CZ 22s

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triggerman42

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I've been reading about the CZ .22 bolt rifles. Seems they are becoming more and more popular, and abundant at my local range , as well as on forums like this. But after listening to several fellows at the range last week , discussing all the changes that are needed to make a stock rifle "better" , I'm kinda on the fence about them.
Timney triggers were a popular accessory, or a selection of trigger springs was also mentioned. Also talked about was the plastic magazine well that most guys replace with an aluminum mag well. Apparently the plastic ones are prone to warpage or cracking ? Seems odd to me , for such a popular brand to have inherent weaknesses.
But then again , look at the ruger 10/22s. You can buy so many aftermarket parts for them , you can end up with practically no ruger parts left on your gun ! LOL
I guess it's just the way of the world these days , but I think a gun should be as you want it, when you buy it.
Perhaps I'm just old fashioned. I do not own a CZ , so this is all just from my observations and communicated
hearsay , from guys that do own them. And yet , they all seemed to be happy with their rifles !
Anybody have anything to add about this? I'd love to learn more. What are your experiences with CZs?
They are obviously very popular , so they must be a fine rig ! I guess it's all about how much money you want to spend. Annies cost more . Many brands cost less. You usually get what you pay for.
 
My cz is exellent to shoot ,no mods just a scope. Trigger is good. Shooter error is the only problem this gun experiences.
 
I've had my CZ 455 American, 22LR only, for about 6-7 yrs, nothing but a scope done to her. She has a nice trigger as it is, but I wouldn't turn down an aftermarket one, I just won't buy one. I've had zero problems with the magazine. would I change to a metal one? No, if it works don't muck with it.
 
I have a number of CZ 22lr ,great guns. The trigger springs can be bought easily for about 25$ ,it's a kit with springs and ? Can't remember the word. I used a spring and got down to 20 oz. with no creep and this was not the lightest spring. Easy to do to replace the spring, it's more accurate out of the box than most other 22's and there is lots of help on the various forums for any difficulties that may arise. The name of the spring kit is Yo Dave.
 
You don't need to add anything or change anything. Some guys have to add things to make it "better" in their eyes. If you target shoot, you may wish to swap trigger springs. After shooting at the range the CZ 452 American FE that I received yesterday, all I plan to do is change the trigger spring. There's no need to buy DIP mag wells, adjustable sears, or Timney or Rifle Basix triggers. Just shoot.
 
Heh. The Timney's just don't make sense to me. You can re-spring/shim the factory trigger under 1 pound, yet the Timney is 2-3 pounds only (forgive me for not checking to confirm exactly).

CZ's could be much better than they are, I mean, it's a fairly decent action design. I've just seen some significant issues with their barrel production/machining in the 455 series. 3 different 455's that I bought were 0.8" to 1.5" shooters at 50 yards with match quality .22 LR ammo, pretty sad for a bolt action IMO. I bought a .17 HMR barrel set with the 3rd CZ, a Full Stock, and that is actually a very nice shooter, so 1 outta 4 ain't bad...

Unless you can borescope inspect the chamber and crown on a prospective purchase, a new 455 is a risky buy IMO and IME. Sure, you could get lucky... but as far as I can tell they perform no quality control measures to ensure poor performers don't leave the factory, and warranty service here in Canada is rather lackluster should you find yourself with a less than satisfactory example. Personally, I wouldn't buy any CZ now that I couldn't borescope and slug before purchase.

Though I haven't handled or inspected one first hand, I have observed that the 452 series has had very little in the way of complaints against it compared to the 455 on the forums. I'd suggest to everyone thinking about CZ's these days to steer clear of the 455's until they get their act together (or just go down the drain entirely, as it seems to be headed) and get a 452 while you can. Much better chance of liking what you buy, I think.
 
You're in the right place to ask these questions. First off, I'd say with ANY rifle modification talk...you need to consider who you're talking to, and try to gauge their level of enthusiasm (and budget) for doing so to a perfectly good rifle like a CZ. Those who modify CZs to an extensive degree are likely doing so more because they want to. Less a comment on anything the rifle needs, at least as far as I'm concerned. Some would say they "need" nothing, but those who have allot of time with them (and I count myself in that group) they can benefit from some improvement to the trigger. The "spring" reference probably is referring to the "Yo Dave" kit you can buy directly from the guy who makes them. (CGN member) I have one of these in my CZ452 Varmint, it does make a significant difference. The trigger was decent without this modification, but it's better now. There is one model, the CZ453 that has a set trigger..and is considered by many to be the best trigger CZ ever put in a rimfire rifle. A more expensive rifle. I've yet to try a CZ453, but I'm actually considering buying one.

Anyhow, there are rimfire rifles out there like the 10/22 that take a number of upgrades to come close to the accuracy of a completely un-modified CZ. They really are great rifles and for the money, really occupy an important spot in the market if you ask me. There are Savage models that cost almost as much, but don't touch the quality of a CZ. Anschutz rifles start at around 2X as much as a CZ and then go way up from there. I can't think of a another rimfire rifle of CZ quality, in around the $600 mark.

So to reiterate...the "mods" being done to CZs tend to be small tweaks to make a great rifle just a LITTLE bit better. Mods to guns like 10/22s are done for a host of reasons, but often to make them just shoot half-decently. I read this question in another forum (CZ vs Ruger 10/22) and one reply that question got made me laugh; "In terms of comparison, a CZ 452/3 is like a target rifle and the Ruger is a drainage pipe with a trigger on it" I wouldn't be quite so harsh about the 10/22, but I having owned both...well...I don't fully disagree with that spirit of that remark either. 10/22s are fun plinkers though.

Lastly...you don't have to dig very long to find lots of discussions about the CZ452 vs the newer, and easier to find CZ455s. The main difference being how the barrel is joined to the receiver. CZ452s~the barrel is threaded into it and to most people, this is considered to be the best/most-robust way. I've never fired, or even held a 455 so I can't comment on whether or not the 452 has any accuracy edge over it. I can't, however, imagine ANY reason OTHER than cost-cutting for making the move away from threading the barrel into the receiver~in spite of how CZ may spin it.

I'd strongly suggest you get a CZ to see what all the fuss is about. :) Chances are, your other rimfire(s) will end-up collecting a little dust. The same way mine have. :)
 
I've had a couple and they we're OK but didn't impress me. For the same money you can find a vintage Walther that needs nothing and will shoot circles around the CZ. Both mine have adjustable triggers one is 2 oz the other is 1lb. They are single shot though not repeaters.
 
I bought a CZ 452 Varmint 4 months ago and had it equipped with a $300 Vortex scope. I have enjoyed it so much that, like some other posters, my other rifles stay at home when I go to the range. It will eat everything I put through it but I get the best bang for my buck with Federal bulk and cheap bricks like 510 and 714. At 50 yards the holes end up almost on top of each other so that I just put a paste on the splatter target and go again. It is a well made good feeling rifle. I have the 5 and 10 round polymer magazines as well as a steel 10 round magazine and the steel magazine needs a longer break in period and is stiffer to load then the polymer magazines. This is my experience after about 3000 rounds in 4 months. I purposely looked for a 452 rather than a 455 after reading lots of reviews and putting several hundred rounds through a club 452. For the price it is a very good value!
 
Yackititty yack at the range wid dem flat billerzs flatzs 'bout face izz just jargawn.
Buy one, try it out.
Git yer arse 'hold oh Yo-Yo Davie and git a spring kit.
Pewf............shahzamm, yer styl'in.

Oh, tell'im yew wish furr dat dere fancy schmancy tee-chirt'ee'azz.

Kupple 455 Super Match dewn nadda'ear.
Ten shawt steel mag's and bawrell sights tuh bewt.

New..............tew.
 
My opinion, buy a 452 while you still can. A bunch of retailers still have them. Then buy a set of DIP torx action screws, and maybe a DIP aluminum magwell (I prefer the steel BRNO mag well myself), both from Kinney's. Shoot, and enjoy.
 
I bought a CZ 455 Varmint earlier this year. Its a well made rifle and nicely finished.
My first few trips to the range I had mixed results.
Sometimes a nice tight group with a couple fliers and sometimes just fliers. I am using
Federal AE and blue box bulk ammo tried a couple different CCI offerings with the same results.
I thought it might improve with use and after a couple hundred rounds there is no change other than
the trigger is a lot better.
After a range trip I stripped it down and gave it a good cleaning removed the barrel and cleaned and inspected
the bore. The rifling and the chamber look good but when I inspected the crown I saw what looked like
someone tried to de-burred the crown after machining it with an abrasive stone in a die grinder.
The rifling is ground into the bore about .010" on one side and .030" on the other.

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I re-crowned it a recessed 11 degree target crown. took it to the range and
put 150 rounds through it. A big improvement! It now consistently shoots
under an inch at 50 yards with the occasional flier.
Budget ammo is probably the reason for the fliers now, I get similar results with my other .22s.
You should not have to do this with a new rifle.

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I have put over a thousand rounds through it now and it has gotten more accurate. It is my most accurate .22.
It functions perfectly and other than the recrown and mounting a Redfield 6 x 18 scope I intend on making no other changes.

Terry
 
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One can also head over to Rim-Fire Central and read up there as well.

I have only ever shot American Eagle and some CCI Quick Shok and Stingers through my guns.
I used them for hunting gophers and informal plinking and have had great results.

Had a Wby MarkXXII a few years ago and it didnt like the ammo I shot with it.
Sold it and moved back to the CZ... I'm just a CZ fan boy or a meat and potato kind of guy.

Get one or two now before they reach the 1k price point and which time they will not be cost effective.

Just my .02 worth.
Rob
 
A CZ455 Varmint and American. Both with YoDave trigger kits adjusted to one pound +.
Reshaped the firing pins on both to avoid crushing the rim where no priming compound exists . . . both responded positively.
Had both pillar bedded and again both showed improvements and accuracy improved to 40 inch pounds.
Both show preference to ammo and the Federal 922A may be the best performer.
Had some CCI MiniMags that was extremely accurate with very little spread on velocity only to discover there were only 35 rounds remaining.
When using CCI MiniMags both prefer round nose. HP's will run to 6" at 100 yards. Perhaps it would be best o stick with lead round nose.
 
Huge fan of 452/455's here. Triggers can easily be adjusted with yo-dave kits.

The only thing I wish they (CZ) would change is the safety. It quickly becomes a pain when out in the gopher field. Much prefer a nice tang safety like browning t-bolt.
 
horseman2 said:
When using CCI MiniMags both prefer round nose. HP's will run to 6" at 100 yards. Perhaps it would be best o stick with lead round nose.
Click to expand...

I was just at the range a couple days ago testing out some different ammo with the 452 Varmint. It loves MiniMag HP at 50m, and the gophers don't seem to be to fond of them up to about 75m, but I did notice in the field that a couple of the longer shots I attempted seemed WAY off, more than just the shooter's doing. I also had a box of Velocitors with me and when I switched to them the long shots were easier again.

So at the range I shot a few groups with the MiniMag HP's at 50m. All groups were between .42" and .71". I then walked over to the 100m range and took 10 shots, I didn't measure that group but it was well over 6"! So I'm assuming somewhere between 75m and 100m the bullets are destabilizing badly. Last year I had been shoooting the MiniMag RN at 100m and the groups were all around 2-3", so something is happening to that 36gr HP bullet at distance.

It was a good little learning experience for myself. Still going to pack MiniMag HP's for the gophers, just need to remember to keep the shots within 60m, or bring different ammo!
 
Prairie Plinker said:
I was just at the range a couple days ago testing out some different ammo with the 452 Varmint. It loves MiniMag HP at 50m, and the gophers don't seem to be to fond of them up to about 75m, but I did notice in the field that a couple of the longer shots I attempted seemed WAY off, more than just the shooter's doing. I also had a box of Velocitors with me and when I switched to them the long shots were easier again.

So at the range I shot a few groups with the MiniMag HP's at 50m. All groups were between .42" and .71". I then walked over to the 100m range and took 10 shots, I didn't measure that group but it was well over 6"! So I'm assuming somewhere between 75m and 100m the bullets are destabilizing badly. Last year I had been shoooting the MiniMag RN at 100m and the groups were all around 2-3", so something is happening to that 36gr HP bullet at distance.

It was a good little learning experience for myself. Still going to pack MiniMag HP's for the gophers, just need to remember to keep the shots within 60m, or bring different ammo!
Click to expand...

That is strange. My varmint easily does an inch at 100 with decent ammo. No more that 2" with blue box federal bulk.
 
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