cz 452 varmint or american

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sirkdev

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What besides the heavy barrel and different stock are the differences between the two? Some sellers are listing the varmint which should be more expensive I would think with the heavy barrel for cheaper than the american which has the standard barrel. I have narrowed it down to this as a long range training rifle and was wondering why this seems to be the case.

What are you fellas using for a scope on these guns?

Do the american owners experience any barrel heating issues? I plan on shooting the hell out of this rig.:shotgun:sniper::sniper::sniper::sniper:
 
Depends on what you want. For a bench-gun, the Varmint is best. If you wanna pack it around to hunt with, get the American. If you want to do both, I'd get the American. To overheat the barrel in a 22LR bolt gun, you're going to have to be sitting there on a hot scorching day, speed-loading your clips, and shooting at a rate of fire that probably won't be conducive to accuracy. In other words, I wouldn't worry about it.

The scope on my wish-list for my CZ Silhouette is a Nikon Monarch 4-16SF. I did a side-by-side comparison down at Cabelas in the U.S. with other comparably priced scopes. The Nikon was nicer glass by a very noticeable margin. (though I'm not aware of many/any $500-ish dollar 4-16 scopes that suck, they're all pretty good by that price point). :)
 
sirk,

I recently bought a third-hand American that someone bedded, floated & tuned the trigger to 2.9#lb. I shot a 50 yard - 10 shot test target after mounting a used scope and sighting in. I used WW dynapoint bulk ammo so I am really impressed so far with the new/used CZ. :dancingbanana: This is good enough to keep me a happy owner.

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+1 for the American. I have never had it even close to heating up like a centrefire does, so I wouldn't worry about it. From what I've read, the accuracy between American and Varmint is negligible; the extra weight on the Varmint may lead to better groups on the bench.

P.S. brotherjack, as you may know, I have a Nikon Monarch 4-16x with BDC, and I always sing its praises. Glass quality is better than the VXII I used to have. PM me if you want a supplier's email, he got it for me (legally in Canada) for 425 shipped, brand new.
 
I have the American and bought it because I like the lines better. For a 22 it is an elegant rifle to say the least. Accurate as all get out and a delight to shoot. I have run boxes thru on hot days and the barrel was not even warm so I figure I made the right choice. And it came in a left hand model. This ones a keeper. I stopped looking at other bolt 22s after that.
 
Both are great. I have the heavy barrel and love shooting it off of the bench. Its accuracy is second to none. The American would be more universal if you plan on carrying it. Just remember if your trigger is anything like mine you may want to clean it up. Mine has creap and does not break clean. I have ordered a trigger kit to clear this up.

I am using the Leupold VX-II 3-9x33mm Rimfire EFR scope and absolutely love it.
 
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They are a slightly different design. The American has the two screw through the stock into the action, and a free floating barrel. I haven't seen one taken apart, first hand, but the varmint has a barrel lug of some sort, possibly with a screw going into it, rather than the action. Both shoot equally well. I have the American and love it. It shoots well off the bench, I can get group of around .45" at 50 yards with cheap ammo, and the weight and shape of the gun make it a pleasure to hunt with. I have a heavier barreled 22 that is better on the bench, but it isn't so much a joy for gopher shoots.

Oh, one more thing, with the American, you get a receiver grooved for 3/8 dovetail scope mount. On the Varmint it requires a different scope ring. I'm using Leupold rings on my CZ. Reasonably priced and made of steel.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
They are a slightly different design. The American has the two screw through the stock into the action, and a free floating barrel. I haven't seen one taken apart, first hand, but the varmint has a barrel lug of some sort, possibly with a screw going into it, rather than the action. Both shoot equally well. I have the American and love it. It shoots well off the bench, I can get group of around .45" at 50 yards with cheap ammo, and the weight and shape of the gun make it a pleasure to hunt with. I have a heavier barreled 22 that is better on the bench, but it isn't so much a joy for gopher shoots.

Oh, one more thing, with the American, you get a receiver grooved for 3/8 dovetail scope mount. On the Varmint it requires a different scope ring. I'm using Leupold rings on my CZ. Reasonably priced and made of steel.
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I looked into the CZ-452 and CZ-453 about a year ago. unfortunately I still haven't bought one yet. That being said my choice would have been the 452 American with a brooks trigger. The reason for this choice has been covered in Grizzlepeg's above post.

The one thing I did want to add was the fact that the 453 model while more expensive has a set trigger. Also both the American and the Varmint have two set screws with the 453 unlike the 452 where only the American has the two screws. The two set screws are considered an advantage over the single on the 452 Varmint. Just one more thing to think about.

One other consideration for scope rings. Warne makes the 7.3/22 ring which looks like a rimfire Leupold PRW ring rather than the common Warne style. These rings fit 11mm dovetails and 3/8". Just another quality option out there. I have the Warne rings on my Walther KKM. They look great and work well.
 
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yes

Flip a coin and buy one of them now, sooner or later you'll buy the other. I had the same question a few years ago. I own both now, the American is easier to bed because of the action screw arrangement and has no barrel lug. That being said, it isn't any more accurate than the Varmint. Actually, in my case, the Varmint shoots better at 100 yds than the American does. At 50 there is little difference between the 2. From the examples I have seen, you are more likely to get better wood on an American. The American also uses 3/8 dovetails and they are 11mm on the Varmint, hence the American is easier to get rings for. JMO.
 
Just a suggestion though- you might just try it and do the adjustments first...
But then thats just my humble opinion. After all they are a real good 22.:)
 
Get your order from Eric Brooks down. That way you don't have to live with the crappy trigger that is 452, not even a day :D. Best $15 I ever spent (on a rimfire anyway).
 
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