First CZ Rifle

I recently bought a slightly used CZ 457 Varmint. I'm looking at trying some NRL-22 competition sometime soon. I threw a Sightron SIII 6-24x50 scope on top of it and I'm having the 20.5" barrel shortened to 18" and threaded for a suppressor. It looks quite odd with such a massive scope on top and a shortened barrel, but it shoots great with several different types of ammo.

What are you planning on doing with yours?

I purchased a CZ457 this year. Love it.

I think that setup will do very well for you.

I am seriously considering a CZ 457 ProVarmint or AT-One for suppressed use. What can you tell us about the weight/balance/ergonomics of the ProVarmint? Hoping it could pull double-duty as a precision/ bench gun and for field use. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to find one locally to handle for myself.

Please be sure to update us once you got a chance to shoot it!

Couple things.....

Either scrub the barrel really well before shooting, or get a hundred cheaper rounds to waste off before trying for groups. I’ve had two CZ’s. Both shot awful for the first 50-100 rounds. There is a coating in the barrel that needs to get cleaned out.

For accuracy, Wolf Match Extra is hands down the preferred ammo for the preponderance of CZ .22’s

CZ rimfires are fantastic. I have never seen one that shot bad. I have seen some that shot measurably better than others just like it, though.

I have a CZ 452 and a 457 MTR. Both are extremely accurate 22’s.

I have shot a lot of benchrest. Wolf Match and Match Extra is decent ammo, but not top tier, IMO. It seems like there is a flyer or two in every box. That's just enough to make the difference in a great target and a good target.

ColtPythonElite said:

I have shot a lot of benchrest. Wolf Match and Match Extra is decent ammo, but not top tier, IMO. It seems like there is a flyer or two in every box. That's just enough to make the difference in a great target and a good target.

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I agree. Match Extra is pretty good, but definitely not the best, especially so if you're including the higher end stuff like Tenex and Center X (that also cost a lot more).

For "mid-grade" 22 target ammo in the general price range of Match Extra or Match Target, my CZs like SK ammo. SK Pistol Match and SK Standard Plus are generally the best-performing mid-grade target round in most of my CZs. SK and other Lapua loads are quite popular among CZ owners on the RFC CZ forum for this reason - it shoots well in most guns. Wolf Match Target USED TO BE made by SK and was apparently the same ammo as Standard Plus. Match Target is now made by Eley and is different from the old Wolf Match Target stuff that most people have experienced. I don't know who made/makes Match Extra.

One other thing to be aware of with CZ rimfires (and other rimfires for that matter) if you are looking for your best groups, you really need to try a lot of different rounds in each individual gun to see which load the gun "likes." It is not uncommon to find a load that will shoot groups that are approximately half the size of what that gun will do with other similarly-priced ammo. For example, you might try Match Extra or Match Target and get .75" groups at 50 yards, then switch to Pistol Match or Standard Plus and get .4" groups. And it's possible that the results can be the reverse with a different gun -- .75" with the SK ammo and .4" with the Wolf. The same is true for plinking/bulk ammo except the variations can be even more dramatic. Accurate 22s can tend to show some significant preferences on ammo.

You might want to find more common cheaper ammo for practice and top grade for matches or difficult targets. I have used CCI SV, Federal Automatch, and Norma Tac-22 for my lower tier. various Lapua and Eley are top tier for most of my rifles.

I've had a 455 varmint since it came out and couldn't be any happier with how it shoots. Wish my backward, liberal dictated state would come out of the stone age and make suppressors legal.

General Geoff said:

The rings were a bit tricky to adjust the scope in because of their vertical break, but with some patience and a level, I got it pretty much exactly where I want. Some blue threadlocker was applied to ensure no loosening over time.

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Use of lock-tight is recommended only for the base.

Nothing funny looking at all with that serious rifle on your hands!

General Geoff said:

Why?

The rings I have are split vertically, there is no separate base.

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I have the same rings. My other comment requires explanation. Most all manufacturers of rings tell you never to use lock-tight when tightening around the scope tube itself but only on the base. I had forgotten that the Warnke does not have a base as you say. I had some trouble getting my scope leveled and the crosshairs perpendicular so I took it to a gunsmith at my LGS who had a superior platform to my cradle. She leveled the scope, tightened it to proper torque, and bored sighted it for me. She did such a good job that my first three actual range shot were in the black. I do not know why the use of lock-tight is NOT recommended around the scope tube. My smithy said that tightened properly there should be no issue with the scope remaining secure. I might add, that being a vertically split ring, this is the FIRST one I have ever had to get help mounting... But, on the CZ - It is a GOOD ring and the reviews are great. The little 527 in .223/5.56 is a great little performer, looks great, is fun to shoot, and is among my most economical firearms.

I've had 2 CZ rifles(452 Trainer 22lr and 550 Premium .270WCF), both shot exceptionally well. Yours probably will too.

Love my cz rifles.
Got 2 452 trainers and a 452 ultra lux.

I have no issue hitting a 10" steel circle at 300 if I do my part.

You'll love it.