I've had a few 527's, all varmint models, the only two I've kept are 17 Hornets and that's mostly because IMO they are the best option in 17 Hornet. The best shooting 527 I've had has probably been the one chambered in 204. It shot about as good as you can ever expect a factory gun to shoot. That doesn't mean my others didn't shoot well, just that the one in 204Ruger shot consistently better. Sold it to a friend that is still shooting it.
The CZ 527's IMO were a good value when you could buy them new for $6-$700 but I see used 527's going for 1500-1500++ and that's just nuts. They're a nice little gun but no way are they worth 1500+.
The 527 is a solid little action but they're kind of crude and bolt fit is rather sloppy. They still function fine but they're a bit unrefined.
The trigger is very adjustable and easy to work on. Personally, I don't like using the set trigger because it not only moves the gun to much when I push it forward to "set" it but then it puts the trigger further forward and for me it's in a awkward position so I replace the pull rate spring and that allows me to adjust it down as low as I want without using the "set" trigger.
The 17 Rem and 204Ruger 527's I had would feed fine through the magazine but like was already mentioned they're fairly short on allowable OAL but James Calhoon makes a real nice single shot follower you can use if your OAL exceeds what the factory mags allow. Feeding from the mags in my 17 Hornets isn't nearly as smooth and those rimmed cases require a much more deliberate hold on the bolt handle when cycling rounds through it. Once you learn the tricks to cycling 17 Hornet rounds through one it's no big deal but until you do it can be frustrating.
Everyone bitches about the safety being backwards, which it is, but it's no biggie and you get used to it.
As was already mentioned the comb height on the factory stocks is pretty low so unless you plan on putting some kind of cheek riser on it you can't use much over a 42-44mm scope and you'll want to use the lowest set of rings you can get. I have Vortex HD LH 3-15x42 on my 17 Hornets and with Warne medium rings it worked out ok but any ring taller and I'd need to add a cheek riser of some sort. I had a 50mm on my 204 and had the scope down as low as I could get without touching the barrel and it was way to high had to add a cheek riser to that one. Lifting your head up off the stock to see through the scope just doesn't work for me.
Aesthetically, if you like that old school blued and wood look, the 527's were a pretty little gun and though they had their quirks about them they're still a nice piece and generally shoot pretty well. I don't really miss the 527's I had in 17 Rem or 204 Ruger because I think there are better options if I want one of those but the CZ 527 IMO was the best option for a 17 Hornet and it's unfortunate we don't have that one anymore and I'm thankful I have the two that I do.
