10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

[KSchlick]

I have been looking for a rimfire 22 so I can join in the Rimfire matches here on the 'hide. I have been looking at Savages, but finding a heavy barreled model is just about impossible these days.
My local shop has a Ruger 10-22 Light Varmint, and a CZ 455 American in stock. I had originally wanted a bolt action for the training aspect, but the 10-22 LV feels really nice and I see a lot of guys on here having good luck with their 10-22s. The CZ is really really nice, but it's not heavy barreled, and it's about $60 more. I am stretching like crazy to even reach the Ruger (I'm a cop with two kids in college, I'm used to it). I could buy a set of rings with that $$, but if there would be a big difference in performance, I'd rather put it toward the rifle and worry about the rings etc. later.
I am also not familiar with the 455, as opposed to the 452.

Of these two rifles, which would you recommend?

 

[Early Cuyler]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

The CZ will most likely have better accuracy out of the box compared to the 10/22. But then again I personally think everyone should own a 10/22. They're tons of fun, easily modified, but the investment will be greater to match CZ's accuracy. Also it's my understanding the CZ455 can change barrels easily which allows you to try different rimfire calibers if you get the itch.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

CZ all day long. I wouldnt sweat the heavy barrel if you cant find one the regular barrels shoot just fine although I did chop 4" off of mine.

And yes the 455 barrels do swap out very easily. I have 22lr and 17HMR barrels.

 

[isaaccarlson]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

I have a 455 and my wife has a modified 10/22. Both will hold their own. My wife has over $600 into her 10/22 and I have about $450 into my CZ. This is without scopes of course. If you include the scopes, sling, and bipod, the 10/22 would be around $800 and the CZ would sit at around $1,200.

Either one will fit the bill, but the 10/22 is louder, being a semi auto.

 

[nobbie333actual]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

if you don't have a 10/22 get one. They are fun and cheap to upgrade

 

[predatornut]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

I've had three 10-22's. I was not happy with any of them. Constant jams and a terrible trigger don't make for fun at the range for me. I just recently picked up a 452 and love it. The trigger had a lot of creep out of the box, but I picked up a YoDave kit for ~$25 and its much better. IMHO by the time you finish modifying the 10-22 to get it usable you will exceed the cost of the CZ.

 

[KSchlick]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

I had a 10/22 and played around with modifying it <span style="font-style: italic">a little</span>.. wasn't happy either, but it had a regular barrel then a Butler Creek carbon fiber barrel (I know, not exactly "quality" stuff). It shot ok but not GOOD. I was hoping the factory heavy barrel would be better, but I just can't quite convince myself of it - which is why I didn't bring it home.

The CZ feels wonderful... but it's significantly more $$$

I just got the youngest's college bill for next year... (have 2 in college now) The Savage Mark II F sporter barrel for $147 at WalMart is looking pretty darn good at the moment. Right there next to it hangs the "Budget Trainer" Centerpoint 4-16X for $69.
Might have to go that route just to get "into the game" for now.

 

[Downzero]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

I would gladly buy a bolt gun, but I've yet to see one under $500 that had all of the features that I want, so I put a barrel + stock on my 10/22 and fell in love with it again.

A Volquartsen hammer goes a long way for a 10/22.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: 10-22 Light Varmint or CZ 455 American?

So what features do you want?

My CZ 455 was 420.00 OTD the 452 was 360.00 OTD two years ago and the last 10/22 I purchased four months ago was 280.00 OTD. IMO the extra 140.00 spent on the CZ gets you alot more performance.

Hey I'm not knocking the 10/22 at all I have had more than a few over the years and I'm planning on picking up another next week when the local super hunting store has their annual spring sale. All things being equal the CZ out the box is a better (and more accurate) rifle. From there the 10/22 and 455 are legos to be tricked out as funds permit.

I was initially hesitant about the 455 as the initial reports were problematic but they seem to have the wrinkles ironed out. What I do like about the 455 over the 452 is that they are modular and the aftermarket support is there although not as plentiful as the 10/22.

I will say the 10/22 is an all around more versatile platform as you can go in several directions with regards to how it can be configured. My favorite build on a 10/22 was a 16" with a scout rail and a primary arms red dot, it was fairly cheap, very handy and a fun plinker. My least favorite was a build on a Tac Sol receiver that ended up pushing the 1K mark (w/o glass) and was only marginally more accurate than a stock 452 16" I guess for the money invested I was expecting more.