I noticed that the latest issue of American Rifleman has the groove diameter of the 7.62x39 in the CZ 527 Carbine is listed as .308. I bought one a few weeks ago, and slugging the bore reveals that it is over .311 (almost .312) diameter in my CZ. I have heard of other CZ's that measure .311 as well. Has there been a change in recent barrels on this model from CZ, or was the magazine wrong?

My rifle shows average at best accuracy with Wolf or the "white box" Russian made hollow points (2 to 3"), but Winchester does a little better with about 1 1/2" to 2" groups at 100 yards. I was hoping to be able to use the cheap stuff for reasonable plinking ammo, but such in not going to be the case with the Russian ammo. I have not tried any Chinese (or other manufacture) ammo yet, so I will reserve judgement for now.

It really comes into it's own with handloads though. So far I have tried only 150 grain Hornady .312 diameter bullets with H335 and AA2015BR. The H335 loads group around 1" to 1 1/4" at 100, but with a max load of AA2015BR the two groups that I fired at 100 were 1/2" and 3/8" (all groups were 3 shots). Overall I am extremely pleased . It is a light, handy little rifle with 30-30 type power. I don't know that I will ever hunt with it, but I would feel comfortable using it as a short range deer rifle if I had to.

The biggest problem that I experienced was some misfires with the Winchester factory ammo, but a call to CZ resulted in a new stronger firing pin spring being sent which has taken care of that situation.

It would have been nice to have a .308 barrel to make use of the greater types of available bullets, but I have to be happy with the level of accuracy that I am getting .

Jim

Some of my cast bullet co-defendants are getting SUPERB results with poured bullets in their 7.62 x 39 bolt rifles. The dimensional control that casters' tools enable really pays off with these short fat 30 caliber casings. A lot of folks consider the 7.62 x 39 to be a 30-30 duplicator, and its performance with cast bullets bears this aspect out--accuracy and full velocity potential with the lead bullets.

I'm giving some thought to a CZ-527 in 22 Hornet myself.