Ruger Forum

gryphon · April 24th, 2012, 02:19 PM

I don't know if I'm going to go with the Hawkeye Compact or the CZ 527 carbine but I am going to buy a .223 carbine for sure. Just not sure which way to go. I wish the the Hawkeye was available with iron sights. Do any members have the hawkeye in .223? Have you been pleased with it? What kind of accuracy is it capable of at 100 and 200 yards? Any problems? Also, it can handle the 5.56 right?

moondog911 · April 24th, 2012, 03:38 PM

Greetimgs,

The Ruger Compact with it's short 16.5" barrel will lose much of it's bullet velocity due to the short barrel.

The Ruger African has sights, and a longer barrel. The Ruger mini-14 also has sights with a longer barrel.

I have no experience with the CZ, consequently, I have no opinion on that rifle.

moondog911

Gray Squirrel · April 24th, 2012, 05:29 PM

I have been very pleased with my .223 Hawkeye but it's not the compact version. I'm getting 0.625 groups at 100 yards with 65 grain Sierra and Varget handloads and I'm just getting started with load development. It came with a 2 lb. 2 oz trigger with no creep.

gryphon · April 24th, 2012, 06:38 PM

Honestly, I would be happy with groups twice that size.

Annihilator · April 24th, 2012, 06:55 PM

I have the Hawkeye Compact in 308win, its pretty accurate rifle for such a short barrel, mine will group 3 shots in about 1/2 inch at 100 yards if I do my part. These are not target rifles, but basically a brush gun, yes, you will lose velocity because of the shorter barrel, but if you keep your shots at a respective distance, it will do a great job.

BenjiEDF · April 25th, 2012, 07:27 PM

I don't have any bolt action rifles in .223 but I have the Ruger Gunsite Scout .308 and the CZ-452 (.22lr). CZ Rifles are gorgeous and have a very smooth action, the 527 is an awesome gun. If you want iron sights the Ruger African is extremely nice but it'll run you around $850 (and it's a 23inch barrel) where I think the CZ is only $550?

side note: my CZ .22 is an absolute tackdriver.

Tater · April 26th, 2012, 01:36 AM

Couple of things.

My shooting buddy has a Ruger Compact in 308. It is absolutely a beautiful rifle and pretty accurate. Down sides are that it's so light it kicks like a bloody mule and also the barrel's profile is so thin that it will drift pretty quickly (2-3 shots and it's all over the place). I consider it a "very special purpose" rifle.

As far as whether it will shoot 5.56 ammo as well, I recommend you check with Ruger. They will reply quickly and it's well worth asking them the question. Not all rifles work with both.

gryphon · April 26th, 2012, 09:26 AM

Looks like I'm probably gonna go with the CZ. About the same weight but has a 2" longer barrel and iron sights. I don't know why Ruger doesn't offer an iron sight option at least on their compact model. The African looks really nice but I don't want to lug an 8lb rifle around in the woods.

TMan51 · April 26th, 2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gryphon

Looks like I'm probably gonna go with the CZ.

I have a CZ527. It's very light in the hand, and seriously accurate, like in groups in the 0.35 - 0.5" range for 5 shots.

gryphon · April 26th, 2012, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the info. That's what I like to hear. The CZ's are a seriously good looking rifle also. I had actually originaly wanted a carbine in .22 hornet but the ammo is just seriously overpriced if you don't roll your own.

Meeteetse · July 13th, 2012, 12:42 PM

My Ruger compact .223 shoots right at an inch but perhaps someone else could do better. It satisfies me. I love the little rifle and the fact that ammo is cheap and available, so I shoot more. I have no experience with CZ, I'm sure they are good, I just like Ruger's products. I have several and have never been disappointed.

blbolin · September 8th, 2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gryphon

I don't know if I'm going to go with the Hawkeye Compact or the CZ 527 carbine but I am going to buy a .223 carbine for sure. Just not sure which way to go. I wish the the Hawkeye was available with iron sights. Do any members have the hawkeye in .223? Have you been pleased with it? What kind of accuracy is it capable of at 100 and 200 yards? Any problems? Also, it can handle the 5.56 right?

I was considering the same .223 Ruger compact and I called Ruger and asked about shooting 5.56 in it, and Ruger said no, only .223! I know that many people say it would be OK and I see this same quesion all the time, but I have to go by what the guy who made the rifle says.
I called CZ and asked the same question about the CZ 527 Carbine, and CZ said the 527 was designed to handle 5.56 ammo, so regular .223 is also fine in it. I also like the iron sights as I already have the CZ Carbine in 7.62x39...great shooter.

roashooter · September 8th, 2012, 08:44 AM

I love my Rugers.....but in this choice...it is CZ527 without hesitation.....I bought a Ruger RSI 308 first year of production....I find the mannlicher stock just absolutly a sight to see....and waiting all the years for Ruger to come out with more RSIs ....forced me to try a CZ527FS...in 223.....absolutley a tack driver....the set trigger spoils me....sad/glad to say...I have sold off some Rugers to buy more CZs....but I will keep my vintage RSI308 forever