Re: CZ 455 Varmint Review
Overall the CZ 455 Varmint is an attractive package that allows the switching of calibers to add versatility. Surely there will be custom barrels available from other manufacturers as it is very easy to swap out and no gunsmithing involved, just a 3mm hex wrench. Either a CZ .22WMR, .17HMR, .17Mach2 barrel can be installed (sporter or bull according to CZ), and a quick removal of the magazine spacer and a change of magazines is all that is needed.
The factory trigger has much to be desired, but there are several aftermarket options available. As mentioned previously, the set trigger group should have been used. The action mounting bolts are spaced nicely at either side of the receiver, and the Torx (#T-30) adds a solid grip for torqueing.
The barrel channel is opened very wide, which is hard to find. Perhaps it's to help with the removal / installation of the barrel. But it does offer a true free float.
So far if wanting to make up a dedicated "tool kit" for a CZ 455:
3mm hex (Allen) wrench
T-30 Torx bit
3/32nd punch for the trigger pins (i'll give my brass sight drifts a try first, or use an extra Allen wrench of the same size), and to politely push out the magazine release lever and spacer.
To nit pick a little, the maunual that came with the rifle is less than optimal, with text referring you to figures / pictures that are not in it. So those that are not mechanically inclined may have a little difficulty understanding what to do. However there is a lot of information on the internet on how to adjust or replace the trigger, and an actual video of how to change barrels is available on the CZ site.
Perhaps another suggestion would be the addition of the receiver being drilled and tapped for "regular" scope bases, and maybe a better looking trigger guard should have been considered. A three position saftey would have also been a good addition.
It appears CZ has answered the question of "Which caliber?" by allowing you change as you go, both with sporter and bull barrels. Although this is a not a new concept, it is done really well, wrapped with a Walnut stock, and in a package which is unmistakably CZ.
As a range report is not available at this time one will be added in the future to confirm that the 455 holds true to the same accuracy they are known for.
UPDATE - 05/27/2012 RANGE REPORT
The range gods were smiling today, our local range is noted for wind especially as the ground starts to warm, however barely a breeze & warm so off to the range.
To start off, I did a quick boresight and shot 2 rounds (lower left bull) and then made some adjustments to the scope to "bring it in". After 25 rounds, the rifle was shooting 1" groups at 50 yards, by the 6th group (upper right) and shooting lines (upper left) I was confident enough to get a "virgin rifle" range report. It was also interesting to see the groups shrink as more rounds were shot. After 150 rounds the groups were a jagged hole at 50 yards.
First a few things about the rifle. Shooting from the bench, the comb of the stock was very comfortable, as being a lefty I could not take full advantage of the palm swell, but the cheek weld and grip was comfortable none the less. Closing the bolt shot after shot had a solid feeling to it. The bolt felt smoother and smoother as it was getting broken in.
I did notice one thing and don't know if it is a common element or just individual to my rifle, but the last round in the magazine just didn't want to feed properly. 22 fired 5 round mags out of 25 and 3 different types of ammo had this happen, so I become tolerant of it. The bullet also deformed slightly and the shot actually printed badly on paper. A couple of the groups below have that 5th and 10th round printing away from the rest of the group. No big deal though, the magazine spring pressure can be tweeked, hopefully that is the only issue on that topic. All of the spent shells from all three ammos ejected consistantly to the 2:30 ish of the shooter, out and way from the shooter, almost AR15 like. The ejection was so consistant that a well placed coffee cup could catch most of the spent shells.
If there was one thing that really problematic was the trigger. Way too much creep (which will be fixed with a trigger kit in the future) that was inconsistant - one time it was somewhat smooth taking up the slack (yes, that is where that saying comes from), and sometimes it was gritty and in "stages" - BUT when the slack was taken up, the trigger broke clean, on the lowest poundage setting advertised as being anywhere between 2.5 to 3 lbs. There is no doubt in my mind that the groups below can even be smaller (especially at 100 yards) with a "proper" trigger.
10 round groups shot from the bench, Harris bipod & rear bag. Optic set on 10X, 1" bull at 50 yards, 1.5" bull at 100 yards. 3 ammos used: Federal Bulk Pack HV, CCI Standard Velocity, Wolf MT. All ammos were weight and rim thickness sorted, then randomly loaded into the magazine to create a random "straight out of the box" condition. 10 rounds were fired off target between ammo manufacture change.
Groups were measured center to center (CTC) and outer edge to outer edge (ETE). The ETE measurements were less formal, if it was just under and inch, I reported -1". Groups that were going the 32nds route were just reported -9/16" for example.
74 deg F, 67% Humidity, <3 MPH 3:00 wind, sunny, 50 Yards.
79 deg F, 65% Humidity, <5 MPH 3:00 wind, sunny, 100 Yards.
05-29-2012 ADDITIONAL RANGE REPORT
200 Yards, mighty impressed on how cheap HV bulk ammo is handles through this rifle. Target bull was 3.5", 82-84 deg F, 85% hum, <5MPH 10:00 wind, scope on 10X, Harris bipod & rear bag, shot from the bench.
Some of this (again) can be a bit of the shooter still not comfortable with the creepy trigger, and probably adding to the vertical stringing during follow through. None of these felt as if they were actually pulled. But I think it does give an impression of what the "virgin out-of-the-box" rifle will do before any enhancements.
Overall (except for that 5th and 10th round slightly deformed failure to feed) the 455 produces some decent groups, no doubt a lessened creep will improve the 100 yard groups. I was expecting to do a little better at 100 yards with the CCI and Wolf ammo, but the fact that the shooter not being familiar with the trigger could be the reason for the rifle not meeting my immediate goal of 1" or less. Another session will be shot and compared after the trigger kit installation. But as far as producing groups with different types of ammo, the rifle is pretty consistant. Except for one hit with Federal bulk pack, 9 of the lower grade rounds were under 1.5" at 100 yards! Most likely after the trigger kit and more seasoning of the barrel is achieved, the mid and higher graded ammos will produce those MOA groups at 100 yards. Another thing to point out is that the 455 appears to be less finicky to ammo changes than other rimfires I've used.
Off hand shooting is a little tough as the rifle is a bit nose heavy, but addition of weight can be added in certain areas for a better balance if one chooses to do so.
All in all the rifle is solid, consistant, and a good looker too. As a "virgin" rifle with no historical proven performance enhancements (trigger, mounting bolt torques, etc.) it did well. A few of those minor adjustments and I'm very confident that it will be scary accurate at 50 yards, and a 1" or under shooter at 100 yards.
