which 22 LR rifle?

[alexanderplatz]

I already own a CZ 550 FS in .270 Win and love it. I would like to buy a .22 LR rifle for general plinking and target shooting. With a .22 LR I can also use one of those resetting targets. I hope that practice on the .22 would improve my shooting in general and specifically on the CZ 550 FS. I am very happy with my CZ and have made up my mind to get another CZ for my .22. The two contenders are:

1. CZ 452 FS. I already like the Mannlicher stock and I guess that I hope that shooting this rifle, which is as identical as possible to my other one, will do the most to improve my middling abilities when I switch back to the .270 to go hunting.

2. CZ 453 Varmint. Different look and feel, but the weight (6.8 lbs) is actually closer to the the 7.4 lbs of my other rifle. Then again the balance of the weight may be different, since the increase would be due to the heavier barrel. The heavy barrel would be a nice feature if it would allow me to go to the range and bang away for a long time without too much loss of accuracy due to heat. This rifle would require a scope but I wouldn't mind that as I have a scope on the .270, and I'd probably put a scope on either one that I chose.

Just wondering what other, more experienced shooters think of these two choices given my goals.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I have shot most of the CZ rimfires, with the exception of an Ultra Lux. Which I would love to have.

Your decision boils down to if you want to shoot the rifle with iron sights or scoped. The hogback stock of the Lux and FS models is great for irons, but if you scope it you will likely find it difficult to get a good cheekweld.


If you decide you want to scope it, for my money, the American is a better rifle than the Varmint. They shoot the same, regardless of how hot you get it. (not very hot with 22 rimfire).

The only difference is balance, and I prefer the American in the woods. The varmint is preferable if you do a lot of shooting from sandbags because of the flatter forearm. It is designed to be shot from a bench.


I have a Lux, and it is the last firearm I would part with. If I were going to scope a CZ it would be an American or a Silhouette.

 

[TCB in TN]

It is often a good idea to stay with the same or at least similar platform, especially if profeciency is your goal. If you really like the rifle you have then shooting an almost identical .22 lr is probably the best way to go.

 

[YodaVader]

The heavy barrel would be a nice feature if it would allow me to go to the range and bang away for a long time without too much loss of accuracy due to heat.

I would not worry too much about barrel over heating firing a bolt action 22lr. With my "pencil" barrel CZ Special (Trainer) I have never experienced any barrel heating issues.

I'd probably put a scope on either one that I chose.

The stock design of the Varmint would be better suited to scope shooting. I bought an CZ American a few weeks ago and really love the handling qualities. The stock deign is also better suited to scope use compared to my Special which has the "drooping" style stock designed for open sight shooting.

 

[alexanderplatz]

Today I ordered the 452 Lux. Should be here next week, or so I was told. Thanks to all for their suggestions.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Since you have a full lenght stock on your CZ centerfire and like it why not follow up with one on your new 22 LR? Can`t beat a CZ-452FS IMO.

CZ 452FS in 17HMR
BTW; the target is a "normal" 100 yds group, the squares are 1".

 

[Seafarer12]

I would look at the CZ American. Those are really nice.

 

[riverdog]

The CZ 452 Lux was a very good choice. I like mine a lot.

 

[alexanderplatz]

I decided I wanted to shoot with iron sights, since I'd be shooting typically at 50 yards, maybe 100 yards if I was feeling ambitious, so that ruled out the 453 varmint and the 452 American. Honestly I can't say why I chose the Lux over the 452 FS -- for variety I guess, and it seems to have an established reputation. Both guns are going to be more accurate than I am. I'll have to post some pics when it comes in. I seem to be acquiring a collection of Czech weapons without setting out to do so.

 

[gbran]

I think you made a good choice, but I probably would have went for the Mannlicher stock......... that gun is a thing of beauty. I wonder though, how you might free float with that kind of stock.

 

[MCgunner]

I'll keep my old Remington bolt. Maybe not as good a trigger, crisp, but a little stiff even though I've been shooting it for 46 years. But, I bet it's just as accurate as that CZ. If I needed a new bolt .22, though, I'd consider the CZ. Seems like a real nice rifle.

 

[Chem Geek]

I love the irons on my 452 Special. So my vote goes for the 452 FS, as I love the looks of that one too!

 

[rangerruck]

you cannot replace open sites, no matter how much you try. go with the mannlicher, or find an ultralux.

 

[GunTech]

I like the 452 varmint but see know point to the 453 unless you absolutely must have a set trigger. I just put a rifle basix in mine.

 

[alexanderplatz]

you cannot replace open sites, no matter how much you try. go with the mannlicher, or find an ultralux.



I plan to shoot with the open sights on the 452 Lux.