Has anyone had extensive experience with the CZ 527 Varmint in .22 Hornet? This is the 24" barrel model. I just bought a used one and have not had a chance to try it out due to the cold windy weather we have had for some time.

I have a 527 in .22H, but i think it has a 22 inch barrel (I am not going to dig it out of the safe at 1:30 AM to measure). It is the most accurate rifle I own.
Pete

Read lots of posts by guys owning 527's in 22 Hornet. Never read any that didn't say great things about them.
I have one in 223 and it shoots!!
The only unanswered question I have about the 527's in Hornet is, what are the barrels on them, 223, or 224?
IIRC, I read somewhere that these barrels are for 223 bullets, not 224???
I'd bet no money on that one as I don't know the answer, for sure.

Don

Lads,
Don't own that particular CZ, but my experience w/the Hornet leads me to believe that loading 223 rather than 224 provides better accuracy.
Also, I think most 224 bullets are constructed to provide maximum impact at higher velocities, and that the 223's were specifically designed for maximum "oomph" at Hornet velocities.
I've got 4 seperate Hornet's (2 pistols, a Ruger 77/22 hornet and the over-barrel on a Savage 24). All prefer the 223 at near max loadings (I don't have a chrono, so I can't help w/velocities). At max, or slightly over, they pattern like my 12ga. and case life is really shortened.
Tried some 223's in my CZ carbine (5.56, not Hornet) and had to move the target as close as 25ft to realize they were flying apart as they left the barrel. Again showing specificity for the "Hornet" bullets and velocities.
Hope this helps. Love the Hornet in my guns. I'm sure you'll find a good load for yours.
Mike

I've heard Lil Gun is THE powder in the Hornet....but it is not availbale in Oz.

What other powders have you guys found work well in the round?

I don't have it in the hornet but have one in 204 Ruger and just love it. I love the set trigger particularly for bench shooting and even for critter hunting. Mine is as is out of the box and it will put 10 shots in under an inch with most any factory ammor I have used. I have yet to reload for it as it shoots the factory stuff so well.

I shoot .224 in my 527 (35 grain VMax). I also shoot that bullet in my Martini 12/15 in 22H which has the original .22 LR barrel, which I assume is .223. Have had no problems with either, but I load way down for the Martini.
Pete

quote:

Originally posted by PJ:
I shoot .224 in my 527 (35 grain VMax). I also shoot that bullet in my Martini 12/15 in 22H which has the original .22 LR barrel, which I assume is .223. Have had no problems with either, but I load way down for the Martini.
Pete

Pete,

Is your Martini a Cadet action model?
I have a 218 Bee on a Cadet action and was wondering what pressures I should hold my reloads below? Using Lil-Gun for some loads for it today.
You're right on about shooting 224 bullets in a 223 Hornet barrel. It is doable.
I did buy 223 bullets for a recently acquired Winchester Model 54 Hornet however.

DMB-
The Martini is not a Cadet, but rather a Model 12/15. The Cadet was originally chambered in .310, but mine was originally chambered in .22LR. As mentioned above, I use the 35 grain V-Max and a small pistol primer in both with Lil'Gun powder (13 grains in the CZ and 9.5 grains in the Martini. Both are very accurate.
Pete

I think you might be mistaken on the Varmint configuration. Go to "CZ USA" under products, then Small Bore center fires. I believe you'll find the Varmint versions are only made in .223 and .204. they made a light varmint in .17 Rem in a wood stock but it's been discontinued.
I've purchased two 527 Hornets and unless I'm delirious or you live somewhere other than the States the only configuration it comes in is the American. That aside both of mine shot like crazy stock, one is now a .17 Ackley Hornet and the other has been re-reamed to K-Hornet (They both still shoot like crazy ).

I do not have a 527 in the Hornet. I have a Lux and an American in 222. Both have tight bores, although I have not measured them. A brass jag I used for a Remington rifle was a snug fit in both CZs naked and I had to reduce its diameter. Both rifles shoot nearly everything in the way of commonly available jacketed 22 bullets very nicely with .4-.6 being common at 100 yards. My 22 mag Lux is very tightly bored also. Good luck on your Hornet.

Montdoug, I believe you need to go back to the website and look again under sporting rifles. The 527 Varmint is shown under the illustration of the plastic stock model and is highlighting the introduction of a .17 caliber. The 527 Varmint is in .22 Hornet, has a wood stock, set trigger and 5-round magazine. In the specifications under the illustration, it clearly states the barrel length as 24 inches. Mine is 24" and as I have been reloading since 1964 and at present have 11 different .224 calibers I am reloading for, I know a 24" barrel when I see one. This my sixth Hornet rifle but first CZ of any type but I would still know a 24" barrel when I see one. And I have lived in Virginia all of my life, all 74 years of it.

Perhaps you can find a .22 Hornet in Varmint configuration here but I can't. Maybe you can show me what I'm doing wrong? . I have had 2 527 Hornets that are both in the American configuration one is now a .17 Ackley Hornet and one is a .22 K-Hornet.
I have a pretty fair number of CZ's including 1 Varmint Laminate in .223 and 2 of the Kevlar HS Precision stocked Varmint models one is built into a custom chambered .204 and 1 is built as a wildcat called a .20 VarTarg.
If I find a 527 Varmint Kevlar in .22 Hornet I'll be an owner ASAP.


CZ USA Smallbore centetrfires

Wahoo I just figured out what you have. You have the Lux which is made in a Hornet and shows a 23.6 inch barrel (I've never seen one and didn't know they put the Hornet in that model, so I learned something) . Not what CZ calls a Varmint model but a darned fine rifle and I'll bet it shoots like crazy. I'm sure the varmints can't tell the difference in what CZ calls it.

As to experience with 527 Hornets I shot both of mine as standard Hornets to find their baseline performance prior to their conversions.
Both shot real well with what has become a standard Hornet accuracy load for me. WW cases, WSR primers, 13.1 grains of LilGun powder under a 40 grain V-Max seated out to far to fit into the magazine. Usually I get one of James Calhoons blind magazine followers and just shoot them as a single shot but a fella can remove that plastic spacer in the back of the magazine by removing the 2 pins that hold it in place and mill it down enough to pick up quite a bit of seating space.
Great rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by N. S. Sherlock:
Both have tight bores, although I have not measured them.

Good point.
I have a CZ 452 in 22 Rimfire. When I first bought the rifle and tried to clean any preservative out of the barrel, I used a Dewey 22cal rod, and it got stuck in the bore. I had to drive the rod out from the muzzle end of the barrel.
I've used that same rod on a whole lot of other 22 Rimfire rifles with no problem with a tight fit.
So, I'll do an amen of CZ's having tight bores, based on a sample of one.

Don

The CZ Hornets were all the rage about seven or eight years ago, IIRC. Folks were thrilled with them, primarily for their accuracy. Hornet accuracy is a fleeting thing, in my limited experience.

My 527 is in 17 Rem and I'll probably be buried with it someday. It's accounted for a metric ton of gophers. Now that CZ's are available in most flavors left handed, I have little use for most other hunting rifles. Says something, huh?

Mark

Redial what's not to like? Aside from a 527 .17 Ackley Hornet gopher smucker deluxe and an English Walnut stocked .22 Hornet turned .22 K-Hornet I have 6 others. This is a picture of the wood on my 452 .17 Mach2, paid $350 for it and it drives tacks.



Got a .221 Fire Ball that rivals it for wood as does the .17 Ackley and they both shoot into solidly sub 1/2 inch groups. I don't want to sound like a CZ rep so I won't go on but believe me I understand where your coming from . The 527's make fantastic platforms for Hornet, .221, .222 and .223 based wildcats. I'm totally hooked.

That's one georgeous stock!!! WOW.

Don

Wow!

Mine's almost as pretty but pretty is as pretty does and mine DOES! I had a 452 in 17HMR that was beautiful too. Sold that one to buy this one!

Seriously, I need only a very few hunting rifles since I'm primarily a competitive shooter but I could live happily for the rest of my life with only CZ's.

Mark

I'm with ya Mark (except I don't shoot competitive) best "Bang" for the buck out there in my opinion. I shoot an elk for food every fall and other than that it's rat smackin as a full time hobby.....When I ain't fishing. .
This is a picture of the stock on my first 527 Hornet I turned into a .17 Ackley Hornet, what a bargin.



I must admit the really fancy wood is getting a lot tougher to find on em. Still a great deal in my book.

Montdoug, no, I am afraid you are still wrong. The LUX comes equipped with iron sights, this one does not and never has had, any iron sights; secondly theLUX has a curved-top stock and considerable drop at the heel, this one has the straight marksman-type stock with little to no drop at the heel.

Click on the link above to CZ USA.
Scroll down to each of the Varmint model's and click the rifle.
If it comes in more than one caliber it'll be listed under "product specifications".
That is the current production run of 527's hitting the States.
So, if it's a Varmint model Hornet with a 24 inch barrel you can see from the link I posted it has to be a complete anomaly. There is currently no CZ Varmint model made in a 527 Hornet with a 24 inch barrel.
You'll note on that site the only Hornet offered in the 527 is in the American.
Perhaps it's an older model they don't make anymore or one that's made for non US markets that made it to the States? Brno and CZ are attached at the hip and while I've never handled one maybe it's that? They might even share markings.
In the Varmint models being distributed in the states today:
The Varmint Laminate comes in .223 only, the Varmint Kevlar comes in .204 and .223 and in the Wood stocked Varmint the .17 Remington, .223 and .204 is it for that model.

That's all the Varmint models CZ makes currently for US markets as you can see.

What ever it is I hope you enjoy it and it shoots well for you.
I've yet to have a bad one, knock wood.

quote:

Originally posted by montdoug:
Perhaps it's an older model they don't make anymore or one that's made for non US markets that made it to the States?

When I bought my 527 used several years back, (3 or 4) the website listed the 22 Hornet in a wood stocked Varmint model. The 17 Remington model was a new offering at that time.

It is entirely possible that CZ has discontinued the 22 Hornet chambering, or it is a new offering that the website does NOT reflect.
CZ's website has never been very up to date and accurate in model descriptions, pricing etc.

The guns shoot very well however...

Quite possibly so Flippy, CZ/Brno has made a lot of different stuff over the years and they seem quite prone to "fit's and start's" in their production line IMO. They have introduced things and canceled production on em faster than any company I've ever seen.
I understood the rifle in question to be new and I can't find where they make one (not trying to be argumentative, really!).
I'd absolutely love one in the Varmint Kevlar stock, it'd be a .17 Ackley Hornet so fast ya couldn't say Boo! I love that stock set up, sits a bag excellently but not too heavy to carry in the field. Very easy stock configuration to shoot well with for me.
As to a 24 inch Hornet just on the face of it I wouldn't personally see it cause with it's diminutive little case and a fast powder like Lil'Gun I'm thinking you'd wring out everything it has to offer in 20 inches. That's jut a WAG though.
Think I'll call CZ. If they make a Varmint model Hornet I want one!
Thanks for the info.

DMB, my experience with this particular Hornet has been the same as you had regarding cleaning rods. Some will fit, others will not even enter the bore. I haven't tried my Hornet with .223 diameter bullets yet but I now have some loaded with .223 Sierra 45 grain and ready to go when the weather decides to let us have a day without wind. It is kinda hard to determine accuracy when the wind is blowing a steady 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots while all the time switching directions.