CZ 452 in .22 Mag..any experience?

[Rob]

Anyone have a CZ 452 in .22 Mag?

I'd like to know your experience with that rifle in that caliber only.

Thanks.

 

[amosfella]

Good gun... Use one for work... needed to put in a yodave striker spring. Very accurate, and comfortable to shoot... got for it...

 

[jes]

I'm a huge Brno, CZ fan and currently have several, however, I bought one American 22 mag, I tried 8 different types of ammo, adjusted torque on the action screws, switched scopes, etc. It wouldn't shoot under 1 1/4 inches at 50 yds. Wholsale finally took it back. Having said that, it's the only bad one I've ever heard of. Just saying, there's exceptions to every rule.

 

[grauhanen]

The .22 WMR is hard hitting. It won't have the accuracy potential of .22LR because it is not available in match ammo. Of all CZ 452 calibers, .22 WMR is likely the least accurate. Finding ammo can be a problem, depending on what's available in your area of operations. Unless you're target shooting, there's absolutely no reason to expect that a CZ 452 won't be a quality rifle, no matter what caliber -- .17 Mach2, .17 HMR, .22 LR, or .22 WMR.

 

[Dr.Lector]

.......... it's the only bad one I've ever heard of. Just saying, there's exceptions to every rule.

There are a lot more than just "exceptions".
The truth is that the situation with the 22mag accuracy
depends on what any/every person understands by "hit or miss" barrels.
Me, personally, from what I have seen along the years,
if I have to approximate, I could say that 50% of out-of-the-box
bolt action 22mag shoot groups larger than 3/4" - 1" (10 shot groups)
at 50yds from bench regardless of the glass, ammo, etc.

But the gun owners (CZ, Savage, whathaveyou) don't want
to talk about their inaccurate guns on internet.
All you hear is "tack driver", "like a laser", "sub-MOA", etc.

While it is true that there is a lack of 22mag "target" or "match" ammo,
(that is actually only part of the reason for the lack of accuracy),
there is also (in the industry) a lack of people
who know how to chamber for 22mag,
because it is quite difficult, to say the least.
The very-very few barrelsmiths/gunsmiths who know how to do it,
do not work for CZ Brno, or CZ USA, or Savage, or whatever,
but in garages, basements, or so, as a side job,
maybe a barrel every 3 weeks or every 3 months, if they have the time,
if they have the right barrel blank, etc.

 

[Rob]

Thanks for the responses.

The reason I ask is because I have a chance to pick up a 452 fullstock (brand new) in .22 mag but am leery of the caliber because I have never owned a .22 Mag that could hit the side of a barn (including a Krico and an Anschutz). There is no way to know how this rifle shoots because its brand new.

In contrast, my CZ 452 (full-stock carbine) .17HMR will put 5 shots into 3/8 in. at 100 yards and shoot more or less flat out to 200 yards. It is ridiculously accurate, probably the most consistently accurate rifle I own.

 

[hometownhero]

I had a 455 american in 22mag. Best it would do was with hornady ammo and 1.25-1.5" at 100 yards

 

[.22LRGUY]

I've never owned a CZ in 22WMR, but I have lots of experience WITH 22WMR...and with CZ452s. I guess I'm not qualified to chime-in, except to say that I won't buy a CZ in 22WMR because I don't believe in the caliber's ability to shoot even a 1" group reliably. If the Dr. says it's a barrel/chamber issue...maybe it is, but if you read the comments so far, you'll see a common theme. Best group I've ever shot was about 3/4", but the average was over 1"...some ammo (Winchester) shot over 2" groups. We'll blame that on Winchester ammo, and I mean that.

I'll admit that as a shooter, I'm 100% guilty of having unrealistic expectations from what are basically field-grade guns. CZs are GOOD field-grade guns, but nothing more. I love them, but I wouldn't expect a CZ in 22WMR to shoot much better than the 22WMRs I have trigger time with. All my testing suggests to me that the available ammunition is a huge factor in what's holding the caliber back accuracy-wise. Do we all NEED sub-MOA rimfire guns? I guess that's the other question.

 

[Rob]

I decided to pass on the CZ 452 .22 Win Mag.

 

[jes]

I'm very interested in what Dr. Lector's has to say about building an accurate 22 magnum. With todays ammunition, what kind of accuracy do you think could be achieved with the proper barrel, chamber combination in a sporter configuration? I've asked around, and still haven't been able to find out much about 22 magnum chambers.

 

[dugasgunner]

My all time favorite bolt.22mag was a 452 Lux. Kept it open sighted and was hunting marmot under 40 meters with it. That was fun for me and deadly for them... I now have a Marlin 782 and before that a Zastava Z-5. Love all 3 of them. Sight radius of the CZ is generous and gun is sleek. They have the best open sights of them all. But if money is tight a Marlin or a Zastava are great choices to.

 

[AP]

There is nothing wrong with the 452 Varmint in .22wmr (or the marlin 783)....and this isn't based on conjecture...I have both of them and they are fine. Too bad the OP felt discouraged by negative 'reports' from folks who apparently don't own a 452 chambered in WMR...but that's ok...his loss is another's gain. Personally my view re 452's is grab them while you can...you won't see this sort of construction again.

 

[New Camper]

This post is not fully relevant to the OP, but the 22 WMR can be a very accurate round: Both groups shot at 50m with a CZ455 Lux ii using 200round CCI maxi-mag "choot em" ammunition... I totally lucked out only being able to find this ammo which is some of the most affordable. I picked up the last three boxes I found locally.

five rounds with an el cheapo scope thrown on to determine potential (I removed it after as I intend on using the rifle with open sights for under 100yards vermin control) This group, discounting the satellite measures 0.447". Including the satellite where I screwed up the shot, it was 1.981"

five shots with the factory tangent open sights.

and I only had a couple closeups to show some friends the nice walnut stock.

 

[Rob]

I only own one scattergun, a somewhat beat up Simson 12 gauge SXS. Don't need another.

 

[FLHTCUI]

I owned a CZ 452 Varmint in 22 WMR a few years back.
Shot minute of gopher out to an estimated 100yrds and killed the them fruckers dead as looky would say.
Ammo was/is pricey , but fun to shoot and the thwack was audible all they way back to me from 100yrds(est.)
Rob, you passed on this gun , is it still available ?
If so a private message with contact info would be welcomed .
Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[Rob]

If I didn't already have one safe full of European full-stock varmint caliber rifles, I might have gone for the trade, but I'm getting real picky in my old age...and like I said, I only own one scattergun...no need for another.

 

[Potato boy]

My version wasn't as accurate as my 22lr or 17HMR (I had all 3 at one time)but it still shot unde an 1" at 50. In my books that's plenty good for small game. Depends on your purpose I suppose.

 

[powder monkey]

I've got a 452 American that shoots about 3/4" groups @100 with the Hornady vmax ammunition.

 

[SKIBEEDOO]

Ummm, I just bought a used one. I hope it is better than what I am reading and hope I got lucky. Any other opinions.

 

[homeboy1]

I had one and i found it less accurate than my marlin. it was a far better fit and finish but i wanted better accuracy so it was sold off. My buddy who bought it was very happy with it as he was shooting yotes with it.