+1 for CZ.
I got the 452 combo (.22 LR and 17 HMR) in lovely wood. I’ve not gotten around to shooting the .17 barrel yet. The set cost a little over double the price of my 10/22 ... $500 a couple of years ago. I got word a nearly local gun shop had one and asked them to hold it for me. Here is what happened.
I drove out to this “classic” gun shop, piled inside with shipping boxes, ammo, used guns galore, great selection of new guns and about five guys hanging out chewing the fat, two clerks and a gunsmith in back.
I ask to see the Savage bolt action. It’s nice.
I ask to see the Ruger bolt action. It’s nice.
I ask them to unbox the CZ. “Holy Crap!” One of the kibitzers says. “What’s that???” A little crowd gathered. I tossed my credit card on the counter. “That’s mine, that is!” I said instantly.
The lines and wood on the CZ are simply elegant.
It makes my 10/22 look like someone bedded an action in to a 2x4.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my 10/22. I spent a couple months accurizing my Ruger, keeping track of every change and the result on accuracy, posting my journey over on Rimfire Central.
I put a 4x fixed scope on it, pillar bedded the action, free floated the barrel with a rubber gasket “tuner” a couple inches up from the action. I tried several factory barrels and found the original was best. I put in the BX trigger upgrade (doesn’t increase accuracy but makes the trigger far far nicer so accuracy is easier for the shooter.) I went through a whole catalog of ammo.
I think I was putting 10 shots in to a 1.375” circle at 50 yards. Not match grade, the next step would be a custom barrel. I’m not match grade either, so I stopped. It’s a great bunny buster and squirrels beware. Scoped, I have $300 in to it.
I unbox the CZ. Finding 11mm scope rings is a real hassle. I totally 100% recommend the Burris Signature rings, the ones with the plastic inserts. Perfect for my Nikon 4x8 scope.
If you need height to get clearance above your suppressor can, the BKL 11mm rings are also awesome. I bought a pair at the same time as the Burris. The Burris are more elegant, the BKL are outstanding quality but were a bit high for my 40mm scope. Make no mistake, CZ scope rings can be a bother. The newest model may take a standard rimfire scope ring, or not. I heard some rumors, just be aware.
So I clean the barrel, head to the range. Out of the box, the trigger is nicer than the BX Ruger trigger. Using “decent” ammo (CCI sv/blazer or Aquila sv) from sandbags, instantly more accurate than the 10/22. Something like 10 inside 1.125” at 50 yards. I always include “fliers” unless I call them before seeing the target. It’s basically a ragged hole. I switched to match grade ammo and it tightens up even more. Still not match grade, but... well, I moved to the 100 yard range with the cz.
The barrels in the latest CZ line are backwards compatible with the 452 barrels. I wager you can pick up a .22wmr barrel used.
Long winded way of saying “get the CZ for under $600 with both the barrels you want”