Best CZ 452 for Benchrest Shooting?

L

l98ster

New member
Hi everyone:

I know I have made a couple of posts on the CZ 452 rifle recently, but I am having a hard time choosing.

I know I want the CZ 452. However, which 452 would be the most desiarble for 50 yard benchrest shooting?

The trainer is the cheapest, but may not be the best for this type of shooting
The ultra lux seems nice, but a 28 inch barrel seems like an overkill
The varmint looks pretty good all around, but how does it perform next to the others?

Decisions decisions!!

-George
 
I have the Varmint (453), and find it's very accurate off the bench. It's posed on a Hariss bipod, but I actually prefer a front Caldwell bag when shooting off the bench.

cz453_03.jpg
 
Thanks everyone:

Hey EAJ702: what do you consider accurate? Im looking for a GUN capable of half inch 5 shot groups at 50 yards. As far as ME being capable of that; I guess that is where alot of practice comes in!!

-George
 
I have a 452 Varmint, but I went to a 17HMR for shooting off the bench with a Harris bipod. I also had a Timney trigger installed. As for 50 yards, that was just during my sighting in of the scope. I shoot the 17HMR out to 100 yards and have also shot it at 200 yards on a windless day. CZ makes a fine line of rifles.For bench work with .22LR the heavy barrel isn't necessary. You could go with the American and have a lot of fun.
 
If you're looking for a competition rifle, the 452 isn't competitive, except for plinker-type matches, or informal shooting.

The 452 Varmint I had several years ago had a sloppy chamber, but finally got it to shoot under 1/2" at 50 yards. It loved a pressure pad in the forearm and a second bedding screw in the receiver. The barrel stud used in the varmint model back then didn't work well IMHO.

I now have a CZ 455 in .22 WMR and find it a bit light for bench shooting, but it shoots pretty well (.4" at 50 yards, 1" at 100) after pillar-bedding. However, it's my walk-about rifle and the weight is perfect for that duty.
 
[QUOTEIm looking for a GUN capable of half inch 5 shot groups at 50 yards.][/QUOTE]

That's doable with practice and quality ammunition. The 453 has a standard/and very nice set trigger, which is helpful in improving accuracy and consistency. The barrel in my varmint is also nicely floated.
 
People who've owned more than one CZ type will usually tell you that it's irrelevent. It just the luck of the draw as to which one is more accurate. Most of them are acurate. The Varmint is made to shoot off bags from a bench and is a good choice.
 
455 is the new model. 453s are the single set trigger (SST) variant of the 452s. I don't believe 453s are planned to be discontinued yet.

Most reports I've seen about the 452s say that the Americans are on average more accurate than the Varmint, because of the more consistent dual action screw configuration. However a pillar bedded varmint might tend to be more accurate.
 
I believe that either rifle can be made to shoot extremely well, but careful and persistent bedding improvement/adjustment, trigger improvements, and having the barrel set back and re-chambered to match dimensions may be necessary.

BTW: I haven't seen any CZs, rebarreled or otherwise, winning any benchrest matches, but they're excellent rifles for the money and I'm really happy with my 455 in .22WMR, now that the bedding and trigger have been tweaked and the CCI 30gr A-Max rounds found. It consistently groups an inch for 5 shots at 100 yards.

JP
 
I have a box-stock 452 I bought about 5 years ago. I haven't shot it in a while but I was getting 3/8 in. groups off of a bipod (prone) with not-target grade (not hi-vel, either) ammo even with the crappy factory trigger.
I'm going to do one of the trigger improvemets (or replacements) by the end of the summer and try it again.
 
I love my 453 Varmint. Several of us at the range take turns chasing old 45 ACP brass or a shotgun hull around the 50 yard berm. Mine is OK with bulk Federal ammo but needs Eley to really get to work.
Here's 25 rounds of Eley Target, the flyers are my fault. Need to slow down.
22Targets002.jpg

CZ453Varmint2-1-07.jpg
 
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