527 Carbine- All around- .223 or 7.62 Russian

[mannyrock]

Dear Guys,

   I am thinking about getting a 527 Carbine bolt action, but I have a practical question for those who use them on a regular basis.

     If you were getting just one as an all-around, all-purpose rifle (plinking & target shooting to 100 yards, varmints the size of groundhogs and up out to 125 yards, deer to 125 yards, defense etc.) would you choose the rifle in .223 or in 7.62?    I don't handload, so I would be using factory rounds.

    I know that the .223 is very plentiful and relatively cheap to shoot.  Of course, the 55 grainers are not the best rounds if you want an all-around bullet.  If you go to the heavier bullets, I guess you then have the "twist" issue to consider? I'm not sure how this plays out.

    The 7.62 use to be cheap and plentiful.  But, it can still usually be found at reasonable prices.  Of course, you have the Euro ammo vs. American ammo issue (for bore size), and I also wonder how smoothly it can feed in a mini-mauser action, given the short length of the case. 

    As for plinking, maybe its just me, but I have always found the noise (incredible "crack") of the .223 to be much more offensive than the noise (loud "bang") of the 7.62.

   Has anyone worked through this analysis before?

  P.S. - I live east of the Mississippi, and I'm NEVER gonna handload.  :-)

Thanks,  Mannyrock

[alan in ga]

I read "all purpose" in your post. I think the 7.62x39 fills that requirement the best because you are going to shoot deer.
I made up a CZ 527 American out of my carbine. Replaced the carbine stock with a fancy American [figured wood that came on lots of early 221FB CZ 527s}, and then turned off the rear open sight 'knot' off the barrel. The "American" sporter stocks have a higher comb for better eye alignment with scope use.
Picture shows the small 'flat' that is left after turning barrel sight knot off, just a tiny unnoticable flat.
Also, the Weaver T36 is just for target work-the CZ 7.62x39 can be very accurate especially with the right ammo! It normally wears a fixed Leupold 4X.

[jlwilliams]

  If "all purpose" includes hogs and deer, then 7.62x39 is your best bet of the two rounds.  The bad rap it gets for accuracyis largely based on shot out AKs with third world manufactured ammo.  Given a good rifle like a brand spankin new CZ you will do fairly well with deicnt ammo. Wolf now has a "Gold" line that is pretty good stuff. Brass cased and consistent from round to round.  Hornaday is coming out with a line of steel cased (to keepit cheap) ammo loaded with their V-Max bullets.  I'm looking forward to trying some of that.  Honestly, I've had good luck with regular Wolf soft points.  Accurate within reasonable distance and an effective bullet construction.

  For me, I like .223 as an 'all around' but I don't count it as my deer rifle (44mag).

[RB1235]

 I have to agree with these guys. I too have one in 7.62x39. The ammo is often cheaper than .223. And gives good accuracy, even with the cheapest available. It will definitely be accurate enough for varmints. Also has a good power level for deer past the range you need. American ammo for the x39 is loaded in the proper diameter for the bore. So a good deer bullet can be selected from your favorite manufacturer. I just ordered some yugo ammo the other day for 18 cents a round.
Good Luck