New CZ - (Very) Disappointing Test Fire

[SerenityNetworks]

Okay, I'm not panicked yet, but I am concerned. I just received my new CZ 527 Varmint in .204. With it came a test fire sheet (see attached image). It is not impressive.

I'm new enough to the sport that I don't know if a group measurement is supposed to be center-to-center or edge-to-edge, so I have two measurements. 10/16ths or 13/16ths at 50 meters. Converting to yards that's 1.14 MOA at best or 1.49 MOA at worst.

I haven't been at this long, but using a sling and laying prone I can shoot 1.5 MOA with factory ammo using my old Browing BBR 30.06 that has a tapered barrel. Needless to say I'm not impressed at all with this CZ test sheet. I expected this rifle to be a tack driver. I'm not going to be shooting PDs at 300 yards reliably if this is all the better it will shoot. I could even miss a coyote! Obviously the test fires were done with factory ammo, but still...

I'm hoping there is some factor of which I'm unaware that explains the wide group. I'm going to be incredibly disappointed (actually I'm thinking of a much more perjorative word right now) if this is a 1.5 MOA rifle.

Any thoughts? Should I be concerned?

 

[taylorce1]

Google "on target software" it will help you measure your groups easier.

As far as your test target, that is all it is. Don't worry about it go out and find the ammunition or load that your rifle likes. I'm sure it will tighten up the groups.

 

[Redneckrepairs]

CZ does not shoot rifles for accuracy , they fire as a function check only , with one " stock " loading and not much attention to the target . The included target just means that yes indeed it will poke holes in paper , not how well it will shoot .

 

[big al hunter]

That test target is just over moa. Measure center to center. With quality ammo it should shoot better, as stated earlier they only use what they have on hand. Get a few premium loads and see what it will do. And let us know

 

[SerenityNetworks]

Thanks guys. I was hoping such might be the case. But having never seen something like this before, it certainly had me worried. It will probably be a few weeks before I can get a scope on the rifle and head to the range. But I will let you know.

Thanks again,
Andrew

NRA Life Member
------------------------
"There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them." - Malcolm Muggeridge

 

[wingman]

With proper ammo I would be very suprised if the CZ 204 would not shoot
.750 or less at 100 yards.

 

[RC20]

Maybe a European thing but why bother if you are going to shoot a gun and not use something quality if you produce a target.

I agree with the OP that its kind of a half assed effort.

And hopefully the mfg of the gun is not that way.

And if you go center to center, that is 1 1/4 and its only a 3 shot group.

If you go edge to edge you subtract the diameter of the bullet.

 

[SerenityNetworks]

I purchased the rifle with the reviews and reports consistently showing it as shooting between 0.5 and 0.75 MOA (closer to 0.75 with factory ammo and better with reloads). That's why I started this thread. I know a lot of folks here shoot CZs and have the same Varmint model, so I figured they could tell me whether their guns shoot better than the test sheet or not.

Still, it seems an odd practice to send me a sheet that says, 'here's your 1+
MOA rifle, this is your warranty, regardless that you thought you were getting a sub-MOA gun'. It is very disconcerting to a rifle noob like me.

NRA Life Member
------------------------
"There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them." - Malcolm Muggeridge

 

[dgludwig]

Still, it seems an odd practice to send me a sheet that says, 'here's your 1+
MOA rifle, this is your warranty, regardless that you thought you were getting a sub-MOA gun'. It is very disconcerting to a rifle noob like me.

I think you have every reason to feel disconcerted. What if the rifle was packed with a target that showed a five inch group? Would this be cause for concern on the part of the buyer? Would me. And, if all the test target was made to convey is that the rifle "functions", why bother to even use sights? Just shoot the rifle a few times at a blank sheet of paper at the range of a foot or so, just to prove to the customer that the firearm actually "works".
I do agree with others that experimenting with different loads should produce a "winner" in terms of moa, or less (better) accuracy. No reason to "panic" at this point in time.

 

[taylorce1]

Still, it seems an odd practice to send me a sheet that says, 'here's your 1+ MOA rifle, this is your warranty, regardless that you thought you were getting a sub-MOA gun'. It is very disconcerting to a rifle noob like me.

If CZ doesn't guarantee a sub MOA gun you should never assume you are buying one. Some rifles need to settle in and then it might shoot anything you feed it well. Besides even a lot of rifles that guarantee MOA don't shoot that because the shooter can't shoot MOA, then they are upset that they didn't buy the accuracy that they wanted.

 

[m&p45acp10+1]

Those 3 shots were the first shots out of a new and clean barrel. Not only that I am going to guess they used the cheapest ammo they can get. Next they put the rifle in a mechanical rest. Load a round, use the mechanical trigger. Round fires, they repeat for a 3 shot group. Also they did not use a scope. Most factories do not.

Ok now clean your rifle well. When you start with sighting it in. Note your accuracy is going to look like that for the first few shots till the right amount of carbon is deposited in the barrel, and then groups will settle.

Also hand loading will allow you to tune a good load for that rifle. I have a 527 American in .221 Rem Fireball. The factory target showed it to be about 1 MOA. The first group I shot out of it was 5 shots into one hole that measured a half inch wide.

Oh and while you are at it. Show off some pics of that rifle. Then go shoot it. I would suggest getting a bipod. Then use a small sand bag for under the rear to stabilize it. (I used fish tank rocks in a baggie srapped into two socks. for a long time.) move the rear bag forward or back to go up or down. This will increase your accuracy potential greatly.

 

[chris in va]

Does CZ claim to be a sub 1moa rifle anywhere in it's advertising? I haven't checked.

A member on the board found out my humble x39 carbine is sub MOA with handloads. I'm sure your surgical 204 would do the same.

 

[Jerry45]

I just finished working up loads for my CZ 527 in 223. It shot MOA out of the box. After working up a load it likes with Sierra MatchKing Bullets it shoots 1/4 MOA at 100 yards. Test target that came with mine was way larger than MOA for 50 meters.

I'm sure your rifle will shoot MOA and if you find what it likes it will poke nice little holes for you.

 

[cw308]

204 is a nice round , Find the bullet your rifle likes and you will see how CZ's shoot. Enjoy the rifle, BE Safe Chris

 

[oneoldsap]

Get it broken in , find the ammo or handload it likes , and become familiar with the trigger and the feel of the gun . If it still won't shoot MOA , that's the time to get your panties in a bunch !

 

[SerenityNetworks]

Thanks guys. I'm reassured.

I got the scope, rings, and base ordered today. Maybe next weekend I can have it put together, although it may be a week or two more before I can get it to a range. But as soon as it is assembled then I'll take a picture and get it posted. I really like the matte finish to the metal and wood. It's not as 'pretty' as some rifles, but it's just what I like to take into the field. Once it gets some wear on it then it will look perfect.

Thanks again,
Andrew

NRA Life Member
------------------------
"There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them." - Malcolm Muggeridge

 

[coyota1]

10/16ths or 13/16ths at 50 meters. Converting to yards that's 1.14 MOA at best or 1.49 MOA at worst.

These groups were at 50 meters, and not at 100 yards... Right? Were you at a sturdy bench, wind velocity? Any other variables that could cause a group to widen? If you were doing everything on your part, then these groups really suck. If I were you I would do as others have suggested and get some good ammo like Hornady, and test on a good weather day.

 

[m&p45acp10+1]

Coyota that was the test group fired at the factory to shot that the gun will shoot without blowing up. It is a test mostly for function. It is fired with no scope. They set it in a lead sled look through the barrel to see the target. Place the bolt in. Load with 3 rounds. Fire, cycle the bolt, fire, and repeat. That is from the clean brand new bore. It will do a lot better once cleaned. A few fouling shots are fired, and then sighted in.

 

[ndking1126]

CZs are crap!! No, I'm just kidding, I've never shot one.

I have a rifle that shoots about 1.25" groups at 100 yards with standard hunting ammo, but will shoot about .7" groups with FGMM, that's a pretty big difference.

Ammo selection is huge when it comes to accuracy. Go get some trigger time and tell us what you find out!

 

[phil mcwilliam]

You are worrying about the accuracy of a brand new rifle that you have not yet shot. Since you say you are relatively new to the sport of shooting, my advice would be to put your accuracy concerns on hold until you actually shoot the rifle.
I own a couple of CZ rifles & have found them to be very accurate, but like any rifle you will have to try various types of ammunition to see which groups best out of your rifle.