Which CZ for my rimfire project?

JonnyHawes

JonnyHawes

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Nov 7, 2009
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Bluefield, WV
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#1
So Ive been reading this subject online for about 2 weeks now, just wanted some current advice from you guys.

Im looking to start building a nice .22LR trainer rifle. Ive settled on a CZ rimfire, but Im having issue picking which one.

Here is the list Im looking at:
452 Varmint
452 American
453 Varmint
455 Varmint

I originally said the CZ 452 Varmint, but then I started reading about the barrel lug, that just seems wrong to me! haha The 452 American is all I want the gun to be, without the heavy barrel.

I dont like the idea of CZ 453s trigger system. And Im still not sure if the CZ 455 is in the same class with its older brethren.

What do you guys think? Am I over thinking this whole process?
 
#2
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

I wanted the CZ 453 Varmint so bad, I had to import it, and wait 5 months!

Im about to order the McMillan M40A22 for it.


Im also considering selling one of my centerfire rifles, to buy the CZ 452 American before its completly impossible to find one.

Thats how god they are!

The 452 American and 453 Varmint is built like a "grown" up rifle. Two screws into the action, full size stock.
 
#3
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

Nothing wrong with the accuracy of the CZ 455, just as accurate as it's siblings.
Like all the CZ rimfires, adding pillars and epoxy bedding improves accuracy.
Throw a "yo dave" trigger kit on it and it'll pull crisp and clean.
Add a Lilja match grade Varmint Taper or straight barrel and you end up with
a rifle that'll flat outshoot it's factory stock brethren.

Smartest move, if interested in the 455 Varmint, is order it in the 17 hmr.
Get the pin and 22lr mag well adapter and a 22lr magazine,
then order the straight 0.900 diameter Lilja 22lr barrel.
That way you get twice as much accurate shooting entertainment.
 
#4
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

CZ 455 varmint

1) new barrel replacement / caliber change system opens the door to many higher end upgrades that are already introduced and to those that surely will come. you also have the option of the heavy or sporter barrel, 4 calibers to choose.

2) more replacement parts for the 455V as it's the platform every CZ is going to.

CZ 455 Varmint Review / 1st impressions


the biggest drawback IMO is the stock trigger (same or very similar to the 452) has fallen very short of the 453V set trigger (which i really liked), but that is easily remedied by the aftermarket. even the yodave 18.00 kit is pretty good.

YO Dave trigger kit - CZ install

1 more drawback is the plastic mag well cracks easily, again solved by the aftermarket.

D.I.P. CZ METAL MAGAZINE WELL & EXT. MAG RELEASE REVIEW

actually if you have the $, the CZ455 precision trainer is a nice setup.
 
#5
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

Predator, all the parts you listed I already had on my "Wishlist" for whichever rifle I chose! haha

The Caliber changing in the 455 does not necessarily attract me to it, not to say that its not useful, just that I really dont foresee myself using that feature. The trigger on the 452/455 never really concerned me, as I planned on replacing it anyways.

I think from just a little discussion Ive ruled out the 452 Varmint (which is convenient, its probably the hardest to get these days haha).

Would the thin barrel on the 452 American be a negative if all I am to do is shoot off the bench? Or would the heavier 453/455 barrel give better accuracy. Or to rephrase, do you NEED the heavier barrel on a .22LR
 
#6
#7
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

some barrel length stuff:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...190#Post3654190

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...156#Post3654156 (scroll down)

from a bench the heavy will help some. not as much with barrel whip, but with the harmonics, even on a .22lr.....you don't neccessarily need it, but it does help.

i probably will never change the caliber in mine from .22lr either, but it's nice to know you have the option, plus options are worth more when or if resale comes in to play. that's also where the 455varmint comes into play. if you want to use it for hunting, your not carrying around a heavy assed rifle.

455 and a heavy barrel, it's a win / win
 
#10
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

I've got a 452 American and a Varmint model, I use both for silhouette and don't notice any real difference in accuracy at 100 meters. I think the only thing you'll notice when firing is weight, I hate shooting the 452 American after varmint because I prefer a heavier rifle. You will have a hard time finding a nice American for under $500. I'm not sure about the goals of your project, but why not pick up an older Anschutz 54 action rifle? They're pretty available on GB for around $600 to $700, you'll get your heavy barrel, a superior trigger system, and a stock that, I suspect, is more in line with the style you want; plus it won't be a pristine pretty piece of wood you wouldn't want to fiddle with/paint/refinish etc. And the Anschutz is definitively more accurate, not by a ton because the CZ's are very accurate, but it is clear.
Good luck,
Mike
 
#11
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

Mike, are you using the American for Hunter class and the Varmit for Standard class? It is my understanding that the Varmit has a non-taper barrel and will only fit the Standard Rifle Rules. Steven
 
#12
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

I use the American for hunter class, and I have a 5418MS for silhouette class. It's an informal league so nobody says much about the varmint, I just shoot it whenever. It makes weight for hunter class and realistically isn't as accurate as the Anschutz hunter guns that other guys shoot (which weigh the same) so nobody really cares. If it's a "match" or state championship, it wouldn't fly though (except silhouette class). Everybody I shoot with consider the CZ the poor mans Anschutz, and it shoots so well that it is kind of tough to justify the difference in price to get a 1/2 to 3/4 inch group at 100 meters when the 452 Americans are usually good for an inch to an 1 1/2; all with Wolf or Sk, nobody's shooting RWS in either rifle.
 
#13
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

Thanks, that was what I thought, I am shopping for a CZ for my daughter for Christmas (Move her 452 Scout to my son) and she wants to shoot with me. I have a 54-18 MSR for Standard and a Kimber for hunter. Will likly get a 452 American and a cut down Boyds stock (she likes the applejack laminate hunter).
 
#14
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

Awesome! I've got a 4 year old daughter that I keep eyeballing the CMP Kimbers or the Anschutz 54's on GB for. The 54's are really nice, just older. It's hard to beat for $600. When I bought my 5418MS I had it checked out by 10 Ring Shooter Supply, he's an authorized Anschutz armorer and spoke pretty highly of all the older guns. He said you really cant wear the barrels out, maybe have to recrown, but not a big deal. And the headspace is so tight on a new rifles, when they loosen up over time, the slightly thicker rims on less expensive match ammo (Wolf and SK) usually shoots better. How can you beat that!
Good luck,
Mike.
 
#15
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

453 varmint.

Then again, I may be biased.

photo2.jpg
 
#16
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

Thanks for all the info guys, youve given me a whole lot more to ponder on.

Magstang: How do you like the single set trigger on the 453? I was planning on doing maybe a Timney on the 452/455 but there are no such options for the 453 (except a Rifle Basix I think)
 
#17
Re: Which CZ for my rimfire project?

It's pretty nice. I have no idea what the weight is when you "set" it, but it is extremely light.

Shoots the same as any other gun in regular mode, or push the trigger forward before the shot for the "set" mode.
 
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