I already have the CZ 527 in the same cartridge, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense. I saw a slight sale & ended up on the Buds website, easy ship to the local FFL.

I do like that the Howa ‘mini-action’ is threaded for a suppressor I already have. I’m looking at options to reload, maybe some shorter range hunting. I have most of the setup to reload, more .310” bullets inbound.

For most of what I do, a bolt action is plenty to get it done.

I have a Ruger Ranch in 7.62x39. Put a Leupold FX-II 6x36 on it. Lotsa fun. Minute of whitetail accurate. I'm an AK guy so a 7.62x39 bolt gun made perfect sense.

Nothing wrong with a 7.62x39 bolt gun for the typical hunter. Ballistically similar to the venerable .30-30, and a great medium game cartridge out to a couple hundred yards, but especially for closer ranges in thicker brush, like where I usually hunt.

I've taken a few deer and a bunch of hogs with 7.62x39, though mine have been in semiautos. I use either some of my dwindling stockpile of old 8m3 Russian hollowpoints or else modern Hornady SST.

I had toyed with getting a CZ 527 back in the day, but dragged my feet long enough for them to get discontinued.

I picked up a Howa some time ago. Your post reminded me that I need to shoot it more. That being said, I've never found anything better than the 527 carbine, which is probably why I keep shooting it when I'm in the mood.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I had toyed with getting a CZ 527 back in the day, but dragged my feet long enough for them to get discontinued.

CZ finally came up with a slightly modernized-ish version. Haven't shot one yet, but it might be a good alternative. That said, their Alpha isn't bad.

http://www.czfirearms.com/en-u...cz-600-plus-carbine/

I've had the same rifle in the same caliber about a month now. With Norma Tactical 124-grain FMJ I shot some groups less than 2 inches at 100 yards with the front rested.

quote:

I do like that the Howa ‘mini-action’ is threaded for a suppressor I already have.

Hornady and PPU make 255- and 182-grain, respectively, subsonic loads. Maybe someday. The short action, proportionately sized to the cartridge length, is very smooth.

Doing some research I think I could make some quiet loads, less than 1100 FPS, 150-180 grain bullets I already have, suppressed. These would just be for plinking, I see the 125 grain Pro-Hunter Sierra bullet gets good reviews for hunting.

This weekend I go to IL to assist on the youth deer hunt. A friend is bringing his son. I checked the zero on my 22-250, I think I’ll set up out of the way for coyotes. That will be just the 45 minutes at first light.

I think I’ll try a Hawke scope I have not being used. It’s mounted on an air rifle someone gave me. Yes it’s made for an air rifle, but even the company says it’s suitable for a modest recoiling centerfire. The scope is rather clear, ok quality.

I encountered something odd with mine, nothing to do with the gun itself. The warranty card and copy of the receipt that I mailed to Legacy Sports (the importer) came back undeliverable. I tried to register it online, also including a PDF of the receipt as required. When I hit send, the site kicked me back to the original page, no acknowledgement of whether the attempt was successful or its receipt. I haven't tried calling any of the phone numbers. Also, there was no way to order an extra magazine off Legacy Sports site. I did get one from a Tactical Works in CO. PSA also carries them. None of this bodes well for customer service should it be needed.