Well, first of all my Kalinka scope is not on this rifle as planned... with the forward mounted adjustment turret and layout of the scope, it would not clear the bolt handle and just felt awkward. I'll find another use for it, I suppose. My carbine now wears a 4x Leupold compact in Talley rings.
At 50 yards (getting the scope dialed in) I was practically cloverleafing the rounds in the x ring...no problems whatsoever. Sighted in with some OLD Lapua ball...which is great ammo, but about 2/3 were duds. I've heard the Finnish primers don't hold up too well to long term storage, and this stuff was 20 years old at least.
With my handloads (not a recommendation, your mileage may vary, check published load data first, if you blow up it's not my fault) of new Winchester cases, Winchester large rifle primer, 44.5 grains IMR 4198, Sierra 125 Spitzer, 5 shot groups at 50 yards were about the same, sub one inch.
With the rifle warmed up, 100 yard groups were good. I had one where 4 were touching and one was about 1/2 inch away. EXCELLENT accuracy potential.
Unfortunately, when I left the rifle for a while to shoot something else, and it cooled down....the Point of Impact shifted 1" left and 3 to 4 inches up. As it warmed up, it returned approximately to zero and started laying 'em in...but you could see the stringing back to original zero as it warmed.
The barrel channel is touching on the right side of the barrel, like every other 527 I've seen. I'm going to free float this one....and my 527 American .223...and am confident that this will solve my problem permanently.
Anyhow, great little rifle and great accuracy potential. Perfect 100 to 150 yard Deer and Pig gun.
Interesting point: with the throat on this rifle, it's impossible to load a bullet (at least the 125 Sierra) long enough to touch the lands, and still have it fit in the magazine. My handloads were loaded to just fit in the mag.
