New gun and new opportunities

[Riverguide]

My first 300-221 is a great CZ-527 that I purchased on Gunbroaker. The only thing I do not like about it is the laminated stock and it's 1-11 twist barrel. It brought down three deer this past hunting season using Sierra 125 grain ballistic tips, so I have no complaints with it for supersonics. I also got it for the same price as a standard retail CZ.

Given all the knowledge I have gained here (thanks guys) I decided to commission a new CZ-527 American from SSK with a 1-8 twist. Stainless barrel, nice wood, AND a suppressor. This was back in September and I received the rifle in December. I have yet to shoot the gun because work has gotten in the way.

My FFL dealer is still holding my suppressor because paperwork is in process. I understood this fully going into it and hopefully it will only be another month or so before I can bring it home.

I need to send the gun back to SSK for the following tune ups:
1. The suppressor does not easily screw on the barrel, even with lube. I'm afraid of stainless "galling" of the threads so it needs some cleanup.
2. I ordered a muzzle break for the barrel because I don't like the look of the small protective ring that it comes with. I know many disagree with me on this, but I think the rifle looks a little better with something on the end given it only has a 16" barrel. It showed up with only the protective ring.
3. The trigger still needs more work. CZ-527's have a single set, two stage trigger. Right now, the first stage is very light and crisp, more so then the second set stage. Exactly the opposite of my first CZ and every other rifle I have with single set triggers. They did a great job of adjusting it, they just adjusted the first and not the set trigger.

So, even though I have not shot it. I am going to remove the scope and have my FFL dealer box the whole thing up to have it sent back and these "opportunities" taken care of. I can tell you that she is a work of art and I really like the job SSK did of re-barreling and bedding. It's tough to be patient with new toys.

-Riverguide

[martineta]

I took my Whisper and a new 22 hornet to Amelia today and shot the dickens out of paper. Pleasant surprise on a windy day I was shooting good. Selling a couple of guns this weekend and as soon as I feel cash in hand, off to Mr. Jones for a chop job on the 26 inch barrel and a new suppressor. Hopefully all will be back in my hands by next fall. You get tired of the first CZ and I know a fellow that will take it off your hands.

[Alleycat]

SSK uses a reflex suppressor design. The front of the barrel is not threaded. Or did he put a gun together for you that uses another manufacturers suppressor?

[Riverguide]

This is SSK now from the bolt forward. SSK made the suppressor first and sent it to my FFL dealer so we could start the paperwork even before the gun was complete. I assume that is why suppressor does not perfectly mate. I put them together for the first time at the dealer. It threads, but is just way too tight for stainless on stainless.

So yes, JD Jones has threaded suppressors with his name on them as well. It's a 16" barrel and the suppressor is about 8" in length, all stainless.

Martineta - Thanks for all the loads you provided for the first gun and getting me started.

-Riverguide.

[Riverguide]

I sent the rifle back to SSK complete with the suppressor and they had it back to me within a week! Everything is perfect and exactly they way I had envisioned it when I commissioned the rifle to be built. The trigger pull feels even better then my other CZ-527. I need to sight it in and start shooting.

I'm also finally ready to start my workup on sub sonic loads based on all the published information I have gotten.

This may be a silly question, but would you do all of your load development with the suppressor off until you know you have a bullet that is stable and makes nice round holes in your targets? I'm not new to reloading (been reloading my 30.06 target and hunting rounds for years) but I am new to the subsonic realm.

I'm worried about damaging the suppressor from a wobbly bullet. Has anyone seen that happen?

[rv10flyer]

Yes, make sure your loads are stable before attaching the suppressor. I normally test my loads under a chrony with the target at 20 yards or so. Once I am happy I then test at 50 and 100 yards. If all looks well then it is time to attach the suppressor. So far I have not had a baffle or end-cap strike.

Also, be sure and test your loads from heavier powder weights to lower weights (opposite of supersonic loads). This way you don’t start off with an underpowered load and get a bullet stuck in the barrel.

[HUNTER2]

rv10flyer, truer words of wisdom has never been spoken.....If anybody wants to know how it feels to do either one, just let me know! Very light strike and bullet about to fall out, but still - very sick feeling. And I am not talking about the flu!

[Titleiiredneck]

Originally Posted by rv10flyer

Yes, make sure your loads are stable before attaching the suppressor. I normally test my loads under a chrony with the target at 20 yards or so. Once I am happy I then test at 50 and 100 yards. If all looks well then it is time to attach the suppressor. So far I have not had a baffle or end-cap strike.

Also, be sure and test your loads from heavier powder weights to lower weights (opposite of supersonic loads). This way you don’t start off with an underpowered load and get a bullet stuck in the barrel.

Pretty much this, a couple additions though. shoot at white paper or cardboard and donot group your shots. The white paper will show the tumbling better and if you group while working up a load and testing for this you may not notice the tumbling.. just a FYI

[jimpa]

FWIW when I had my wisper being built, the Suppressor dealer gave me the adaptor that screws onto the bbl (no violation) and I sent this off to the guinsmith and got a perfect match, while awaitging the paperwork from ATF.
It saved some time, greif, and couple tanks of gas.

[Riverguide]

Thanks guys,
I had SSK make me a very attractive muzzle break that replaces the can when it's not needed. I'm going to put that on for my subsonic loads.

All advice here will be heeded and adhered to. This site is a great place.

-Riverguide.