Help with CZ 527 .17HH Setup

[Swift220]

Well, after about a month of deciding between a 17WSM and a 17HH, the Hornet won out. I already have a Sako Quad Varmint wood stock and an Anschutz HB 1517 in 17HMR so I figured I'd be better off going with the 17HH.
I've decided on the CZ 527 Varmint and this will be my first ever CZ. I need some help because there are a few things that I'm confused about regarding the CZ.
First, being leg disabled, I bench shoot mostly and want to get a Calhoon single shot follower and a steel trigger guard. What confuses me after reading articles is the bolt handle & the scope mounts. I've got a Sightron SIII 6x24x50 30mm on hand so that's what I want to put on it. Will I need a new bolt handle?
Also, on nearly all my rifles, I use a Weaver style picatinny rails with Warne QD rings. It looks like this is out unless I used a DIP rail. What ring mounts would you recommend using this scope and what ring height? I do not shoot with my face buried into the stock, more so a little light cheek weld.
I'm a big fan of Warne & Talley mounts and also some Leupold's but I don't care a lot for Burris.
Thanks guys for any help & opinions you can give me. I really do appreciate it.

Jim D---

[johno]

If you are getting the Calhoon single shot follower also get his hunker mounts and modified bolt handle, I think you blokes can get a modifed one from CZ if your rifle is new it probably already has this bolt handle.

Johno

[Gerald D.]

The 527's the past couple of years have a modified handle from the factory, I'd look at 30mm mounts that attach directly to the receiver if it were me but everyone has their druthers.

[B23]

I have two CZ 527 Varmint models, one has Leupold medium rings that are specific for the 527's and the other has a DIP Inc pic rail with low Weaver rings, both use 30mm scopes. Can't really say that I like either setup any better than the other, the one with a pic rail gives you more options for ring choice but the one that uses the medium Leupold CZ 527 specific rings keeps the scope a little lower.

The bolt handle it comes with will be fine. Also, James Calhoon's hunker rings only come in 1in. scope tube size so they will not work for you.

[Chuck Miller]

I have that rifle and it comes with the modified bolt handle already. I have Talley's on one of my rifles and Leupolds on the 17HH. Rifles that I own that came with the factory CZ's I've spun off the rings for a more polished look. You'll like the rifle, using factory fodder mine has never shot over .75" and after 50 rounds down it and a good cleaning it's closer to .5". Can't say I've ever owned a factory rifle shooting factory ammo that has been that capable.

[ben lurkin]

One more thing to add, the CZ has a steel trigger guard already unless something has changed very recently. You should be fine with the factory bolt handle nowdays. In the past, I just took them to a grinding wheel to get enough clearance for the scope. I then reblued it after with the touch-up bluing but per above, the new ones should clear just fine.

[Swift220]

Thanks fellows, I appreciate all of you.

I know all guns have their own personality, but in general what's the best factory ammo to use? Best weight bullet and powder for reloading? I've got a bunch of IMR4198, CFE BLACK, RL7, & X-Terminator.

I haven't made up my mind yet as to buying a bunch of factory ammo & shooting it for the brass or just start with new Hornady brass & start loading from scratch.

Thanks again,

Jim D---
SE Texas (on the coast)

[Swift220]

Question 17HH brass:

I forgot to ask a question. I've read a lot that the new brass has some issues like primer pocket not deep enough & flash holes being off center.

Am I correct in assuming that if I buy new loaded ammo & shoot it for the brass, that these issues were corrected before Hornady loaded it?

Thanks,

Jim D

[Eric Mayer]

Buy the factory ammo and shoot it. The new 25 grain HP offering comes in a box of #50 for around $26.00. #50 brass can be found for around $22.00 to $24.00.

AmmoSeek - Ammo:
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/17-hornet

AmmoSeek - Brass:
https://ammoseek.com/reloading/brass/17-hornet

The 20 grain offering can be found for around $15.00 a box of #25, so even that isn't that much more expensive for accurate, loaded, factory ammo.

Eric

[Gerald D.]

I agree with Eric, the price of brass isn't enough lower than loaded ammo to go that way, so far I've had outstanding accuracy with the 20 gr. load and have a good bit of the 25 gr. to try out.