CZ vs Howa

[Jays375]

Looking for a short quick handling rifle.Do a lot coyote hunting with hounds.Want a bolt action rifle.Narrowed it down to a Howa Mini Action or CZ 527 Suppressor Ready.

[myrifle]

Howa for sure in that situation.

[Oso Polaris]

I have owned a number of CZ527's and only 1 Howa Mini. There won't be a second Howa Mini... it is a good base rifle, but the lack of focus on improving critical design flaws (magazines and mag release), responding to customer issues, and general PITA factor really handicap the Howa Mini.

IMO - CZ 527 is a better field rifle. It is a slightly smaller rifle footprint than a Howa Mini, and it has a better balance. More importantly the CZ factory metal magazines work flawlessly (feed reliably) and the magazine locking/release latch is designed and located to firmly hold the magazines with not risk of the magazine falling out of the rifle during normal use.... Howa wishes they could make this claim about their rifle. Also, CZ has a responsive customer service and a well-established aftermarket parts market. If you weren't interest in the CZ 527, then I would suggest that you look hard at the Ruger American Ranch before selecting Howa Mini.

I had a friend last week shooting on both my CZ 527 and Howa Mini.... He decided the CZ527 was better feeling rifle to shoot, and now he plans to use it as the base for his build.

[riuma]

CZ hands down. I have two Grendels. Both are fabulous rifles. The only suppressor ready models I own are the 300AAC and the 7.62x39. Accurate and handy. ~Riuma

[PaulieV]

You can't go wrong with either. I've got the mini and love it. Although I did replace the bottom plastic to prevent mag drops. Action is as slick as butter and I'm a big fan of the trigger.

[grayfox]

I put my howa in a chassis, and swapped over the mag release. The release now is small and stiff, and prevents those accidental mag drops of the past. I have the HB and it swings nice, and shoots well. threaded, ready for a suppr if you want it.

[Harpoon1]

I’ve got the Howa and a CZ 527 American with the 24” Sporter barrel.

If I was gonna use a can, I’d go with the suppressor ready CZ. It’s not even close!

Better balance.
Better magazines.
Better trigger.
Prefer control round feed action.

[Jays375]

The major problem is finding a CZ 527 Suppressor Ready.Gunbroker has some,mark up is really bad.

[Harpoon1]

The major problem is finding a CZ 527 Suppressor Ready.Gunbroker has some,mark up is really bad.

The Howa is not a bad option either, it’s just the CZ is better. IMO

There was someone here making an after market bottom metal for the Howa that would utilize the CZ mags. That, or the internal magazine option solves the Howa Mag latch issue. The gun feeds extremely well, the trigger is not bad. The only negative is the barrel is long and heavy compared to the CZ.

You’re gonna have to sink money in the Howa to bring it up to speed, whereas the CZ should be turn key and a better balanced gun, especially with a can.

Buy once, cry once!

[Jays375]

The problem is finding one.

[grayfox]

Watch brownells for a non-stock barreled action. You're going to want to mod the stock anyway.
You can set up a notification. They get them in from time to time.
Also, grabagun had some howa's just come in a couple days ago, I got the notifications.
best of luck, stay safe.

[Harpoon1]

The problem is finding one.

There were a bunch on Gunbroker last month, same thing, going for at least $850. I passed hoping also. Apparently everyone snatched them up, with hunting season almost here.

Sign of the times.

Have you called CZ USA and ask if they’re gonna ship anymore this year or that it? Maybe they where some are in stock?

Edited: Never mind trying to contact CZ USA, I took my own advice and it was all but useless. A complete waste of time, “Jacob” couldn’t tell me squat, anything, literally. Pitiful. They don’t know who has any in stock, or whether anymore are being shipped anytime soon. He just kept telling me “you have to order one from a dealer, and then wait for it to come in”! Yeah, no schitt! Really?

[Oso Polaris]

CZ is worth the wait.

[grayfox]

You can buy the howa threaded action/barrel at brownells right now, as in, today.
Or wait.....

HOWA 1500 6.5 GRENDEL 20" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED MINI ACTION | Brownells

[ricsmall]

Howa mini. Shorten the mag for 4 round flush fit and keep the factory stock. For your purposes this will be perfect. Never been a fan of the CZ as a field gun because of the metal mag hanging out. At least with the howa shortening the mag is easy and works, and you only lose 1 round capacity. I have the 20” light contour from when the howa first hit the streets. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s still available.

[riuma]

You can buy the howa threaded action/barrel at brownells right now, as in, today.
Or wait.....

HOWA 1500 6.5 GRENDEL 20" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED MINI ACTION | Brownells

If getting your hands on a bolt action as fast as possible is your goal, for whatever reason, then this might be your route. I agree with Oso P though. A CZ is worth waiting to save up the additional $300. When I ordered my Varmint Grendel I paid up front and the dealer gave me a "cost plus" pricing. Ended up costing me $675.~Riuma

[Rufjustis]

Patiently waiting for my LGS to get me a CZ... It's been a couple months now since I had him order me a 527 and I'll be waiting this time next year if thats what it takes. Lucky for me I've got my two AR's in 6.5 Grendel to make the time pass!! LOL

[grayfox]

Just got back from a "field trial" of my 20" howa, with 3 loads, 2 handloads and 1 factory.
All groups were at 100 yds.
123sst AR comp 27.4, 2510 fps, 4 shots 0.756".
120 gold dot Lever 31.2, (2.280 coal) 2511 fps, 4 shots 0.716 and same POA as the sst.
115 Tac-tx m/le Factory load, 5 shots, 0.879", 2510 fps. This one shoots 1" to the right, easy scope tweak to use it.

I would think, all things considered, that either way you go should be fine for you. It's just your choice, is all.


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[riuma]

Patiently waiting for my LGS to get me a CZ... It's been a couple months now since I had him order me a 527 and I'll be waiting this time next year if thats what it takes. Lucky for me I've got my two AR's in 6.5 Grendel to make the time pass!! LOL

Call "The Fort" in Big Timber , Montana. (google it. Big Timber ain't that big) They had one on the shelf two weeks ago and never seem to lack CZ's. It's where I bought my latest American 7,62x39. ~Riuma

[ricsmall]

Patiently waiting for my LGS to get me a CZ... It's been a couple months now since I had him order me a 527 and I'll be waiting this time next year if thats what it takes. Lucky for me I've got my two AR's in 6.5 Grendel to make the time pass!! LOL

Call Pinetree gun and pawn in Thomasville, Georgia. Not sure which CZ you want but they have a shorter barreled one with synthetic stock on the wall. They close at 2 eastern today. They’ll ship to your FFL