg
 
Last edited:
350tracker said:
I’d like to post some pictures of mine but unfortunately I haven’t mastered that yet...
Click to expand...

There's a faq for posting pictures.
But it's pretty easy. Just open up a photobucket (mmm.Photobucket....) account and upload the pictures there. Then in your posts you can use the picture/mountain icon to add images. The photobucket picture will have a direct link address. You'll understand pretty quick once you open up a photobucket account. It's not hard and it won't take you much time.
 
Nice looking rifle. I am going to get me a set of those Warne rings as soon as I get my call from WSS on the rifle that is on order with them. I waiting to hear about your serious range sessions.
 
I think the serious range session will have to wait until fall/early winter. When I start reloading. I have all the reloading stuff including the ammo components but it's not set up yet. A buddy is going to walk me through it so I don't blow myself up. Should be fun and hopefully I'll get a chance to see what this rifle can really do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom