Which .22 LR Bolt Action
- Thread starter Leavenworth
- Start date
I've been in the same situation, owning a handful of semi autos and wanting a bolt action for a little more accuracy, and consistency.
Ive decided to go with what everyone recommends, the CZ457. It comes in many flavours.
Ive decided to go with what everyone recommends, the CZ457. It comes in many flavours.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Always start with your end use goals AND the ammo you want to use. Right now, you are 'figuring' out this and that and then assuming it applies to 'the other'.
The best knife in the world that you have researched for a long time is a wonderful tool... but sucks if you are trying to drink a bowl of soup.
Match chamber is fantastic if planning to shoot MATCH ammo.... if you want to run HV bulk or some hyper velocity US made stuff, maybe the sporter chamber is better.
YMMV
Jerry
A .22LR match chamber has dimensions that are smaller than standard dimensions. Aside from ammo used, two important factors in the accuracy potential of a rifle are bore quality and chamber quality. With regard to accuracy potential, chamber quality includes chamber finish, especially at the leade area, and dimensions. Generally, the looser the chamber the less the accuracy.
Most North American-made mass produced .22LR repeaters have a "sporter" .22LR chamber made to SAAMI specifications. This is a chamber that has generous dimensions and it will be able to easily chamber and shoot all kinds of .22LR ammo. Most European-made .22LR firearms will have chambers conforming to CIP specifications, which are smaller than SAAMI sporter chambers. The CZ .22LR match chamber will differ from other CZ chambers in length. It will be a little shorter.
The chamber itself will not make a rifle more or less accurate. It works in conjunction with bore quality. Also the ammo used is very important. Not all ammo, even match ammo, is equal.
Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
I have been looking online at the .22 LR CZ 457’s If I’m reading the CZ website information correctly you can swap barrels on the 457
But it depends on what stock you start with as not all barrels swap into all stocks , if I have this correct ?
I’ll post this link and let me know if I have this correct . Sorry don’t know how to just put the image up .
Leavenworth
https://www.czub.cz/file/2911
But it depends on what stock you start with as not all barrels swap into all stocks , if I have this correct ?
I’ll post this link and let me know if I have this correct . Sorry don’t know how to just put the image up .
Leavenworth
https://www.czub.cz/file/2911
Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
In relation to the above CZ website link . For example take the CZ American 457 .22 LR . You can’t just swap in a target barrel if I’m reading correctly ?
But you can take CZ 457 Varmit .22LR with heavy barrel and swap in a light barrel . Does that seem right ?
Leavenworth
But you can take CZ 457 Varmit .22LR with heavy barrel and swap in a light barrel . Does that seem right ?
Leavenworth
Hardhammer
CGN Regular
It’s just a matter of the width of barrel channel in the stock.
There are also aftermarket triggers available for the CZ rifles. I have a factory single set trigger on my 453 which is very good and I've gotten quite spoiled with that one. I understand that the Yo-Dave units are good as well.
As mentioned previously by other posters, ammunition selection is key to getting any sort of accuracy. Mine likes SK flatnose basic and doesn't like most of the $25 a box Elay stuff. Really likes Lapua Midas plus, but my wallet doesn't.
As mentioned previously by other posters, ammunition selection is key to getting any sort of accuracy. Mine likes SK flatnose basic and doesn't like most of the $25 a box Elay stuff. Really likes Lapua Midas plus, but my wallet doesn't.
Rifles typically don't prefer ammo by the brand.
6.5 shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Medicine Hat
CZ chambers as mentioned are "tighter" then most NA rifles. If you plan on shooting Stingers don't. The brass case is slightly longer and will create pressure issues in the CZ chamber. Match chambers in the "match rifles" are meant more for high end ammo like Lapua, SK, Eley etc. not for American eagle.... LOL
Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
Sure lots to learn and more importantly remember !
Leavenworth
Leavenworth
I've had no issues shooting stingers, and other high velocity stuff out of my CZ for years. Now mine doesn't have the heavy match grade barrel. But it feeds and shoots just fine with them.
Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
Correct me if I’m wrong . Not all the CZ heavy barrels have match chambers as in the CZ 457 Varmit .22LR ?
Leavenworth
Leavenworth
I would assume only those models with the match grade chamber and barrel advertised have them. Everything else is probably just your standard barrel.
From CZ website "selected 22 LR caliber models, such as the CZ 457 MTR, have a MATCH chamber at the very edge of the CIP tolerance. Precision manufacturing and low tolerances provide an excellent accuracy of 1 MOA, depending on the ammunition used."
So ya only certain models have it.
Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
Hmmm. I’m thinking I really like the idea of being able to switch barrels out on the CZ 457 .22 LR but as mentioned it depends as some CZ stocks are not able to accommodate heavy barrels as you can see in the compatible table I posted earlier
Another thing if you swap out the barrels for a different caliber everything would be off in terms of where it hits on the paper as I don’t think a 17 HMR will hit at the same point a .22 will . Correct ?
Leavenworth
Another thing if you swap out the barrels for a different caliber everything would be off in terms of where it hits on the paper as I don’t think a 17 HMR will hit at the same point a .22 will . Correct ?
Leavenworth
Do you want a heavy barrel? It does add weight to the rifle, and is more meant for things like varmint guns or long range. In most applications it's not needed. I hunt with my CZ in decently thick woods, so the heavy barrel is just not necessary for my use case. Also if you do buy the Minisets (Barrels) as CZ calls them a normal sized barrel will look funny in a heavy barrel stock but still be functional if swapped in.
And yes the moment you change caliber you will have to re zero the rifle. Even switching barrels of the same caliber would also necessitate zeroing it again as no two barrels are exactly alike. While they are easy to swap, finding a Miniset for CZ rifles can be a bit difficult. They only come in a few times a year, and they sell out rather fast. Can often find them on the Equipment Exchange for a bit off sticker price. If you do end up going CZ, and want a miniset, do not hesitate if you see them in a stores inventory, it won't be there for long.
Swapping these barrels is easy but not a pop in and out kind of thing. The stock has to be removed, then you have to unscrew the barrel clamps. and put the new one in, and put the stock back on. Mine was a 22lr for 3 years, and for the new foreseeable future it will be a 22wmr. Maybe one day I'll swap to 17hmr, but for now it's 100% staying 22wmr for at least another 2 years. It's a cool feature but only in the sense that it gives you options. Technically for the price of a 22wmr and a 17hmr barrel new from a store, I could of just got a full CZ rifle lol.
Last edited:
