CZ 452 american or 453 varmint?

[E304life]

Hi, i'm new here. I am going to get a CZ rifle tomorrow in .17 HMR.
I can't decide on which gun to get, the 452 is $412, and the 453 is $535 at a local shop.
The 453 varmint has obvious advantages over the 452 (the trigger is sweet, the bbl is nice, and the forestock is wider which is good for sandbags), but is it worth the extra $$$$, especially if I still have to get glass.
I just need someone to sway me one way or the other.

Also what is decent scope for around $100-$150.

Thank you.

 

[Claude Clay]

nikon omaga used ~160 3-9x; google 'brooks cz 452' for trigger and scope mount ~50. i like the 452 as i have one in super brno and it is in the best company with $800+ kimber montanas. good luck and welcome to THR.

 

[John828]

Be wary of any new scopes in that price range especially if it is in a blister pack. IMO, you want good glass. Don't skimp because if you do, you'll be spending the money later on to buy better glass. Set it up right the first time.

 

[jackslayer]

My experience has always been that when I settle for anything less than exactly what I want, I end up buying what I really wanted later. Classic holding onto a dollar only to end up paying two later. The 453 is a sweet gun. If you want to shoot of the bags you have the single set trigger. If you're hunting you've got a traditional trigger. With rifles greater weight generally equates to better accuracy when all else is equal. There are obviously compromises with every gun purchase. Buy the one you really want first, then get the one you wanted almost as much later.

 

[jackslayer]

Then again you could always get the 453 american. Read Varmint Al's 453 varmint review. He'll help you make up your mind. Then read Gunblast's review. It really is a sweet gun. You can also get one with flutes for another $20. Check the Price at Whittakers online.

 

[paradox998]

I went with a 452, brooks trigger kit, meuller APV scope.

 

[elmerfudd]

They're both fantastic guns. The 453 with the set trigger and heavy barrel will probably be more accurate from the bench, but if you plan on carrying it for hours while hunting it might be a little too heavy. The 452 will most likely be a real tackdriver too and you can always redo or replace the trigger later.

Personally, I'd probably go for the 453. Lately I've come to the conclusion that heavy barreled rifles are pretty sweet for hunting. Most of my shots in the field with rimfires are offhand and a heavy barrel rifle just holds more steady for that kind of shooting.

 

[CZguy]

The 452 American is a beautiful rifle, and the trigger can easily be made much better with a Brook's kit for $15.00. But (for me) it's too light to be shot accurately (off hand). The Varmint is heavy enough to be stable but not too heavy to be carried all day. This is a very personal choice and you should handle them at the store. The 453 trigger is in my opinion well worth the extra money, but again this is a personal choice. Which ever one you pick, you will have bought a great rifle. I agree with all of the above advice on scopes, buy the best one you can afford, or you'll just have to buy it later.

 

[rust collector]

I just checked the CZ site, and didn't see a 453 in 17 hmr, but that's probably just a site problem.

While bull barrels look cool and no doubt help during extended range sessions, I'd recommend that you get the more-pleasant-to-carry American and spend the extra for the Brooks trigger kit and glass.

I actually do have a 452 full stock, and now I'd go for the lux, but that's just my taste.

I believe you will be happy with whatever you take home, but take them for a test run if you can, and do check Whittaker pricing. Prices are scheduled for a hop January 1, but then OPEC's supposed to cut production too and sometimes things don't go according to plan.

 

[woof]

The set trigger is worth 100 by itself IMO.

 

[williamthedog]

i got the 452 varmint, brooks trigger kit, Mueller eradicator.

 

[jdc1244]

The 452 trigger isn’t that bad. I’ve been very pleased with my set up I use on the bench only. The 452 Varmint is capable of decent groups:



If you haven’t already check out the CZ forum at Rimfirecentral – more than everything you need to know about CZ rimfires.

 

[22-rimfire]

I went with a 452, brooks trigger kit, meuller APV scope.

That would be my choice as well. The Mueller APV 4.5-14x scope is an AO and is quite sharp for $120 more or less. Works on the CZ well. I chose Warne Extra High mounts although some go with the Warne high mounts and the scope will clear the barrel. Both are available at Brownells. They are the 7.3's. I believe you will be quite pleased with the rig.

Added: The 452 Varmint is also available.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I don't understand if your choice is "452 American vs. 453 Varmint" or "452 Varmint vs. 453 Varmint". In any event, I have a 45three varmint in .17 HMR, and it's one of my 3 favorite rifles - good stuff.

 

[hksw]

IMO, if you do not plan on or don't want to or are afraid to modify (disassemble and/or replace parts) the 452 fire control system, get the 453. It can be adjusted to be equal to or better than any of the regular mass produced aftermarket parts for the 452 in un-set mode. The most significant problem with the 453 system is when shooting in the set mode, you have to continually remember to push the trigger forward and the forward position has an unnatural feel (in reach) for some folks (myself included). Otherwise, a 452 with an aftermarket trigger and/or sear will work. (I prefer the Auto Solutions sear.)

About 99.9% of the scopes in the market that are under $150 are made in China (including Mueller). A lot of folks have had very good luck with the Muellers though. Much less success with the other Chinese brands.

 

[E304life]

I got the 453 varmint today, i'm pretty stoked. They kept pushing me to get the bsa sweet 17 for $150 but i havent read good things about them. I just want a scope with good power and is known to not have any problems. I dont really care about little features. It just needs to be a quality, basic scope.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[CZguy]

E304life,

Check out this site for good CZ info.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=18

 

[moonzapa]

You can't go wrong with either the CZ 452 or CZ 453, American, or Varmint models. I've got the CZ 452 American in .22 LR. I shot a dime size group yesterday at the 50 Yard range with CCI mini-mag HP's. The triggers are the only weak area on the CZ's, with the exception of the CZ 453. I installed a Brownell's trigger in my CZ-452 American and set the pull at 1-1/2#. For hunting in the field you may want a 2# or more. The best rifles, cost wise, for the average American hunter. I only wish the other manufacturers could put the build quality that CZ puts into theirs, then I wouldn't have to send my money overseas.

Good luck.

 

[moonzapa]

Look into a Bushnell "Trophy" scope. Their reasonably priced and still provide good focal lengths and good, clear optics. I wouldn't install a Trophy on a magnum rifle, but for your purposes you can't beat them for the price and quality.

Good Luck.

 

[22-rimfire]

I got the 453 varmint today, i'm pretty stoked. They kept pushing me to get the bsa sweet 17 for $150 but i havent read good things about them. I just want a scope with good power and is known to not have any problems. I dont really care about little features. It just needs to be a quality, basic scope.

E304Life, looks like you had your mind made up since you started the thread at less than a day ago. I just wonder why you bothered in the first place?

I gave you my 2-cents on a scope. You probably have your mind made up there too. So good luck.

 

[E304life]

22-rimfire, i just wanted some last minute opinions from the all knowing interweb. Of course i liked the 453 when posting this. I wanted someone to talk me down to the less expensive 452 with some compelling argument, but i gave in to emotion and got the 453. It's only money right.

Alot of people like the Mueller it seems. You can pay as much or as little as you want for glass, and i dont want to do either. This is tough.

 

[22-rimfire]

It's okay. The Mueller is a good scope and you'll be happy with it. There are 3-9x scopes made by Bushnell and others that will work just fine. You said mostly paper punching and the higher power is useful for seeing the target well. I really like Weaver scopes. They are somwhere between cheap and expensive or sort of middle of the road in price. You can get a Bushnell for $50. I seem to recall the Weaver rimifire 2.5-7x selling for $119. I have one mounted on one of my 22's. Real nice scope. Good quality. Made in Japan.

I have the CZ 452 Varmint rigged up with the Mueller APV scope I mentioned. It is a nice package for mostly target shooting, but would work just fine for squirrel hunting.

 

[EAJ]

Really enjoy my CZ 453 .22LR Cal. Varmint Rifle w/ Mueller APV 4.5-14x40mm AO Riflescope

 

[williamthedog]

I have the Brooks kit in mine and it is set @ 20oz. w/ no creep.
it took 10 minutes and $10
there is nothing wrong with those triggers.
and for the price they are spectacular.
with the 10 buck upgrade they are even better.

 

[williamthedog]

25 and 50 yd. groups.