What is the best cz Rimfire?

[wildbill]

In your opinion, what is the best cz Rimfire?

[Salavee]

I has a CZ 452 American that was a real nice little 22 LR. The draw back was a trigger that was a bit rough but it shot well. I think the trigger was improved on the Mod 455 that followed. I would consider the 455 if I were thinking of another CZ .22 for that reason.

[260 Rem]

I have two 452’s.
American in 22LR. Had the trigger “done” by KSA for crisp release at 2lbs. Good shooter.
Varmint in 17HMR. Set the trigger myself. Bedded the tang. Real good shooter.
When new, I sat and cycled the bolt hundreds of times to smooth them out.
I also had a 452 LUX which was a good shooter but I sold it rather than put a scope on.

[fish_e_o]

453. All the good things from a 452 with a sweet trigger

[sns2]

I really liked the 455 I had. One day, I will have another.

[amosfella]

453 hands down. and I have access to 452s and 455s. I'll take the 453 any day of the week and gladly pay the extra $150.

[pikergolf]

I did a trigger job with a kit from Yo Dave on my 452 bull barrel. Really like the trigger now. Then I bedded the action, still does not shoot like I had hoped. Spent some money this winter on 5 various premium ammo's, hasn't been nice enough to try them yet, but I'm hoping for good things. Best ammo so far is CCI mini mags, about 1/2 an inch at 50 yards.

[Parker Hale]

I've got 2, both 455's. The first is a heavy barrel target model with heavy barrel in 22lr. Originally the plan was to do a new trigger and barrel, but after shooting it I didn't see the point. Very accurate rifle, it really likes the cheap Federal Auto match ammo.. The second is a 455 Canadian in 17 hmr, this is my gopher rig. Also a very sweet rifle, but favourite is the 22.

[elkhunter11]

The 453 was the best of the bunch under the CZ label. Going back earlier, I like the Brno #5.

[rembo]

The first Brno rimfire I had was a Model 1 from '49. Great little .22. Had a Model #2 from the early 70's was pretty much as good. Also had a #4 , the heavy barrel target version with the rediculously long barrel for a .22, something like 27" IIRC. Currently have a 452 American in 17 HMR in which I've reworked the trigger. They are all very well built rifles. Doubt you can go wrong with any of the Brno/CZ bolt action rimfires.

[rembo]

The first Brno rimfire I had was a Model 1 from '49. Great little .22. Had a Model #2 from the early 70's was pretty much as good. Also had a #4 , the heavy barrel target version with the rediculously long barrel for a .22, something like 27" IIRC. Currently have a 452 American in 17 HMR in which I've reworked the trigger. They are all very well built rifles. Doubt you can go wrong with any of the Brno/CZ bolt action rimfires.

[acrtech]

don't want to derail fro the post but was considering the very same question in January..., then I came across a new Ruger in 77/22 matt stainless heavy barrel at a gunshow. again waiting for warm weather to try her out. All Cz had pretty good reviews.

[2 Tollers]

I have a CZ 453 in 17hmr with a heavy barrel and it very good. I also have a 455 22LR with a Mannlicher stock that is really nice both for wood and to shoot. Of the two my hands reach for the 455 more frequently more from its looks.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I did a trigger job with a kit from Yo Dave on my 452 bull barrel. Really like the trigger now. Then I bedded the action, still does not shoot like I had hoped. Spent some money this winter on 5 various premium ammo's, hasn't been nice enough to try them yet, but I'm hoping for good things. Best ammo so far is CCI mini mags, about 1/2 an inch at 50 yards.

I don’t shoot a whole lot of RimFire, mostly just for gophers, but I would call a 22 that consistently groups 1/2” at 50yds a “good shooter”. As you are well aware, RimFires often have distinct “brand” preferences and they are real sensitive to wind. Sometimes even changing lot numbers can result different downrange performance.

[denied access]

CZ 452 Silouette

[Groundhogger]

Originally Posted by wildbill

In your opinion, what is the best cz Rimfire?

Well, the "best" is a little subjective...but most would agree it's the 453. The 453 was the same as the 452, only with an improved trigger. Both models have their barrel threaded into the receiver, which trumps (in my opinion) the way the newer 455s are made. I don't have experience owning/shooting a 455...but can't see picking one over a 452/453 while they can still be found. Availability of modern production 455s is better of course.

I used to have 2 x 452 Varmints, one in 17HMR..one in 22LR. Still have the 22, and I also have a BRNO 2E. Basically, the same gun as the 452 "Lux". It's also a 22. Keep in mind while looking~the LUX models have different stock geometry, best-suited to using iron sights. (which are very good on my 2E) The 452 Varmint and 452 American are designed FOR scope use, and neither is equipped with iron sights as a result. Which to choose? The varmint is best-suited to shooting prone...or off a bench. The American should do equally well in both of those applications, but the reduced weight will help with offhand shots. There is an easy trigger modification you can do yourself using a kit from "Yo Dave". Easy/affordable and a nice improvement.

[coyoteman]

I did a lot of gopher shooting with a hutherite farmer, he is by far the best field rifle shot I have ever saw his rifle of choice a Cz 22lr, i stood behind him many times with a range finder and watched him "clean" a far ridge many shots over 100m,of course a no wind day. The longest yote shot ,an incredible 517 m a no wind shot day, a 223 CZ near linden. Did his own triggers and gun work,got his own shooting range.

[Big Sky]

I'd give my vote to the 453. I don't own one, but a friend does and I have to admit that I am jealous. The set trigger is very nice.

However, the 452 is also a great gun. With a simple trigger mod, you can improve the accuracy and have yourself an excellent hunting rifle.
I've done the trigger of my 452 silhouette so that it breaks cleanly at just over 2lbs. It's my goto for gopher shooting.
I've done another with a trigger that breaks at just under 1lb. It wears a Hubble style scope and only sees range use. Very accurate.

I picked up a 455 in 17hmr. It needed a shim from a YoDave kit to take out the creep. Accuracy is very good. I like it. Gophers hate it.

The nice thing about the 455 is that replacement barrels are available and the switch over is straight forward. But, I don't think that would be a fair comparison to a factory rifle.

For shooting gophers, I'd say that all CZ's are a great choice

[Parker Hale]

Originally Posted by Parker Hale

I've got 2, both 455's. The first is a Thumbhole stock target model with heavy barrel in 22lr. Originally the plan was to do a new trigger and barrel, but after shooting it I didn't see the point. Very accurate rifle, it really likes the cheap Federal Auto match ammo.. The second is a 455 Canadian in 17 hmr, this is my gopher rig. Also a very sweet rifle, but favourite is the 22.

Had to correct a typo in the original.

[Pathfinder76]

I have a 452 American with a $20 self done trigger job and custom bottom metal that is an absolute drill.

[Smokinyotes]

I have a LH 452 in 17hmr. Put the yodave kit in it and it shoots good. My sons savage glv in17hmr shoots just as good as the Cz though

[Pathfinder76]

Let’s be clear. The 453 has a single stage set trigger. If that is your thing then it might be justified. But the 452 trigger can be made to be an exceptional trigger with very little cost.

[6.5 shooter]

All my CZ rim fires...shoot VERY well. I found after a brick of shells or so the triggers were fine...I did how ever buy a .17HMR with a rifle basix trigger from a gentlemen on this forum...and it is a better trigger...is it worth $150 bucks more?? only your hair dresser knows for sure.

[mattthegorby]

I am new shooter... but will give my 0.02$ anyway.

My take on it is that no CZ model is necessarily the best overall, really depends on what your uses are. Do you want iron sights? Adjustable stock? Stainless? 22lr and 17 off the same gun? Varmint barrel? Light weight? Peep sight? Long sight radius?

I went with a 452 Lux... as a newbie I wanted to practice with one gun having both iron sights and a scope. Also wanted to go with the 452 action for all the points listed above. My choice was perfect for me, but for many it would be a poor choice as it is a headache to outfit with a scope.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[pvh]

Have owned a few rim fires over the years. Just purchased my first CZ 455 in .22wmr with 24" sighted barrel. I'm impressed, beautiful piece of wood, silk smooth action and great trigger. This rifle will shoot 5-shot 1/2" groups @ 50yrds all day long using Hornady 30gr V-Max.
I did install a scope and removing the rear sight from the ramp was quick and easy, no tools required.

[Jerry D]

I have a cz 452 lux model in Lh. Paid about 550 for it back in 8 or 10 years ago probably

I added the 20.00 trigger kit. Rifle is very nice. Would recommend any of them as a step above the 3 or 400.00 dollar .22s

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by pvh

Have owned a few rim fires over the years. Just purchased my first CZ 455 in .22wmr with 24" sighted barrel. I'm impressed, beautiful piece of wood, silk smooth action and great trigger. This rifle will shoot 5-shot 1/2" groups @ 50yrds all day long using Hornady 30gr V-Max.
I did install a scope and removing the rear sight from the ramp was quick and easy, no tools required.

Sounds like a nice unit you got there, the 22wmr has always had a soft spot in my cold little black heart for some reason, sounds like really good grouping for that calibre.

[Groundhogger]

Originally Posted by wildbill

Sounds like a nice unit you got there, the 22wmr has always had a soft spot in my cold little black heart for some reason, sounds like really good grouping for that calibre.

It does indeed. If I thought there was a chance in *ell I could buy one and have it shoot that well...I probably would. I've owned a 22WMR (Savage) but have shot a couple of others, all at 100 yards..and using something like 8 or more varieties of ammo. (one day at the range, trying to see what the 'problem' was with my Savage) Got a few groups very close to 1"...but most were 1-1/4"-1-1/2". All Winchester 22WMR ammo printed like a 12ga shotgun.

I've heard there are 22WMRs out that that shoot well...but after my own experiences (Savage/Marlin..something German)...I'm reluctant to take a CZ$ risk. lol I'd love to try one.

[coyoteman]

You might consider the 455 Cz with two barrels 22 lr 17 hmr really quick barrel change. The 17hmr at 100m with no wind is deadly accurate,and for gophers,I can hit them fairly consistant at 150m Ammo cost a consideration. The 22lr at aprox $40.00 for 455 makes more sense for high volumn shooting,most gophers shot at less than 100m.

[260 Rem]

I would be surprised if there was not general agreement by CZ owners that they are a fine hunting rifle ...possibly one of the best overall when considering accuracy, smooth cycling, reliability, fit, and finish. (Competing manufacturers including Savage may also be close in the accuracy department, but fall back in other areas.). Although there are always exceptions ... for “match/target” grade RimFires, one needs to step up in price to the standard set by manufacturers like Anschutz.
Now for something different for RimFire aficionados....at least what I hear from people that shoot like they know what they are talking about. My version of “fun facts” that may or not be true. That ammo makers (like ELEY) might have two or more “machines” loading ammunition...and that obtaining lot numbers of ammo made in a particular machine is preferred for the best down range results.