CZ 455 and 453. Need your opinion.

[nismoflip]

I've decided between these two platforms. I'm torn between picking the CZ 453 Varmint fluted in .17HMR vs. the CZ 455 American combo w/ both .17HMR and .22LR barrels. My intention is to shoot at the range 90% of the time and 10% the occasional varmint hunting. At first glance, it seems like the 455 is the one to go with because of the convenience of shooting the cheaper .22LR at the range and the .17 for hunting. However, the 453 Varmint has the adjustable trigger and fluted barrel. The fluted barrel is a nice touch but not nearly a deal-breaker for me. But regarding the adjustable trigger on the 453...is it worth not being able to shoot .22LR out of it?

Assuming I can actually locate these rifles, what are your opinions?

Thanks.

[sholling]

I had a 453 Varmint in 22LR and the trigger was very nice, much nicer than a stock 452, but when used in single set mode the trigger is moved forward enough to make the reach a bit long. I have not tried a 455 but they may be making or be about to make a single set trigger (SST) version of the 455 varmint. There may also be aftermarket trigger options worth looking at but I have no experience with them.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/CZ-455-Varmint/

[Just_some_guy]

I bought the 455 American combo - with the idea of shooting the 17HMR which I was able to readily buy, vs. 22LR which is still very difficult to find on the shelves. Keep in mind, the 455 American has no iron sights at all.

I wound up scoring a stash of 22LR, so I've been shooting it with the .22 barrel.

It is a very nice, basic bolt rifle, about as good a .22 as I've ever shot. I've yet to put the 17hmr barrel on it. It isn't something you'd do on a regular basis. It isn't hard to do, but it requires taking the rifle apart and putting it back together, then you have to re-zero the scope.

As a shooter, it's great. As nice as a non-set trigger is likely to get and shoots accurate.

[Fadedline]

455 with a Yo Dave trigger kit for $20. I have them on both my CZ's. The kit comes with different weight springs and different size shims. Easy install. My Lux feels less than a pound. I love the triggers with the Yo Dave kit and don't feel the need for a SST.

[dfletcher]

I have the 452 FS in 22 WMR, 452 Varmint in 17 HMR and 455 in 22 lr. Additional barrels for the 455 are about $135.00 (magazine included) and I plan on adding a 22 WMR. I do the "Yo Dave" in each rifle.

I have other CZs with the set trigger. It works well and I'd expect the 453 does too, but it's a bit of a pain to set for prolonged scooting. I prefer a good "standard" trigger and that's how I use my CZs.

I've thus far been not too enthusiastic about the 455 accuracy. Maybe I've not found the right bullet, or maybe the method of barrel attachment to receiver has an effect. The 455 is my least accurate CZ rimfire, kind of surprising considering having the full stocked and 22 WMR version.

I primarily use Aguila standard velocity 40 grain and it has always been exceptionally accurate in all my 22s to include the Browning 52 and an old JC Higgins 30.

[nismoflip]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Keep them coming.

I'm leaning towards the 452/453 in .17HMR. I have .22s I can shoot at the range. Sounds like either of the 452/453 and 455 platforms would do me well but perhaps barrel swapping on a regular basis is not practical.

[Dattebayo]

I say go for the 455 as the versatility in the easy barrel change is really priceless aside from that they are amazing shooters out of the box.

This opens up options not only to change caliber, but also to purchase match .22 barrels from Shillen, McMillian, and other popular match brand barrels. Changing these out are even easier than switching a Savage barrel and requires nothing really special in the tools departments.

If you were going to get a CZ rimfire, the 455 is hard to beat.

[Izzy43]

I suggest you go over to rimfirecentral.com (RFC) in the CZ forum for a lot more info and opinions on the 455 vs 453. I may be wrong but I think I remember that the 453 is out of or going out of production. You will have to join RFC to do searches.

[Cuda440]

I have the 453 American 17hmr and I love it. I have other 22s, so the 455 wasn't that big of a deal to me. It seems like you would have to re-adjust the sights every time you switch barrels anyway, I can't imagine the POA/POI is the exact same for different calibers.

The set trigger is great. It was a little disappointing out of the box, roughly 5lbs single stage and 2lbs set. It's fully adjustble, so I dug in and it's now about 3.5 lbs and about 1oz when set.

[Dattebayo]

I have the 453 American 17hmr and I love it. I have other 22s, so the 455 wasn't that big of a deal to me. It seems like you would have to re-adjust the sights every time you switch barrels anyway, I can't imagine the POA/POI is the exact same for different calibers.

The set trigger is great. It was a little disappointing out of the box, roughly 5lbs single stage and 2lbs set. It's fully adjustble, so I dug in and it's now about 3.5 lbs and about 1oz when set.

Readjusting the sight isn't a huge issue imo. It takes a few minutes and 3 to 10 rounds to get sighted in.

What I find more valuable is being able to save money for gunsmiths and machine work to make simple and easy upgrades to the CZ455. I set trigger is alright, but the inexpensive trigger kits from ebay can make the pull amazing making a set trigger rather unnecessary.

If anything, the selling point would be the fact you can buy match barrels and can swap them in less than 5 minutes. If it was me, I'd probably just buy a Shillen match barrel and leave it on there. Try changing the barrel on the 452 or the 455? You'd need specialized tools and a gunsmith most likely to take care of it.

[nismoflip]

Fellas, I went with the 453 fluted varmint in .17hmr. It almost took the flip of a coin to decide. I decided to go with the the 453 because it seems they'll be discontinued soon if not already. I found one at whittakerguns for $564 shipped.

I'll give it a go and leave the door open downline for possibly a cz455.

Now the next order of business is figuring out how to get started with varmint hunting at a BLM. I haven't hunted in 20 years but if things haven't changed, I'll need a class, certificate, and license to get started.

Then there's the scope. I'm thinking 4x, 2-7x, or 3-9x in <40mm on medium rings.

Thanks for the input guys and for not turning it into a 452 vs 455 thread war.

[Izzy43]

Fellas, I went with the 453 fluted varmint in .17hmr. It almost took the flip of a coin to decide. I decided to go with the the 453 because it seems they'll be discontinued soon if not already. I found one at whittakerguns for $564 shipped.

I'll give it a go and leave the door open downline for possibly a cz455.

Now the next order of business is figuring out how to get started with varmint hunting at a BLM. I haven't hunted in 20 years but if things haven't changed, I'll need a class, certificate, and license to get started.

Then there's the scope. I'm thinking 4x, 2-7x, or 3-9x in <40mm on medium rings.

Thanks for the input guys and for not turning it into a 452 vs 455 thread war.

Either the 455 or 453 is a great choice and I doubt the 453 will be your last CZ after you shoot it. Very accurate rifles and for small varmint hunting the .17HMR is a good choice as well, that cartridge is scary accurate. What kind/size of varmint will you be hunting? I ask this because of your thinking on a scope. If you are going to be hunting @ 100yds and beyond I think a 3-9X is the bare minimum in magnification. Consider looking thru some scopes before you buy considering the minimum/maximum range you will be shooting.

I would think a 4-16x may be a good choice, 4x for close-in and 16X for further distance. One scope that comes to mind is this: http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?...odTitle=Weaver 4-16X42 Classic V-16 AO Riflescope STT FC Dot Reticle Matte

I have 3 Weaver scopes and all are excellent glass for the $$$.

Here is one more that is getting good reviews although a little larger than the Weaver:http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-c...fle-scope.html

Vortex has a lifetime warranty that can't be beat in the industry, as good as Leupold's warranty. Warranty transfers with the scope, no receipt needed. Visit the Vortex website for more info. (I am not affiliated with Vortex). My .17hmr rifle wears a Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44mm Side Focus scope and it is excellent, a tad better than my Weavers.

[J.R.W.]

i got the cz 455 put the .17 hmr barrel on it 2 try in out it was shooting 8 shot group nickel size group at 100yards with no wind .trigger could use some eork but so far its nice enough . have taken squirrels out at 138 yrds on a pretty windy day . could of went farther but didnt have any pill takers pop up any farther