Cz527 223 Vs 222
I went to my LGS today to look at (2) used revolvers: both were sold by the time I got here.Up on the wall was a CZ-527 American in.222 Remington and it had some dust on it. It's on layaway now and I should get it in February.I know it's not a.223, I wasn't looking for 1 of those. The only other calibers under consideration were.22 Hornet (didn't have one) and.204 RugerAnybody shoot and reload the.222?Is your CZ the heavy barreled version or lighter weight barrel? I have a few 527s, actually selling off one in 223 to get a heavier barreled 222.I've been shooting and reloading the 222 Remington for about 40 years, started off with an ugly old Savage 340 and have always had at least one in the collection. I currently have a heavy barreled Encore, a Remington 788 rifle and a Cooper Model 21.
The Encore barrel cost me about $150.00, the Cooper costs. More, but they each shoot about the same. The 788 does almost as well.I've always used 19.8 grains of IMR 4198 and 50, 52 or 53 grain bullets as a go to load. It's not exactly hot but it has always done 'three shots, one hole' at 100 yds out of every rifle I put it through.
I use Sierra BTHP usually, lately I've fiddled with the Hornady AMax and RL 7 and it does very well. I know Lapua brass is a touch more $$$ than Winchester & Remington but not too much. It sure works great.I neck size only. On the Cooper and Encore, being single shots, I use a longer than most OAL and just off the rifling. IIRC Most suggested OAL are around 2.125' but I'm around 2.150' for the 52/52 BTHP and 2.165' for the AMax.I really like the CZs.
One thing I don't really care for on the CZ 527 is the single set trigger. It's a bit of a pain to use and because of it the trigger is a two piece design which, in 'regular' mode, is a bit mushy. The trigger adjusts down easily, but it still feels a bit soft. Cabelas had (has?) the Rifle Basix 'no set' one piece design trigger on sale for $29.00 and it is just as adjustable, but not soft. Gives a much crisper pull. It has the lighter barrel, which I think will be fine. Eventually I may get a heavier barrel one or the sweet little carbine.This is one of my first adventures in rifles; for the past 20 years it's been handguns.Fortunately it comes wih scope rings.Thanks for the trigger information.The bolt throw and configuration on the CZ 527 is a bit high, just something to be aware of when picking a scope.
I have the carbine in 7.62X39 and use a Burris 2 to 7X, the bolt handle just clears the rear bell. I also added a Kickeeze stick on cheek riser. I'm usually not a fan of such cheekpieces but it fits perfectly, stays put and helps alot with cheekweld.BTW, even though it comes with a flush fit 3 rounder, 5 round magazines will work just fine on the American.
I am a 222 Rem fan. Have had several.
Rem 700vs (walnut), S&W m1500, Rem 788, Savage 112JRS single shot, Rem 722. All those are gone. I kept one, a Sako A1 varmint.All shot well. My Sako shoots a 50 grain Sierra blitz or blitzking into sub dime-sized groups at 100 yards with 22 grains of AA2015.I've found 50 grainers were more accurate than 55 grainers in my 1-14 twist 222 Rem barrels.
Powders that have worked well are: 4198 (IMR or H), WW748, VV133, 4895, H322. None were 'inaccurate.' A fun load was 12.5 grains of H4227 and a 50 grain jacketed bullet. Sub MOA at 100 yards, quiet (MV1800-2000 fps?). Good for close woodchucks. Makes your 222 Rem into a 22 magnum, and useful for more settled areas.It's a classic. Nice rifle you got too.
Can the more experienced tell me if there is any advantage for either calibre. Looking to buy a new rifle to shoot deer and goats and maybe a few bunnies. As will probably be a new rifle looking for a nice compact set up and may do a custom setup with a 20 inch barrel or shorter and a mini action with a very light stock. Have been looking through reloading manuals trying to find the best 22 cartridge for efficiency and size to power.
I like compact light rifles and have only actually shot deer with a 223 don't seem to be able to get any deer when carrying a bigger calibre. The 223 has a bit more oomph, the 222 is known for being a bit more precise.
Cz 527 223 Carbine
Really they'll both kill the same animals with the same bullets with the same shot placement though. 222 generally has slow twist barrels for.223 imo is quite a bit more versatile with a reasonably fast twist.You can shoot a much wider range of projectile weights (40 to 90gr?) all at significantly faster speeds.The.223 though a slightly bigger cartridge than the.222, is not big enough to be in a different 'class'.
They are still firmly in the same category where the.223 simply outclasses it.Projectile price between the two is the same (though you can run heavier more expensive ones through the 223 if you wish).The powder difference is small enough that savings from the smaller.222 will be negligible, and the cost difference made up multiple times over when one considers the low priced and common.223 brass / ammo.I got a new 223 recently. Shooting 75gr pills at 2960fps. Im sure I could push it over 3000 easy enough. Though the.223 cartridge is only a few mm longer than the.222, the extra performance is significant.I understand there is a lot of nostalgia surrounding the.222, but unless a guy wants it for nostalgia reasons or just likes the cartridge - (which is cool, I get it). Then there is not much of an argument for the.222, imo.
Cz 527 223 Vs 222 Rifle
Although the 223 is only 1.5mm longer than the 222 the 223 has at least a 10% increase in case capacity. This is due to the much shorter neck and the shoulder being further forward on the 223 case. The 222 was designed for use with the 50 gr bullet whereas the 223 was loaded with the 55gr. Both calibers can handle larger and smaller weight projectiles but if I had to choose I think it would be the 223.
As stated with a faster twist barrel you can use heavier than the norm bullets which would be good on bigger animals. You get a little more speed with the 223 and there is a wide variety of off the shelf ammo at reasonable prices.
In saying all that I have a soft spot for the trebly, shot a lot of animals with the ones I have owned. Both are as good as each other IMO. ChrisW & Mathias sum it up nicely.I have 1 x.223 & 3 x.222’s (Sako 85, A1, L461) in the safe & love them all but if it were me then I’d go.223It has a broader range of projectiles to use if you have the right twist but in saying that, my.223 with 55 gr projectiles has accounted for ALOT of deer. I’ve recently changed up to 63 gr Sierras & found them harder hitting on deer with better results.I definitely give the.223 a BIG thumbs up.As for the.222’s I’ve been running Hornady SP’s where they kill well too & drop deer in their tracks but the.223 has a better edge & although they are very similar, after shooting both calibres side by side you can feel a difference.Another caliber to look at if you reload is Kiwi Greg’s.22 Terminator.