Gunner Forum banner

Break in on new CZ

7K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  bearcatter 
#1 ·
Hi all, I need some advice on breaking in my new Cz 527 .223 . Being that it's a hammer forged barrel does the clean one shot clean for the first 5 then clean after every 5 shots to 50 shots still apply? Or is there something better? Thanks, advice greatly appreciated.
 
#2 · (Edited)
First off, welcome to the forum from northern Wisconsin. Nice to have you with us.

I have never felt the need for a formal shoot/clean/shoot break in routine on anything but a high grade match barrel and then I follow the manufacturers's directions. That's me, of course. Other folks have a much different opinion and that's cool. That routine you mention certainly won't hurt your gun, assuming you clean it, properly and if it makes you feel better to go that route, then by all means do so. The fact that I've never had a bad shooting CZ 223 or a ruined barrel, though, speaks for itself.

On all of our CZ 223s, I basically do the following with a new gun or old. One, I do NOT let the barrel overheat - something I practice all the time, anyway, for the sake of accuracy, but I think it's especially important on a new barrel. Two, I stay with nominal loads using bullets from 50 grains on up. It's the hyper loaded 40 and 45 grain loads that are hard on a barrel. The 50 to 70 grain bullets are really what the 223 was designed to shoot and if your CZ 223 is one of the current models, the 1 in 9 twist will do fine with those. My feeling is that if you want to shoot tiny bullets way, way fast, get something like Ridgerunner's 204. Don't try to turn your 223 into a 22-250 and you'll be fine.

To be honest, though, it's pretty hard to abuse a CZ 527 223 barrel. Have never heard of anyone actually ruining one, at least not with factory ammo. Just use common sense and you'll be fine.
 
#5 ·
Thanks NCG, it is the carbine model in .223. Decided on it because two of my sons just aquiered new ARs so I thought it would be nice to stay with the same round. That way we can all go in on ammo or maybe get into reloading. Anyway I'm excited about the whole thing, like a kid in the candy store. Thanks again.
 
#6 ·
Go to a benchrest match and a 10 people or barrel makers how they break a barrel in and will get different way to do it . Good copper remover like Sweets or Knoil is a must , I clean every 10 shots in my jacket bullet shooters and never get the barrel hot for a long barrel life . This is my way and may not be the best way for a bolt gun :-D.
 
#7 ·
The Carbine is a great CZ. Congrats.

One tip on shooting it. Snug it in tight at the bench and be sure to use your offhand to hold the forearm. Otherwise, the little gun will bounce off the bag and all over the place, making it tough to shoot nice groups. Offhand, a light hold is fine, but if you rest the gun on anything, it will jump. The Carbine is certainly capable of good accuracy, though.

What scope are going to use? I've always liked the Nikon Prostaff 2-7x or a Leupold 2-7x on these little guns.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I have never broken in a barrel in my life. I have just never seen anyone who has gotten results that make it worth doing. Every time I'm at the range I'll see someone scrubbing away with brushes, patches, and cleaning rods. And when we go downrange to check our targets, his groups are no smaller, and often bigger than mine.

I never shoot ANY barrel that is too hot to keep my hand on. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to shoot. Heated barrels foul much easier. Gale McMillian, one of the greatest barrel manufacturers of all time had this to say about "barrel break in's". I tend to agree with him. And this is my CZ 527 LUX in .223, along with a Marlin X-7 in the same caliber I stocked with a Laminated Thumbhole Sporter from Boyd's. Scope is a Nikon P-223, 3-9X. The scope on the CZ-527 is a Leupold VX-II 3-9, 40 MM in CZ steel rings. Neither have had their barrels "broken in".

http://www.6mmbr.com/gailmcmbreakin.html



 
#14 ·
Feb 29 was the OP's third and last post, but FWIW.

An old gunsmith told me once about "breaking in" a barrel. For the first couple hundred rounds, allow a few seconds between shots for cooling. Run a patch through about every fifty, and clean it good after 200. He said all you're really doing is smoothing off any burrs in the rifling, and polishing the bore a bit..
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top