New to me CZ455- your thoughts

[CZ223]

Soooo.... I went to my favorite toy store yesterday and found this this like new CZ455 Varmint in 22 LR in the rack. The tag said it came with an extra barrel in 22Mag, I had no idea they made a switch barrel 22. Anyway, I just had to try this gun out. It had no scope or rings on it but there was a used Nikon Buckmark on the counter and some used rings. The owner told me to go ahead and put them together if I wanted to. After mounting the scope I mechanically centered the scope then put the boresighter on it. It was so close to zeroed that I didn't bother adjusting the scope. I sighted in off a make shift bench at 70 yards. The first five went into a group 3.5 low and 1/2'' right. the group was right around an inch. I adjusted the scope up 18 clicks and 2 clicks left. The next five shots went into a half inch or better group right at POA. To say the least, I was impressed. The ammo used was CCI target. The price tag on the gun with extra barrel was $450 so I offered $500 for the combo with the scope. He accepted my offer and didn't even charge me tax. I think I got a great deal.
The 22 mag barrel is a standard tapered barrel. I now know that they offer a fluted varmint barrel in 17HMR. I think I have to have one. So, do any of you have this rifle? If so, do you think I can expect more great groups or is this a fluke? How hard is it to change barrels? I watched a video and it seems simple enough. I will have to wait a few weeks to pick it up but I can't wait to put some RWS Target through it. By the way, this gun has one of the lightest, cleanest triggers I have ever felt and I used to have 8 ounce triggers on all my TC pistols.

 

[henschman]

Sounds like a good deal to me. I have a 452 in .22LR and love it, for all the reasons you mentioned. Mine stays with the iron sights, which are very good. I sure wouldn't mind having one in .17 or .22 mag.

 

[back40]

i have a 455 varmint. you can expect that and better accuracy with an ammo that your rifle likes. i have a fixed 10x on mine and have stretched it legs out to 300yds. it's just such a nicely made gun and fantastic to shoot. i wouldn't mind picking up the .17hmr barrel for mine.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

How do the barrels switch out?

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Never mind. I went straight to the horses mouth and watched their video.

 

[Gtscotty]

You got a great deal on your rifle! I just have the regular, non-varmint CZ455, but I have to say, it's one of my favorite rifles, and the rifle I shoot the most by far. My 455 came as a .22 mag, but I went ahead and ordered the .22 lr and 17 HMR barrels. I've had the .22 lr cut down to 17" and threaded for my can. I think I'm going to have the 17 HMR and .22 Mag barrels cut down (not quite as short) and threaded, but the 17 HMR shoots so well I've been kind of sluggish getting started. The 17 HMR barrel will group 5, 20 gr game points inside of an inch at 100 yds, i've even had one group where 4 of the 5 were touching and the 5th was about a half inch away. I don't think you can ask much more from a sporter-weight rimfire. BTW, both of the .22 barrels also group very well, but most of my 100 yd shooting has been with the 17 HMR.

I really like to take the 455 out to the 200 yd line. It's no great feat to hit the 200 yd gong with the 17 barrel, but I mostly enjoy threading the can on to the .22 lr barrel and shooting subs. With the total lack of report and supersonic crack, you can hear the weird whistling sound the bullets make as they saunter on out to the 200 yd mark.

When I was looking around, I found it was cheapest for me to go ahead and order the barrels directly from CZ. It may not be the case any more, but it was then, and shipping was quick as well.

Just an FYI, I couldn't find a whole lot of good suggested torque specs when I starting playing around with my 455, but here is what I use:

30 in-lbs: Barrel retaining screws
25 in-lbs: Receiver/stock screws
8 in-lbs: Magazine well screws

 

[mberoose]

I've been absolutely dying to buy a 452 American or Varmint, but can't for the life of me find one. Hen's teeth I tells ya. GunBroker prices are fairly asinine.

 

[back40]

a side note regarding above...

DO NOT exceed the 25 ft lb torque spec for the action/receiver to stock screws. my 455 manual stated a higher spec (which cz usa told me was a typo) and i stripped the stock. cz was excellent about replacing it. i've read of several guys playing with the torque settings a bit to find the best accuracy. starting at about 15 and moving up to 25. it seems as though most agree 20 ft lbs is the sweet spot, although, as with anything else, each rifle is it's own animal.

 

[CZ223]

To all who responded so far

Thank you. It sounds like I did get a good deal after all. I can't wait to get shooting this thing. I also picked up a 5" Ruger mark III Target that I am anxious to shoot. I have had several of the Ruger Mark II's in the past and they were all great shooters so I expect the same from this one.
GTSCOTTY, I really think I gotta have a barrel in 17 HMR as well now. I have never shot a 17 that didn't shoot well. I have seen a sub $200 Marlin put 5 shots into a group the size of a dime pretty consistantly. My Savage 17HMR BVSS with thumb-hole stock was a consistant sub inch gun. I never should have sold it. So it is either another Savage or a barrel for the the 455. By the way, I am happy to finally own a gun with my initials engraved on it from the factory.

 

[bamajoey]

I bought a 455 Varmint 22lr a little over a year ago and couldn't be happier. Since buying it I have replaced the stock with a BR stock and replaced the barrel with a Lilja barrel. With good ammo it shoots under .5 in groups consistantly. With match ammo it stays in the .2 -.3 range.

You have made a good investment and won't be dissapointed.

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