I’m always on the lookout for rifles chambered in unique small caliber wildcat cartridges. Sometimes, I find them in one of the Idaho for sale pages. Other times, I find them at local auction houses. However, this time, I was perusing Gun Broker and came across a CZ Model 527 chambered in .20 Ackley Hornet. It was barreled by Bob Green, a known gunsmith who works on varmint type chambers/rifles.
When seeking out wildcat rifles, it is extremely important to look for accompanying items, like dies and brass. Sometimes, sellers will sell this items as part of the rifle package. While others hold these items back, with the buyer of the rifle given the chance to buy the items directly from the seller. Make sure you check with the seller beforehand to find out exactly what they have and how much it will cost.
After reaching out to the seller on the available extras, I waited a couple of weeks to see if there would be any activity on the rifle auction. Thankfully, there was not any activity on the auction. At that point, decided to make an offer to the seller as he had the offer option open. The rifle was originally listed for $1875.00. I offered $1600.00, and it was accepted within minutes.
After using the immediate checkout option, I contacted the seller again about the extras. He sent some pictures of two sets of custom dies, gallon sized Ziplock bags filled with handloaded ammunition and another bag of brass. We came to an agreement on the extras and I knew that it was a great deal.
I received the .20 Ackley Hornet rifle, ammo, brass and dies today.
Here’s the breakdown:
2005 – CZ Model 527 American
22″ Stainless Barrel
Trigger Guard modified
Calhoon 3 Round flush magazine
#940 rounds – Loaded Ammunition (annealed)
32 grain Z-Max = 560 rounds
32 grain V-Max = 380 rounds
13.5 grains of powder appears to be Lil Gun, Win 296 or H110. Most likely one of the first two.
#263 pieces of fired brass. Primers show no sign of pressure.
Redding Custom Dies – FL Resize and Bullet Seater.
Neil Jones Custom Sizing Die with #5 different bushings.
All in, with a conservative calculation, the “extras” were valued at $1240.00.
I will be testing some of the handloads at the range, but the meticulous handling of the brass, consistency of the powder charge and the exacting measurements of the cartridges’ overall length, tells me these should be fine to shoot out of the strong 527 action. Lastly, after doing some background checking, it seems the original owner and handload developer was very experienced in working with wildcat cartridges.
I will post some updates on this rifle build and the unique .20 Ackley Hornet cartridge.
- A Unique Rifle – CZ Model 527 in .20 Hornet Ackley Improved - November 25, 2025
- My Favorite New Factory Rifles of 2025 - October 28, 2025
- Winchester XPert Rifle in 17WSM – A Summary of an Upcoming Review - September 16, 2025
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