CZ 452 Varmint or 455 Canadian Exclusive (what to buy)

St Pauli

St Pauli

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Cant decide on what one to buy. From what I have read both are great. Help me choose.
What I like about the 452 is the bigger barrel and what I like about the Canadian is the engraving.
I'm sure they both shoot equally as well but I've had no experience with either so here I am asking for help.
Your two cents please.
 
I hesitate to say the word "never" when it comes to guns...but I can ALMOST say I'll never own a CZ455 as long as 452s can be had. The 452s are a superior design in my opinion, with the barrel being threaded directly into the receiver. 455s are held in place with a couple of grub screws. Not saying 455s aren't great guns, I just don't know why anyone would pick one over a 452. (other than ease of finding one, but 452s aren't that hard to find) I've had 2, 452 Varmints over the years, a BRNO 2E (CZ predecessor) I bought last year~all have barrels threaded into their receiver...all exceptional shooters. I still have my 452 Varmint in 22LR with a YoDave trigger in it~I've never enjoyed a 22 more than I enjoy that rifle. In fact, I have to talk myself out of buying a second one...every time I see one pop-up in the EE, and that's the truth.
 
If you are looking for a nice hunting rifle, the 455 will be great. If you are interested in shooting small groups, I would pick any 452 over the 455.
Kody
 
I plan to use the rifle for shooting paper, plinking, hunting and for my version of biathlon. So a master of nome Jack of all trades. Also would consider
a scout (if I can find one ).
 
St Pauli said:
I plan to use the rifle for shooting paper, plinking, hunting and for my version of biathlon. So a master of nome Jack of all trades. Also would consider
a scout (if I can find one ).
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The 452 Varmint would be great for hunting also; its just little heavier due to the varmint bull barrel.

CZ Scout is my personal favourite for grouse and bunny hunting.

Kody
 
St Pauli said:
Why isn't the 452 good for hunting?
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It's fine, probably better. :) There were several models of 452 made, the most common 2 being the American (standard weight barrel) and the varmint~heavy barrel as you might expect. I think the consensus is that there isn't much difference between the 2 accuracy-wise. Pick the version that best suits how you plan to use it. Long walks, shots offhand~the 452 American might be the best choice. Shooting off a bench, or prone off a bipod (which is what I do)...the extra weight of the Varmint model tends to settle things quickly for accurate shot placement. More preference, you could shoot the American off a bipod exactly the same way.

There were other 452s as well, including the short/youth-sized "Scout" model...and a few others. The Scout is interesting, I want one, just not MORE than a Varmint.
 
The 452 Varmint would be my choice over the 455. The 452's (and 453's) that I've had have shot better than the 455's. (And before anyone says including 453's is unfair, keep in mind the 453 barrels are the same as those on the 452's, and that's the foundation of a rifle's accuracy.)
 
I have one 452, a full stock .22, and 6 455's. One each Canadian and American in .22, .22mag, and .17hmr. I am not a super shooter, so I can't honestly say I notice any difference in accuracy. I do know, however, that the .17's are both laser shooters. Even make me look good. I have only ever used any of them for shooting gophers, and where I shoot, there are lots of gophers! :p

Problem child??
 
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Am curious about the 452 now as I have a 455 thumbhole varmint and a 455 ultra lux and very happy with both, other than lightening the trigger pull on the varmint they are both 1/2" at 50 yard shooters with CCI subsonic target and a good vortex scope.
 
northbranchon said:
Am curious about the 452 now as I have a 455 thumbhole varmint and a 455 ultra lux and very happy with both, other than lightening the trigger pull on the varmint they are both 1/2" at 50 yard shooters with CCI subsonic target and a good vortex scope.
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You ought to be curious as 452 shooters seem to be more satisfied that those with 455's. That's been my experience with six CZ bolt action rimfire rilfes, two of them 455's.
 
My idea of fun is plinking pingpong ball sized spinners. I generally do this from 65 measured yards with a Caldwell bag on the rear view mirror of my jeep. I recently picked up a 455 Canadian and had no issues consistently smacking said spinners with Winchester dyna point. Nothing against punching paper, but reactive targets are more fun for me. When I do get bored with steel I go after golf tees.
 
We usually shoot golf balls at 100m with Dynapoints after the match ammo goes away for the day. Granted still from the bench but some come-up and wind corrections are required.

Its also fun to see how small you can split up pieces of clay pigeons at 100m.
 
kjohn said:
I have one 452, a full stock .22, and 6 455's. One each Canadian and American in .22, .22mag, and .17hmr. I am not a super shooter, so I can't honestly say I notice any difference in accuracy. I do know, however, that the .17's are both laser shooters. Even make me look good. I have only ever used any of them for shooting gophers, and where I shoot, there are lots of gophers! :p

Problem child??
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Totally agree. I have more than I should of both, 455 & 452’s. nothing between them.
 
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