Considering buying this gun, How much power do you think I need to shoot out to 300yds. Coyotes/Groundhogs will be the targets. brand suggestions appreciated.
Scope for CZ527 American.223
- Thread starter scattergun2570
- Start date
I would ask "what is your budget ?" Personally I like scopes in the 5x20 or 6x24 range for groundhogs.Although if your eyes are still sharp you can consider 6x18. Better to have the power and not use it than need it and not have it. I like Nikon, Leupold, Vortex,Weaver, Zeiss, Swaro etc. you can find models by these manufacturers that will do the job and fit any budget. Buy the best glass you can afford, read a bunch of reviews on any scope you are considering before buying.
Eastern Coyotes don't stay still for very long, at least not the ones that I've hunted/shot/missed 
(I'm assuming eastern, due to your location)
For that reason alone, you'll need quick target acquisition, which includes some potential close range range shots, (50yds) depending on where you're hunting of course. I don't disagree with the suggestion of a 3-9, which was noted above... It would be perfect for what you're using it for. I've had many groundhogs pop up at 25 yards, and I couldn't get on them because I had my high-power scope cranked up at the time.
As far as having enough power to see bullets holes at 300 yards... Use a spotting scope in this case.
A bit of mirage, and I can't see my 6mm bullet holes at 300yds with my 32x Sightron or my 32x NightForce.
I guess my point is, if you go high power, you might as well go 32x + lol! (give you self a chance to see bullet holes when shooting paper)
If not, do the basic 3-9, or maybe a 4-12. They fit well into the typical north-eastern woods and field layout.
just my .02.... but, of course, the cat can be skinned in many ways....
(I'm assuming eastern, due to your location)For that reason alone, you'll need quick target acquisition, which includes some potential close range range shots, (50yds) depending on where you're hunting of course. I don't disagree with the suggestion of a 3-9, which was noted above... It would be perfect for what you're using it for. I've had many groundhogs pop up at 25 yards, and I couldn't get on them because I had my high-power scope cranked up at the time.
As far as having enough power to see bullets holes at 300 yards... Use a spotting scope in this case.
A bit of mirage, and I can't see my 6mm bullet holes at 300yds with my 32x Sightron or my 32x NightForce.
I guess my point is, if you go high power, you might as well go 32x + lol! (give you self a chance to see bullet holes when shooting paper)
If not, do the basic 3-9, or maybe a 4-12. They fit well into the typical north-eastern woods and field layout.
just my .02.... but, of course, the cat can be skinned in many ways....
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
I had a 6.5-20 on mine, 6.5 was too slow to hind the target, it now has a 4.5-14. A 3-9 may even be a better choice.
I'd put a straight 6x or a very good quality 3x9 on and not be underscoped for what you want to do. I would be particularly careful not to put anything larger than a 40mm objective on, as the stock does not allow a very good cheek position for me.
I would think a Leupold VX-R 3-9 would be great with the firedot for low light times...very similar to the 3-9 Burris edot that is on my 17 Remington CZ.
MQ1
I would think a Leupold VX-R 3-9 would be great with the firedot for low light times...very similar to the 3-9 Burris edot that is on my 17 Remington CZ.
MQ1
Sightron and Leupold both make a 4.5-14x without an adjustable objective. Two of my favorite scopes for varmint hunting. Plenty of power at 14x and you never get caught with the AO at the wrong setting for a close up shot or a long distance shot. Not an ideal target scope, but a great hunting scope.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I SECOND THE 4.5X14'S AND 6X20'S. YOU DO GET USED TO SHOOTING A PARTICULAR POWER RANGE AND A LITTLE GETTING USED TO QUICKLY FINDING GAME IN HIGHER POWER SETTINGS - BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS POWER DOWN. BUY A 6X AND YOU BETTER LIKE IT. I PERSONALLY WOULDN'T EVEN PUT ONE ON MY .22 RIMFIRE. LOOK THROUGH SEVERAL TO FIND WHAT SUITS YOU.
I'm a firm believer in using the best tool for the job.
If your coyotes are just targets of opportunity while your groundhog hunting, yes one of the higher power scopes will work just fine, the weaver 4-16 would be perfect, it also has a smaller ocular housing making it a good fit on a 527, Same with the Leupold scopes. When you get into scopes with quick adjustable eye pieces the ocular housing gets much larger and can be a tight fit on a 527 requiring much higher rings for clearance of the bolt handle.
If you are calling coyotes, shots can be much closer, I've shot a number of them at my shoelaces. For me on a calling rifle in country where shots are under 300 yards I find FOV trumps "X's" every time. Coyotes are big targets and 4-6 power is fine to 300 yards, my goto scopes on coyote/predator calling rifles are 1-420mm and 1.5-6x40mm with FOV's 60' -100' target acquisition is quick and with practice you can shoot them like a red dot on the lowest power. For more open country I use a 2.5-10x40mm on my 22-250, plenty of X's to reach out there and still at least a 40' FOV for that coyote that just appears out of nowhere(a crease in the terrain or direction you didn't expect. My scopes stay on the lowest power, you always have time to turn the power up but never enough to turn it down.
Thoughts on fixed 4's or 6's the fov on a 4x is around 24' and the 6x is 17' now if you are going to use one of them why not just use a 4-16 or 6x24, the FOV's are the same as the fixed scopes on the bottom end and you have the advantage of cranking up the power if needed.
Personally if I had to have the same rifle set up to call coyotes and shoot groundhogs I put a 4-16x40mm Weaver on it and quick detach rings for ground hogs and buy a in expensive Leupold Freedom in 1.5-4x20mm also in quick detach rings and put it on for coyote calling. I'm guessing you could do that for around $500.
If your coyotes are just targets of opportunity while your groundhog hunting, yes one of the higher power scopes will work just fine, the weaver 4-16 would be perfect, it also has a smaller ocular housing making it a good fit on a 527, Same with the Leupold scopes. When you get into scopes with quick adjustable eye pieces the ocular housing gets much larger and can be a tight fit on a 527 requiring much higher rings for clearance of the bolt handle.
If you are calling coyotes, shots can be much closer, I've shot a number of them at my shoelaces. For me on a calling rifle in country where shots are under 300 yards I find FOV trumps "X's" every time. Coyotes are big targets and 4-6 power is fine to 300 yards, my goto scopes on coyote/predator calling rifles are 1-420mm and 1.5-6x40mm with FOV's 60' -100' target acquisition is quick and with practice you can shoot them like a red dot on the lowest power. For more open country I use a 2.5-10x40mm on my 22-250, plenty of X's to reach out there and still at least a 40' FOV for that coyote that just appears out of nowhere(a crease in the terrain or direction you didn't expect. My scopes stay on the lowest power, you always have time to turn the power up but never enough to turn it down.
Thoughts on fixed 4's or 6's the fov on a 4x is around 24' and the 6x is 17' now if you are going to use one of them why not just use a 4-16 or 6x24, the FOV's are the same as the fixed scopes on the bottom end and you have the advantage of cranking up the power if needed.
Personally if I had to have the same rifle set up to call coyotes and shoot groundhogs I put a 4-16x40mm Weaver on it and quick detach rings for ground hogs and buy a in expensive Leupold Freedom in 1.5-4x20mm also in quick detach rings and put it on for coyote calling. I'm guessing you could do that for around $500.
I hunt a lot of groundhogs, been doing it for a long time and my range is about the same as yours, i.e. 300 yards and under - mostly under.
I believe the ideal magnification for that application is between 12x and 16x. I have several old excellent Leupold VX3's 4.5 x 14 with a adjustable objectives, 1" diameter tubes that would fit nicely on your smaller rifle. I have these mounted on my Rem Model 7's which are reduced sized rifles I use for stalking. I prefer the standard duplex reticle since I often hunt in the early evenings under fading light and this reticle stands out better for me than the fine duplex.
I have a couple of Bushnell Elites (16X) on my heavy varmint rifles. These are some of the clearest scopes I've ever owned.
Too bad they don't make the excellent Leupold VX2's, the 4 x 12 and 6 x18's anymore, these were outstanding. If you can find a used one check them out. Might be available since it seems every one needs scopes for shooting 600 - 1000 yards these days.
The magnification, within reason for your application, is not as critical as having a clear scope. Shots on ground hogs often involve obscured profiles due to the height of the vegetation where you are hunting so having a clear view is critical. Don't make the mistake I made in ordering a scope via the internet unless the seller has a liberal return policy. I ordered a Vortex Viper 4 x 16 and its fuzzy above 10x.
PS: For many years, in the old days, I hunted groundhogs and foxes with an old Redfield 3 x 9 scope (excellent scope in those days - not sure about the ones today). Truly never found it lacking for shots in the 250 yard range.
I believe the ideal magnification for that application is between 12x and 16x. I have several old excellent Leupold VX3's 4.5 x 14 with a adjustable objectives, 1" diameter tubes that would fit nicely on your smaller rifle. I have these mounted on my Rem Model 7's which are reduced sized rifles I use for stalking. I prefer the standard duplex reticle since I often hunt in the early evenings under fading light and this reticle stands out better for me than the fine duplex.
I have a couple of Bushnell Elites (16X) on my heavy varmint rifles. These are some of the clearest scopes I've ever owned.
Too bad they don't make the excellent Leupold VX2's, the 4 x 12 and 6 x18's anymore, these were outstanding. If you can find a used one check them out. Might be available since it seems every one needs scopes for shooting 600 - 1000 yards these days.
The magnification, within reason for your application, is not as critical as having a clear scope. Shots on ground hogs often involve obscured profiles due to the height of the vegetation where you are hunting so having a clear view is critical. Don't make the mistake I made in ordering a scope via the internet unless the seller has a liberal return policy. I ordered a Vortex Viper 4 x 16 and its fuzzy above 10x.
PS: For many years, in the old days, I hunted groundhogs and foxes with an old Redfield 3 x 9 scope (excellent scope in those days - not sure about the ones today). Truly never found it lacking for shots in the 250 yard range.
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