CZ 221 Fireball

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WeaselCircus

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Just picked up a pristine condition CZ 527 in 221 fireball from a local seller. Have never shot a fireball before so wondering if anyone has recommendations for good quality factory ammo that I can shoot then use the brass for reloading. Anyone know if the CZ likes a particular bullet weight better than others? Anything I should stay away from like HSM or Nosler or whatnot? thanks
 
I'm not sure there's a whole lot of options with regard to factory 221FB ammo so it'll likely be one of those take what you can get kind of things.
 
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Yeah, nothing on the store shelves, but between gunbroker and local classifieds I'm seeing options for Remington, Nosler, HSM, and Reeds ammo. Reeds and HSM are cheaper but don't know anything about them. From other posts it looks like the 40gr size should work really well in the CZ so will probably try that size first.
 
Thanks, definitely a good find. It's the American so it will be perfect for hiking around hunting chucks. Guy selling it said it had been his grandfathers (passed away) and he personally never shot it and wasn't sure if grandpa ever did either. Stock and barrel look flawless and even the magazines don't appear to have so much as a single scratch or wear mark. Wouldn't be surprised if it was never used.
 
Congratulations on a great find. There's a few here who shoot that rifle and caliber. I'm sure they'll weigh in when they see your post. Enjoy it.
 
I shot my CZ Furball so much that I had to put a new barrel on it a couple of years ago. That took quite a bit of shooting. I used to shoot nothing but Lil Gun powder in mine with the 40 grain Vmax. The last 2-3 years I swapped to CFE BLK but am still using the 40 grain Vmax. Excuse the pun, but it really is the bomb on our local ground squirrels.
 
Yeah, definitely the bomb! Found a local dealer who had some factory Nosler 40gr ballistic tip ammo and took it out Saturday to sight in and test out. Was ecstatic when I dialed it in and it was clover-leafing the groups at 100 yards - although I shouldn't be surprised as my varmint 527s in 17 Hornet and 204 are also fantastic shooters. Didn't have a lot of time but managed to take a dozen or so ground squirrels.... wow! Solid body hit and they just disappear from the planet!
 
One of my shooting buddies built him his own Furball with a Savage action after I let him shoot a few of our local whistlepigs with mine. His has a Shilen 1/14" barrel an wears a Sightron 6-24X on it. I assure you, it will do a fine job on our local squirrels. He had it out yesterday and I got to hear him chuckle several times as he exploded a few critters with it. I was using my .17 Remington with reduced loads using Blue Dot powder in it and it was great out to about 200 yards abut after that the .221 did a better job. I guess next trip out I will be taking my Furball along again. Just soo much fun!
 
Russ, any estimate of how many rounds you put down that first 221 CZ barrel? Did it lose accuracy or was it more about becoming hard to clean?
 
Hey Frank

Sorry, but I am the world's worst for keeping track of round count. I know that it was well over 3000 rounds and pretty sure that it was over 4000. And yeah, it has lost the ability to one hole my groups at 100 yards. It still would have been fine for coyote hunters or for shooting chucks out to 200 yards or so. But I wanted my 5 shots to all touch each other and the factory barrel would no longer let me do that.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogDid you get the American or the Varmint? I'd love to find one myself but they are a little scarce right now. Good find!!
FWIW: CZ doesn’t offer the 527 .221 Fireball in their Varmint configuration.
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Wish they did! I sold my .221 American and bought a Cooper because I wanted more barrel.
Were a couple CZ Furballs on Gunbroker last time I looked; at pretty ridiculous bidding points, however.
 
Originally Posted By: deathwind II
FWIW: CZ doesn’t offer the 527 .221 Fireball in their Varmint configuration.
thumbdown.gif
Wish they did! I sold my .221 American and bought a Cooper because I wanted more barrel.


When I had a new tube put on my Furball I went with the same weight and profile as the CZ Varmint barrel. It is just a delight to shoot.
 
Originally Posted By: deathwind IIOriginally Posted By: pyscodogDid you get the American or the Varmint? I'd love to find one myself but they are a little scarce right now. Good find!!
FWIW: CZ doesn’t offer the 527 .221 Fireball in their Varmint configuration.
thumbdown.gif
Wish they did! I sold my .221 American and bought a Cooper because I wanted more barrel.
Were a couple CZ Furballs on Gunbroker last time I looked; at pretty ridiculous bidding points, however.

Originally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: deathwind II
FWIW: CZ doesn’t offer the 527 .221 Fireball in their Varmint configuration.
thumbdown.gif
Wish they did! I sold my .221 American and bought a Cooper because I wanted more barrel.


When I had a new tube put on my Furball I went with the same weight and profile as the CZ Varmint barrel. It is just a delight to shoot.

The varmint profile would be fun with a fireball, but this worked out perfect as I already have a 17H and 204 in varmint. So it's nice to have a bit lighter one to hike around with. Although I could definitely be tempted with a heavy barrel Contender Carbine in 221.

Yeah, those gunbroker prices are nuts. That's why when I saw this one come up in local classifieds I called the guy the second I saw the ad. Figured that if I didn't like it I could easily sell it for a very nice margin. But after getting out a couple days ago to hunt some chucks I don't see that happening - it's a keeper!

fireball-chucks.jpg
 
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