New CZ 455 - Bedding

[Picher]

I bought a CZ455 in .22 WMR yesterday at Kittery Trading Post and am in the process of pillar-bedding it. I'm disappointed in the bedding/rifle design. The test target at 50 yards was dismal, but the stock is really well-grained, so I took a chance on it, despite less-than-glowing reviews.

The forward screw hole in the stock is only about 3/4 of a circle, being open at the back for the magazine cut. Receiver bearing area front is very tiny, about 1/4" long and less than a quarter inch wide. The receiver fits very loosely in the stock, allowing lots of side wiggle with the screws loosened.

I made pillars from 1/2" steel tubing and had to cut out the rear of the front pillar to clear the magazine housing screw. The remaining tubing at the top was pinched together to better bear on the narrow, flat area of the receiver at that point.

The barrel fit pretty loosely in the receiver when the setscrews were removed, so I Loctited (Permatexed?) the barrel in with Stud and Bearing Mount. I don't intend to get other barrels, but if I did, the barrel could be removed easily, with heat from an electric heat gun. Been there, done that.

There are lots of places where the epoxy could grab the action, so plenty of masking tape, modeling clay, and release compound is necessary on this baby.

I hope this rifle ends up shooting some types of WMR ammo under 1/2" at 50 yards. If it doesn't, it probably won't be my fault!!!

In a couple of days, it should be ready to shoot.

JP

 

[benzy2]

CZ has never shot for group with their factory targets. They are purely a test of function. They do not mount a scope or really aim the rifle. Most all of them look closer to shotgun patterns than groups. I have yet to see one that was less than 5-10 MOA on the good side. How they shoot for group on the other hand, is a different story.

I have also found that they benefit from bedding. They seem to be a little generous on the inlet, though nothing horrible. Not a terrible thing for someone willing to bed a rifle. After that, and maybe shimming the trigger, you should be fairly set. I'm not sure how that 455 will shoot compared to the old 452s, but if it's anywhere near the same, 1/2" at 50 yards with at least one type of ammo should happen.

 

[Picher]

I assume the factory places the rifle in a jig to test fire it. It seems weird they would fire it a 50 yards that way, instead of clamping a scope on and shooting for groups. Some people would decline to buy the rifle with a target that bad in the box, but it didn't bother me.

It's been a while since working on a CZ trigger, but it's simple enough. I'm looking for a short, smooth 3 lb pull without backlash.

 

[rajb123]

I bedded a 452 Varmint in WMR recently and it came out great. There are some shots on the rimfirecentral.com web cite.

I just bought a new 455 American 22lr rifle Sunday so I can relate to your issues. My factory 455 target was about 1 inch at 50 yards. When I got the rifle home, I took it apart to wax the parts and noticed that the rear action screw was completely loose about to fall out of the gun! Consequently, I'm not relying on the test target.

Commercial pillars are too big for these rifles. I used threaded lamp/electrical extentions commonly found in Home Depo. I used Devcon epoxy for the glass. At $35, it is expensive but it does not shrink as it dries and it is very hard.

My 455 barrel was fully floated from the factory. The action was smooth and the mag feeding is great. The trigger creep is excessive, however. No adjustible sears are now availible so it is a YoDave shim kit for now.

 

[rajb123]

One thing I learned about CZ rimfire rifles. ...they need to be tinkered with...

My 452 Varmint was a mess from the factory. These issues included excessive trigger creep, inconsistent trigger pull, very rough bolt/action, barrel was not free floating, mag does not feed rounds well, week striker spring, etc. After many weeks of reading and modifying the rifle, it now shoots great.

The quality control on the new 455 American seems MUCH better. No tool marks on the bolt/action, smooth action, barrel fully floated, mag feeds well, etc. I'm planning to install a trigger shim kit, lighter trigger spring and larger striker spring. My wood fits great, so I will likely leave this as it came from the factory.

 

[Octalman]

Picher,

The modifications you are working should make a big difference. Recently bought a 455 American Combo. Right out of the box is was difficult to get any kind of group. All over the place at 50 yards. So eager to try it out did not check to see if everything was tight. Got home and found the receiver loose. Screws holding the magazine box were loose. After tightening everything, still side to side movement of the receiver.

Pillar bedded, torqued and loctite barrel screws, loctite the magazine box screws, torque action screws to 28 in lb. Smoothed machine marks on the bolt. Fortunately the trigger had no creep and not too heavy, maybe the next project. Next time out amazing difference. If held solid on the bench, could put rounds in virtually the same hole at 50 yards. Next test will be how it groups at 100 yards. Good luck, think it will grow on you.