I'm looking at getting a .223 and have pretty much narrowed the choices down to either a savage model 10 with a Choate stock or a CZ527 varmit with the hs precision kevlar stock. It will be used to hunt coyotes and foxes and as a gun that I can practice with cheaply. Initially, it will carry a Weaver V12 4-12 because I happen to have one. Anyone have any input?

I hope you get lots of responses because I am interested in the CZ. I called CZ last week to ask about shooting GI ball in it. Mike said shoot it.

I have had experience w/2 CZ w/HS stock. The 1st 1 shot less than 1/2" while breaking the barrel in. Now after that has done U really have 2 try hard 2 make it SHOOT OVER 5/8".
The 2nd 1 was almost as good I bedded it and now they shoot like brothers.
I know this next 1 is going 2 get a bunch of flak the only Cloak stock rifle that I shot did good off the bench BUT IT FELT LIKE A 2BY4 when toting it in the field and I could not hit a thing off-hand with it.

Somedays U get the BEAR, somedays HE GETS U !!

[ 03-30-2003, 01:19: Message edited by: More Powder / More Dead ]

You might consider adding at a Tikka 595 to the list of possibles.

See the thread entitled "Help Me Pick A Rifle" on this forum started by Shoot To Kill.

i have a cz 527 american in 223. it's the most accurate, out of the box gun i've ever had. consistant 1/2 inch(occasionaly better) groups. what i really like is the small, trim, mini mauser, 527 action. just my input...bud

I purchased a CZ 527 American .223 about 10 days ago. I wish I could say mine shot 1/2" groups right from the box, but it just wasn't the case. I tried 4 different loads in mine, and each one would string horizontally. Upon further inspection, I noticed the barrel wasn't centered in the channel and it was contacting the forearm on the right-side. I sent it off to a "smith" to have the barrel floated and the action glass-bedded. I got it back on Friday, and took it to the range today with much better results. Still not 1/2" groups, but I can keep five of the Winchester "white-box" 45gr H.P.'s in about 5/8", which is not too shabby for a pencil barreled rifle shooting factory ammo.

I thought about getting the CZ Varmint in the HS Precision stock, but this rifles main purpose will be as a "walking varminter", so I didn't want the added weight, eventhough it isn't a huge difference, every little bit counts.

I think I'm really gonna like this CZ. I'm already considering a second one in .22 Hornet.

I just purchased the CZ 527 in .22 Hornet. Love it. Am waiting for the CZ 527's chambered for .221 Fireball that are due to hit the dealers in November.

223 Mini Mauser, 223 Brno ZKK-601.

buster...i had the same problem with a cz 550 in 6.5x55. it would shoot about 3 inch groups when i got it. i had it bedded and floated and recrowned and now it shoots great. sometimes cz is pretty sloppy when it comes fitting a stock. better luck next time!!! ...cheers...bud

Whatever rifle you pick in .223, it would be best to get a 1 in 8 twist if possible. That way you can shoot the 77, 77 and 80 grain bullets. It you end up with any other twist you'll be stuck with the inferior BC bullets. The heavier bullets have BC's approaching and exceeding most .308 bullets.

JeffR,
That would be IF you wanted to shoot such godly long bullets. If you need a walking varminter, NONE of those VLD bullets will perform worth a shit on game. Just my strong opinion. I shoot a lot of 223, mostly on fur and have found a 50gr Vmax to perform admirably out to past 300 yards. I have played around with the 68 and 69gr match bullets from Hornady, Sierra, and Nosler, but so far have not had a use for them.

How will the 1:8 twist work with the lighter bullets?

If you want to shoot an 80gr bullet, why not get a .243?????