CZ 455 American/Lux Opinions?

[rswartsell]

I have an itch for a new relatively high quality .22 rifle for plinking/recreational use and possibly some small game hunting/pest control.

I owned a Ruger 77/22 that I dearly loved mounted with a Leupold Rimfire scope. I had it for years and lost it to a burglary a few years ago.

I have since been making due with an old (1940's era?) Stevens left me by my step father and the time has come to retire the old Stevens and make it the sentimental piece it is best fitted for.

I understand that the CZ rifles I have had my eye on and have heard good things about are changing (Model designation 452 to 455?).

What are your experiences, opinions and recommendations? I want quality of build, accuracy, durability and value (who don't?).

 

[Sako Shooter]

I would go with the 452. Better hurry though as the supply has all but dwindled.

The 452 has the threaded barrel, while the 455 has a pinned barrel and offers the advantage of switching calibers with only one rifle. If you desire a switch barrel rifle, I would suggest the Sako Quad.

The Lux/Trainer 452 has better iron sights than the 455 IMO. The American would be my choice if you decide to go with a scope.

I own both a Trainer (which is a Lux with a beechwood stock) and a 452 American. Both required trigger jobs to shoot to their potential. Both easily turn in sub-moa accuracy at 50 yards with medium grade match ammo.

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with the 455, I just rather the 452.

 

[rswartsell]

thx Sako

 

[chevyforlife21]

Get it

 

[juk]

Check out the CZ forum at RimfireCentral. Just about any and all questions you might have will be answered. I can't go over there anymore. Those arseholes keep posting pictures of full-stock 452s and I can't deal with the temptation. lol.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i wanted something nicer than my marlin 795 for squirrel hunting. couldn't find a 452 local, so i bought a 455 American in .22LR while i still had a month or so of squirrel season. i had high expectations for the rifle. out of the box, i was a bit disappointed. the trigger was smooth, but had too much creep. i tried various types of ammo and couldn't get the groups under an inch at 50 yds.

i put an inexpensive ($24 shipped iirc) "Yo Dave" trigger kit in it. this got the trigger to about 2 lb 4 oz (by my lyman digital gauge) and and eliminated almost all the creep. install was easy. this got the best groups down to around .75" at 50 yds. still not what i thought this gun was capable of, but i was headed in the right direction.

so i ordered a reconditioned Utica TS-35 torque driver off ebay for $50 and started playing with the action screw torques. this was really the trick. i still have some fine tuning to do, but the groups are consistently .5" or less at 50 yds. i still haven't tried the very high end ammo.

fit and finish is excellent. the wood is beautiful. the rifle just feels great in my hands when i'm strolling through the squirrel woods. it's got some sort of deal where it will occasionally jam the next to last round from the magazine into the edge of the chamber. haven't figured that out yet. only does it on that next-to-last round and it may be related to specific types/brands of ammo. i may call CZ and see if they will send me a replacement mag because i haven't seen that specific complaint on any of the forums.

i'd probably buy another, but i kinda wish i had've been patient and ordered a 452. i'm still throwing around the idea of pillar bedding. i've got a local gunsmith who supposedly does an excellent job on pillar bedding the 455 and i've read numerous times that pillars will really improve the 455's accuracy. if i can get the 4th round jam thing figured out, i'll be a happy camper.

also, magazines are expensive for this thing

 

[History.Doc]

Go with the 452 if you are planning on getting any of the lux models, otherwise the 455s are fine. Some guys swear by the yo Dave trigger kit. I think the triggers are fine as is. If you want the single set trigger you can also get the 453. My favorite gun is the ultra lux. I love the looks I get when I take it to the range-- it has a 28.8 in barrel. The only problem with cz rifles is that it becomes pretty easy to convince yourself that you need one of each. Best guns for the money, IMHO.

 

[BCRider]

Scope or plain sights? The shape of the stocks makes a big difference in how you shoulder the two guns and what you're using for sighting.

The big difference between the two is the height of the comb. The American has a higher comb which should allow you to still get a good cheek weld when looking through the higher sighting line of a scope on rings.

Meanwhile the greater angle and drop of the Lux is set up for the stock plain iron sights or a low mounted peep sight option. The lower comb lets you get a nice cheek weld and sight low along the top of the reciever without any gymnastics.

 

[viking499]

If you want to use open sights, the 452's sights are superior to the 455 lux sights.

You also have the option of a 24 or 28 inch barrel on the 452's, which will give a longer sight radius. Both those should, not always, but should improve accuracy.

FWIW, I have 5 452's and no 455's.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a 455 and a 452. IMO, they are equal in quality. They shoot about equally as well. I would not hesitate a moment to get a 452 if their is a model of them you really like and it is readily available. I also would not shy away from a 455, especially the American. The good thing about the 455 is that Lilja just came out with a barrel for them. I suspect they are gonna be some real good shooters.

 

[ford8nr]

Look at the 452 Varmint. They make them in std stock or thumbhole. I have a Thumbhole laminate and it will shoot 10 shot 100 yd groups you can cover with a penny with Fed Match ammo. Check Buds Guns.com, I picked mine up for a little over $400. I did stone the sear and removed some of the creep, trigger pull is adjustable.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Ten shot 100 yard groups that can be covered with a penny sure is some good grouping. Which Federal ammo is it that you are using?

 

[ford8nr]

I'm shooting Federal HV Match #719.
My CZ452 and Win 52 LOVE this stuff, my 10/22 Target not so much. That group was shot on a CALM day, off sand bags with a 6x24x42 scope. The trigger / sear has been stoned and sear engagement reduced to remove the original creaky creep.

 

[Manny]

I had a couple 452 trainers that were terrific guns, accurate as all get out but I hated the euro style stocks. Gave one to my brother and sold yhe other with the intent of getting a 453 and got sidetracked into a Ruger Charger instead. Still I think very highly of these guns and their amazing accuracy. They also have several new models for 2012 that are exceptionally nice. One with a Boyds laminate stock & one with a Manners precision stock, a little pricy but look terrific and I have belive will preform even better.

I'd lean towards the 453 or a new 455 in a Boyds, but there's not a bad choice in the bunch, though I'll stay away from the Euro style stock, thank you very much.

Also found this link to a gent who tunes them to shoot even better and he claims the 455 has the best accuracy potential.

http://heffronfirearmclassics.com/CZBOLTACTIONRIMFIRE.aspx

If you go CZ, regardless of what you get chances are it'll shoot terrific.

 

[viking499]

NO to Heffrons...........do a little research.......

 

[Furncliff]

If you go to the Brno/CZ section of rimfirecentral.com you'll get a lot of good advise.

Heffron...no

CZ452 American for a scope mount rifle.

The Lux and Ultra Lux have drop comb stocks. These are favored by those who shoot open sights. But there are a bunch of them out there that have scopes. The cheek weld will be something to think about. Add the Full Stock in here if you like some continental flavor.

I received a CZ452 Varmint thumb hole for Christmas. I shoot mostly from the bench and I like Thumb hole stocks, but this might be a bit heavy for a walk around rifle.

As far as I can tell there is no difference in accuracy between models.

 

[rswartsell]

Thanks everyone, I am at 56 years young deciding I'll mount another Leupold rimfire so it's the American. Have a call in to my FFL to find out about 452 possibilities, he's pretty good at finding stuff. If it's the 455 I won't cry but other than barrel I'm still unclear on differences. Their website implies they are going to s a standard receiver that will be common to all models. Either that or I'm getting foggy and addled enough not to cut through marketing spin very well.

P.S. Oh and as an unrelated thought is there any good reason for a variable magnification on a .22? Any thoughts on current Leupold Rimfire scopes?

 

[ford8nr]

Boy I just checked with several of my usual dist and has the 452 supply dried up in the past several months. I found some Americans with thd'd muzzles and ONE nib nickel on gunbroker for $379 BIN. Good luck on your quest, I'm glad I grabbed my Varmint in December.

 

[viking499]

If looking at Romford scopes, check out the Nikon Prostaff Romford scopes. They also have a $50 rebate right now.

 

[Bushpilot]

I have 4 CZ 452/453's, two 22lr, a 17 hmr and 22 mag. 2 are Americans and 2 are Lux. The Americans are easier to mount larger scopes on but both are great rifles. I'm NOT at all a fan of the CZ 455. IMHO the 455's are lesser, probably cheaper to manufacture rifles that are more of a gadget rifle at the expense of; one locking lug vs two and a pinned on barrel vs. screwed on like barrel like a centerfire rifle. Plus ( I believe but am not 100% certain on this part) a "one size fits all" mag that I've heard is more prone to malfunction. Who really wants to resight a rifle every time they switch a barrel/chambering and then sight it in again when they switch back? The barrel switching feature is really just one of those gimmicky features that really is of very little practical use unless a person really just wants something to tinker with. Just buy another rifle, it’s not that much of a cost savings and is a waste of time. I have about a dozen other rimfire rifles and all things considered I think the CZ's 452’s are about the best all around for the money. Find a good new or used 452/3 American and you won't have any regrets.

 

[CZguy]

I have 4 CZ 452/453's, two 22lr, a 17 hmr and 22 mag. 2 are Americans and 2 are Lux. The Americans are easier to mount larger scopes on but both are great rifles. I'm NOT at all a fan of the CZ 455. IMHO the 455's are lesser, probably cheaper to manufacture rifles that are more of a gadget rifle at the expense of; one locking lug vs two and a pinned on barrel vs. screwed on like barrel like a centerfire rifle. Plus ( I believe but am not 100% certain on this part) a "one size fits all" mag that I've heard is more prone to malfunction. Who really wants to resight a rifle every time they switch a barrel/chambering and then sight it in again when they switch back? The barrel switching feature is really just one of those gimmicky features that really is of very little practical use unless a person really just wants something to tinker with. Just buy another rifle, it’s not that much of a cost savings and is a waste of time. I have about a dozen other rimfire rifles and all things considered I think the CZ's 452’s are about the best all around for the money. Find a good new or used 452/3 American and you won't have any regrets.

I agree with Bushpilot on 452s vs. 455s. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used 452/453.

 

[rswartsell]

Well the 452 availability for me is;
1. synthetic stock, threaded 16 in. barrel for mounting a suppressor -not intersted
2. synthetic stock, nickel plated -don't like that either

Time to take a look at the used market or prepare for a 455.

 

[CZguy]

Time to take a look at the used market or prepare for a 455.

Let us know how your search goes. One good thing about buying used is being able to find a nice stock. They were not all created equal.

 

[LAK]

Just on the issue of the euro vs American stocks and cheek welds; I have never found a cheek weld necessary to shoot any .22 rifle well. So the advantage of the euro is that it can be used with both open sights and a scope, whereas the American might not be suited to open sights at all.

 

[History.Doc]

What about a 453 from buds?