CZ 452/453/455 Varmint differences? Which scope to buy?

CUSTOM441

CUSTOM441

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Haven't bought a gun in a while and my compulsions are surfacing again. Would love me a .22lr precision rifle and after shooting my friends CZ's I fell in love. Would love to get a CZ 45x Varmint, mount a decent scope, harris bipod, and eventually do a trigger job down the road. Will be shooting this rifle at 25, 50 & 100m, maybe 100+ the odd time.

Whats the difference between the 452, 453 and 455 Varmint? Also, what kind of scope should I buy? Looking at the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50, or something similar within that price point with a BDC reticle for the .22lr. Cheers!

Note.. not interested in comparison rifles. I'm sold on a CZ, just unsure of the differences between the Varmint models.
 
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I think you will be happy with any of the CZ rifles you listed!

The YoDave trigger kit is a must for me as is the single round feed ramp magazine. Get as much magnification as you can and parallax adjustment!

I have a 6-18x 40mm and could go for more zoom even @50 meters.
 
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I have been very happy with my CZ 452 and a Vortex Crossfire scope 4-12 x 40 dead hold BBC. I usually shoot 20-50 indoors and out and find at 50 m on high magnification you can read the fine print on targets as well as the stuff on clay target faces. The scope and rifle were set up for me at Bulls Eye in London if that is anywhere hear you. The scope was$300. Any of the CZ should be good��
 
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I have been very happy with my CZ 452 and a Vortex Crossfire scope 4-12 x 40 dead hold BBC. I usually shoot 20-50 indoors and out and find at 50 m on high magnification you can read the fine print on targets as well as the stuff on clay target faces. The scope and rifle were set up for me at Bulls Eye in London if that is anywhere hear you. The scope was$300. Any of the CZ should be goodđź‘Ť
 
I'd personally pass on 455. Unlike it's predecessors, the barrel is "pinned" (they use grub screws) to the receiver. The CZ452~the barrel is threaded to the receiver and in most people's opinion, that's a far superior..more robust set-up with better accuracy potential. I've never owned/used/shot a 453 but as far as I know, the only difference between IT and the 452 is a set trigger. The 452 and 453 are both no longer in production, but can be found new/used if you look. Expect to pay more for a 453, but it might save you your trigger job! :) The YoDave trigger kit for the 452 is a nice addition, and not expensive.

I'm not saying 455s are not good guns, but I'm of the STRONG belief this is simply a cost-cutting measure on CZ's part, and marketed as being an "advantage" to people wanting to switch calibers/barrels. No thanks!

Scope~I've had very bad luck with Crossfires, and had to involve Vortex's warranty. I upgraded to a Diamondback (4-12x) as a replacement for one of them, and it did it's job. I'll never buy a Crossfire again. I've had 2~a first, and a second generation. What I DO have on my CZ452 Varmint/gopher gun is a Sightron S1, 4-12 HHR. Got it from Hirsch Precision~CGN sponsor. It's been a very solid scope so far, and I can tell you thousands of gophers can vouch for that. Or...could... :)
 
The CZ452 Varmint has a long taper in the barrel,(I think I have heard that type called a walking varmint barrel)
while the 455 has more of a cylinder shape. (same diameter at both ends, & a bit heavier)

I liked the idea of my barrel being threaded into the receiver, and swapping barrels for other calibers did not interest me in the slightest. This is why I went with the 452 Model.
I ordered a DIP rail from Kinny`s & Burris Signature Zee Rings from Mystic Precision. These rings are excellent because the plastic inserts protect your scope from ring marks.

The Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50 is a nice scope from Japan. It`s little brother the 2.5-16x50 is also very nice. I bought one for my 10-22 from Plain Sight Solutions. If you are leaning to the Elite Series Scopes (Elite E-Series, Elite 3500/4500/6500, or Elite Tactical), Purchase between July 1st to October 31st 2017 and you can mail in for a Blackhawk tactical softshell jacket.
Al Flahertys have free shipping on purchases over $350.00
My CZ452 Varmint uses a Sightron S-TAC 4.5-20x50. You could have a look at those as well. I bought mine from Hirsch Precision.

Frontier Firearms carry the Falcon 4-18x44mm & the Falcon 5.5-25 x 50 These look worth trying.

I have never owned one, but some folks round here like their Nikon scopes.

I was scared away from Vortex by all of the people being forced to use their excellent warranty.
I have read about success stories too, but way to many negative reviews for me.

You have made a great choice in choosing a CZ rifle.
The only regret I have in buying one is now I want to buy another one.
 
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.22LRGUY said:
I'd personally pass on 455. Unlike it's predecessors, the barrel is "pinned" (they use grub screws) to the receiver. The CZ452~the barrel is threaded to the receiver and in most people's opinion, that's a far superior..more robust set-up with better accuracy potential. I've never owned/used/shot a 453 but as far as I know, the only difference between IT and the 452 is a set trigger. The 452 and 453 are both no longer in production, but can be found new/used if you look. Expect to pay more for a 453, but it might save you your trigger job! :) The YoDave trigger kit for the 452 is a nice addition, and not expensive.

I'm not saying 455s are not good guns, but I'm of the STRONG belief this is simply a cost-cutting measure on CZ's part, and marketed as being an "advantage" to people wanting to switch calibers/barrels. No thanks!

Scope~I've had very bad luck with Crossfires, and had to involve Vortex's warranty. I upgraded to a Diamondback (4-12x) as a replacement for one of them, and it did it's job. I'll never buy a Crossfire again. I've had 2~a first, and a second generation. What I DO have on my CZ452 Varmint/gopher gun is a Sightron S1, 4-12 HHR. Got it from Hirsch Precision~CGN sponsor. It's been a very solid scope so far, and I can tell you thousands of gophers can vouch for that. Or...could... :)
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I have never heard set screws called that. Thank you for teaching me .22lrguy.
 
I have a 455 Lux"ish" with iron sights. I have a Bushnell 4x14x40? Scope with AO and a mildot reticle.

I have a yodave trigger upgrade on it.

It is accurate and it'll shoot 1/2" off bags at 50 yards with minimags if I do my part.

When I take my friends kids to the range I setup 12 gauge hulls at 100 yards on top of the target stands and off the bags they can hit them with the 2nd mildot down aiming at the top of the shell.

The kids love that.
 
Recently put a 452 varmint into a MDT LSS 22 chassis, I can't imagine someone not loving their CZ 452, I use the stock trigger and don't mind it at all. Scope is a vortex crossfire 6-18x44, can see my hits at 100 yards on splatter burst targets no problem. Working on 200 yards next trip... lol
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CUSTOM441 said:
Haven't bought a gun in a while and my compulsions are surfacing again. Would love me a .22lr precision rifle and after shooting my friends CZ's I fell in love. Would love to get a CZ 45x Varmint, mount a decent scope, harris bipod, and eventually do a trigger job down the road. Will be shooting this rifle at 25, 50 & 100m, maybe 100+ the odd time.

Whats the difference between the 452, 453 and 455 Varmint? Also, what kind of scope should I buy? Looking at the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50, or something similar within that price point with a BDC reticle for the .22lr. Cheers!

Note.. not interested in comparison rifles. I'm sold on a CZ, just unsure of the differences between the Varmint models.
Click to expand...

The 452 and 453 have fixed barrels, while the 455 has a barrel that can be taken off by removing two set screws. You can change the barrel to any other 455 barrel or 455 caliber, .22LR, 17HMR, or 22WMR. The 455 Varmint barrel is a straight contour, while the 452/453 is a tapered "heavy" barrel. The 455 uses two action screws, fore and aft of the trigger guard; the 452 Varmint has one action screw and a barrel lug; the 453 has one action screw in front of the trigger guard that fastens to the receiver and one behind that fastens to the trigger housing (which means you have to be very careful in how you torque the rear action screw). The stocks are very similar between the three rifles. The barrel lug on the 452 Varmint is a non-issue when it comes to accuracy.

The main difference between the 452 and 453 is that the 453 has a single set trigger, which is like having a hunting and bench trigger in one. It is a nice feature, but both the 452 and 455 triggers can be adjusted to have a more bench-suitable trigger by means of an easy spring change. The 452's are currently still available new and there's a couple on the EE as I write. The 455's are widely available, but the 453 Varmint has not been available new for some time.

Is one better than another? Except for the trigger, the 452 and 453 are very much the same. The big difference is in the permanently attached (for the typical gun owner) barrel on the 452/453 vs. the slip-on barrel of the 455 series. There's a great deal of anecdotal evidence that 452's are preferred over 455's. As an example, on Rimfire Central forum (RFC), there is currently running a seven-page-thread called "Why are 452s considered "better" than 455s? " There are supporters for both camps although it must be noted that on RFC there are far more threads about 455 issues and accuracy shortcomings than there are about those of 452's.

One of the issues that 455's have that don't seem to occur as often with 452's is headspace. It is too often inappropriate. Other members may be along to say more about it. (Even with aftermarket drop in barrels such as Lilja barrels made for the 455, headspace has been a problem.) The main factor in CZ bolt action rimfire rifle accuracy, when all else such as trigger weight, stock, headspace are equal, is the barrel. Here it is the luck of the draw. Some barrels are very good; others not so much. CZ rifles are mass produced, relatively inexpensive rifles and they are not "precision rifles" in the true sense of the word, and nor are Savages, Marlins and similar offerings.

Based on my own experience, if I were buying a CZ Varmint rimfire, I would chose the 452. They are still available new in Canada (probably until current stock in stores runs out) and they are available on the EE. I have had two 455's, one of them a Varmint. I have had two 452's, both Americans. And I've had two 453's, one a Varmint and the other a Lux. The best shooting rifles, in no particular order, were the 452's and 453's. The 455's were not quite as good. A 455 can be made into a very good shooter if it doesn't come out of the box that way, but it does take some work.
 
I had a CZ452 Varmint. After installing the YoDave trigger kit, free floating the barrel and freezing the barrel lug groups under 1/2 inch were common at 50 yards with some under a 1/4".
Then I bought a 452 "Australian" but both were sold to buy a Remington 40XB.
Bought a CZ455 American and a Varmint with a thumbhole stock. Both were treated with a YoDave trigger kit ( both set at just over one pound) and both were pillar bedded. Both like 40 inch pounds of torque. The firing pins on both have been reshaped. Both have shot under an inch at 100 yards but finding the right ammo requires the time. Federal "Match" and Lapua CenterX are preferred.
If one were to be sold the Varmint would go first. The American has a lot of eye appeal and it a handy little carry gun.
The Varmint currently wears a Leupold 36BR and the American a Bushnell 6500 2.5 - 16 x 42. At one point both had a Burris 4.5 - 14 x 42 and if the BR36 is required somewhere else I know what it would be replaced with . . . or sold with!
The thumbhole stock limits it to only being shot by right handed shooters.

Without taking more pictures this is what they look like but neither are wearing the current scopes . . . a Weaver on the American and the Burris on the Varmint. The Weaver is a 4 - 16 x 42 and a good choice.

 
Sakoman .308 said:
I was scared away from Vortex by all of the people being forced to use their excellent warranty.
I have read about success stories too, but way to many negative reviews for me.
Click to expand...

A few people are saying this about Vortex. I have owned a couple of their different red dots and have had zero issues on multiple firearms. What issues are people typically experiencing?

Are a lot of people doing stock work on their CZ's? How is the bedding? Is the barrel free floating? Thanks everyone for their replies, keep them coming!
 
aragorn1 said:
Recently put a 452 varmint into a MDT LSS 22 chassis, I can't imagine someone not loving their CZ 452, I use the stock trigger and don't mind it at all. Scope is a vortex crossfire 6-18x44, can see my hits at 100 yards on splatter burst targets no problem. Working on 200 yards next trip... lol
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That's a slick looking rifle! Do you notice any difference in performance with the new stock? Seems like more people are recommending higher zoom for bench shooting. If you can see holes at 100m that would definitely work for me. Where did you pick up that scope? Does it come with the sunshade?
 
CUSTOM441 said:
That's a slick looking rifle! Do you notice any difference in performance with the new stock? Seems like more people are recommending higher zoom for bench shooting. If you can see holes at 100m that would definitely work for me. Where did you pick up that scope? Does it come with the sunshade?
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Haven't shot it yet in the new chassis, just got it together yesterday actually, sunshade was included in box. Everything came from Bullseye Sports in London On. Ken there knows his stuff, especially when it comes to precision shooting, and is more than willing to help above and beyond.
I've had about a dozen vortex units in my "arsenal"........ Several Sparc2, Venom, Spitfirex3X, several rifle scopes up to the latest Razor HD, never a problem with any of them. Some have been gifted to other shooters, some I still have.
 
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.22LRGUY said:
I'd personally pass on 455. Unlike it's predecessors, the barrel is "pinned" (they use grub screws) to the receiver. The CZ452~the barrel is threaded to the receiver and in most people's opinion, that's a far superior..more robust set-up with better accuracy potential. I'm not saying 455s are not good guns, but I'm of the STRONG belief this is simply a cost-cutting measure on CZ's part, and marketed as being an "advantage" to people wanting to switch calibers/barrels. No thanks!
Click to expand...

A pinned barrel has a pin or pins that go through the frame/receiver and the barrel in order to fasten the two together. The 455 does not have a pinned barrel; it has a slip fit barrel, held in place by the grub or set screws. The barrels for all 452's except 17HM2 are threaded to the receivers. The CZ 452's in 17HM2 are pinned.
 
hoytcanon said:
My CZ 452 American 17 HM2 has the barrel threaded to the receiver.
Click to expand...

Yours must be unique. All others are pinned. See, for example, the following threads in which the information is contrary to your contention:
h ttp: / /www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375760
h ttp: / /www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155389
h ttp: / /www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576627
 
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