527 to 6.5 Grendel

[gulfdaddy]

I have on order a 527 carbine in 7.62x39 and will be changing it over to a Grendel.  Looking for input on the new barrel.  Things like make, twist and contour.  I have in mind a 20" in something like a sporter or heavy sporter.  This will be my predator walk around rifle and Texas white tail slayer.  I have previous experience with Savage replacement barrels from McGowen and Shilen.  Both did fine and with the bbl nut it was a breeze. Ordering one was a breeze but not sure what to ask for when ordering for the CZ.  Thread, chamber and such things.  Is that something to be left to the smith?  And yes a gun smith will be doing this install.  Any opinions, references, ect. are welcomed.  My options are open, I just want it light and accurate.  Thanks, Gary 

[PA451]

I had one done this past July.

I went with a stainless Bartlein barrel because the smith I used had one in stock. He had bought it for a customer's project but then the project was cancelled and he was stuck with it. Twist is 1:8.5, which works for me. I had him Cerakote the barrel and the rest of the rifle to match. It was slightly more expensive than I planned, but I'm happy with the result.

My intent for this project was similar to yours; to have a handy, walk-around deer rifle. It turned into more of a target gun, but it's still fairly light and handy and I did use it for deer hunting this year. Got a nice buck with it on the last day.

Mine is cut down to 18". It was a medium heavy barrel. I wanted it threaded for a suppressor, which I should have within a few weeks. I wanted it as light as possible while still providing a good shoulder for the suppressor to index against. So basically I asked the smith to give me 18" as far forward on the barrel as he could while still providing enough diameter for the shoulder.

I'm using a stock from a 527 Varmint Kevlar; still trying to sell the original walnut stock from the Carbine.

Here are some pics:









I'm using a flash suppressor on it just as a thread protector.

[gulfdaddy]

Thanks for your feed back on this build.  What you have done is very much what I had in mind.  I may even have it threaded for later use with a can. Great looking rifle.  Gary

[viking499]

PA, nice looking rifle.

[calypsocoral]

I have on order a 527 carbine in 7.62x39 and will be changing it over to a Grendel.  Looking for input on the new barrel.  Things like make, twist and contour.  I have in mind a 20" in something like a sporter or heavy sporter.  This will be my predator walk around rifle and Texas white tail slayer.  I have previous experience with Savage replacement barrels from McGowen and Shilen.  Both did fine and with the bbl nut it was a breeze. Ordering one was a breeze but not sure what to ask for when ordering for the CZ.  Thread, chamber and such things.  Is that something to be left to the smith?  And yes a gun smith will be doing this install.  Any opinions, references, ect. are welcomed.  My options are open, I just want it light and accurate.  Thanks, Gary

Just an FYI, there is also 6.5CSS (Competition Shooting Sports), which, according to what I've been reading so far, might be compatible with 6.5 Grendel. They make a 20" barrel for the CZ-527, too.

http://www.competitionshooting.com/catalogue/category33/p1619

[truckjohn]

My own feeling is that part of the beauty of a small, light rifle is being able to carry it around long distances....  My experience has been that much of hunting is carrying around rifles...

My standard 527 carbine with a Leupold 4x weighs in at around 7 lbs all-in, including a mag full of ammo...  and it's my go to hunting rifle now...  I have no issues making hits out at 200 yards with it...

With that in mind... I have plenty of heavy rifles that I just won't carry around in the woods.... My own opinion on the matter for a Hunting rifle you plan to carry around a lot is to stick with a fairly light profile barrel... I would personally stick with the sporter weight and either go with the 18" or 20" length...

The last thing is.... with the high end barrels - they really do behave so much more nicely as they warm up and through extended shooting sessions when compared to "Factory" barrels....  My Shilen barrels will print the 1st shot right into the same small group as the 5th or 10th round...  Can't say the same about the CZ factory barrel....

On the replacement barrel.. Remember that the factory CZ barrel headspaces on the inner shoulder... and that the front receiver face is tapered rather than a flat torque shoulder like on an older Mauser...  so you will have to do some modifications to the receiver if you want to do an adjustable headspace / barrel-nut barrel....

Thanks