wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,980
- 295
I am looking at the CZ 527 Varmint rifle in 204. How would this rifle compare to a Savage 12FV?
CZ rifle?
- Thread starter wisconsinteacher
- Start date
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,899
- 6,684
Wisconsinteacher - Have seen nothing but good accuracy from Savage bolt action rifles in recent years, but I have no experience with the FV itself. Nor do I own a Savage, but I surely do respect them. I can really only give you the CZ side of the equation.
I went with the CZ 527 varmint rifle, in .204, in part because it's a bit "different" from my other rifles and I was curious about it. Turns out, it's a well built rifle that handles well and produces very acceptable accuracy for varmint shooting. The cartridge is a hoot as well. No recoil. Lots of velocity. But, back to the rifle:
Mini-Mauser action, complete with controlled round feed for those dangerous rodent charges! It really is a neat little action. The detachable magazine hanging down below the stock doesn't bother me, but some folks really don't like that look. When I'm driving through coyote country, yes, sometimes I road-hunt for them... it's really nice to have the unloaded rifle on the seat and a mag loaded with five cartridges right there as well. See a 'yote, hop out, slap a mag in the rifle, swat a coyote. Very quick and easy.
Two things took a little time for me to grow accustomed to: the safety works backwards from most American rifles. It works fine - just in reverse. The other is the trigger. The standard trigger is a little creepy and gritty, but I understand it can be cleaned up pretty nicely. The set trigger is... Wow... Did I just put my finger on the trigger? The rifle went bang! Yes, it's delicate. Don't apply the set trigger until you're about ready to shoot and the rifle is on target - it's sensitive. Works great - I'm just not accustomed to a set trigger.
Accuracy is good. Mine is averaging right around 1/2" groups at 100 yards with my handloads and almost that good with Hornady factory ammunition.
The throat seems to be a little long, although I haven't tried to measure it. I just load my ammo to fit the magazine, and call it good.
CZ has changed barrel lengths on these things a couple of times. Mine is about 25.5" from bolt face to muzzle. Medium contour - absolutely not a heavy contour. This is built as a walking varminter, not a heavy-barrel piece to park on a bench all day.
Scoping the rifle can be a little bit of a problem as not every shop has scope mounts for the CZ, but hey, this is the age of the internet and anything you want is only a few clicks of a mouse and a credit card number away.
I've got a nice, fixed 12x Leupold on mine. The same scope I used to use for 600 yard competition. It's nice and clear and sharp, but for a walking varminter like this, a variable would have been nice too. Finding a running rockchuck at under 100 yards with the 12x was a little tough once!
Prone, bipod, 100 yards.
Would I buy another one? Yes. In fact I did. The first one I got had the shorter, pencil-thin barrel and maple stock. It was quite attractive, but wasn't really what I was looking for in a varmint rifle. I'm shooting the heavier, longer barreled version better.
Here's a photo of my first one, with the shorter, slimmer barrel and the interesting stock:
Regards, Guy
I went with the CZ 527 varmint rifle, in .204, in part because it's a bit "different" from my other rifles and I was curious about it. Turns out, it's a well built rifle that handles well and produces very acceptable accuracy for varmint shooting. The cartridge is a hoot as well. No recoil. Lots of velocity. But, back to the rifle:
Mini-Mauser action, complete with controlled round feed for those dangerous rodent charges! It really is a neat little action. The detachable magazine hanging down below the stock doesn't bother me, but some folks really don't like that look. When I'm driving through coyote country, yes, sometimes I road-hunt for them... it's really nice to have the unloaded rifle on the seat and a mag loaded with five cartridges right there as well. See a 'yote, hop out, slap a mag in the rifle, swat a coyote. Very quick and easy.
Two things took a little time for me to grow accustomed to: the safety works backwards from most American rifles. It works fine - just in reverse. The other is the trigger. The standard trigger is a little creepy and gritty, but I understand it can be cleaned up pretty nicely. The set trigger is... Wow... Did I just put my finger on the trigger? The rifle went bang! Yes, it's delicate. Don't apply the set trigger until you're about ready to shoot and the rifle is on target - it's sensitive. Works great - I'm just not accustomed to a set trigger.
Accuracy is good. Mine is averaging right around 1/2" groups at 100 yards with my handloads and almost that good with Hornady factory ammunition.
The throat seems to be a little long, although I haven't tried to measure it. I just load my ammo to fit the magazine, and call it good.
CZ has changed barrel lengths on these things a couple of times. Mine is about 25.5" from bolt face to muzzle. Medium contour - absolutely not a heavy contour. This is built as a walking varminter, not a heavy-barrel piece to park on a bench all day.
Scoping the rifle can be a little bit of a problem as not every shop has scope mounts for the CZ, but hey, this is the age of the internet and anything you want is only a few clicks of a mouse and a credit card number away.
I've got a nice, fixed 12x Leupold on mine. The same scope I used to use for 600 yard competition. It's nice and clear and sharp, but for a walking varminter like this, a variable would have been nice too. Finding a running rockchuck at under 100 yards with the 12x was a little tough once!
Prone, bipod, 100 yards.
Would I buy another one? Yes. In fact I did. The first one I got had the shorter, pencil-thin barrel and maple stock. It was quite attractive, but wasn't really what I was looking for in a varmint rifle. I'm shooting the heavier, longer barreled version better.
Here's a photo of my first one, with the shorter, slimmer barrel and the interesting stock:
Regards, Guy
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,999
- 2,050
Great report Guy, now there will be a few more guys wanting to buy one :lol:
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,899
- 6,684
Yeah - I got a bad case of typing going on that one didn't I? Ah well...
Bunch of guys here in the area went kind of CZ nuts a few years back, which is how I learned about them, and about the .204 Ruger as well. Both the rifle and cartridge are pretty neat.
Bunch of guys here in the area went kind of CZ nuts a few years back, which is how I learned about them, and about the .204 Ruger as well. Both the rifle and cartridge are pretty neat.
- Thread starter
- #5
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,980
- 295
I am looking to use the gun for bench shooting and maybe yotes close to the road. More so a fun rifle to take to the range and shoot.
I bought a similar rifle, the CZ 527 American, but in .223. It was a tack-driver from day one and I was able to shoot .5" groups with Wisconsin Cartridge Co. bulk 55grSP ammo, from day one with it's sporter weight barrel. Many love the Savage name and the accuracy they normally supply. I bought a Savage 110 in '06 and rebarreled it in .338/06. It was for sure a shooter and the new owner would gladly tell you all about the .5" groups it shoots with the E.R. Shaw barrel I had installed. It's an accurate rifle, without a single doubt.
All that B.S. aside, owning the number of rifles I have, there is zero doubt that I'd choose a CZ over a Savage every day and twice on Sundays.
All that B.S. aside, owning the number of rifles I have, there is zero doubt that I'd choose a CZ over a Savage every day and twice on Sundays.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,595
- 6,777
CZ makes a quality product that performs wonderfully for those who shoot them. Great report, Guy. Is the CZ as good as the Savage? Or vice versa? They are different rifles, but either will serve you well.
I bought the Savage model 12 in the 204 lefty & it was very accurate, but u needed a wagon to carry it
it had a 26" tube on it. I shoot 39gr. BKs in it.
I then traded it towards a CZ 527 American it is every bit as accurate & only had a 221/4" barrel.
I have a B & L Elite on it. I hate to say it but I wouldn't take another savage over my CZ.
Blessings,
Dan
it had a 26" tube on it. I shoot 39gr. BKs in it.I then traded it towards a CZ 527 American it is every bit as accurate & only had a 221/4" barrel.
I have a B & L Elite on it. I hate to say it but I wouldn't take another savage over my CZ.
Blessings,
Dan
A
Anonymous
Guest
A buddy of mine shoots a couple of these...one in .204 and one in .17-223. I've borrowed one on occasion when we were predator calling.
Reliable and accurate. Actions and triggers can be a little rough but nothing a gunsmith can't iron out.
As noted, the safeties work but backwards of a typical American two position safety.
Reliable and accurate. Actions and triggers can be a little rough but nothing a gunsmith can't iron out.
As noted, the safeties work but backwards of a typical American two position safety.
SJB358":3njaozzd said:
I couldn't agree more Scotty. I have also owned two CZ 550 FS rifles, one in 9.3x62 that shot sub MOA with the least expensive load I found for it. It was only going to be for initial work and sight-in, but it shot so well I left it in for hunting too.View attachment MVC-001F.JPG
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,595
- 6,777
I had a CZ550 with Mannlicher stock chambered in 30-06. It shot well and looked very sharp. I let it go, however, to buy a Winchester Featherweight chambered in the "new" 300WSM.
Man, another great picture Ed, that grandson of yours looks pretty fascinated and I imagine he will be properly set up when he comes of age! The 9.3 caliber is one of them rifles on my list as well. Not right away, but when the moment strikes me you never know what'll happen!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,595
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My CZ wound up travelling to Germany for a boar hunt. The owner was ecstatic with the rifle.
SJB358":10e0h2nw said:
I think there will be a rifle or two ready, when he is. That little bugger got his mitts on three nice deer last year as a 2 yr old. My Tn M/L 8 pnt, just a week prior and his Dad's big M/L 8 pnt a few days after that one and the Ky buck above....lol! I can tell you that I was a heck of a lot older than 2 before I had my hands on 3 bucks like that!! :mrgreen:
- Thread starter
- #20
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,980
- 295
You guys are bad. I looked at the 9.3 and it looks cool. The 204 first on my list though.
