rebarrel CZ-527, cartridge ideas?

JTPinTX

JTPinTX

Custom Call Maker
I've got a CZ-527 in 223. Barrel is about gone. A couple years ago in anticipation of the barrel getting shot out I picked up a brand new factory 1-9 twist in 223 from James Calhoon, a takeoff from one of his projects. But that was before 2 other 223's made it into the stable.

So now it is time to rebarrel it and I am exploring other options. I have a 6.5 Grendel in an AR and really like it. That would be a real dandy in the CZ. Offered factory now too. But I have the wrong bolt, mags, and probably bottom metal for that. Mags I can find, no luck so far on bolt and bottom metal. Thought about a 223/6mm (everything I have would work), or a 22 Nosler (bolt should work, but not mags or bottom metal).

I got access to a good size lathe here a while back that I have been learning and practicing on, and I plan on going slow and doing the work myself as my first learning project on fitting a barrel and truing an action. That is something I have been studying on for years and am ready to try it now.

So just spitballing around what would be some neat options. I have pretty much every rifle I need. A micro bolt gun in something with more power that a 223 would be cool. I suppose I could go the opposite way and do a 17 or some other sub caliber as well. I'm open to about any idea at this point.
 
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A couple of years ago I sent my 527 barreled action to ER Shaw and had them install a varmint weight 24" barrel in .221 Fireball. It is one of my most favorite (along with a .17 Hornet, also a CZ) ground squirrel guns.
 
If it were me, I'd probably do a .17-204 or a .17 Fireball... but that's just me.

You've got some good ideas and I don't think you can go wrong with any of the offerings.
 
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So the more I start to look at the 17's the more I think I need one. The question is, which one? 17 Predator looks very interesting for sure. Maximizing coyote killing potential would be good.

I thought about the 223 AI. Researched it quite a bit before. But I am itching for something different.
 
If you were to decide to go 223 AI, you will need to set the 223 Rem barrel back at least one thread before chambering to the AI version. If you just run an AI reamer into the existing 223 chamber, you will have a 223 AI with excessive head space.
 
If you just want to get 223AI ballistics with out having of setting the barrel back. Build a 223 Improved and leave the AI off of it. Take your 223 brass neck it up to 6mm and run it into your 223 AI sizing die just far enough to form a false shoulder to headspace on and fire form, you have to fire form the AI brass anyway. Then you just have to size from then on with the 223 AI die backed off a little. The only thing then is you can't just shoot regular 223 ammo to make 223 AI.

People have been building wildcats like this for a long time Gibbs was always straightening the bodies and moving the shoulders forward.

Link showing how to form a false should prior to fire forming

30-06 to 30 Gibbs

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=5976FB84A16286B1995CCF5F1CBDE0FA1CFA0A83&thid=OIP.gCUUj5kO8QaEPmfVvlzgkQHaE6&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starlinebrass.com%2Fimages%2Farticle-images%2F30-gibbs-steps-wildcat-7.jpg&exph=332&expw=500&q=30+gibbs+cartridge&selectedindex=11&qpvt=30+gibbs+cartridge&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=1,2,6
 
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Right now I am really leaning towards the 17 Tactical. I've always thought a 17 would be neat, and I know a guy here close with a reamer for it. It appears to be in the same realm as the 17 Rem and 17 Predator as far as performance. Maybe not quite, a little lower, but pretty close.

Next question. I know quality barrel manufacturers, no problem. But is there anything special with the 17's to watch out for with such a small bore? Anyone that really excels in the area of 17 barrels? Or ones to avoid?
 
.17 bores are usually not going to be straight. Even from the best makers. So don't freak out about that when it comes time to indicate everything in. It is kind of freaky when you chop one off though and see how far from center the hole wanders sometimes on those small deep hole drillings.

I think Lilja makes the best .17 barrels, but that's just opinion.

Give some thought to the bullets you want to use. None of the .17 bullets I use for coyote are made or available anymore except for Nagel. And he's a one man, small volume operation. Might sound like putting the cart before the horse, but I think I'd be looking for a stock of good bullets before starting a new large capacity .17 project.

- DAA
 
7mm TCU or 6x45. Maybe even a 25 Sharps. Or, not sure the mags would work, but the new 350 Legend. Probably not the most ideal predator round though.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: JTPinTXSo the more I start to look at the 17's the more I think I need one. The question is, which one? 17 Predator looks very interesting for sure. Maximizing coyote killing potential would be good.

I thought about the 223 AI. Researched it quite a bit before. But I am itching for something different.

I understand the .223AI can be a real pain to get to get to feed well.

Just because it is topic, what Winchesters new 350 Legend? Be a really sweet and compact deer rifle (even if all the hype isn’t quite true). You’d probably not have to alter the mags much either…

Scrummy
 
Yeah I really was looking at rebarreling my CZ527 to another 17 Tactical because I really love this Cartridge. But as Dave mentioned good Coyote bullets are disappearing so I think I will scrap that idea. Might look into rebarreling to a .19/223. And shoot the Calhoon double hollowpoints. We’ll see though
 
Originally Posted By: GLShooterA 20 Practical would be a good choice.

I like the small case capacity 17's like the 17 Hornet and maybe a 17-221 could be a fun little gun, but I favor the 20's a lot more.

Like GLShooter mentioned, the 20 Practical, AKA 20-223, would be a great choice. I just had a 20-222 built not to long ago so I'm a little partial to one of those, but either would be a great choice and both has excellent brass available as well as, IMO, the 20 cal has a much better bullet selection to choose from.

Certainly nothing wrong with the 223AI. I had one built a few years ago and the thing is almost boringly accurate.

I've heard/read some people have issues with the 223AI feeding, but I have never experienced a single feeding problem with mine. When I first had mine built it had the standard Rem 700 BDL bottom metal and it fed perfectly fine. When HS Prec came out with their det. mag system for the 223 switched mine over to that and it also feed perfectly fine. Not sure why some have problems.
 
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Looking around it does seem 17 cal bullets are an issue. But there is a pretty good selection on 20 cal. 20 Practical might be a really good option to look at.
 
I went with 17 rem for my last 527 and glad I did, the 17s are alot of fun. I just bought a hmr to go with it

I'd go 17-223 or 6x6.8
 
So maybe it was on his page somewhere and I just couldn't find it, but what is the diameter for Calhoons 19 cal bullets? 20 cal is .204, Sierra makes both a 32 and 39 grain Blitzking for the 204. On Calhoons page he lists a 19 cal, 32 grain Sierra Blitz King for sale. Sierra doesn't list a 19 cal. So are Calhoons really 20 cal and not 19? Or is he swaging the 20 cal to 19? Or a custom run by Sierra?

His 19-223 looks interesting, but if it is really 20 cal then it is pretty much the same thing as a 20 Practical, right? And if not the same, then the better 20 cal bullet selection seems the way to go.

Is there factory stamped 20 Practical brass out there, or is forming the only way to go? I sure don't mind forming, but with several 223's already it would be nice to have correct headstamp.
 
I'm not sure about James's bullets but I believe Sierra does some amount of specialty or custom runs of bullets for different companies. Example, I think the new Blackjack high BC .25 cal 131gr bullet is made for them by Sierra.

One of the .19 calibers would certainly be different, if that's what you're after, but I think you'd be very, very, limited on bullet selection. If the 19-223 is just a straight neck down, I'm sure you could still use a 223 bushing die for reloading, but other than just being different, I don't think there would be any benefit to a 19-223 versus a 20-223/20 Practical. I'm not aware of any brass that is headstamped 20 Practical.

If you're concerned about mixing up a 20 Practical with your 223's, go with a 20-222. The 222 case definitely looks different enough that you shouldn't have any problem mistaking a 20-222 for one of your 223's and depending on barrel length, the 20-222 is only about 75-ish fps slower than a 20 Practical.
 
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