CZ Model 455

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Internet myth says that the Hog Back CZs are not good for shooting with a scope due to the stock configuration and the claim that scopes must be mounted high on a BRNO/452/455 models to clear the bolt handle. I have not found that to be true, PROVIDED you select a scope (not too long, and not too large of an ocular bell) and rings that allow the scope to be mounted low. If needed, you can remove the tangent portion of the rear sight (it just slides out) to create a little more clearance for a longer scope. Some people like higher-mounted scopes where the scope is positioned above the rear sight, but I don't like shooting with that high of a scope mounting.

If you like low-mounted scopes, you can achieve the positioning on a CZ hog-back stock, but as I said, you can't just toss on a random scope and set of rings like you can on some guns. My favorite scope for the CZ hog-back guns is the Weaver Grand Slam 4-16x44 because it's compact enough to fit behind the rear sight, the ocular bell is small enough that it can be mounted pretty low and still not interfere with the bolt handle, it has side focus, and it has just enough power (16x) to be pretty decent for precision target shooting up to about 100 yards. I would prefer at least 24x on the top end, but the hog-back guns aren't my main target guns, so I can live with 16. Below is a 452 Lux with said scope. The scope is discontinued but they come up for sale on e-bay from time to time. It's a very nice scope and very versatile, they made them with three different reticles.

kvalF5y.jpg

On the subject of scope mounting and fit, the hog-back 452s with low-mounted scopes actually fit me BETTER than the standard stock guns. When I bring the gun up to shoulder, my eye is perfectly aligned with the scope. Here's a comparison of comb height on a hog-back 452 with low-mounted scope vs. a straight-stocked 452 American with average-height rings. There's essentially no difference in the height of the scope centerline above the comb, but with the hog-back's greater drop-at-heel, the comb rises up higher above shoulder level and makes the gun actually fit better.

1c9WksQ.jpg

If you are okay with a 3-9 scope, it's easy to find good scopes that will fit low and behind the rear sight. The main challenge comes when you want to fit more magnification power back there.
 
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I have a 455 that I purchased new. It's my only 22 rifle so I just dropped the extra cash to get a good rifle. I can only compare it to the 22 Win. and Rem. rifles I had as a kid. It's a much better rifle in just about all aspects. With a good scope I can ring steel at 220 yds. At 50 yds it shoots dime size groups. I'm not sure you could find a better rifle for the same money these days. I would buy another one if I had a use for one.
 
Just got a call from a good friend that asked me if I wanted a CZ 455 as a Christmas present. He says he doesn't like to shoot bolt action 22's anymore. My trusty Mossberg 46M(b) is getting a bit long in the tooth so I was extremely happy to accept and I'm pretty excited about picking it up this week.
I've read good things about CZ rifles and would like to know a little about my "new" rifle from folks that have experience or own a 455.
 
Huump! Why can't I have a friend like yours? :D

The only thing I know about the 455 is that some of the rimfire chicken shooters here hold it in high regard. Enjoy your new gun.
 
A CZ 455 for a Christmas present ? WOW...... I had to go out and buy a new CZ 455 Varmint Thumbhole Fluted in .22 LR back in Jan. 2017 after a year and a half of trying to talk my buddy into selling me his CZ 452, ( he still has it; says it's a "keeper"). Someday we should shoot them side by side but I think they both shoot great. The 455 has become my favorite .22 bolt gun. Picked up a 2-7x Vortex from the shop where I got the gun and got an 11mm dovetail to Picatinny base from Diversified Innovative Products, ( www. diproducts.com), and used a set of medium ( IIRC) 1" rings from Warne and no scope clearance problems. IMG_1662.JPG . Was tempted to do a barrel swap but have been too busy with other stuff. Then decided that this thing shoots so well for my .22 LR plinking & small game use that I'm not gonna worry about a barrel swap. So now I also have a CZ rimfire "keeper". IMG_1659.JPG ..
 
that looks like a trainer but may be a lux... not sure. At one time years ago the cz 452 was all the rage. I bought one and a 452 american. That trainer and the open sights is unbelievable! Great guns!
 
A CZ455 for Christmas! YES! That's hard to beat Charlie Martinez, you have a good friend, there.

I have two, and the sights on most CZ455s are excellent, especially the tangent sights. I had high rings before, but now the medium height ones are just about right. Both are quite accurate, but not high end target-grade and aren't too anmo-picky. Triggers are easily lightened. Great rifles: sold off two very good Marlins since I enjoyed these so much.

This is the Trainer with the high see-through rings:
View attachment 1044871


This is the Scout:
View attachment 1044872
A CZ455 for Christmas! YES! That's hard to beat Charlie Martinez, you have a good friend, there.

I have two, and the sights on most CZ455s are excellent, especially the tangent sights. I had high rings before, but now the medium height ones are just about right. Both are quite accurate, but not high end target-grade and aren't too anmo-picky. Triggers are easily lightened. Great rifles: sold off two very good Marlins since I enjoyed these so much.

This is the Trainer with the high see-through rings:
View attachment 1044871


This is the Scout:
View attachment 1044872
I see you are using CCI ammo standard velocity and also I am am correct some Winchester superX subsonic. I am interested to know if you have had better results when you compare CCI standard against any high end round such as the Tenex or Match from Eley or R50 by RWS, or Lapua Xact.

I have been trying several types during the last 12 months but at 50 meters it seams to me that it makes no difference in accuracy. If anything, I am most accurate with the CCI standard. I use a Squires Bingham model 20 rifle with a konusPro 3-9x40, standing when shooting. I consider myself as an armature shooter.

Thanks
 
Internet myth says that the Hog Back CZs are not good for shooting with a scope due to the stock configuration and the claim that scopes must be mounted high on a BRNO/452/455 models to clear the bolt handle. I have not found that to be true, PROVIDED you select a scope (not too long, and not too large of an ocular bell) and rings that allow the scope to be mounted low. If needed, you can remove the tangent portion of the rear sight (it just slides out) to create a little more clearance for a longer scope. Some people like higher-mounted scopes where the scope is positioned above the rear sight, but I don't like shooting with that high of a scope mounting.

If you like low-mounted scopes, you can achieve the positioning on a CZ hog-back stock, but as I said, you can't just toss on a random scope and set of rings like you can on some guns. My favorite scope for the CZ hog-back guns is the Weaver Grand Slam 4-16x44 because it's compact enough to fit behind the rear sight, the ocular bell is small enough that it can be mounted pretty low and still not interfere with the bolt handle, it has side focus, and it has just enough power (16x) to be pretty decent for precision target shooting up to about 100 yards. I would prefer at least 24x on the top end, but the hog-back guns aren't my main target guns, so I can live with 16. Below is a 452 Lux with said scope. The scope is discontinued but they come up for sale on e-bay from time to time. It's a very nice scope and very versatile, they made them with three different reticles.

View attachment 1045371

On the subject of scope mounting and fit, the hog-back 452s with low-mounted scopes actually fit me BETTER than the standard stock guns. When I bring the gun up to shoulder, my eye is perfectly aligned with the scope. Here's a comparison of comb height on a hog-back 452 with low-mounted scope vs. a straight-stocked 452 American with average-height rings. There's essentially no difference in the height of the scope centerline above the comb, but with the hog-back's greater drop-at-heel, the comb rises up higher above shoulder level and makes the gun actually fit better.

View attachment 1045372

If you are okay with a 3-9 scope, it's easy to find good scopes that will fit low and behind the rear sight. The main challenge comes when you want to fit more magnification power back there.
Just to see how ‘inaccurate’ it was I mounted a scope on my 513 Basic (Farmer) with the ‘hogback’ stock – no problems at all with fit or function.

I only needed to elevate the front rest a bit to compensate for the stock configuration.

The 513 managed to group under an inch, even with the ‘terrible’ trigger.
 
455 owner. Hogback beech stock, sights.
Backwards safety, bolt not very smooth (less than a brick through it).
Accuracy not all that great unless running SK match.
Swapped to American synth stock.
Running the CZ alloy rings.

Buttplate is slick, will texture (plastic- do not offer a rubber replacement).
Trigger will get a Yo Dave shim kit.

OK rifle, don't think they live up to the hype (based on my crappy sample size of one).

Much prefer to shoot my Browning Buckmark pistol w reflex.
So the 455 just sits in the safe.

Actually got a pic on phone today, buddy CZapped 4 big fox squirrels w his.
 
I finally shot my CZ 452 (not the 455 my friend thought it was) . Accuracy expectations differ but at 50 yards groups were within an inch if the occasional "flyer" is ignored which (IMHO) is very good. I did not have high grade target ammo so I had to settle for Rem Golden Sabre HP, Federal Target Standard velocity and CCI Standard velocity. I expected best results with the CCI but the tightest 5-shot group (at 50 yds.) was under 3/4-inch with the Remington ammo. The trigger is excellent and very similar to the trigger on my great old Mossberg 46M(b).

I believe that ammo had little to do with results and that the tightest group came about as result of better shooting. I have no doubts that the rifle is capable of producing better accuracy with better shooting and better ammo. I am anxious to try it at 100 yds. the next time I go.

My only complaint is that it doesn't reliably eject spent cases. I looked it up in You Tube and it appears that a dirty bolt is common cause of this problem in the CZ 452 and 455 so hopefully I'll fix it by taking the bolt apart and cleaning it. If anyone has had similar ejection issues with their CZ's I would appreciate your advice.
 
Just pull the bolt and flush it. Brake cleaner works, CLP works, I use Zippo Fluid more often than not; just get it in there and work the extractor gently by hand. If you have compressed air even better, if not, stand it up and let it drain then wipe it down. If you used CLP, you’re done. If you used anything else, a few drops of CLP to finish.

Since history is relatively unknown, give the chamber a few passes with a nylon jag and inspect it for dry fire damage.
 
My only complaint is that it doesn't reliably eject spent cases. I looked it up in You Tube and it appears that a dirty bolt is common cause of this problem in the CZ 452 and 455 so hopefully I'll fix it by taking the bolt apart and cleaning it. If anyone has had similar ejection issues with their CZ's I would appreciate your advice.
The 452 has a holder and an extractor that look almost identical and can easily be accidentally switched when the bolt is disassembled. If you're having poor ejection, the first thing to check is to make sure the holder and extractor are in their correct positions. If they are correct positions, the springs are functioning correctly, and the bolt is clean, then either the holder or the extractor probably needs some re-shaping work, or possibly replacing if they're too disfigured.
Here's a tread with photos that show which is the holder and which is the extractor, and how they ought to look.
https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1199061&highlight=extractor

BTW, I'm still curious as to whether you have a Lux (walnut stock) or a Trainer (Beech stock). I think it's walnut, albeit with very little figure showing through the factory finish. If you're curious too, you can call CZ-USA with the serial number and they'll tell you what it is.
 
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'm still curious as to whether you have a Lux (walnut stock) or a Trainer (Beech stock).
Thanks, I'll definitely check out the video.
I think its a rather plain grained walnut stock but not 100% sure. Is the difference between the two models only the stock or are there other differences?

Since history is relatively unknown, give the chamber a few passes with a nylon jag and inspect it for dry fire damage.[/QUOTE]
Can you please elaborate on how this is done? Ive never done that before.
 
I think the trainer has a 200 yard rear sight while the lux has a 300 yard. But these details may have differed over the model’s existence?
 
Thanks, I'll definitely check out the video.
I think its a rather plain grained walnut stock but not 100% sure. Is the difference between the two models only the stock or are there other differences?
Yep, that's what it looks like to me -- plain-grained Walnut. If you chose to refinish it, it'd show a LOT more feature.

The only difference between the Trainer and the Lux of a given year model is the stock wood. The Ultra Lux was the one with the different rear sight distance markings.
 
Can you please elaborate on how this is done? Ive never done that before.

I don’t have mine in front of me but generally the firing pin is located at 12:00. If you check the bolt face you’ll know for sure. Take a flashlight and, with the bolt retracted, have a look at the chamber area of the barrel. See if there are any areas where metal appears swaged or the chamber out of round.

For cleaning, use, if available, a short (12”) rod with a nylon bristle jag to sweep in and out, to clean the chamber and first inch or two of barrel. Odd things happen, someone dryfires hundreds of times because they hear it's free/good practice, people hand load .22 Short rounds and develop a ring of lead and fouling. These things can prevent extraction.


I was thinking the Lux had a longer barrel than the Trainer. I’d swear looking at the grain pattern that it’s beechwood.
 
My 455 has been a disappointment-----very poor accuracy---I need to spend some more time with it just to be sure but it's probably going bye bye. The plastic mag is garbage too.
 
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