Is anyone running the CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer? I'm considering getting one for a cheaper alternative to Precision Rifle style shooting practice. Looks like there's after market choices out there for it if one chose to change components out and the reviews say it's pretty decent for accuracy out of the box.
CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer
- Thread starter slim78
- Start date
thenerdboy
Regular
- Location
- NB, Canada
From what I understand, the Manners is a totally different animal than a Boyd's. Closer to the big name tactical stocks, no? That said at that price point the Anschutz is a proven shooter with amazing dealer support, evidently.
yes and no.
Boyds offer a stock called the AT one its pretty awesome. The tacticool stock or pro varmint as its now called is also all wood.
I think manners is a composite stock. MAY have some aluminum bedding blocks im not sure...
Realistically the CZ 455 Trainer will run you around 1600 to your door step. (then if you want to upgrade trigger, barrel, ect... Who knows how much more... easily over 2.5k)
You could get a cz455 for 600-700 bucks and get a MDT chassis for it... After you get the rifle, chassis, stock, pistol grip... Looking around 1200-1600 depending on what you get really for options.
Both options will get you "good" accuracy... You MAY be able to get the 50 yard challenge done or get close. You will have a very expensive rim fire that shoots like a mid range rim fire.
I would sudgest you spend the upfront cost and avoid the head achs and get an annie tactical trainer...
Speaking from some one who asked this very question almost two years ago and ran through all my options with cz other then spending a ridiculous amount on a new barrel target custom... (its alot...) You should just get the tactical trainer...
It is what I was after all along. Center fire like precision accuracy in a rim fire platform.
Here's a recent thread on the VPT https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...5-CZ-455-VPT-story-so-far?highlight=cangunnut
I wouldn't put my money on a CZ being as accurate as you'd like out of the box. Best case, you need to bed and re-crown, realistically a re-barrel is likely. CZ is fine if you go into it with the intentions of a full custom build. Heard a number of gripes about the manners stocks, very thin factory pillars and the pillars popping loose!
The light barreled Anschütz TT is $1695 before tax and shipping, $1849 for the heavier barreled MPR vesion Canadiankeeper ended up with. Buy once, cry once, get a gun with a very high likelihood of performing the way you want out of the box.
A custom CZ build can be done for a couple hundred less, if you're handy for some DIY.
455 rifle parted out (sell stock and barrel) for donor action = $330
Boyd's Pro-Varmint stock with adjustable comb and high gloss finish = $423
Custom fit Lilja barrel = $780
DIY pillaring/bedding = about $30
Total = $1563
Add Fly Trigger = $223 = $1786
Slightly cheaper, but performance comparison? I'll let you know hopefully mid-late October, just waiting on the barrel to clear customs.
I wouldn't put my money on a CZ being as accurate as you'd like out of the box. Best case, you need to bed and re-crown, realistically a re-barrel is likely. CZ is fine if you go into it with the intentions of a full custom build. Heard a number of gripes about the manners stocks, very thin factory pillars and the pillars popping loose!
The light barreled Anschütz TT is $1695 before tax and shipping, $1849 for the heavier barreled MPR vesion Canadiankeeper ended up with. Buy once, cry once, get a gun with a very high likelihood of performing the way you want out of the box.
A custom CZ build can be done for a couple hundred less, if you're handy for some DIY.
455 rifle parted out (sell stock and barrel) for donor action = $330
Boyd's Pro-Varmint stock with adjustable comb and high gloss finish = $423
Custom fit Lilja barrel = $780
DIY pillaring/bedding = about $30
Total = $1563
Add Fly Trigger = $223 = $1786
Slightly cheaper, but performance comparison? I'll let you know hopefully mid-late October, just waiting on the barrel to clear customs.
Appreciate the feed back gents. The reason I was leaning towards the CZ was due to the more realistic stock configuration and I'm a sucker for a Manners stock but I do agree that the accuracy would be better out of the Annie.
Does anyone know if the mag storage bracket is removable on the Annie trainer? God that thing is ugly and I see it getting in the alway when positioning on barricades.
Does anyone know if the mag storage bracket is removable on the Annie trainer? God that thing is ugly and I see it getting in the alway when positioning on barricades.
I've also thought of doing something similar and would appreciate your thoughts when you get it shooting.
If you're not in a hurry, that is you don't mind waiting up to a year to get your rig ready to go, and you enjoy and are good (not just learning) at DIY, then the custom build CZ may be the thing for you. I tip my hat to those who are good at making things work as they should. Otherwise, consider the Anschutz.
thenerdboy
Regular
- Location
- NB, Canada
In fairness, my 452 Varmint did the half inch challenge with only a YoDave kit. Rabid, I can appreciate that you got a lemon but I don't necessarily think all CZs will need a rebarrel to shoot. Maybe I got an exceptional one, though.
I have a cz 455 vpt and can speak from experience. First off I will tell you I have roughly $2500 into my rifle now with modifications and parts. This includes re-crown, removing stock junk pillar and replacing with 9/16 diameter steel ones, bedding, trigger job, full polish job on bolt receiver. It shoots .1, .2 when its shooting its best but average I would put it at .3, .4. You will have to order it from the US including any custom parts you want for it. With our exchange this adds up in a hurry. Also expect to wait 3-4 months. What I would do if I could do it all over again.
Option 1 if you really want to stick with manners stock. Price: $1799.00 usd Anschutz 1416 T6 M Custom Shop Model. With the upgraded model this will come with
Epoxy bedding with front pillar and rear supporting steel rod.
Trigger & bolt tune.
Manners T6 stock.
Extended magazine release.
Custom Shop oversized green or black aluminum bolt knob, extended magazine release, hex-keyed action screws.
http://www.anschutznorthamerica.com/rimfire-trainer-series.html
Option 2 if you dont mind a regular stock: Anschutz 64 mpr from nordic at 1849 cdn
Option 1 if you really want to stick with manners stock. Price: $1799.00 usd Anschutz 1416 T6 M Custom Shop Model. With the upgraded model this will come with
Epoxy bedding with front pillar and rear supporting steel rod.
Trigger & bolt tune.
Manners T6 stock.
Extended magazine release.
Custom Shop oversized green or black aluminum bolt knob, extended magazine release, hex-keyed action screws.
http://www.anschutznorthamerica.com/rimfire-trainer-series.html
Option 2 if you dont mind a regular stock: Anschutz 64 mpr from nordic at 1849 cdn
Last edited:
Sakoman .308
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I would be looking very hard at an Annie.
A year?! That's a bit of a stretch... Boyd's stock took about a month to come in, Lilja shipped the blank to my gunsmith July 12th, barrel machined and delivered to the import agent August 11th. They say 8-12 weeks waiting for import, but the last barrel came through in 4 weeks. Being generous, waiting on the barrel is the longest part and that's 3-4 months. Going with a drop-in direct from Lilja and through Alberta Tactical will take only a couple of weeks (import/export permits established between the two companies), but the drop-in route has it's own downsides.... (like Bentz chamber in the current offering). Now... if you insist on a certain brand of barrel and have to wait for blanks to be made... then there could be some delays... and one might just decide to go with another brand rather than wait. Of course, unforeseen circumstances, such as shipping damage, will delay any project.
Good point about the DIY aspect though, yes a certain level of "know-how" is required and it won't be the average shooter's cup o' tea. I know of a certain gunsmith who can do a full CZ build for you with a Boyd's stock and all the DIP goodies that'll run $2500-$2700 delivered to your door with the current exchange rate. As you can see, DIY saves about $1G.
To your credit, I will say that I haven't really seen any complaints about the 452's on the forums both here and on RFC. It wasn't just one lemon for me though, it was three. You know all about the first, the second was the one I bought for the donor action for my build described above. Tested out the factory barrel and it shot 0.8's at 50 with Midas +, which is pathetic accuracy for a bolt action rifle costing $730 with match grade ammo, but meets CZ's "standard" and would not qualify for any kind of warranty. Earlier this year I also bought a 455 Full Stock, OEM as a .22 LR and with a .17 HMR barrel set. Another bunk .22 barrel with bad chamber and terrible crown, it's been at the warranty center for 3 months waiting for a re-crown in hopes that'll get it shooting under 1 inch. You can also see cangunnut got his 455 with a bad crown, and about once a month on RFC there is a complaint against a 455. The .17 HMR barrel is fine though... So sure, you might get a decent CZ 455, but I'm seeing a lot of manufacturing issues with them and no quality control program beyond "Go/No-Go" test and "feed, fire, function". Accuracy and machining quality? Who cares... Take your chances.
thenerdboy
Regular
- Location
- NB, Canada
I didn't realize you'd had problems with two other rifles/barrels; my bad. That sucks!
Sounds like the 455 models are to be avoided!
Sounds like the 455 models are to be avoided!
My experience has been quite the opposite... my CZ455 (fluted bull barrel) was significantly more accurate than my CZ452 Varmint
The CZ 455 had no bedding, no custom crown, no custom barrel. The only upgrades were a few DIP parts including a light trigger spring.
The CZ455 was as accurate as my Anschutz MPR and was able to match the MPRs accuracy while using less expensive ammo. The main difference with the MPR is that it has a much nicer trigger that makes it easier to shoot accurate groups as well as better quality in general.
Now that is a brilliant idea! Has MDT started selling their Anschutz stock yet?
My experience has been quite the opposite... my CZ455 (fluted bull barrel) was significantly more accurate than my CZ452 Varmint
The CZ 455 had no bedding, no custom crown, no custom barrel. The only upgrades were a few DIP parts including a light trigger spring.
The CZ455 was as accurate as my Anschutz MPR and was able to match the MPRs accuracy while using less expensive ammo. The main difference with the MPR is that it has a much nicer trigger that makes it easier to shoot accurate groups as well as better quality in general.
That is the best I have ever seen a CZ shoot. Mind you that IS the nicest rifle they offer I do believe.
It looks classy, nice thumb hole stock with fluted barrel. I was very close to buying it before I got my Annie. Had I seen those groups before the annie. Well I may not have purchased the annie.
