Help choose a new rifle...CZ vs. Ruger ....Finally some pics.....

Which .22lr rifle would YOU choose?

  • CZ 452 varmint

    Votes: 73 80.2%

  • M77/22 target

    Votes: 18 19.8%
  • Total voters
    91
  • Poll closed .
rig_pig69

rig_pig69

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on the edge
I've got it narrowed down to a 452 varmint or a 77/22 laminate target.

In any case it will be chambered in .22lr, and be wearing a 2.5-16x44 Bushnell Elite 6500.
It's main duty will be gopher control, and plinking in it's free time.

So, anyone have experiences with both or either, please let me know your thoughts... both good and bad.

Thanks
 
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old debate

This is an old debate, been hashed and rehashed to death. If your main goal is a varmint and plinking gun, buy the Ruger:nest:. Have owned both, still own the Ruger, the Varmint is too heavy IMO for a carry gun. The Varmint I had was very inconsistant, especially after having had it apart to clean it, was tough to get the action screws right each time. I fixed that by going to an aftermarket stock and using only one action screw. I sold it because it saw too much safe duty. The Ruger has a big gun feel to it, a 3 position safety, and the availability of 25 round magazines and the loader for them. So while you are loading mags, either 5's or 10's for the CZ, you'll be shooting with the Ruger. While the CZ may hold a slighter edge in out of the box accuracy, both are minute of gopher. There is also the availability of aftermarket parts for the Ruger, stocks,barrels and many other parts, so you can customize to your own taste. On the downside, the Ruger will cost more if bought new. I still own a couple of CZ's, they are very nice rifles, but my 77/22 gets the nod most often on gopher shoots, also because shares the mags with a multitude of 10/22's and a 96/22 lever action that I own.
 
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cz vs ruger

Value for the money, the CZ is the best bet. With the 20.00 trigger kits that you can get for them, turns them into target grade pieces. I have always thought that Rugers are very rifles but $200.00 too expensive. Cripes they are pretty close or more than $700.00. You can get into a CZ for around $500.00.

I have a great many of the CZ rifles in 22 and the centerfire 527's. I love the way the varmints handle, but they are NOT my most accurate pieces in the CZ line. My full stock is the most accurate 22 and my bedded American 17HRM is more accurate than my Varmint models. FS
 
10mark22 said:
This is an old debate, been hashed and rehashed to death. If your main goal is a varmint and plinking gun, buy the Ruger:nest:. Have owned both, still own the Ruger, the Varmint is too heavy IMO for a carry gun.
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I was hoping I could find some comparisons, but the search wasn't bringing anything up... seems the only ruger that exists on the search is a 10/22.

As for the cz being too heavy, they'd both be a heavy barrel. My big question was if the ruger is worth the extra dough, and if that's the case what makes it so. The inconsistency you mentioned is a concern and is noted.

Thanks:)
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Don't overlook the 452 American. It shoots just as well as the varmint, and is light. Its my favorite gopher gun.
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And I have thought about that, but I think having a bigger scope mounted, it would look better having a fat barrel, that and the volume of shooting it's going to see, heating MAY be a concern... I hope...:D :ar15:
 
CZ452 American. Had many 22s and still do but the CZ is for ME. It is a lovely little gun. All steel and a delightful rifle to shoot. I figure only thing better is an Anchutz and that is big brother. You will never have trouble selling a 452. Everybody in the shop I bought mine at owns a 452 or 453. Shoulda seen the necks bending when I got my CZ527 223. Damn they do nice work. Rugers are nice but not known for accuracy and certainly not finished anywhere as nice as a CZ.
 
rig_pig69 said:
And I have thought about that, but I think having a bigger scope mounted, it would look better having a fat barrel, that and the volume of shooting it's going to see, heating MAY be a concern... I hope...:D :ar15:
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There is no Heat concern with rimfire ammo,
CZ Americans can come with nicer wood than the varmint models. I was in the vault at P&D and went through every box and found a beauty that I will be picking up tomorrow, an American in 22LR. FS
 
hold

If you can find a shop that has both, go and have a look at both. That will give you a good idea as to which one you will like better. Sorry, I missed that part where you stated both would be heavy barrels. Bogie, I disagree that the Rugers are not finished as nice, my Rugers are every bit as nice as my CZ's, although my American has the nicest furniture. One option you get with the Ruger, if you so decide, is the option for more calibers. You can buy barrels and have all 4 calibers in rimfire, 22 mag, 22lr, 17hm2, and 17 hmr. I have all 4 barrels, and with 2 different trigger plates, can shoot all 4 calibers out of that one action. It is an old debate and it comes down to which brand you like best when you hold and shoot them. Good luck.
 
77/22

I chose a target grey Ruger in 17HMR over a CZ452 I owned for 3 years because the Ruger holds a big scope better. The scope is a 4.5 - 14 Nikon so it is not a really big one either, but on the CZ it made the gun too small and uncomfortable to shoot.
The CZ accuracy, with a scope that fits its size, and overall quality is hard to beat - tough choice, but go with what fits you.
 
I have no experience with Rugers other than the 10/22. That said I really like my CZ 452. I can't imagine a better rifle for the money. From your post it seems the Ruger costs more than the CZ. It better be one hell of a rifle.

I'm curious why you'd choose the varmint over the regular 452. I have both the regular and the 16" berrel models and they both shoot extremely well. Better yet, they are very nice carry rifles with good balance and light weight.
 
Andrewe said:
I'm curious why you'd choose the varmint over the regular 452. I have both the regular and the 16" berrel models and they both shoot extremely well. Better yet, they are very nice carry rifles with good balance and light weight.
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Well, I don't do very much walking while hunting gophers, so weight isn't an issue. That and a skinny barrel's are for the weak :cool: .....:D
 
Let me rephrase then. The Ruger 77mkII I have is not finished as nicely as either my CZ452 or my CZ527. It IS a very robust action and I could get it in both stainless and leftie. They are good solid guns but I would put any CZ against a Ruger anytime for comparison. Still with the Ruger you are not paying as much either. Got my MKII for almost $300 less than the CZ527. Sometimes that is the deciding factor. Still have the Ruger and no plans of selling it. Likely to outlive me by a long time either way.
 
real world comparison

I love how some CZ owners always chime in even though lots of them have never even held a Ruger. The only thing they know about the Ruger is what they have read.:nest: Here is an interesting thought, how often do you see a CZ in the EE for sale vs how many Rugers you see for sale. I own both, including Brno's #1 and #5, an American, a Scout for my son, had a Varmint, have 3 77/22's in 22lr, 17hm2, and 17hmr. Like I said before, go and look at both, and if you can, shoot both, then make your choice. Just stirring the pot.
 
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10mark22 said:
I love how the CZ owners always chime in even though lots of them have never even held a Ruger. The only thing they know about the Ruger is what they have read.:nest: Here is an interesting thought, how often do you see a CZ in the EE for sale vs how many Rugers you see for sale. I own both, including Brno's #1 and #5, an American, a Scout for my son, had a Varmint, have 3 77/22's in 22lr, 17hm2, and 17hmr. Like I said before, go and look at both, and if you can, shoot both, then make your choice. Just stirring the pot.
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I almost agree. There does seem to be more 'info' on the cz's. I've noticed more cz's for sale even new, as compared to the rugers. For me though, if I'm going to spend $750 on a .22, I might as well spend the extra $100 or so and buy a sako.... it seems the rugers biggest and maybe only downfall is the price tag...., or maybe it's the price of the cz??:yingyang:
 
Odd you should mention that. I had the devils own trouble finding my leftie Ruger ss 77mkII and had to call all over Canada to find one I could buy-couple of dealers told me I could wait a couple of years. Strange thing is I had a leftie CZ527 in 3 days. The CZs are becoming much more common and it seems at least here that the Rugers are hardly making it. Not seeing many in the stores but lots of CZ.
 
CZ's are a quality product with a proven track record at a price point that makes them a very attractive and a good value thats why they are being imported in numbers because their selling. The Savage folks will tell you the CZ is too expensive. I think if the Ruger was at the same price point you may see more availability.






bogie said:
Odd you should mention that. I had the devils own trouble finding my leftie Ruger ss 77mkII and had to call all over Canada to find one I could buy-couple of dealers told me I could wait a couple of years. Strange thing is I had a leftie CZ527 in 3 days. The CZs are becoming much more common and it seems at least here that the Rugers are hardly making it. Not seeing many in the stores but lots of CZ.
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