Need some help with a 527

[bacchanal]

I picked up a second hand 527 in 223, 2020 Carbine model. It seemed like it was kind of bathed in grease and possibly unfired (no sign of carbon).  I decided to take it apart and clean, lube, and re-torque everything.

As I was attempting to re-attach the stock, I was using a torque wrench at 35 in/lb on the action screws (double checked in/lb) and really felt like I was compressing the wood.  It did not feel right and I've had the stocks off of my 455/457s plenty of times.  I ended up putting everything back together with 20 in/lb of torque on the action screws. I noticed from the exploded diagram in the manual that I don't appear to have part 68, Rear Spacer.

https://cz-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cz527_en.pdf

Can anyone verify that this Rear Spacer part should be present on a 2020 Carbine model and what the approximate torque specs should be on the action?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[Wobbly]

I don't know the torque setting you're looking for, but... torque settings are usually listed as "dry". Presence of any thread lubricant would lower the setting. Some sources report as much as a 40% reduction !!

[bacchanal]

I don't know the torque setting you're looking for, but... torque settings are usually listed as "dry". Presence of any thread lubricant would lower the setting. Some sources report as much as a 40% reduction !!

That makes a lot of sense. I didn't put any lubricant on the action screws, but it's possible that they had some from the factory. I'll definitely keep that in mind going forward.

[sign216]

I've got a 527M carbine, 18.5 inch barrel, and it's got the rear spacer.  I was going to add a front spacer, just to get better metal to metal contact, but haven't done it yet.  I usually just tighten until it feels right.

Joe

[bacchanal]

I ordered a spacer from Numrich, and it definitely doesn't fit my stock. Also emailed CZ about it, but haven't heard back yet.

I've only had the rifle out to the range once and I was getting about 1.5" groups at 50 yds (62gr Freedom and American Eagle). Hoping to try again this weekend with different torque settings and ammo.

[david s]

In my experience the steel spacers were only in the rear screw hole and always short of actually doing anything. Stock pillars there not. Also, not every new 527 had them, it seems to be somewhat like the recoil lug epoxy that's sometimes there and other times isn't. Being they don't actually do anything I've removed them from the rifles that had them. You should be able to tighten down the action firmly enough to not move without pillars or glass bedding and not crush fit the stock. It is possible to pillar bed the 527 stocks if that's what you're after.

[bacchanal]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I torqued to 30 lbs and went to the range today. I was getting pretty consistent 1.5-2" 5 shot groups at 100 yards (including with some fancy Berger ammo), so I'm in the realm of acceptability, but I'm hoping that I can maybe squeeze a little more accuracy out of it eventually. I did have one real nice maybe 3/8" group at 50yds and couldn't quite bear to add a couple fliers to it, but that was not typical. At least there's hope to hold on to. So far, it seems to like some 77gr Freedom Munitions HPBTs. Does not seem to like 62s or I just haven't found the right ones.

::cheers::

[sign216]

I measured my rear bolt spacer.  I'm not sure it's original, but it's:  dia = 8.1mm  length = 31mm   

Mine isn't really a spacer, it's a split pin or tension pin (which may be why it measures slightly larger than a nominal 8mm).

If you want to try a front hole spacer, it's hole is right at 8mm, which makes it too small for a 8.1mm tension pin.  Correct length looks like 19 to 20mm.

[kaptnles1]

Does the 527 have a 1/10 twist?

Les

[bacchanal]

I measured my rear bolt spacer.  I'm not sure it's original, but it's:  dia = 8.1mm  length = 31mm   

Mine isn't really a spacer, it's a split pin or tension pin (which may be why it measures slightly larger than a nominal 8mm).

If you want to try a front hole spacer, it's hole is right at 8mm, which makes it too small for a 8.1mm tension pin.  Correct length looks like 19 to 20mm.

Thank you for this!

Does the 527 have a 1/10 twist?

Les

Mine is a 1:9 .223 18.5" carbine barrel. I believe the .223s were 1:12 until about 2014 or so and then they switched over to 1:9 barrels.

[kaptnles1]

My 223 will
Not balance anything over 62gr.
But It will send three 40gr nearly into one hole.

Les

[Buzzbait3]

My 527 MTR 223 really likes the 40 and 50 grain stuff much better than the heavier bullets. I shoot mainly 40 grain Vmax and Nosler 40 grain Ballistic Tip with X-Terminator powder.

[armoredman]

Don't email CZ-USA - call 'em. Good luck and good shooting - I miss my 527M every day...