I have the opportunity of buying either a 527 or 788 action in 222.

Want to build a 221 Furball - the 527 appeals beacause of its lightweight, and I have one in 223 and it's a tackdriver, but the 788 action is a lot cheaper..

Thoughts?

If you are comfortable with the backward safety, which is truly a hazard, and don't mind the extra high scope mounting required of the CZ action due to its inexplicably thick bolt root, then it is a strong action with a good trigger that is capable of excellent accuracy.

The 788 is a sleeper. I can't believe, now that its patent is long expired, that someone isn't building them. Their tubular receiver is cheap to make and they always exhibited incredible accuracy for an "entry level" rifle. The challenge is getting a good trigger, but I believe there are some aftermarket models availalbe for the 788.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
If you are comfortable with the backward safety, which is truly a hazard, and don't mind the extra high scope mounting required of the CZ action due to its inexplicably thick bolt root, then it is a strong action with a good trigger that is capable of excellent accuracy.

The 788 is a sleeper. I can't believe, now that its patent is long expired, that someone isn't building them. Their tubular receiver is cheap to make and they always exhibited incredible accuracy for an "entry level" rifle. The challenge is getting a good trigger, but I believe there are some aftermarket models availalbe for the 788.

Timney makes one now and Canjar used to:
http://timneytriggers.com/suns...=product_detail&p=39

Jim Wisner used to make replacement bolts for them also.

If you are just buying an action, I'd say go for it. If you get a rifle in 222, you have a rifle that just might be super accurate. If you haven't played with a 222 (i.e. worked up some accuracy loads etc.) you're missing out.
Matt

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
If you are comfortable with the backward safety, which is truly a hazard, and don't mind the extra high scope mounting required of the CZ action due to its inexplicably thick bolt root, then it is a strong action with a good trigger that is capable of excellent accuracy.

The 788 is a sleeper. I can't believe, now that its patent is long expired, that someone isn't building them. Their tubular receiver is cheap to make and they always exhibited incredible accuracy for an "entry level" rifle. The challenge is getting a good trigger, but I believe there are some aftermarket models availalbe for the 788.

Thanks mate, backwards safety doesn't bother me... I have a 527 in 223, and like all my rifles, the safety operation isn't an issue.. I'm familiar enough with all my rifles to know where the safety is, and how it works - it ain't rocket science.. besides, I rarely (if ever) use the safety on any of 'em.

The 788 kinda intrigues me - I had one in 6mmmRem years ago, and it was a tack driver, albeit rather heavy.. is the 222/223 action any smaller than the 6mm action? If the 223 size is smaller, it'd be a cracker of a rifle. If it's the same size as the 6mmRem, I reckon it'd be heavy, and I might be better staying with the 527 or looking for a M7 or even a 6 series (I'm not fully up to speed with the Remmy's)... I like lightweight rifles - and there's always the possibility that I might decide to go with a 6*45 or 6*47...

Furball is my immediate 'want'... and for the purpose, a very light rifle would be ideal... but there are so many gaps in the armoury... and a 788 in a 222/223 based case would be tolerable.

Besides, it'd be 'something different'...

The 788's in 222/223 are the same as the 6mm, just a different bolt face. Early on the 788's could be had with heavier barrels than the later production models. Ramline makes a synthetic stock for the 788 that can lighten things up a bit. I would recommend the 788 over the 527, but they are both very good actions. The 527 was available from the factory in 221 fireball in the states at one time, but I'm not sure if it is available anymore. You might look around for one. It would save you some cash.

My .221 Fireball is built on a Mini Mark-X Mauser (formerly imported to the U.S. by Interarms, then Charles Daly, now Remington as the Rem 799). It is a little ringer, shooting half-inch groups all day long. The little action from the former Yugoslavia (can't tell you what country it is now!) isn't as smooth or refined, but it makes a passable "poor man's" substitute for a Sako L461. In fact, I put a Sako trigger on mine which breaks like glass.

Of course, there's no comparison in this class to the Sako L461/A-I action, which is truly in "a class by itself".

Thanks Stonecreek, had forgot all about the Zastava action... we have a local agent, but apparently there are some delays in getting them into Australia..

Hehehe.. yeah, a 461 would be my preference, but one in reasonable condition over here would set me back something in the order of $800 to $1000... that would be for a shot out rifle with average stock... a 788 in 222 with a barrel that is totally shot out would set me back $350..