For this test I shot 25 rounds of each type ammo from the same box through each rifle. I shot 5 x 5 round groups at 50 yards and discarded the worst group shot for each type of ammo by each rifle. Ammo shot included: SK Premium Plus, Federal Gold, RwS, Gecco Match, CCI SV, CCI Green Tag, Center X, Aquila SV, and Aquila Target. Average MOA for all ammo from best four 5 round groups was: CZ Varmint 1.132 MOA, Tikka T1x 1.050.
Best four 5 round group average from the CZ was SK Premium Plus at 0.813 MOA
Best four 5 round group average from the Tikka was Center X at 0.809
Best ammo for both rifles was Center X which averaged 0.8975 MOA for combined groups shot from both rifles
Best economy ammo was Federal Gold which was consistent across both rifles with an average MOA of a little over 1.0
Stocks: The Tikka stock is plastic with a length of pull of 13", which is too small for the average adult male. The CZ stock is walnut, pillar bedded and has a length of pull of 14". CZ wins here.
Trigger: The CZ trigger is adjustable for pull weight, over travel, and first stage distance. The Tikka trigger is adjustable for pull weight. On my rifles, I was able to get the CZ trigger to a reliable 1# pull. The Tikka trigger got no lower than 2.3#. CZ wins here.
Action: Both bolts have a 60 degree throw, and both reliably feed and eject. The CZ bolt action on my rifle is smoother than the Tikka, but not enough to make a difference and may smooth out with more use.
Conclusion: Accuracy comparison between the two rifles is so close as to be within the margin of error for this kind of testing. Both are capable of sub-MOA accuracy at 50 yards with the right kind of ammo. The stock and trigger on the CZ are better, and to my eye, the CZ walnut is more attractive. Out of the box, CZ is my winner; however, if pure accuracy is your goal, and you intend to spend the time and bucks to optimize it, pick one. All my Tikka complaints can be cured with an aftermarket stock and trigger. There are plenty of after market barrels for CZ and they're easy to swap. I'm not aware of any after market Tikka barrels yet. Of course by the time you buy a new trigger, a high tech chassis and a target barrel, you might as well go straight to a Voodoo or Anschutz.
Best four 5 round group average from the CZ was SK Premium Plus at 0.813 MOA
Best four 5 round group average from the Tikka was Center X at 0.809
Best ammo for both rifles was Center X which averaged 0.8975 MOA for combined groups shot from both rifles
Best economy ammo was Federal Gold which was consistent across both rifles with an average MOA of a little over 1.0
Stocks: The Tikka stock is plastic with a length of pull of 13", which is too small for the average adult male. The CZ stock is walnut, pillar bedded and has a length of pull of 14". CZ wins here.
Trigger: The CZ trigger is adjustable for pull weight, over travel, and first stage distance. The Tikka trigger is adjustable for pull weight. On my rifles, I was able to get the CZ trigger to a reliable 1# pull. The Tikka trigger got no lower than 2.3#. CZ wins here.
Action: Both bolts have a 60 degree throw, and both reliably feed and eject. The CZ bolt action on my rifle is smoother than the Tikka, but not enough to make a difference and may smooth out with more use.
Conclusion: Accuracy comparison between the two rifles is so close as to be within the margin of error for this kind of testing. Both are capable of sub-MOA accuracy at 50 yards with the right kind of ammo. The stock and trigger on the CZ are better, and to my eye, the CZ walnut is more attractive. Out of the box, CZ is my winner; however, if pure accuracy is your goal, and you intend to spend the time and bucks to optimize it, pick one. All my Tikka complaints can be cured with an aftermarket stock and trigger. There are plenty of after market barrels for CZ and they're easy to swap. I'm not aware of any after market Tikka barrels yet. Of course by the time you buy a new trigger, a high tech chassis and a target barrel, you might as well go straight to a Voodoo or Anschutz.
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