77/22 or CZ 452

[dispatch55126]

I've narrowed my next rifle purchase to either a 77/22 or CZ 452. This rifle will be scoped for target shooting but will also serve double duty as a woodchuck/skunk killer at 100+ yards.

For the uses mentioned above, what would be your choice of rifle, caliber and why.

Thanks.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Ruger 77/22 in .22lr because it's American, thats the only reason, both are probaly the same accuaccy wise.

BTW, www.texasbrigadearmory.com has Ruger 77/22's for only $2300 with a McMillian A1 stock, and the bolt made to look like a Remington 700.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've owned both in .22lr and in my opinion the cz was more accurate. But the all weather ruger is a more outdoors friendly tool

 

[Claude Clay]

cz-452 [mine is a super brno 2500] with a nikon 3x9.

its how the holes get in the life savers.

if brooks is still selling, his $14.00 trigger kit is worth $195.

 

[rcmodel]

The CZ will shoot rings around the Ruger.
Better barrel, MUCH better trigger if you get the single-set model, etc.

If 100+ yard woodchucks are on the menu, then .22 Mag is the only logical choice.

Pretty expensive ammo for beer can plinking though.

You really need to decide which is more importent to you.
Cheap target practice.
Or a 100+ yard varmint rifle.

They will not be the same gun.

rc

 

[Matrix187]

I say the CZ 452 in .22 magnum, or .17 HMR if you're open to other calibers. The 22 magnum is good out to about 150, or a bit further if you know the drop well. The 17 hmr shoots pretty flat out to 175 IMO.

 

[rmuzz]

The CZ is sweet... I've owned a 452 lux .22lr a couple months now. No experience with the Ruger, and my opinion is not exactly an expert one but CZ is way more accurate than I am and its really an enjoyable rifle, zero regrets on that purchase. When I was first doing my fact finding etc. trying to figure out what to buy I was looking at getting a CZ 452 in .17 HMR, but my needs dictated something cheap to practice with > higher performance varmint caliber. What model 452 you should get depends on how you want to set it up... The lux has really nice sights on it, but if you want to scope it I've heard that you want to go with the American or one of the ones w/o sights.

Obviously if you get a chance to try both before putting cash on the counter go do it. Not sure where in MN you are and where you do your rifle shopping, but Im in the Twin Cities area and the only place where I could find any CZ rifles was on the used rack at Gander... and they didnt have exactly what I wanted so I kept my eyes open at shows until I found what I was looking for.

 

[Fatelvis]

The CZs are notoriously very accurate. I wish I could say they were made in the USA, but such is life. I would bought a CZ 452 American and am amazed how accurate it is. I put a Leupold VX-111 4.5X20 scope on it, and can hit 1/5 scale steel silhouettes at 200 meters with Wolf MT ammo all day long (as long as the wind doesn't kick up!). The only thing it might need, is a lighter trigger return spring. My trigger was a bit heavy at 5.5 lbs., and after installing a spring from the Brooks trigger kit, it is a crisp 2.25 lbs. Get the CZ.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve both the Ruger 77/22 and a CZ 452FS and find the CZ to be a little more accurate. Both are nice man sized rifles and feel more like a centerfire rifle then most other rimfires I`ve handled. As to which is best.........that`s probably best answered by you and which feels best to your hand.

 

[paulo]

Go to rimfire central scroll down to the CZ area, they always have the most people viewing. They are great rifles.Mine is topped with a Mueller APV and a rifle basics trigger,spot on.

 

[ThomasT]

I didn't vote because you left Marlin out of the mix. For what you want to hunt I would get the 22 mag. Before you buy have a look at the Marlin bolt guns. They will shoot with the cz and are cheaper to buy. Plus they are american made.

I have a Ruger 77/22 in 22lr made in 1987 and it will shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 50 yards. I paid $400 for it used. I bought a Marlin 883 stainless steel laminated stock in a pawn shop for $140 OTD. It shoots the same size groups at 50 yards.

Also rimfirecentral is the place for all things 22.

 

[Dr_2_B]

I voted CZ in WMR. Tough little combination

 

[SwampWolf]

The little Ruger is my choice. Accurate, reliable, nice handling and backed by an American company that has a good reputation for taking care of its customers.

 

[TEC]

I have a CZ-452 Varmint in 17HMR, a CZ-527 Varmint in .223 Rem and a CZ-634 (air rifle) in .177. All are at the top of the list for accuracy. The powder burners will shoot MOA with groups of less than 1 inch at 100 yards. The air rifle? About 6 inches at 100 yards -- phenomenal for a .177 springer.

I have a Browning A-Bolt in .22LR and a Ruger 10/22 in .22 LR. The CZ's put 'em to shame. My next rifle purchase? I am going for a CZ-452 Varmint in .22LR, of course.

 

[Avenger29]

CZ. Excellent CS, excellent value, excellent little rifle. Trust me, I have experienced the goodness that is CZ.

Trust me, I did this exact same comparison earlier this year. I decided on the CZ, took the chance and ordered it without ever seeing one in person. Without ever having a chance to see how the "humpback" stock worked. Well, I can say it's a phenomenal rifle.

I was looking for a rifle to replicate the handling, smoothness, and quality of my old Winchester 69. Guess what? I found it and knew it the first time I threw the CZ to my shoulder. It's like a frickin' laser beam.

I'd get a CZ-452 Trainer in .22LR for the range gun, and pick up an inexpensive used Savage or Marlin in .22Mag or .17HMR for the woodchuck whacker.

Do it right and you may score two rifles for the price of one...

 

[southwest1]

Go with the CZ..

I bought three .22s in the last six months, a Savage Mark II, a Marlin 925 and the CZ 452. Been shooting all three with the family at the range, CZ hands down.

 

[rangerruck]

cz's are just better than a 77, and cheaper as well, plus with a set trigger, so much easier to shoot, though the trigger job on a 77 is super easy.
I have had multiples of both, and the cz is better.
22 is all you need for a skunk, you don't need a 22 mag, and ammo is twice or more the cost.

 

[Matrix187]

I do agree that most shots on varmints are close enough to warrant the use of a .22 LR, but I like having the capability of taking further shots easier. Hence, I prefer a 17 HMR or 22 mag. I'm willing to pay more for more performance just in case I need it.

 

[CZguy]

I owned both the CZ 452, and the Ruger 77/22.

Finally I sold the Ruger because it just sat in the back of the safe.

It was a fine rifle, but no comparison to the CZ.

 

[CajunBass]

I have looked and looked at the CZ's and for some reason I just can't warm up to them. I can't put my finger on why, there is just something about them that doesn't look right, or maybe it's just my "everybody else likes 'em so I don't" streak.

I've got a couple of 77/22's though that shoot more than good enough for me. And I don't think anybody ever made a better looking 22 rifle. (YMMV)

 

[LTR shooter]

The CZs are notoriously very accurate. I wish I could say they were made in the USA, but such is life.

Yeah and if they were made here the price would probably be double. I bought my CZ American last year for $339 , nothing else out there that really compared favorably for the price.

The Rimfire Sporter Nationals took place last weekend at Camp Perry and out of the 264 shooters in the optics class the CZs were the most commonly used bolt action , there might have been one 77/22 listed.

For the uses mentioned above, what would be your choice of rifle, caliber and why.

I would go with the CZ , all of their rifles I own have been exceptionally accurate.

 

[natman]

will also serve double duty as a woodchuck/skunk killer at 100+ yards.

The 22 LR would be better for targets because of accuracy and ammo cost, but the phrase above rules it out completely.

So 22 Mag (17HMR?) it is. The CZ is a better gun out of the box. You could make the Ruger a pretty nice rifle but it would require extra work and $.

 

[cpirtle]

I own an all weather 77/22 WMR and a 452 American in long rifle, also had one of the rare 2500 Super BRNO's for a while.

Out of the box the CZ is better than the Ruger, especially with the Brooks trigger kit which, as mentioned above, is very cheap. If you buy the CZ buy a set of his rings while you are there as CZ's can be tough to fit. CZ's can also benefit by floating the barrel, which is very easy to do.

I put a JARD trigger kit in my Ruger which I think I paid around $75 for and now the Ruger is every bit as good as the CZ with a better trigger. Plus it's American made.

For your intended use I would actually recommend the Browning T-Bolt in 17 HMR but given the choices I went with a CZ in WMR. I can't really recommend a 22 lr on live game out past 100 yards.

 

[msiley]

I've shot both the 452 and the Ruger and own the CZ 452.
My 452 may be the 2nd most accurate .22 LR I've ever shot.
The first was a Anshutz target rifle, not exactly ideal for everyday.
It will eat anything and isn't very picky about ammo.
I find it a little better balanced then the Ruger, but that may just be me.
For around $350 you don't need any accessories, customizations or even a scope.
You'll have a super accurate tack driving .22 LR with good iron sights ready
to go.

 

[aka108]

Owned both at one time. Kept the CZ and sold the Ruger. For target the 22lr would be my preference. For 100 + a few yards for small vamit use I'd go with a 17 HMR. The 17 is very accurate at that range. The 22 mag can start acting funny things at 100+ yards.