Need suggestion: Savage or CZ

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myob

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Currently I'm looking to buy my first firearm and has come down to two choices: Savage MKII BTVS or 2011 CZ 452 thumbhole varmint.

I know savage is adjustable to 1.5 lb pull but not sure how low CZ can be adjusted.

Savage is stainless steel barrel while CZ is blued barrel. Other than that, both fits my hand nicely. Except CZ's cheek rest for me is perfectly aligned with the top of the barrel whereas the Savage's cheek rest for me lines up a bit above the barrel - where a scope normally will be. It's minor stuff, since I can always add more pad on the cheek rest.

pricing is within $10 difference.

I guess I am looking into customer service and reliability of both companies. From the impressions in some threads i have read, Savage and CZ both got excellent reputation.
 
I have a whole bunch of Savage rifles and one lonely little CZ... if this is your first gun (and possibly only gun)... make it the CZ... you won't regret it.
 
I'd say either one will probably suit you well, but I'd take a long look at the thumbhole stock idea. I got one (Savage 93R17 BTVS) and loved it in the store...hated it in the field. Made a decent bench/range gun, but hated it on offhand shots, prone shots, etc. Found that IT chose at what angle my hand holds the stock when shooting prone...not me. Hurt my wrist, I got rid of it.

Allot of them are sold, so maybe it's me...but try holding both the way you plan on shooting both and then decide if it's the best choice for you.

EDIT: BTW, I love CZs, but my collection includes none of them currently, but DOES have 3 Savages. I don't consider Savage better than CZ, only better value. They both are accurate guns.
 
CZ, but in the regular stock American version. It just fills so many more roles. Good to carry, accurate off a bench, decent silhouette gun if you ever want to play that game.

-Grant
 
HOnestly, the deciding factor would be the 'ol bank account. If it's a first rifle, both will serve you well. I still have my first .22 (bought 25 years ago), and they are special.

Lots of threads on the subject...boils down to what you prefer. Both have their "camps", and deserved reputations.
 
Stainless is harder-wearing (doesn't rust like blued), though some hunters prefer blued over steel because the flash of stainless can catch animals' eyes.
 
I got a savage mark II fvsr and it is amazing. Dime at 50 yards no problem and I love the acutiger it is the bomb :) so I would have to say go for the savage
 
I have a CZ 452 American - purchased on the advice of others here. It is a FANTASTIC .22. I am shooting it at 220 yards and it is doing amazingly well. It looks great too!

DIGAF pointed me to yodaveproducts.com where you can purchase a trigger kit for the 452 - about $25. My friend DIGAF installed it for me and I got to try it out today. Trigger is down from ~4lbs to 1lb. It feels fantastic!

I've never seen or fired the Savage but I can tell you with confidence that the CZ is a fine .22 that you will pass down to your children and grandchildren.
 
I started back in 2007 with a Savage Mark II stainless rifle, and it wasn't bad. Had some warranty issues and went through a few replacements, but whatever. Eventually got fed up and told them to keep it, and I bought a CZ 453 Varmint. Man, what a difference in quality and workmanship. Was much more accurate, though plenty of people have reported fairly accurate Savages now, too. If I were in the market for one or the other again, it would hands-down be a CZ.
 
The savage you mention is the deluxe version of a low cost gun. The mags and metal finish, stamped parts are the signs of it. The Cz is a mid range gun and is made to a higher standard.
For me, as a first gun, I strongly recommend a 452 american if cost is the same.
I haven't tried their thumbhole version, so can't comment on that.
 
LarryG said:
The savage you mention is the deluxe version of a low cost gun. The mags and metal finish, stamped parts are the signs of it. The Cz is a mid range gun and is made to a higher standard.
For me, as a first gun, I strongly recommend a 452 american if cost is the same.
I haven't tried their thumbhole version, so can't comment on that.
Click to expand...

Thumbhole is great, feels perfect and allows you to really find that sweetspot in your shoulder.

Go CZ, I was in the same spot contemplating between the Mark II FV or TR models and the 455 American / Varmint

I held both looked them over well and found the 455 to be just of higher quality overall and I am very pro-canadian made stuff that helped Savage greatly as their 22's are made here in Canada.

But the CZ 455 Varmint Thumbhole edged out the Savage models and after shooting it I fell in love with this gun.
 
I vote for the CZ, look around for a older 452 varmint or american, but then I am biased, trust me.
 
I have Savage MKIIF and MKIGY as well as CZ452 Style and Varmint.

Accuracy-wise I'd say they are all equal when conditions are right. My F can shoot as well as a buddy's FV as well.

But the feel, fit, finish and overall quality of the CZ's are a clear notch above the Savages. Just look at the receiver and the bolt. Go to a LGS, check out the bolts on the Savage and CZ....no comparison.

If restricted only one .22 rifle to own, it will definitely be a CZ for me.

For similar money, as in the case of the OP, IMO, CZ is the way to go. Of course, if buying Canadian-made is important, then that is another matter.

and yeah, a Yodave trigger kit in your CZ will give you the best possible trigger compared to almost any 22 rifle.
 
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