CZ 452 vs 455 varmints 22lr

[Screamin-D]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to join my club's Hunter Class indoor (20 yard) competitions starting in the fall (maybe try a CRPS competition as well). I don't think my current rifle (30+ year old Lakefield MK2) will cut it (right now on a good 5 shot grouping shooting about a bit bigger than 1/2" at 20yd, sometimes bigger if I get a flier) - granted I've only been shooting 3 times (~300 rounds) right now since getting my license and I know I have MUCH more to learn with breathing and trigger control).

Anyway, based on some reading, CZs are generally supposed to be VERY accurate for their price (followed by some Anschutz... but too much $$$ for my pocket book even used). I'm looking between either a 452 Varmint (heavy barrel) or a 455 Varmint in 22lr. I like the classic style of the 452 (American style stock?), but the more I look at them, I like the thumb hole 455 and even the 455 Evolution. Based on research, looks like the 452 I may only be able to get used as the are no longer made. I'm ok with that if it's in great shape and the right price.

So my question is, in your opinion, for what I want (20 yd tack driver, perhaps further) which should I be looking at? If anyone that has both can weigh in on which they find better... more accurate?

Thanks,

Screamin-D

PS... sorry for the rambling.

 

[ben777lemay]

If you have the chance, get the 452.

Its not that the 455 is bad but the 452 is a little bit better IMO.
The barrel is threaded in the receiver and its also tapered towards the muzzle, which makes it a little more balanced.

Don't be affraid to buy one used, they are generally in Excellent condition. Just buyt it from a reputable seller.

 

[45CAT]

Stocks are easy to replace but finding a 452 varmint might be a little more difficult, so grab one when you can.

 

[Meroh]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to join my club's Hunter Class indoor (20 yard) competitions starting in the fall (maybe try a CRPS competition as well). I don't think my current rifle (30+ year old Lakefield MK2) will cut it (right now on a good 5 shot grouping shooting about a bit bigger than 1/2" at 20yd, sometimes bigger if I get a flier) - granted I've only been shooting 3 times (~300 rounds) right now since getting my license and I know I have MUCH more to learn with breathing and trigger control).

Anyway, based on some reading, CZs are generally supposed to be VERY accurate for their price (followed by some Anschutz... but too much $$$ for my pocket book even used). I'm looking between either a 452 Varmint (heavy barrel) or a 455 Varmint in 22lr. I like the classic style of the 452 (American style stock?), but the more I look at them, I like the thumb hole 455 and even the 455 Evolution. Based on research, looks like the 452 I may only be able to get used as the are no longer made. I'm ok with that if it's in great shape and the right price.

So my question is, in your opinion, for what I want (20 yd tack driver, perhaps further) which should I be looking at? If anyone that has both can weigh in on which they find better... more accurate?

Thanks,

Screamin-D

PS... sorry for the rambling.

Before you run out and buy another rifle, buy a bunch of different ammo; concentrating on target grade and standard velocity types. I shoot 20 yard .22 at our club regularly (rifle and Pistol). My CZ 455 trainer that I shoot open sights with likes CCI Std Vel. and from a bench rest, one ragged hole at 20 yards; my Norinco JW15 that I shoot scope with will do the same but with Eley Sport; my High Standard shoots Federal Auto-match the best of anything I have tried. Neither shoot as well with the other's ammo. I suspect if you try some different ammos (staying away from higher velocity stuff) your rifle could well be as competative as any of the others. My good friend shoots with a rough, old, barn rifle; a single shot Cooey, and outshoots us all with open sight all the time. He is shooting CCI STD velocity.

If you have the chance, get the 452.

Its not that the 455 is bad but the 452 is a little bit better IMO.
The barrel is threaded in the receiver and its also tapered towards the muzzle, which makes it a little more balanced.

Don't be affraid to buy one used, they are generally in Excellent condition. Just buyt it from a reputable seller.

Theoretically, the threaded barrel compared to the one used on the 455/457 sounds theoretically better; I have two 455s and they are just as accurate as the 452s at our club. The other 455 is a 17HMR, and it is more accurate than any and all other 452s at our club as well.

Stocks are easy to replace but finding a 452 varmint might be a little more difficult, so grab one when you can.

IMO, the varmint is heavy; for 20 yards and general shooting a Lux with the shorter barrel, or an American if you are going to shoot scope are great. Heavy barrel=extra weight=more muscle fatigue if you shoot more than a round or two.

I don't have all the answers, but I do have more than 45 years shooting experience.

 

[dan240]

Another great option (minus the stock) is savages rimfire series, specifically the FV or B series. I regret selling mine that shot so well with federal bulk. Shot every bit as well as my 452 varmint on the cheapest bulk ammo.

 

[hoytcanon]

I shoot 20 yard .22 at our club regularly... and from a bench rest, one ragged hole at 20 yards;

Everything should be "one ragged hole" at 20 yards... and anything good should be "one hole."

Theoretically, the threaded barrel compared to the one used on the 455/457 sounds theoretically better;

I would say that is theoretical...

I have two 455s and they are just as accurate as the 452s at our club. The other 455 is a 17HMR...

What is the first 455...

IMO, the varmint is heavy; for 20 yards and general shooting a Lux with the shorter barrel...

The Lux has a longer barrel than the Varmint...

Heavy barrel=extra weight=more muscle fatigue if you shoot more than a round or two.

If you can handle a 12" sub, you should be able to handle the Varmint...

 

[horseman2]

Buying an Anschutz is like money in the bank.
What I have spent on two 452's and two 455's would have financed a 1710 or 1712.
Both 455's are capable of one inch at 100 yards but match ammo is the crux.
Both of my 455's have been pillar bedded, YoDave trigger kits, reshaped firing pins and extended mag releases.
The Anschutz 1416D is also a one inch shooter at 100 meters.
Read all the rules for the Canadian Rimfire Precision and decide which class you want to be in. Your decision will be influenced by your choice of rifle under $500 and scope under $500.
Buy once cry once.

 

[grauhanen]

Both 455's are capable of one inch at 100 yards but match ammo is the crux.
Both of my 455's have been pillar bedded, YoDave trigger kits, reshaped firing pins and extended mag releases.
The Anschutz 1416D is also a one inch shooter at 100 meters.

Not to foment argument but, except perhaps for a Ruger Precision, match ammo is the crux for one inch groups at 100 yards for any rifle, CZ or Anschutz. Although an Anschutz will usually give a better chance to achieve those results, no rifle will shoot well without good ammo.

 

[The ROC]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to join my club's Hunter Class indoor (20 yard) competitions starting in the fall (maybe try a CRPS competition as well). I don't think my current rifle (30+ year old Lakefield MK2) will cut it (right now on a good 5 shot grouping shooting about a bit bigger than 1/2" at 20yd, sometimes bigger if I get a flier) - granted I've only been shooting 3 times (~300 rounds) right now since getting my license and I know I have MUCH more to learn with breathing and trigger control).

Anyway, based on some reading, CZs are generally supposed to be VERY accurate for their price (followed by some Anschutz... but too much $$$ for my pocket book even used). I'm looking between either a 452 Varmint (heavy barrel) or a 455 Varmint in 22lr. I like the classic style of the 452 (American style stock?), but the more I look at them, I like the thumb hole 455 and even the 455 Evolution. Based on research, looks like the 452 I may only be able to get used as the are no longer made. I'm ok with that if it's in great shape and the right price.

So my question is, in your opinion, for what I want (20 yd tack driver, perhaps further) which should I be looking at? If anyone that has both can weigh in on which they find better... more accurate?

Thanks,

Screamin-D

PS... sorry for the rambling.

FYI, Tenda Canada is having a upto 30% off all their instock CZ firearms. Sale over April 1st before the new CZ price increase. https: //www.gotenda.com/

Just came back from them with a new 16" barrel CZ 457 Varmint MTR 22lr on sale $769.99

 

[Chilly807]

Between the two CZs, I'd lean toward the 452 Varmint if you can get one, but in general you can expect to do a bit of work to it to get the best accuracy. Work meaning a trigger job, possibly some barrel bedding, etc.

Mine is one of the best shooting .22s I've ever owned, but the old phrase "if I do my part" holds true for any sporter-type rifle. They are relatively light compared to a heavy match rifle and react more to shooter inputs.

For casual target shooting, the CZ Varmints are good value. I don't for a minute regret buying mine.

An Anschutz MPR might be a good alternative, though it'll cost you about $1500.

 

[Maple57]

I tend to agree with the above post.

I have a 452 Varmint and it is quite accurate for the money. Eley Tenex has produced the best 10 shot group so far under .9 inches at 100 meters. I would bet it could do a little better if the weather is particularly calm.

Most decent ammo will hold 1.5 inches for a 10 shot group at 100 meters

I also have a 54 Anschutz single shot but it does not currently have a scope on it, so I cannot comment on how it compares to 452 accuracy until I put a scope on it.

I have two complaints about the 452..

1) As mentioned above the trigger is heavy... I think Timney makes a replacement and there is also a YoDave spring kit that can help.

2) The bolt will hang up if you push the handle to the right and forward. It's really annoying to me. I have to push the bolt forward with my thumb directly in the center of the bolt, then close with the handle. The Savage MKii does not have this problem... the bolt slides forward smoothly no matter what because the action is longer and supports the bolt in the retracted position.

 

[TacticalTeacher]

Maybe I am a combination of dumb and stupid and ignorant but I loved owning ALL of my 452 and 455 Varmint rigs (2 of each). I’ve killed a shztload of gophers out west with both platforms and that’s what matters to me.

Sitting down at the bench and grouping at 50m with different brands of ammo really challenges my hyper activity even in my 60’s. I’ve loved both 452 and 455 Varmint guns and I’m guess I’m the wrong guy to steer your decision. All I can say is BOTH rigs shoot small groups if you don’t suck (like me) at the bench.

I love how accessories are getting more and more available and are popping up for these rifles.

Now back to my latest purchase last week 455 Varmint Synthetic ($569) from Bullseye in London, ON.

Need to be ready to compete in the Open Class at CRPS Matches!

Buy what works for you and your:

Game
Budget
Price point
Distances
Ammunition availability
Bling factor
Fondle factor
Shoe size
And finally! LCV (looks cool value)

Cheers, Barney

 

[Meroh]

Everything should be "one ragged hole" at 20 yards... and anything good should be "one hole."



I would say that is theoretical...




What is the first 455...




The Lux has a longer barrel than the Varmint...



If you can handle a 12" sub, you should be able to handle the Varmint...

My other 455 is is a trainer; longer, medium weight barrel. Any Lux that I have seen has a reasonably short barrel; ultra and super lux are longer as is the Jaguar.

Really, is one ragged hole at 20 is not bad for a 60 year old guy with bad eyes and iron sights??? FFS.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I've had great results from my 452s...so no post-452 model is of any temptation to me. When I upgraded from there, it was an Anschutz 64 (Tactical Trainer). While I consider myself a decent shot, I'm not really going after tiny groups on paper when it comes to rimfires....so I often skim-over the hair-splitting talk in threads like these. I think it's OK to shoot the gun/ammo you want, and to feel a sense of accomplishment if the group you got today was better than it was yesterday~regardless of the group size. I think when the strong arm of experience and hefty budgets swoops in on threads like these, it can come across sounding a little condescending. Just thinking out loud...

 

[grauhanen]

My other 455 is is a trainer; longer, medium weight barrel. Any Lux that I have seen has a reasonably short barrel; ultra and super lux are longer as is the Jaguar.

Most CZ 455 models have a 525mm barrel, including the Lux, Varmint, and American. The 455 Scout barrel is shorter at 436mm. There are some models with longer barrels, with the Lux II, Ultra Match, and Long having 630mm. The 455 Jaguar and Ultra Lux models have 726mm barrels.

The CZ 452 Lux has a 630mm barrel, while the 452 Varmint's is 532mm. All 452 models figures are shown in the chart below

 

[hoytcanon]

Really, is one ragged hole at 20 is not bad for a 60 year old guy with bad eyes and iron sights??? FFS.

The only details you gave were benchrest @ 20 yards... a little qualification would buy some leeway... FFS (For Future Submission)

 

[Chilly807]

I've had great results from my 452s...so no post-452 model is of any temptation to me.

While I consider myself a decent shot, I'm not really going after tiny groups on paper when it comes to rimfires....so I often skim-over the hair-splitting talk in threads like these. I think it's OK to shoot the gun/ammo you want, and to feel a sense of accomplishment if the group you got today was better than it was yesterday~regardless of the group size. I think when the strong arm of experience and hefty budgets swoops in on threads like these, it can come across sounding a little condescending. Just thinking out loud...

I'm much the same. I don't have any interest in the 457, and my interest in the Tikka is waning a bit too. I may simply keep shooting the 452 Varmint I have now for precision rimfire and call it a day. I do see a semi-auto 22 in my future though, something with a Marlin flavour. I may regret that.. lol.
When it comes to accuracy, if I fire enough shots at 100 yds, I can get one ragged hole.. a big one.. but that's not the point really.
Both the 452 and the 455 are good rifles for the money. I find the 452 to be slightly more accurate, at least across the sample of two I've owned. Classic design and by and large a very attractive finished product.
Twice as much cash will get you into an Anschutz MPR, with no guarantee you'll shoot it any better than the CZ. You can spend a couple $K on a CZ based custom, and it'll shoot lights out, or at least it should.

Out of the box, both the 455 and the 452 could do with a better trigger and better barrel QC in some cases. That's why they're priced as they are. That's what you pay for when you buy the Anschutz, as well as a bit better fit and finish.
The skill level of the shooter is the real wild card in this deck. Knowing myself as I do, I'm not confident I'll see much improvement in my shooting if I did buy a more capable rifle. Not enough to justify the added expense.
Shooting a .22 should be fun. We tend to lose sight of that sometimes.

 

[grauhanen]

Twice as much cash will get you into an Anschutz MPR, with no guarantee you'll shoot it any better than the CZ. You can spend a couple $K on a CZ based custom, and it'll shoot lights out, or at least it should.

There's some truth here. It is indeed possible for a CZ 452 or 455 to shoot as well as an Anschutz MPR. But the truthfulness only goes so far. Some models will give much better odds of being a better shooter than another. That is to say, if 100 Anschutz MPR rifles were compared with 100 CZ rifles, the accuracy scales would tip in favour of the German-made rifle over the Czech. In short, with an Anschutz there may not have a guarantee that it will outshoot a CZ, but the odds are that it will.

The same thing goes with custom barrels. While most are very good, there are the occasional duds or less than ideal shooters. In other words, there is no guarantee, figuratively speaking, that they will all shoot very well, but the odds are very good that they will.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I'm much the same. I don't have any interest in the 457, and my interest in the Tikka is waning a bit too. I may simply keep shooting the 452 Varmint I have now for precision rimfire and call it a day. I do see a semi-auto 22 in my future though, something with a Marlin flavour. I may regret that.. lol.
When it comes to accuracy, if I fire enough shots at 100 yds, I can get one ragged hole.. a big one.. but that's not the point really.
Both the 452 and the 455 are good rifles for the money. I find the 452 to be slightly more accurate, at least across the sample of two I've owned. Classic design and by and large a very attractive finished product.
Twice as much cash will get you into an Anschutz MPR, with no guarantee you'll shoot it any better than the CZ. You can spend a couple $K on a CZ based custom, and it'll shoot lights out, or at least it should.

Out of the box, both the 455 and the 452 could do with a better trigger and better barrel QC in some cases. That's why they're priced as they are. That's what you pay for when you buy the Anschutz, as well as a bit better fit and finish.
The skill level of the shooter is the real wild card in this deck. Knowing myself as I do, I'm not confident I'll see much improvement in my shooting if I did buy a more capable rifle. Not enough to justify the added expense.
Shooting a .22 should be fun. We tend to lose sight of that sometimes.

^amen to that.

As for the Anschutz...I sort of THOUGHT the same thing when I got my 64 MPR TT. What I didn't expect is that the combination of quality, heft, and unbelievably good trigger resulted in some pretty impressive (to me) results. In other words, even with my modest skills...I was getting CZ452 accuracy (or better) on my first outing, and have thousands and thousands of rounds through the CZ. Maybe the CZ experience spilled-over, maybe the Anschutz is THAT much better...or both.

I remember the land owners son (on my local, farm range ) coming down to see me one day. Zero interest in guns, and almost no experience. He thought the 64 "looked pretty wicked" and decided he wanted to try it. Off of heavy bags @ 50 yards, shooting empty shotgun hulls jammed into the sand open-end-down, he was hitting the metal rim on #7-1/2 target loads 9/10 times using SK Rifle Match. It's an easy gun to shoot well. lol If you lived closer Chilly807~you'd be more than welcome to try it out!

 

[EHG]

I always liked and thought of the CZ 452's as good entry level .22's. Much can be gained out of them and if you want to just bang a 500 pack of bulk you can. I own two of them, Lux and Varmint.
I've owned Anschutz in past and they always shot stellar with Eley Tenex. Easy to find and buy new and lots used available. I recently acquired a Rem 40X in .22LR and will have fun with that if warm weather ever arrives this year.

I've never bought a 455 or 457 yet and don't need one. The 452's shoot great and probably the best bang for you buck there. They may not be found new anymore, but you're not likely to find many worn out 452's.