CZ 452 Varmint or American

[rolfyrolf]

The Varmint has a 1.5" shorter barrel, but it is a bull barrel. Which is better for head shots on rabbits? It is 50 cheaper, so I am not sure why?

 

[horseman2]

Either one will head shot a rabbit.
American with a 4 - 12 Leupold rifleman - 7 1/4 pounds
Varmint with a 10 x Redfield - 8 1/4 pounds.
The rabbit probably can't tell the difference.

 

[kamlooky]

I found the Varmit a tad nose heavy.
Sporter was what ended up here and no regrets.

 

[regulate34]

unless you plan to shoot alot and barrel heat is going to become a issue. go for the american. as for accuracy not really a issue with either. with a .22lr bolt gun heat wont be a issue as much either. rabit hunting sounds like packing the rifle alot. save weight and go with the american

 

[jperos]

I have the Varmint model. Very, very accurate. I'd go with the Varmint over the American.

 

[BwanaDave]

I have the 452 Varmint and a 452 sillouette , the varmint does shoot a touch better off the bench.

 

[300shooter]

I have both, the American is better for walking around hunting due to it's weight and the Varmint is better for bench/ bipod especially with the flatter profile forend. Both are stupidly accurate .....

 

[SandRoad]

Was in exactly the same situation as you, trying to decide which one to go with. Since ours will be mainly for field and plinking, and only occasionally on the bench, or a varmint setup, went with the American, 2 of them.

Actually went with the 453, which is the version with a single set trigger, and a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 side focus mildot. The other is in the process (likely) of getting a Sightron SII Big Sky 4.5-14x44 mildot. Both of these are relatively compact scopes, and decent quality...

The 452 Varmint and American has been discontinued, and replaced with the 455. There are still some in the supply chain.

Apparently the 453 Varmint and American are still being produced.

 

[super7]

Varmint for bench shooting, American or lux for carrying

 

[ronaldharold]

i had both plus a fullstock. sold both and kept the fullstock. it was the most accurate , american second and varmint last. the fullstock also has great iron sights (452 model) i found the varmint got heavy after carrying it for a while. the american also has 2 action screws the others have one plus a barrel lug, making it easier to tune- sometimes.

 

[easyrider604]

I have both 452 Style (22 inch tapered bbl) and Varmint (21 inch semi-bull). Accuracy is the same.

If I were to buy CZ 452 now, I'd look for a 16" bbl American. Just as accurate and hard-hitting (if you could call a 22 that) meaning the same muzzle velocity as longer bbl versions, but so much handier and lighter. Or a Scout 16" (IIRC it has a 16) will do as well.

If it wouldn't detract from its value, I am thinking of cutting down my Style to 18.5".

 

[horseman2]

i had both plus a fullstock. sold both and kept the fullstock. it was the most accurate , american second and varmint last. the fullstock also has great iron sights (452 model) i found the varmint got heavy after carrying it for a while. the american also has 2 action screws the others have one plus a barrel lug, making it easier to tune- sometimes.

Accurizing a 452 is relatively easy and offered me great results. In simple terms, free float the barrel to the lug. Then freeze the lug in a central position with a 6 x 6 set screw and screw in the barrel screw making certain there is no contact betwen the screw and the set screw.

These is structions were previously published on this site, and on rimfirecentral.com using my handle on both.