Hey everyone, I’ve been researching, and need some advice. I’m going to get a new .22, I’m just having trouble deciding. It will NOT be a voodoo or Curtis. Nothing against them, it’s just not in the budget right now. I’ve been shooting a RPRR, and it’s been ok, but just ok. I need to step it up a notch. I’m really torn between the B-14r, and the CZ 457 like the AT-ONE. I know that there are some goodies out there for both. I have also looked at the Tikka, but it just isn’t grabbing me. Plan on running some local PRS style 22 matches, and want to have fun and do ok, but I’m good with ok. Experienced users of these please chime in with pluses and minuses. I need something to tip the scales. Me and this Ruger just aren’t in love with each other and I need to do something.
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- Thread starter 502Chevelle
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Have you tried either of your candidates? I would het a couple matches or even a range that caters to the precision rimfire people and ask if you can try a couple of these rifles, most will be fine. It comes down to how you and the rifle get along.
I have not gotten behind either one. There is a local benchrest match next Thursday but I will be out of town.
My wifes b-14r shoots along with my 1710hb anschutz kelbly edition pretty close and her b14r outdid my 455cz custom with MPA barrel (full mpa build) also with b14r you skip weird ass magazines. All the rifles mentioned are chassis or custom stocks but that can come later.. Also bergara is 700 rem footprint so if you DO ever put in a chassis the stuff fits a cf later.
CZs are great as long as its a 457 but the foot print is specific and unless you get l3i mags mags are a PITA to source. Really you cant go specifically wrong with either you mention but if you ever get a CF setup also the begara is closer.
bergera is also easier to swap on a 700 type trigger in for a better trigger over CZs setup IMHO.
CZs are great as long as its a 457 but the foot print is specific and unless you get l3i mags mags are a PITA to source. Really you cant go specifically wrong with either you mention but if you ever get a CF setup also the begara is closer.
bergera is also easier to swap on a 700 type trigger in for a better trigger over CZs setup IMHO.
I have a Vudoo but there's lots of happy customers of the B-14r.
Sounds like you're already where you want to be.
If I were making this decision, I'd buy the B14R. Seems to have better options for upgrades down the road.
But then again I'd skip the B14R and get a Vudoo.
I own a B14R carbon, and have owned a Cz 457 varmint precision chassis. The CZ has one aftermarket trigger that I know of, and I shot one (Timney single stage). It was very nice. I hear that quality aftermarket barrels for the CZ are easy to source and swap. I’m sure someone will correct me, but I understand the B14R barrel aftermarket is limited and the swaps are more complex.
It sounds like you will be with the rifle for a while - I would go CZ 457 MTR. I have competed against guys running those rifles, and they are very accurate with the right ammo.
I personally shoot a RimX, and have a second in my safe waiting tools to torque the new barrel to it. I have owned 2 Vudoos, 2 Kidd 10/22s, and an anschutz 1710. The RimX is my favorite, but I am at a stage in my life where money is not as tight as it once was. And I am a two stage trigger snob. I would probably still have my Cz if I could have fit the Bscar 2 stage trigger in the chassis without modifying the chassis.
It sounds like you will be with the rifle for a while - I would go CZ 457 MTR. I have competed against guys running those rifles, and they are very accurate with the right ammo.
I personally shoot a RimX, and have a second in my safe waiting tools to torque the new barrel to it. I have owned 2 Vudoos, 2 Kidd 10/22s, and an anschutz 1710. The RimX is my favorite, but I am at a stage in my life where money is not as tight as it once was. And I am a two stage trigger snob. I would probably still have my Cz if I could have fit the Bscar 2 stage trigger in the chassis without modifying the chassis.
I have a Vudoo, Custom CZ 457 and stock CZ 457MTR. The custom CZ with Lilja barrel shoots as good as the Vudoo with the MTR not far behind. The rifles you mentioned are all pretty good.
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I’ve competed with a CZ 455, B14R steel, Anschutz, Vudoo 360, 457MTR, & a DPG 457. The 457 is my recommendation for the best mix of reliability, accuracy, and aftermarket. I would not get the AT-One though - the cheek rest is short, flimsy and sharp, and the butt pad has a lot of play at full extension. I am really liking this DPG 457 with Center-X. By far the most consistent and accurate I’ve ever had (only dropped 2 points last match), but all have been pretty good. First round flyer with the MTR was odd, and the Vudoo I had shot very mediocre when it worked.
I have 2 B14R's steel. The factory stocks are great. You get a 700 type action, 700 type trigger. The guns sit great on bi-pods. I put Trigger Tech Diamonds in both of mine.
Well, I just brought home a CZ VPT. I popped into a small lgs that I drive by a lot, and they happened to have one there. I handled it, and it felt pretty good. Scope is ordered, and should be here by the end of the week. I guess I need to call Area 419 and L3i and get ready to spend more money. Down the rabbit hole I go.
Congrats! Just my opinion and a fair warning that the Area 419 rail is TALL! "I" couldn't make it work out for me so I chose the Diversified Innovative Products (DIP) rail instead. Been rock solid and about half as tall (and only about $50.00). Again, personal opinion but food for thought?
I’ve ran the DIP, MDT, and Area419 rails. Area 419 is super tall and the level is near useless for me, had to run taller rings than I wanted so the zoom ring on my scope would clear, as well as leave room for a Send-It level. MDT hardware is small, but it’s an otherwise solid rail. DIP uses set screws and pulls up on the dovetail - I’ve never been stoked about that design. All held zero just fine. Currently running the MDT on my DPG 457. I might see about doing a custom 40moa rail from Murphy and drilling & tapping my action for it.
I put a DIP scope rail on my CZ 457 VPT and really like it. I didn't want the height of the 419 scope rail.
DIP also has a 25 MOA scope rail if needed.
DIP also has a 25 MOA scope rail if needed.
I hear what you are saying about the DIP retaining system and I was leery at first but a touch of blue locktite and about 5 in/lbs on the grub screws has kept everything in place for several years now. The low scope over bore height is really nice when a squirrel attempts a sneak attack at 10 yards!
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Here’s a thought. For the price of a Bergara B14R, you can get a better barrel, trigger and chassis for your RPRR. That said, the B14r is the easy button and is upgradable in so much that is avaialble for Rem 700 compatible chassis, triggers, and other equipment.
The CZ is a CZ, from what I understand a nice rifle with a reliable magazine However a CZ and everything you purchase for it is always gonna be a CZ and only a CZ.
RimX and Vudoo are the ultimate choice. I probably would have purchased a B14r but for the 18 inch barrel. I needed a lighter rifle that could balance and shoot. An unexpected, one time windfall provided the funds to purchase a Vudoo and I never looked back.
However, now, I might surprise Brenda with a B14r.
So @502Chevelle aren’t all the choices and decisions a real heck of a fix?
The CZ is a CZ, from what I understand a nice rifle with a reliable magazine However a CZ and everything you purchase for it is always gonna be a CZ and only a CZ.
RimX and Vudoo are the ultimate choice. I probably would have purchased a B14r but for the 18 inch barrel. I needed a lighter rifle that could balance and shoot. An unexpected, one time windfall provided the funds to purchase a Vudoo and I never looked back.
However, now, I might surprise Brenda with a B14r.
So @502Chevelle aren’t all the choices and decisions a real heck of a fix?
With the Bergara B14R you would be able to look at advancing into something like what is on this page. https://mcr-rifles.com/rimfire/ You are not throwing money away you are putting it in the correct direction.
I've got a lot of rounds from behind my T1x, I got one very early on and while I'm happy with my purchase (I shoot all Tikkas) if I were to do it again I'd probably got CZ.
The CZ457 is probably the safer option for reliability and accuracy, has all the accessories you need, and prefit barrels from the likes of lija if you want to try get more accuracy.
The Bergara B14r would be a good option if you think you'll plan to go Vudoo/RimX in the future as you'll be able to use any chassis/triggers you may or may not buy.
If the CZ 457 VPT was available in my country I'd buy a 24" model and not change a single thing on it.
If you go At-one you'll likely be wanting to upgrade in the future
The CZ457 is probably the safer option for reliability and accuracy, has all the accessories you need, and prefit barrels from the likes of lija if you want to try get more accuracy.
The Bergara B14r would be a good option if you think you'll plan to go Vudoo/RimX in the future as you'll be able to use any chassis/triggers you may or may not buy.
If the CZ 457 VPT was available in my country I'd buy a 24" model and not change a single thing on it.
If you go At-one you'll likely be wanting to upgrade in the future
I had a DIP on a CZ455 but later swapped it out for an Area 419. My main reason was I wanted more MOA in the base when I started to shoot further out and needed to be able to dial out to 400 yds.
IMO, the main advantage of the A419 base is the tension screws are on the side and accessible when the scope is mounted. DIP puts them on top, so basically not accessible when the scope was mounted and no way to tell if they are getting loose until it is too late. Yeah, the Area 419 is tall, but that just means you run lower rings If worried about how tall your scope sits.
IMO, the main advantage of the A419 base is the tension screws are on the side and accessible when the scope is mounted. DIP puts them on top, so basically not accessible when the scope was mounted and no way to tell if they are getting loose until it is too late. Yeah, the Area 419 is tall, but that just means you run lower rings If worried about how tall your scope sits.
I have both CZ457 and B14R. My Bergara is the 20" heavy barreled action. I have run the CZ457 in Nrl22 for about 18 months and it's been a good rifle. Mine is now in MDT chassis, Lilja barrel and Jard trigger. I have heard nothing but iffy reports about the L3I mags. I bought 2 for my Bergara and one fell apart and they won't get back to me, no phone number on their site either.
I have run 3 round extensions on the CZ mags and they've been good. Only thing to watch is that you need a barricade stop. Once that mag is pushed it mis feeds.
I have run 3 round extensions on the CZ mags and they've been good. Only thing to watch is that you need a barricade stop. Once that mag is pushed it mis feeds.
The VPT is an excellent rifle!
Study the online trigger diagrams, clean out the factory spooge and relube with quality products and you will be surprised how sweet you can tune that trigger.
Accuracy of mine has been excellent.
Send me the email address that you sent from. Right now there's only a few emails that are still in limbo so I want to make sure we didn't mark it as complete somehow on accident.
You people are a bad influence! It's like you gave me my first hit of heroin for free. VPT, Athlon midas tac 6-24, Area 419 30 min rail and 14" arca, Timney trigger, mag extenders etc...put 235 rounds through it Monday, it seems to like SK rifle so far, but I know it might take a minute for it to settle in. Trying to shoot in a local BR match next week if I can get my ducks in a row. PRS on June 15. Loving it so far.
- Nov 3, 2010
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Nice shooter! I like my 457 so far. I have found mine likes eley team flat nose and shoots it probably better than I can. For the money, I don’t think you went wrong. I have hit steel out to 400 with mine.
It’s a vpt mtr. I didn’t pay msrp, but it wasn’t far from it. I was trying to haggle with a little local gun store, telling them an expensive rifle like that would probably sit on their shelf for a year. They laughed and told me they got five in two weeks ago, and this was the last one. I said, well that didn’t work. They just laughed. The Timney came out of the box at 12oz, so I didn’t touch it. I was getting .5” at 50 yds with the factory trigger at 3 lbs. Hope this thing shoots. Every time the UPS guy stops at my house, Ms 502 gives me the stink eye, and I feel like John Belushi standing in the tunnel yelling, “It’s not my fault!”
My LGS got in two and I was told to take a peek! I asked why for it was listed at more than MSRP? That caught them out!
Buy a CZ Scout for the action, a Lilja barrel and a PDC Custom G5C chassis to put it in. You'll have all the adjustment capabilities, full arca rail and ability to weight balance it with the kit. Basically you will wind up with and very competition worthy rifle for what the barreled action of Vudoo or Rimx would cost. You should be more than OK with this setup.
Story of my life! Welcome to the aspiring competition rimfire life.
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