new cz 527 varmint

[nemotrapper]

Hello, I finally orderd my first 204 in the cz 527 varmint. Just wondering who has one and what you think of them. Am thinking about maybe trying out the 39bk's or maybe the berger bullets, just wondering what you all would recommend for that rifle?
Thanks, and happy holidays!

[Steve V]

My Cz Varmint(wood stock) likes 39 gr Sierras pushed along with 28 gr of H4895 in Hornady brass with Federal 205 primers. This load shoots just over .5 inch pretty consistanly.I enjoy the cz, but it just does not have a heavy enough barrel to be a primary shooter if you are after prairie dogs or ground squirrels. 10 shots at most and its in need of cooling off. I do like it for a carry rifle for coyote hunting, though.

[Melvin Eades]

Nemo,

I have one and I'm also shooting 39 SBK's pushed with 28 grains of H4895 only I'm using Win. brass and Rem. 7 1/2 primers. It is a very accurate loading in my CZ and will shoot consistantly .5 or better if I do my part. My best to date is .201 at 100. I've used mine on prairie dogs and it will stay as cool as my Savage 12 VLP in 204 shooting side by side.

My CZ Varmint came from the the factory with a very clean 2.5 lb. trigger pull and an 8 oz. set trigger. I liked mine so well I went and bought the CZ 527 American in .204 to use for coyote calling and just because it's a neat rifle. I think you will be happy with your rifle.

[cracker]

I loved mine when I first got it it was very accurate. then it happened the more I shoot it the better it shoot. It took about 200 rounds and then it amazed me. fun gun to shoot, not to heavy for a carry gun, accurate as you are. My main game is coyote and reload the 35 grain berger.
Heres my go to load.
Hornady brass trimmed to 1.840
H4895 powder 27.8 grains
small rifle magnum CCI 450 primer
C.O.L. 2.240
this load is just under max. and shoots minute of coyote very well.
Good luck with your new gun and you will enjoy it
Sportingly
Cracker

[glenn asher]

I bought my American the same day a buddy bought his Varmint model, and both have done all we asked of them, although he doesn't shoot his hard in a PD patch. Actually, his wife claimed it as hers after she shot it a bit (15 PDs for 16 shots, right out the gate ) He and she love it, they have no complaints except that it does heat up pretty quick. They've got a Bushnell 7-21 on it, and are happy as can be.
I haven't read many, if any, complaints on them here, which is a pretty good indication that they are a pretty good rifle.

[Jim White]

I have a friend of mine who has two CZ-527 Varmint rifles and he likes them a lot. I nailed a squirrel with it last year at roughly 350 yards or so. He loads his with 40gr Hornady's using Varget powder.

In September, I fell into a CZ-527 American. I haven't hunted with it yet but it shoots tight groups (0.300 x 0.300 moa or less) with 39 Sierra's, using H4895 and seated to 2.250 OAL for magazine function. The only downside is the barrel heats up pretty quick (say 10 shots, one right after the other) but for a carry application, it can't be beat.

It may or may-not require bedding, mine did.

Jim

[Rick in Oregon]

nemo: I doubt you'll find many folks here or anywhere that are not pleased with their CZ 527's, regardless of caliber.

A good friend here purchased one in Varmint configuration a couple of years ago, with the intent of shooting it from his bench at squirrels, then planned on buying the American model for a walkabout rifle later.

End of story, he stayed with the Varmint model for everything, as with the stock configuration and barrel weight of that model, it's good for both applications, sort of the best of both worlds. His is very accurate with most factory ammo, he has not bedded it, and is completely satisfied with the little rifle in 204.

[Thumper]

My CZ Varmint shot very well with factory hornady 32 vmaxs, but after loseing a well shot coyote at longer range, I have used the HSM factory loaded 39SBK with great luck. My CZ would shoot them less than .50" all day long. Made some incredible shots 350 yrds + with them 39s.
My new load I worked up and still tuning in is a 39sbk w/ coal 2.32, 27.7gr H4895, Win case, Fed205m, will print .40"- every time. 28gr of powder opened the group more than an 1" so loading slowly in .2-.3 incriments is important with this cartridge. The CZs seem to like them 39s so enjoy!

[nemotrapper]

Thanks for all the replies everybody. Just wondering if that 28g of h4895 is a hot load? Was curious because I noticed on the load data from this site that it lists 26.5g of that powder as a max load.
Thanks

[Silverfox]

nemotrapper--You are right that 26.5 gr. of H4895 is listed as the max load for the 39 gr. Sierra BK in the Sierra load data chart. It is good that you are watching the maximum load data and taking that into consideration in your reloading practices.

There was no Sierra load data when I first started to use the 39 gr. Sierras, so I went to the Hodgdon reloading data for the 40 gr. Hornady V-Max bullets. My weak brain said, "Silverfox, Hodgdon lists 27.7 gr. of H4895 as the maximum load and the 39 gr. Sierra is 1 gr. lighter than that 40 gr. V-Max, so start your tests slightly just below 27.7 gr. and work your way up." I did that and my most accurate load was right at 28.0 gr. of H4895, Remington 7½ primers, and WW casings.



While this load works in my rifle and shows absolutely no signs of excessive pressure, START YOUR LOAD TESTING WELL BELOW THAT 28.0 GR. LOAD!!!! I'd even suggest starting below the Sierra max load of 26.5. There's no profit in blowing yourself up just to hotrod a bullet.

I do think (just my personal opinion) that Sierra's max load of 26.5 gr. of H4895 giving them a velocity of 3,600 fps is well below what most rifles will very safely handle. However, we must remember that reloading component manufacturers are wary of attorneys who might take them to court if someone has a reloading/shooting accident with a listed load. Be safe and start out with a powder charge below 26.5 gr. of H4895.

[Medic52]

My first CZ 527 VARMINT was a 17REM. Mounted a Hawke Optics SR12 6x24 it is amazing. My 204 is a REM 700 SPS Varmint I mounted a Bushnell Elite 4200 6x24x40 and I can't wait to try her out. You will love the CZ they are Great shooters...