Looking for a good .22 lr bolt rifle for adult plinking!

I have a savage Mark II right now. I dont remember exactly what model it is, but it's got the target barrel and thumb hole stock. I like it, I still need to find the right ammo for it, but I've shot some pretty good groups with it. It's a scope only rifle.

I'd like something totaly different for a iron sighted plinking gun, even though I could get another but different Savage Mark II that would fill my needs.

Right now, I'm still thinking a CZ might be in order. I really like the style of the CZ 452 FS http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-fs/ I've always liked that style of stock where it runs the full length of the barrel. $517

The CZ 452 Ultra Lux has my interest peaked. http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-ultra-lux/ But I'm just not sure if I want the super long barrel (even though I know I would love it in the long run) I also dont have alot of good places to shoot long range so I'd have to make an effort to find practical plinking oportunities. Or rather I'd have to make an effort to take full advantage of the long sight radius. $388

The best of both worlds seams to be the CZ 455 Lux. http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/455lux/ it's got a price of $420 which is about $100 less than the 452 FS. It has a shorter barrel than the Ultra Lux, and with it being the newest version (455 vs 452) it has the option to change barrels and cartridges with it, although I'm sure it only works with .17 HMR's or maybe the .22 WMR, probably cant throw in a .223 barrel and action, but I'm not sure on any of that yet. It just seams like the reasonable way to go. I'd like all 3... but no, I must chose one.

If it were between those 3, what would you all chose?

I need to research some of the other options from the newer posts before I get too set on a CZ. Also, it doesnt hurt to check out the used guns at the local stores. I could end up with a great little .22 for just over $100, and then I can forget spending $500 on a CZ.

One thing I've decided for sure is that I want a wood stock.
 
Last edited:
OK... Just looked at most of the others... I think I'm still set on one of the CZ's

Lets hear which of the 3 CZ's you'd chose

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-fs/

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-ultra-lux/

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/455lux/

Oh, good sir; I cannot recommend anything other than the 452 FS. Anyone that finds a Mannlicher stock appealing must own one. If you hesitate, they'll discontinue the model, and you'll regret it forever.


Edit: I'd like to add: I hate you. ;) The previous Mannlicher model was discontinued about 2 years ago, when I had no means to purchase one. Now, I have to figure out how to bring the 452 FS home.
 
None of the 452 models is especially more accurate than the others. They all have their good points.

A lot of people like the Ultra Lux's long sight radius and how quiet it can be with subsonic ammo.

A lot of people like the look of the FS, and that model seems to get more than its fair share of the prettiest wood for the stocks.

The 455 has the advantage of being able to swap out barrels, but the sights aren't as nice as the 452's.


If the FS is the one that appeals to you most, I'd say go for it.
 
lol. Thanks guys. Maybe I'll hurry up and save enough to go buy the 452 FS. I do like the Mannlicher stock, quite a bit actually. I remember when I was young there was a pellet rifle that had a stock like that that I always wanted. But I never bought it. I've seen lots of other rifles over the years with that type of stock. But none of them ever made it on to the list of things I wanted to buy.
Now that my hunt for a fun replacement bolt action .22 has come down to the CZ line of rifles, it looks like I'll be able to kill 2 birds with one shot. I'll get the Mannlicher style stock I've always wanted, and a great looking/working/shooting .22 bolt action all in the same package.
 
Quote mellow c:

"Lets hear which of the 3 CZ's you'd choose"

Pass on the 455 due to lesser sights and inferior barrel attachment method.

The UltraLux has a very nice muzzle heavy balance for offhand shooting.

For all around satisfaction, I'd go with the 452 FS (as you seem to have done). Mine helped me bring home Gold from Camp Perry in 2009 (Open Sight Class):

DSC03805.jpg
 
Last edited:
Out of the box I say Henry Golden Boy IMO For modding Ruger 10/22 you can do allot with the Ruger's for throwing in back of the truck Glenfield 60's (gotta clean them all the time)it all depends what you want to do with it and what you want to spend
 
I just picked up a Winchester 1906 pump 22. That is one fun gun! Accurate and easy to service plus if you hold the trigger down, it will fire as fast as you can pump the grip! My other 22 rifle, a Remington 581s, is my favorite go to gun. The 1906 one may be my second go to gun!
 
If it was between either the CZ 452 or 455 models I would go with the 455. IIRC the 455 has a nifty trigger that you push forward first and it makes it a hair trigger. I'm talking the smoothest thing. Then you can also use it like normal. That is only what I remember from a while ago and I may be wrong. But, I would check that part out and go with that one. That was one slick trigger. I liked it better then the Accutriger on my Savage. But the price on the CZ decided it for me because I got the Savage and cheap Simmons scope for the same price as the CZ.
 
It's the CZ 453 with the nifty trigger not the 455. The original poster is looking for a rifle with iron sights, and neither of the 453 models has iron sights.
 
Last edited:
I personally love my CZ 453 with it's "nifty trigger" but again, no iron sights on that rifle (it's called a single set trigger and it can be adjusted to an 8 oz. pull as it comes from the factory - that's a very nice trigger). The 452 Lux would be an excellent choice. But the truth is my Savage MkIIBTV is more accurate than my CZ. YMMV. The only MkII that comes with iron sights is the MkIIFVT, which has aperture sights. They work great. But that rifle has one of Savage's infamous floppy stocks. I would suggest buying the FVT and finding another stock for it. You could still come in under $300 and have a great rifle with great sights. Boyds sells their blem stocks on eBay from time to time. I bought one there. The only defect was the stain was too dark.

You'd be hard pressed to do better than either of those two rifles. The Savage is probably cheaper and more accurate but the CZ is made from a very nice walnut stock. But walnut doesn't come cheap these days. They're beautiful rifles while the Savage can be beautiful too or you can buy a cheaper stock and not worry about knocking it around so much. I like both so I have one of each.
 
One of my CZ 452's is an Ultra Lux. I put a 1/16" JnP peep in the rear sight.

Shoots sub 1" groups all day at 50 yards. With the 28.6" barrel, it sounds like

a pellet gun with CCI standard velocity, 1070 fps. Sometimes I wish I had

gone with the 3/32" peep!
 
I seriously need to save for this rifle before they convert everything over to the 455 style.

I've decided 100% on the 452 FS.
 
Back
Top