I stopped by an old friends shop today. He had a Full Stock 527 in .22 Hornet, basically new, with box. The rifle is nice, but what do these go for? Gunbroker and prices in general are all over the place. I have seen $400-$700, with one fluke (assuming) for $300.

Kinda interested in buying it for my wife, maybe, maybe not. Not sure what they go for?

Personally I would rather have the American or Lux.

Generally new prices on the 527 run between 600-700 depending on the model and whether or not the rings are included.I lucked out big time and found a dealer blowing out brand new American's in .223 with the rings for only 499+ 15 for shipping to my local FFL.Very nice guns!!!!

I paid $600 for mine and it's my favorite rifle (right now).

I got mine at a gun show, pre-Obama. It was only $300....brand new with the rings!

Before you buy (at any price) there are a couple of things you should do:

1. Mount the rings that come with it (preferably with a scope in them) to see if the extra high scope position is compatible with the way you shoot.

2. Get a snap cap and work the bolt, manipulate the safety on and off, and dry fire the gun several times to see if you can adapt to the backwards safety.

If this is "for your wife" (and assuming that means for her to shoot rather than with which to shoot her) be sure to have her do these "try-ons". The high scope position can be especially troublesome for a female with their generally narrower faces and shorter arms. Also, you may not be comfortable being around another shooter who is holding a loaded gun with a backward-operating safety.

Everyone, thank you for the input.

Stonecreek, very valid points. The scope rings were not mounted to the rifle, so I did not know they were extra high. I have not looked but I assume there are other heights available?

It is for my wife but no, not to shoot her with I would not be too worried about the safety with her.

I already have a 1890 (1895 production if I remember correctly) Winchester in .22 WRF sitting in the safe for her birthday present. I was thinking I may pick this CZ up and tell her she can choose whichever she likes.

I thought the .22 Hornet caliber would be good for her, though I would have to start reloading for it to make it affordable to plink with.

They are a fun caliber to shoot and reload. The CZ's are nice guns, but the above posters did have some good points.

I've got one in American flavour and it is a lovely little shooter. Out of the box though, the actions are as rough as mrs clinton and need some slicking up before they shine. They're a little agricultural but they'll keep up with the big boys accuracy wise. Nice and light too so are a pleasure to lug around all day/night.
Totally agree with Stonecreeks pointer re the safety --- arse about face system!!

quote:

The scope rings were not mounted to the rifle, so I did not know they were extra high. I have not looked but I assume there are other heights available?

The rings are extra high due to CZ mysteriously making the root of the bolt handle extraordinarily thick. This forces the scope to mount very high in order for that thick bolt root to pass beneath the ocular bell of the scope. There is a gunshop specializing in machining the bolt root down to a more conventional thickness so that you can use a lower mount. But of course by the time you do those two things (pay to modify the bolt and buy new scope rings) you've boosted the cost up in the area of a nice Hornet from someone like Cooper.

The CZ does have an excellent single set trigger and a reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy.

For me, I didn't find the extra high rings to be a problem. In fact I didn't even realize they were "extra high" until brought up here. I find the rifle to be very accurate with almost any 45 grain bullet. But, I did not like the magazine hanging out the bottom right where I place my hand when shooting and got one of the single shot followers from Calhoon to take care of that problem. And I also ended up replacing the trigger....when using the set mode it was ok, maybe a little lighter than I like, but I found when using the trigger in the conventional mode it was terrible. I suppose I could have smoothed things up, but opted to replace it with a Rifle Basix. The verdict is still out on that though. Overall, the rifles excellent accuracy outweighs the other correctable issues for me.

The full stock version is especially handy and well balanced. Mine is very accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one, as these are great rifles at a reasonable price.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

The scope rings were not mounted to the rifle, so I did not know they were extra high. I have not looked but I assume there are other heights available?

The rings are extra high due to CZ mysteriously making the root of the bolt handle extraordinarily thick. This forces the scope to mount very high in order for that thick bolt root to pass beneath the ocular bell of the scope. There is a gunshop specializing in machining the bolt root down to a more conventional thickness so that you can use a lower mount. But of course by the time you do those two things (pay to modify the bolt and buy new scope rings) you've boosted the cost up in the area of a nice Hornet from someone like Cooper.

The CZ does have an excellent single set trigger and a reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy.

Where I'm from a Cooper in a Hornet is a good $700.00 more expensive than a CZ, tell me how a bolt and ring switch can add up to even 1/2 of this amount? FS

Does anyone offer a safety upgrade to either 3 position on the bolt or simple forward=fire in the same location low down near the stock?

I think the American model has a flush magazine. I prefer the looks of the American. For those who dont, maybe the flush magazine could be used on the full stock version. That might require replacing of bottom metal and magazine.

I believe the newer 527 American M1 does have a flush mag, but the older American's definitely do not. There's some info here: http://cz-usa.com/products/by-...ry/centerfire-micro/

Any ideas on a safety upgrade? Or changes on the newer American?

Keep up the discussion guys, I find it very interesting.

Let me put it this way.

If you could buy a NIB for $400?

I'd open my wallet fast!

I had to have one in the worse way for a couple weeks, then I got over it. During that time I made a few trips and phone calls. All over the New England states I found ZERO, model 572. Let along a hornet and obviously not any caliber 527 American. One dealer stocked some CZ in 22LR, never heard of the American 527. Lot of offers to order me one and all at either full list or 10% off. I was determined to see and feel one first. Ive had to many disappointments (minor nit picks) on blind orders.

I am a little envious you all are see these in significant numbers and for $300 or $400!

Fourbore,

I am stopping by tomorrow after work to purchase the rifle (if it is still there). If I get it and it turns out to not be what I want I will let you know.

FWIW
The CZ527 in Hornet , .221 Fireball & 222R use a common outside dimension magazine , trigger guard & bottom metal with different internals.
The 223 & 204 Ruger use a larger outside dimension magazine, trigger guard & bottom metal.

If you want to shorten the mag so its nearer to flush, mods are available. ( cost around $75).
a little harder with the Hornet than the other CZ527 calibres due to the significant use of plastic inserts in shortening the internal mag dimensions to hold the hornet cartridge.

The 527 was an amazing value 8 or 10 years ago when I was buying em at just under $500.00ish. Keep in mind the dollar has tanked since then so ya pay more but on the positive side the money is worth a lot less .
Economics aside they are great rifles, a titch rough in the machining and such but I've yet to have one that didn't shoot like crazy (knock wood).
They are still a fair value I'd think considering what you have to pay to buy something that shoots with em.
As to function issues: I have seven or eight of em I've used for sub .22 caliber wildcats, they make a great platform. Some "personal opinions" I've formed are as follows (in no particular order). I have former .22 Hornets in .17 Ackley Hornet and .22 K-Hornet, neither of em feed for squat out of a number of modified magazines I've both modified myself or bought from James Calhoon (Calhoon is very fond of em for platforms for his creations too). My "final answer" for that issue as well as the OAL I like in the straight .22 Hornet for best accuracy issue is buying a number of Calhoon' single shot followers. Ya only shoot em one at a time anyway.s .
As to scope height it's just never been an issue to me. It's a mind over matter thing, "I don't mind-so it don't matter". Sure don't affect how they shoot or feel (at least to me). To be honest I really like how the scope sets for off hand shooting, real comfortable position.

5 shots, 100 yards, 13.2 grains Lil'Gun under a 40 grain V-Max in a WW case with WSR primers (6X20 Leupold, better than average group but not by much, seated out way to far to fit the magazine. Good conditions.)



CZ 527 Hornet re-chambered to a minimum spec, zero free-bore K-Hornet.
3 shot groups at 100 using a 4.5X14 Varminter reticle Leupold. bottom group is center cross-hair aimed at the black X, next one up is the first sub-tended cross-hair aimed at the same point.



527 Hornet redone to .17 Ackley Hornet. 5 shots, 100 yards, light rain.


The 527 is an inherently accurate platform IMO.
Lastly, as to the safety. I been shooting since I was knee high to a duck . In that time what with USMC offerings and personal equipment I've had to master beau-coups different safety configurations and firearm nomenclatures. No biggie, even a dumb ole fart like me is smarter than that safety.
Buy that rifle, you'll love it!!
If ya don't.......I'll give ya half what ya paid for it. What with it being used and all

Well, I brought her home. Just could not pass the rifle up All day I was sweating, afraid when I got to the shop the rifle would no longer be there.

Going to put an order in with talley (need some other rings also) and need to figure out what scope to get. Thinking a Leupold VXI 2-7x33 with a LR Duplex. Any similar suggestions?

Congratulations on your purchase, I hope it's a shooter.
Mine's got a Meopta Meostar 3-12x56 on it and it complements the rifle very well. It's at night that the scope really shines and as the rifles main job is fox, it gives me the extra confidence knowing that the CZ527 - Meopta - Hornady vmax (35gn) combo will do the intended job time and again. You might also check the barrel channel, mine was just touching in a couple of places but a quick rub sorted it

quote:

Originally posted by Fal Grunt:
Well, I brought her home. Just could not pass the rifle up All day I was sweating, afraid when I got to the shop the rifle would no longer be there.

Going to put an order in with talley (need some other rings also) and need to figure out what scope to get. Thinking a Leupold VXI 2-7x33 with a LR Duplex. Any similar suggestions?

Take a look at the 3X9 Compact EFR by Leupold.
It is a nice size has more magnification and the parallax removing objective.

Two of my Hornets wear straight 4x's. Most of the stuff I shoot at is probably less than 100 yards anyway.

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I need to call talley and order a set of rings, I was hoping to find some quick detach rings, but no luck.

I went ahead and ordered the Leupold scope, though I will look into both the Meopta and EFR.

I have 2 boxes of Hornady 35gr V-max's on the way with the scope. All I will need is the rings and I will see how she shoots. Once I get the 50 rounds shot up I will decide whether to buy better brass (suggestions?) or just reload the Hornady brass. Then I will need to work up a load.

Thanks again! I am excited to shoot this one!

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

The scope rings were not mounted to the rifle, so I did not know they were extra high. I have not looked but I assume there are other heights available?

The rings are extra high due to CZ mysteriously making the root of the bolt handle extraordinarily thick. This forces the scope to mount very high in order for that thick bolt root to pass beneath the ocular bell of the scope. There is a gunshop specializing in machining the bolt root down to a more conventional thickness so that you can use a lower mount. But of course by the time you do those two things (pay to modify the bolt and buy new scope rings) you've boosted the cost up in the area of a nice Hornet from someone like Cooper.

The CZ does have an excellent single set trigger and a reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy.

I had my bolt recontoured by the pros at Hickman Rifles in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They reblued the bolt handle as well. I have been quite pleased with their services, and use medium sized Warne rings on my IOR 30 mm tube diameter scope.

This was a couple of years ago, but only $25 at the time.