CZ 527 Varmint MTR
Imagine an extremely reliable light rifle with an effective range of over 300 meters and accuracy nearly matching sniper specials. Does it sound a bit like wishful thinking? Then you haven’t had a chance to meet the latest addition to the popular CZ 527 model series.
In 2015 CZ launched the CZ 557 Varmint, a universal hunting and sporting rifle. Thanks to its well thought out design, use of modern technologies and refined stock, it enabled the users to achieve great shooting performances they previously found only in significantly more expensive specials designed for snipers and top athletes.
The customers’ enthusiastic response has shown that this is a path worth following further. This year we can therefore welcome two more models inspired by the 557 Varmint: the CZ 557 Varmint Synthetic with an original symmetrical polymer stock and adjustable buttplate in the Medium category, and the completely new CZ 527 Varmint MTR light rifle in the Lite category.
MTR stands for Match Target Rifle, yet it is probably a good thing that the company does not use the whole name. As, although it is a rifle whose accuracy matches that of a target rifle for sport shooting, it most definitely isn’t a rifle just for shooting ranges. On the contrary, CZ has once again brought you a versatile rifle which is excellent for various types of modern sport shooting, including FITASC, while also being a great rifle to use for real hunting.
There are several features that point at high accuracy, from the cold hammer forged thick-walled barrel and perfectly ergonomic Turkish walnut stock to the fully adjustable trigger mechanism. Regarding the 650 mm long barrel, it is worth mentioning the M18x1 thread on the target pattern muzzle for the attachment of a compensator or a silencer which is fast becoming the necessary accessory to have in some countries. The walnut stock with its distinctive pistol grip may at first glance resemble the design of the CZ 557 Varmint, but look again and you will find a number of differences. The crucial difference is in the specific shape of the buttstock which does not have a raised comb, while the smooth slanted bottom part allows the user to finely adjust aiming with, for example, a rear bag. The wide, flat forend allows comfortable shooting with support. And because the stock is oiled, the user does not have to worry about minor damage that is inevitable in hunting. Should he not want his stock to acquire such a patina, the surface can be easily restored. Finally, the trigger mechanism – for the first time ever in the CZ 527 series, it comes from the CZ 557 model and the user can set the trigger travel, as well as the trigger pull weight between 10 and 22 N. That basically means from a minimum reset trigger to one that requires the finger to put some work in.
What is new is the calibres on offer: besides the classic pair of .222 Rem. and .223 Rem., the CZ 527 Varmint MTR is available in the 6.5 Grendel calibre which, according to many experts, is the best in its category and boasts truly excellent indoor and outdoor ballistics. It is thanks to this calibre that the CZ 527 rifle can now easily “reach” distances of more than 300 meters, thereby opening some very interesting new possibilities for many fans of the “mini mauser” from Uherský Brod.
The CZ 527 Varmint MTR is, of course, intended for use with a riflescope. As is the tradition, there are removable metal 5-round magazines for all three current calibres. And as a curiosity, it might be interesting to know that with its 1 130 mm, this versatile hunting and sports “sniper” is currently the longest of all the CZ 527 models. And it is also the heaviest – without cartridges it weighs about 4 kg (depending on the properties of the individual walnut timber). However, shooters who are in the know will undoubtedly be happy to accept this in return for the superb shooting performance.