Savage v. CZ527

dchristian

I am considering either a Savage or CZ527 in either 223 or 22-250 for coyote hunting and general shooting. I like everything about the Savage and what I read about it except its looks -- especially the wooden stock. The CZ is light, neat looking and attractive. However, I have read some negative things about them, and, at their price, you can just about buy a Remington BDL. I would appreciate some frank comments about the CZ527 which might help me make the right decision.
Thanks,
dchristian

blown69stang

I have a Savage 10 (short action 110) in .223. It is very accurate and I like my stock. I don't know if you have personally inspected either but I own one of each. The savage weighs a tad more, which cuts the recoil a little over the CZ. It has the traditional American beafiness to it. The wook is good quality but nothing like a Sako or Beretta (one in the same). I personally hate the CZ stock. While some say it looks better, it doesn't shoulder any better. I also don't like the action. It seems sloppy compared to the Savage; it is hard to action when trying to move fast. It seems to hang up while all the way out. At first, my Savage was very hard to open the bolt but after putting a fair amount of gun grease, not oil, on the "cocking knob" it was slightly easier and after about 250 rds, it was significantly better. The single set trigger on the CZ is a definite plus as it allows you to fire from 6 pounds or set it at 2 lbs. My Savage was about 9 lbs from the factory and the first night I took the stock off and lowered the spring weight, adjusted the overtravel to nill, loosed the safety so it slams on safe if the rifle is dropped, and adjusted the sear engagedment to 11/1000". All this caused it to be safe while giving me less than 3.5 lbs letoff. It has some slight take up but feels like a NM 2 stage and I much prefer that because it lets me know exactly how much I have pulled the trigger. My father who rarely hunts, has one in .308 and the trigger has no creep or takeup. Now mine does not have any creep but does have the slight takeup. With his rifle, you don't know how much the trigger has been depressed. Then it just goes off, completely surprising you. He shoots 2" with bad Eye sight, I can't get below 3" but I don't like how he has it setup for him. I have mine setup exactly how I want it and it shoots less than half inch groups. This is great for a rifle that all I did was spend 30 minutes messing with the trigger and tens minutes mounting a scope and bipod. It is essentially out of the box and shooting factory cheap loads (Israeli Winchester @ 3.65 a box). In conclusion, I highly suggest the Savage and if you don't like the stock, get a synthetic or the Choate Varmint/Sniper stock. The CZ is not that much more than the Savage when you actually compare one next to the other at the shops. I bought both brand new, the Savage for 405 delivered and the CZ for 426 delivered, both basic models.

dchristian

Thanks for the information.
dchristian

richbug

I don't think the 22-250 can be chambered in the 527.... Otherwise, it is simple matter of which one you like better. Both are good shooting firearms. A have a friend who absolutely swears by his 527 in 223. With the win white box 45 gr it will shoot .75" groups. with handloads intended for a different rifle it shot a 10 shot ragged hole last time we went out. The set trigger is fine, detachable box a nice touch and the styling is uniquely mauser. I have been thinking about one in 22 hornet for a long while. Recoil really isn't a consideration in 223 is it? I have heard no negative feedback on the 527 and would like to hear what you know.... Generally CZ's fit and finnish are much better than what you pay for, due to the lower labor cost in the czech rep. I have no bad to say about the savage though, for the price, they are a grat buy. usually one can be bought for about 300 bucks, versus 450 for the CZ. I would take the light little CZ over the big and clunky- although good shooting savage any day.

Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?

blown69stang

I still support the Savage but richbug is right, the CZ is made very nice. I simply don't like the way it shoulders for me. My build is stocky, 6'4" and 225 pounds so the larger Savage stock seems to fit me better. Something about the shape of the stock on the CZ doesn't fit me. And while it is very accurate, I still don't like the feel of the action. Some people don't care and it just preference. I wouldn't say that one rifle is better than the other; it is all personal preference and what you like. The wood on the CZ is different than the standard Birch or Walnut on the Savage, maybe a little better than the Savage. Save the money over the CZ and buy a set of scope rings, custom trigger, and leather cheek pad and you will have a somewhat customized rifle for the same money. The other thing to think about is servicing. There are more parts available for the Savage than the CZ. I would say the the one distinct advantage of the CZ is the single set trigger. Adjust it down to about 8oz and you have a serious varmint rifle but don't have as much money to spare as if you went with the Savage. Good luck in your purchase and either one will be a good rifle, its how it fits you is what matters.

chuck

Last year I bought a CZ in 308 cal, Nice looking Rifle and I loved the set trigger, But never could get it to shoot acc. Maybe I got a bad one.

alaskanman

Don't let the plain looks or lower cost of the Savage fool you, I've seen the Savage 22-250 and 223's shoot amazing groups with factory ammo. I had a couple opportunities to shoot the CZ 527's too- they are very well put together and also shoot exceptional groups. They are a little more expensive and have a different 'feel' than the Savage. Just my opinion.

CZECHMATE2

If you decide on the CZ 527 get an earlier gun. I have owned & collected the Czech rifles for over a dozen years. The quality seemed to go downhill after 1995.But that's my opinion.All my rifles are the older models & all shoot extremely well.The Magnum research & Action Arms imports are what I look for. That's my two cents worth.

savage12bvss300wsm

One thing can usually be said for varmint hunting. The shots are usually pretty long and for that you need an accurate rifle. And for a long range rifle, you need one with some weight to it. You just cant be as accurate at long ranges with a light rifle as you can with a heavier one. If that was the case, we would all have 5.5lb benchrest rifles. Now, enter the savage 12bvss. Accurate as hell. A pleasure to carry despite the 10.5lb weight. The rifle balances perfectly at the front guard screw. Action is pillar bedded, barrel is 26" fluted heavy, stock is laminated with a wide fore end(perfect for a bi-pod or varmint rest), and last but not least, they have the best factory production trigger, bar none. The new accu trigger must be experienced to believe. Mine breaks like glass at 1.5lbs(adjusted it myself with the enclosed adjustment tool). And the price cant be beat. Paid $545+tax for mine in 300wsm. CZ just cant compete. The savage is the ultimate factory varmint rifle. You would have to pay about $200 more for a remington with the same equipment and you still have to pay to get the trigger as good as the accu trigger. So leave the cz where ever they are made and go treat yourself to the new savage 12bvss in 22-250.

Don't run, you will only die tired.

warcrob

I have a Savage 111G in 25-06. I use it for varmits and big game.
The nice thing is I can go from 70 grain hollow pionts for varmits up to 120 grain spizters for for whitetail and black bear

Pems

Just went out this weekend with the new 22-250 Savage 12FLVSS. Shot great right out of the box. The trigger is set to 1.5lbs. and is one of the smoothest triggers I have ever felt. Will be putting a varmit laminate stock on it as I could not purchase the 12BVSS in a left handed model. Great gun, great trigger, and great price. Completely satisified with this purchase.