CZ 452 Varmint - WTF????

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Glock4ever

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So a couple of weeks ago I picked up a nice CZ 452 Varmint and quickly threw on some rimfire rings and went back home for Thanksgiving. When I got back I decided to check over the rifle before going out to the range. That is when I noticed that the Burris Rimfire rings were canted a slight bit to the right. I hadn't noticed it when I was mounting the scope originally but it was quite clear on the follow up inspection that the rings didn't fit quite right. It was odd because I had just moved the scope and rings complete over from my 452 style and I was certain that the scope wasn't canted on the 452 style. So I broke out the digital calipers and measured the dovetail and sure enough - the Style has an 11mm dovetail and the Varmint has a 12.5-13mm dovetail. So in an effort to figure out what the heck was going on I did a search and found out that the Varmint has a different dovetail from the standard rimfire family. This may not be news to many here but it sure was to me. WTF? Why would CZ put a different dovetail on the Varmint? And not a common one either? I went back to the gun store I bought it at and they couldn't find a 12.5mm (.5") dovetail set of rings and were hard pressed to find one in their catalogues. Theoretically I guess I could use the 11mm sets but I hate how it looks like it isn't properly fitted. So in the end I jumped ship from CZ and got a Ruger 77/17. I have never owned the 77 series rimfires and I have to say it is very nice compared to the varmint - flush 9 round mag, beautiful stock, great finish, and rings were included. I don't know that I would trade away my 452 style for a 77 but that varmint really ticked me off. Anyway, here are some pics:

Original unfired 17 HMR Varmint - nice wood, messed up dovetail size:

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New Ruger 77/17:

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Anyone here know why the varmints have the odd size dovetail?
 
Clay, someone should have told CZ that as calipers don't lie. Theoretically, my rimfire rings (lapped/scope mounted) should have slid right on and should have been good to go. Instead the scope was clearly canted to the right Eric Brooks' webpage mentions using different rings for the American but nobody mentions different dovetails for the varmint.

http://cz452.com/

But the dovetail I measured was .5" or 12.5mm at the widest portion. If you go to the CZ-USA site:

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-varmint/

All the 452's have the same size dovetail (.4") including the American. Needless to say I am not impressed - don't get me wrong I will still recommend a CZ over most any other rifle (I have 2 still) but I don't think having to check for dovetail sizes should have to be done.
 
Yes, agreed. Its good to know. We have such good luck with the 452's we have sold. Never had an issue with any of them. :)
However, I've never measured the DT-we sell lots of Leupold and Talley rings with them and always sell 3/8" with the Americans and 11mm with the Varmint and always had positive results as far as we have been aware.
 
Glock4ever said:
Clay, someone should have told CZ that as calipers don't lie. Theoretically, my rimfire rings (lapped/scope mounted) should have slid right on and should have been good to go. Instead the scope was clearly canted to the right Eric Brooks' webpage mentions using different rings for the American but nobody mentions different dovetails for the varmint.

http://cz452.com/

But the dovetail I measured was .5" or 12.5mm at the widest portion. If you go to the CZ-USA site:

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-varmint/

All the 452's have the same size dovetail (.4") including the American. Needless to say I am not impressed - don't get me wrong I will still recommend a CZ over most any other rifle (I have 2 still) but I don't think having to check for dovetail sizes should have to be done.
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its because one of the dovetails is measured at the top (widest part) and the other is measured in the dovetail at the narrow part... i cant remember which way round, i think the 3/8 is the one measured at the narrow point..but if you measure them both at the top then you will get the wrong sizing..
 
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