CZ 453 1st Range Visit

[HEMI_Driver]

I am very new to the Hide and equally new to precision shooting. A month or so ago I purchased a FN PBR in .308 from a friend of mine. I really like the gun but didn't like paying for the ammo for weekly range visits. So, I decided to pick up a CZ 453 in .22LR to use as a trainer. I topped it with a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 and sat it on a Harris bipod.







I took her for her inagural range visit today. After zeroing the scope at 50yds I tried a few different brands of ammo. Ammo used was Wolf Match Target, Aguila Match Rifle, Eley Sport SV and Fiocchi SV. All were 40gr. I had high hopes for the Wolf MT due to all I've read on the Hide regarding it's performance. However, my 453 seemed to like the Aguila MR best at 50yds.



I did shoot some 100yd groups but I didn't save the targets. The Wolf MT and Eley Sport SV seemed to perform equally well at 100yds both providing groups of about 1" if you allow for the removal of 1 shanker out of each five shots.

Conditions were typical for Koko Head Shooting Complex, about 80 degrees and 80% humidity with gusting winds of 15-20 mph. This range is in a crater right next to the ocean so the winds tend to whip in and swirl around quite a bit. That mixed with my beginner status actually left me suprised at how well this little rifle performed! I am really looking forward to spending more time a the range with her. All the CZ hype is true! These little honeys are shooters!

 

[balls2elwall]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

ive been in the market for a 22 trainer gun too. is there anything you would buy or do different. and how much did you pick the cz up for?

 

[AlabamaShooter]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Glad to see another has been bitten by the CZ bug. Not bad shooting either. I love my 452, its a great lil rifle and a blast to shoot, it shoots cheap stuff well and really like the Wolf MT ammo, I have cut a string at 100yds with it(took about 15 rds to do it though)
Balls, I found mine here on the hide for about $350, but it came with a few extras. The dovetail rings on the CZ will do you just fine, but I went ahead and picked up a Rimfire Technologies base for mine. It will allow you to use any rings that will mount to a picatinny rail. Plus you can get it with MOA built in if you want to start stretching the .22 out past 100yds

 

[HEMI_Driver]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Thanks,AlabamaShooter!

balls2elwall, I picked up the 453 for $600 at my LGS. It was in stock (a big factor out here in Hawaii). The difference between the 452 (which is the most popular version) and the 453 is the 453 has a set trigger. The 452 Varmint comes with a heavy barrel.

If were to do it over... I would probaby go with the 452 Varmint and put an aftermaret trigger in it. I'd like to mock up my CZ into a mini tactical and the heavy barrel would lend a lot to the look. I haven't found any off-the-shelf heavy replacement barrels for this rifle but I did send an email to CZ-USA inquiring about the availability of a 452 Varmint barrel. The response I got was:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We actually do not offer separate barrels for the 452. The new 455 has interchangeable barrels.</div></div>
So, maybe I'll shoot the heck out of the 453 for now and then move to a 455 down the road. I haven't heard much regarding the 455 regarding accuracy/performance. For now, I'm happy with the 453.

 

[AlabamaShooter]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

No my cz doesnt have holes for the ones in the base. They are for set screws that put a tension on the base and keep it in position once it is slid onto the dovetail of the receiver.

 

[burkeknives]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Nice trainer.

 

[Banjo]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Been eyeballing a 452 varmit at the LGS for some time now. They seem to be well built rifles.....

 

[HEMI_Driver]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

If I were to drop by one of my local gun shops and find a 452/453 Varmint on the rack and I had the coin to bring it home... there would be very little inner debate even though I already have the American. It'd be mine.

 

[spaniel]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HEMI Driver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks,AlabamaShooter!

If were to do it over... I would probaby go with the 452 Varmint and put an aftermaret trigger in it. I'd like to mock up my CZ into a mini tactical and the heavy barrel would lend a lot to the look. I haven't found any off-the-shelf heavy replacement barrels for this rifle but I did send an email to CZ-USA inquiring about the availability of a 452 Varmint barrel. The response I got was:
</div></div>

Or, get a 453 Varmint. That's what I did.

 

[Geronimo]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Have you had any trouble with the set trigger? It seems to not work sometimes for me. Tried to shoe the shop where I picked it up at but it worked fine of course.

 

[HEMI_Driver]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.Myers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you had any trouble with the set trigger? It seems to not work sometimes for me. Tried to shoe the shop where I picked it up at but it worked fine of course. </div></div>
No, I haven't had any trouble with the set trigger. I use it most of the time but I'm not sure that I like it. What is yours doing (or not doing)?

I haven't been brave enough to try to adjust it yet either. Mine has some creep and it feels a little heavy for my taste. I'd prefer not to have to "set" the trigger each shot so maybe I'll get brave and open this baby up and tackle the adjustments. If I still don't like it I'll drop in a new trigger.

 

[Geronimo]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

just when I set it it was not firing, just clicks back and I still had to finish the pull, I actually liked it after I got used to it, great gun otherwise

 

[HEMI_Driver]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.Myers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just when I set it it was not firing, just clicks back and I still had to finish the pull, I actually liked it after I got used to it, great gun otherwise </div></div>
I would give CZ a call. It might be something you can adjust yourself. I'm sure they'd be willing to take care of the problem if you can't remedy it yourself.

 

[Longguns]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.Myers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you had any trouble with the set trigger? It seems to not work sometimes for me. Tried to shoe the shop where I picked it up at but it worked fine of course. </div></div>Sometimes my trigger feels like it has grit in it. Make sure the bolt is all the way down. Sometimes mine feels like it is set too light but it is still functioning properly. Rework your bolt to put it back in battery and it functions fine.

 

[HEMI_Driver]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Has anyone with the set trigger tried adjusting it? I haven't taken mine out of the stock yet but would like to fiddle with it before the next range visit.

My issues with the trigger with factory adjustment are creep and heavy pull weight. Overtravel seems to be okay.

Any experience would be great especially if it was positive as that would really boost my confidence.

Also, how was your zero when you put it back together?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Geronimo]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

Sorry haven't messed with mine out of the stock, the bolt needing to be set fully might be the problem, next time I take it out I'll pay more attention.

 

[annamariaslim]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

When you get the 453 dialed in, put a few hundred thru her, those groups will shrink to the point where you will cover them with a dime.

 

[spaniel]

Re: CZ 453 1st Range Visit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.Myers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you had any trouble with the set trigger? It seems to not work sometimes for me. Tried to shoe the shop where I picked it up at but it worked fine of course. </div></div>

No, I have had no issues, and it was good enough out-of-the-box that I have not had it out of the stock. I love the set trigger, I use it all the time on the range. In hunting situations (varmint, rabbits in the yard) it's dependent on the situation. I like the trigger in "normal" mode on this rifle too, so if I have to snap off a quick shot I use that but if I have time I use the set trigger. I got used to Anschutz triggers in college smallbore competition, I am ruined for life. I even put a Kepplinger set trigger on my Sendero now.