CZ 457 Varmint 17HMR??

[Sniper66]

I would like to hear from guys with experience shooting this rifle. I have the .22 version of this model and it has been excellent. There is no reason to expect otherwise from the 17HMR caliber, but I like hearing from guys with experience. I've shot my friend's American version and it's better than average based on my having owned 6 different 17HMRs, but I prefer the heavier varmint model. I'll appreciate your help.

 

[Walkalong]

I've shot my friend's American version and it's better than average based on my having owned 6 different 17HMRs

Hmmm.......

I don't have experience with the .17, I don't want to buy a .17 cleaning rod and accessories, (What can I say), but have a CZ Varmint .22 LR on the way.

All the people with CZ's I know are very happy with them, so I wouldn't be afraid to take a chance on a CZ Varmint in .17 HMR if I so desired a .17.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I’ve got the CZ452 Varmint in .17HMR and it has been outstanding and killed scores of groundhogs. Incredibly accurate, good trigger, nice lines. It’s just a classic-looking, great shooting rifle that can be passed down. The CZ457 is an improved version so I’m sure you’ll be pleased if you go that route.

 

[2ndtimer]

I picked up a .17HMR barrel conversion kit for my CZ-455’s a few years ago. Included a magazine and wrench for barrel nut removal and installation. Quick and easy, don’t know if they still offer them for the CZ-457. The 455 shot just as good with the .17HMR barrel as it did with the .22lr barrel, which is to say, excellent. If I was in the market for a new .17HMR rifle, the CZ-457 would be the first I would consider. I don’t know if I would opt for the heavy barrel, though. With that tiny .17 bore, a standard sporter barrel seems heavy enough.

 

[Sniper66]

I'll add something here as an FWI. The reason I prefer the heavier barrel is because I have a tremor that makes controlling the lighter rifles a challenge. Otherwise I would get an American. All of my varmint rifles are heavy beasts that can be off putting for other guys. But, I can nail prairie dogs at 300+ yds with the proper rest and patience.

 

[Turkeytider]

I wouldn`t hesitate to buy a CZ rifle in 17HMR, just based on input from people who know about rifles and the plethora of positive reviews. Having said that, I`ve come to really enjoy the 17HMR as a fun range gun. I have a " basic " Savage 93R17 with a Vortex 2-7 Crossfire scope that`s been a ball to shoot. Out to 200 yards, in the right conditions, it`s surprisingly accurate on 2" and 4" gongs. The key, and biggest drawback, to shooting 17HMR is ammo inconsistency. Lot to lot, box to box, even round to round can show pronounced velocity variations. Lots of stuff on the web about this. Through trial and error, I`ve found the best consistency with CCI 17grain TNT (JHP).

 

[LoonWulf]

My 457 Americans .17 barrel outshot the .22 barrel by a huge margin. I was very impressed with the .17 and disappointed with the .22.
1/4-1/2 moa groups at 100 wernt difficult with the cci tipped bullets.....think they were cci....anyway.

 

[Turkeytider]

My 457 Americans .17 barrel outshot the .22 barrel by a huge margin. I was very impressed with the .17 and disappointed with the .22.
1/4-1/2 moa groups at 100 wernt difficult with the cci tipped bullets.....think they were cci....anyway.

Well, in reality, unless things have changed, CCI and Winchester are the only two manufacturers of 17 HMR loads. Whether or not they tailor specifications for other brands ( Federal, Hornady, etc ) I really don`t know.