I finally got out to shoot the new-to-me CZ's the other day. One is a 452 Varmit chambered in .17HMR, the other a 550 Safari Magnum .375 H&H. It was the second time I've fired the .17 and the first time for the .375. Many of the reports here at THR convinced me to take a chance on CZ's...but now I really am a believer.
I mounted a B&L 3x9 on the 452, and the ammo was CCI TNT (17grn). After I got the scope dialed in, shooting 5 shot 1" groups (at 75 -100 yards) was effortless. For me that is truly amazing ( I often shake like a dog deficating glass while target shooting). After getting it dialed in, I started shooting water bottles placed from 75-120 yards. I was rushing a bit, but still hit 9/10 (perhaps 10/10 but one bottle didn't explode). The 452 is a little pricey for a .17, but it looks and feels as good as it shoots. Definately a keeper.
I was equally impressed with the 550. I had never owned or fired a .375 H&H. I was a little leery of recoil in spite of all the assurances here that it is relatively mild in that rifle. They were telling the truth! I found it easier to handle than nearly any medium and/or big bore rifle I've owned. Definately no worse than a 12 gauge firing 2.75" shells . I have not scoped this rifle. With some sense of dread, I fired the first shot off hand . Hmmm....not bad at all. I fired two more shots rapidly and walked down to take a look at the target (about 75 yards). Three neat little holes were grouped at about 3". I fired 17 more rounds (Federal 300 gr Safari) and called it a day. The recoil was a bit much when I tried shooting from a sitting postion, but two days later, still no sore shoulder! After seeing and feeling what this rifle is about, I'm tempted to put a medium power scope on it. My eyes just don't do it justice.
In a nutshell- I'm very satisfied with my first two CZ rifles. I'm thinking about buying a .308 sometime this year. It will likely be a CZ.
I mounted a B&L 3x9 on the 452, and the ammo was CCI TNT (17grn). After I got the scope dialed in, shooting 5 shot 1" groups (at 75 -100 yards) was effortless. For me that is truly amazing ( I often shake like a dog deficating glass while target shooting). After getting it dialed in, I started shooting water bottles placed from 75-120 yards. I was rushing a bit, but still hit 9/10 (perhaps 10/10 but one bottle didn't explode). The 452 is a little pricey for a .17, but it looks and feels as good as it shoots. Definately a keeper.
I was equally impressed with the 550. I had never owned or fired a .375 H&H. I was a little leery of recoil in spite of all the assurances here that it is relatively mild in that rifle. They were telling the truth! I found it easier to handle than nearly any medium and/or big bore rifle I've owned. Definately no worse than a 12 gauge firing 2.75" shells . I have not scoped this rifle. With some sense of dread, I fired the first shot off hand . Hmmm....not bad at all. I fired two more shots rapidly and walked down to take a look at the target (about 75 yards). Three neat little holes were grouped at about 3". I fired 17 more rounds (Federal 300 gr Safari) and called it a day. The recoil was a bit much when I tried shooting from a sitting postion, but two days later, still no sore shoulder! After seeing and feeling what this rifle is about, I'm tempted to put a medium power scope on it. My eyes just don't do it justice.
In a nutshell- I'm very satisfied with my first two CZ rifles. I'm thinking about buying a .308 sometime this year. It will likely be a CZ.
Last edited:
