CZ 455 vs. Savage Mark II vs. any other suggestions?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
62   0   0
I was wondering if anyone would be willing to offer some input on buying a .22lr bolt action rifle, as I am having a hard time deciding on a brand and model.


I have been considering a cz 455 for a long time now... since they came out really. But man, those huge chunks cut out of the barrel for the allen screws that hold it in REALLY bother me. They are really deep, and from all the pictures I have seen, it seems like the thickness of the barrel in the spots is super thin. I have owned a 452 Varmint, and and 452 American in the past, but they just didn't quite click for me. The barrel lug on the varmint drove me nuts, and same with that dovetailed rear action screw on the American. I know that they shoot exceptionally well, despite the lugs, but the idea of the lugs just bothered me. It just seemed kind of cheesy to me. Even though it might not make any real world difference in accuracy or consistency.

I have also been considering a Savage Mark II with a heavy barrel. The Savage has two action screws, and seems to have a solid reputation for accuracy, but I have read a lot of posts about the scope base mounting holes being drilled off center, which would be an absolute deal breaker for me. I have also heard people say the action feels a bit toy-ish, and that the Savage has a looser, sporter chamber, which on average, offers far less accuracy than the CZ.


Can anyone who has either shot or owned both the Savage and the CZ offer any comparison as far as accuracy, and fit and finish are concerned?

Are there any other brands that I am overlooking? Maybe an new entry level, or older used Anschutz?
 
It's a big step up from Savage or CZ, but perhaps an Anschutz or Cooper? The Savage and CZ are all built to a budget and you can see the corners that are cut to put out an affordable accurate bolt action. I thought the Savage looked rougher than the CZ, and I'm ok with the compromises that go into a CZ because I'm not really interested in spending more. I could list half a dozen things about the CZ's I have that I think are shortcomings, but since I'm not willing to spend $1,500 or more, it will have to do. Beer budget and Champagne taste lead to compromise. The 453 Varmint might appeal to you, it has the 452 American's two action screws, and not on the barrel, but it has a :bigHug::bigHug::bigHug::bigHug:ty stamped sheet metal trigger guard that bends when you tighten the action screws. Wonderful trigger through.
 
I have a cz 455 and a few savage mark II's. The cz finish is alot nicer. I like the cz actions better because it feels more centerfireish if that makes sense. Accuracy is darn near the same, if there is a difference its to close to count. I would say you cant go wrong with either rifle.
 
Love my BTVS! I hate the weight of it with a scope when carring it around a field shooting gophers.
Hate the ten round max mags.
What it the mag capacity of each?
 
Last edited:
I have a CZ455 Lux. It is a lighter, easier to handle rifle. If its your first, it won't fatigue you as quickly as a heavier barrel. However, with that said, if you have higher demands, there are heavy barrel versions you can buy in the CZ line that I'm sure would work.

The CZ is accurate. You'll be paying fair money for it, but like said earlier it is a clean finish. Approximately 600 rounds later, the action/bolt really started to perform. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone, beginner or not.

I do have a Savage 64 (semi auto). Quality of rifle and shot are also very good. The bolt action versions are very popular, but that's my limited comparison there.
 
I own both a CZ 452 Varmint and a Savage Mk II with heavy barrel and accutrigger. They both shoot as well as the shooter and ammunition permit. The Savage is cheaper but the CZ is better built from better materials. I'm really happy with my Savage but I recognize that its quality isn't near on a par with the CZ. The CZ is heirloom quality, your grandkids will use it.
 
Not much to add that hasn't already been said. It's nearly impossible to see a Savage and a CZ beside each other and say "yeah, I'd rather have the Savage". They're in a different class where build-quality is concerned. No comparison. That said, I have owned both..and I don't think the CZ offers an ounce more accuracy to be honest. To me, the extra $ you pay is for nicer fit/finish/materials. If you add to that..Savage value, the Accutrigger (which I like), and the more optics-friendly bolt throw, Savage gets the edge for me. I wish I still had my CZ, but I do still have 3 Savages. Even though I have lots of experience with both, I'm toying with the idea of getting back into the HMR game...and I'm in a personal "Savage vs. CZ" conflict myself. So yeah...I'm of no help. :)
 
Get the Savage. Very accurate and the money you save from not buying a CZ will buy lots of ammo. Also Savage .22's are made in Canada so you would be supporting fellow Canadians. I love my FV-SR in a TRR stock.
Kim
DSC01624.jpg
 
That sir is a sharp looking setup. Pro to the savage is a left hand bolt option. Not sure if the cz has that or not. Or if it helps you. I can say my Savage mII GL is More accurate than I need and is a nice light package to carry all day.
 
My vote is for a CZ. I bought a standard version with iron sights.
The action is what sold me -- sooooo much nicer feeling, and the build quality in general is superior in my opinion. With a cheap-ish scope i plink shotgun shells 5 for 5 at 75 yards all day long.

Some notes from my experience:
I did end up lightening the trigger spring and shimming the sear a bit -- although out of the box she was not bad at all
Irons need a small screwdriver to adjust
A 40mm obj. scope (bushnell banner) on 1" rings fits, even clears the rear iron sight mount if you take the sight off
A brick of ammo is what it took for the bolt to smooth out
Magazines are $50 each for a 10-round steel

In terms of a barrel attachment -- i don't know if it makes any difference for such a low-power rifle with such a thick barrel and beefy action. I am an eastern euro and my bias is, well, towards cz... I love that thing and would not trade it for anything. $0.02
 
Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. Lots of good info here.

I've been considering the possibility of the 452 Lux, so that I have one rifle with open sights. Everybody needs at least one right? Especially since the tangent sights on the 452 Lux seem to be preferred over the newer style. Not only that, but instead of the barrel lug being cut into a dovetail on the bottom of the barrel, the Lux appears to use the front sight base, which is essentially just a steel band around the barrel, as it's second mounting point. Which I like. No chopping. Only thing is, as far as I know, they stopped making the 452 line this year. Right? And retailers are just selling off their remaining stock. So that's only if I can find one. I know gunsnthings is listing some, but they are closed for the Christmas season.. until April, which is frustrating! :p

I'm also interested in the Savage Mark II TR, for a scoped option. It's not flashy, but has a lot of nice options (Accu-Trigger, threaded barrel, 2 actions screws, oversized bolt handle, etc...). But has anyone had an 'issue' with the mounting screw on the Mark II's? I read that around one of the action screws, the wood is very thin, same with the trigger guard, and is susceptible to cracking if over-tightened. I don't know if this is specific to the TR model, or all Mark II's. They make a thicker metal plate for this particular problem. But I don't quite understand how it would help.


Grizzlypeg... I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the trigger guard on the 453. Is it different than the one on the 452? Also, where does the front action thread into the action?
 
li like my savage 93 17 hmr the one thing bothers me about it is i cannot put the magazine in without opening the bolt first as it will not seat properly and fall out anyone have any advice on this
 
The TR stock is a little thin and you cannot tighten them real tight, but, it has not affected the accuracy of mine at all. I was all set to glass bed or build pillars for it but I see no reason to do that accuracy wise, it is a tack driver. I may do it just because I am an inveterate tinkerer and can't leave anything stock but not because I need to. I do have the DIP bottom metal on it but again it is not really needed. The stocks are also quite heavy for .22 stocks, they are not carry around all day rifles for sure but they are really nice for range work. As for open sights, why would you want those on an accurate rifle?
Kim
 
The iron sights of the 452 lux are excellent and IMHO what really makes the rifle stand out from the other brands. They are calibrated very well and you can shoot from 25 to 200 yards with very good accuracy.
 
super7 said:
The iron sights of the 452 lux are excellent and IMHO what really makes the rifle stand out from the other brands. They are calibrated very well and you can shoot from 25 to 200 yards with very good accuracy.
Click to expand...

Is the 452 Lux the standard for a quality iron sight .22lr rifle or are there other better options for the price? I've shouldered a few rifles but they seem to be suited for a scope rather than just the irons.
 
I have a Savage Mark II. Great little plinker, but I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of it in favor of a CZ 455 American... I like the idea of buying the combo and being able to swap from 22LR to 17HMR... The savage does what it does, and does it pretty well. To me it feels a bit too much like a toy. I wanted a wood stock, but couldnt find one, and the ones I HAD seen looked cheap as well (you get what you pay for)

Who knows I may end up keeping the savage. Its good for teaching a new shooter, and you can bang it around without the worry of scratching or nicking the stock.

My advice is if you like quality stuff that will last a long time go with the CZ. Otherwise you'll end up like me; wanting something nicer...

As the saying goes "Buy stuff thats nice ~ or buy it twice"
 
Island'r said:
I have a Savage Mark II. Great little plinker, but I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of it in favor of a CZ 455 American... I like the idea of buying the combo and being able to swap from 22LR to 17HMR... The savage does what it does, and does it pretty well. To me it feels a bit too much like a toy. I wanted a wood stock, but couldnt find one, and the ones I HAD seen looked cheap as well (you get what you pay for)

Who knows I may end up keeping the savage. Its good for teaching a new shooter, and you can bang it around without the worry of scratching or nicking the stock.

My advice is if you like quality stuff that will last a long time go with the CZ. Otherwise you'll end up like me; wanting something nicer...

As the saying goes "Buy stuff thats nice ~ or buy it twice"
Click to expand...


You can get a 22wmr barrel as well. I have the 22lr and 22wmr barrels for my 455.
 
Thanks again for all the responses so far. I'm starting to warm up to the idea of the 455, but those wedges cut out of the barrel are what have kept me from buying one up to this point. How thin is the barrel at the deepest points of the cutouts? Are there any concerns about durability/rigidity of the setup because of the cutouts?


hometownhero said:
You can get a 22wmr barrel as well. I have the 22lr and 22wmr barrels for my 455.
Click to expand...

How much did the extra barrel cost you?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom