Best Value/Accurate Bolt Action 22?

[Rambo, John J.]

I say the CZ is probably the best value. However, I haven't taken a look at the prices lately. People probably have discovered how good they are and the price has gone up just like on the CZ-75's. They might have been the best value in the past.

[joe47]

Start with a CZ 455, do a trigger job, put a nice scope on it then as you can afford it add a Lilja barrel then put it in a BR stock. May be a little pricy but those things will shoot.

[Tom-ADC]

Start with a CZ 455, do a trigger job, put a nice scope on it then as you can afford it add a Lilja barrel then put it in a BR stock. May be a little pricy but those things will shoot.

Don't any of the CZ shoot good out of the box? Second or third that says do a trigger job, to me when you are paying that kind of price for a 22 should shoot great groups out of the box.
How about some pictures of targets shot with one of these?

[jbohon]

I've always been a fan of the Marlin 980S... don't know if you can still get them though.

[CWDraco]

The basic savage MKII is about in that range, but after all the upgrades you are looking at $700ish.

[john4045]

I'd check out a CZ for that price range.

[problemchild]

452=good
455=bad (mine is going back second time for major repairs)

[RCJeeper]

Don't any of the CZ shoot good out of the box? Second or third that says do a trigger job, to me when you are paying that kind of price for a 22 should shoot great groups out of the box.
How about some pictures of targets shot with one of these?

Good point. The CZs have the foundation for excellent accuracy just short of a $1000 Anschutz minus the trigger. The good news is that the trigger is easy and cheap to do. Less than $20 and maybe 30 minutes of tinkering. My 455 American is just such a sweet looking rifle, it's hard to believe it was $400 brand new. Not sure what the prices are today but these are fine rifles that will give you that solid quality feeling long after the newness has worn off.

[joe47]

Don't any of the CZ shoot good out of the box? Second or third that says do a trigger job, to me when you are paying that kind of price for a 22 should shoot great groups out of the box.
How about some pictures of targets shot with one of these?

They come from the factory with a 3-5 pound trigger, but for less than $5 you can have a trigger less than 8 oz with no creep. These targets were shot at 50 yds. with SK Standard +. The first 4 were multi shot groups, the rest were single.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Tom-ADC]

Joe, that's what I'm talking about! I'm sure there is a CZ in my future, I love rimfires probably have to many already but what the heck one more can't hurt.

PC what's going on with the 455?

[stretch2]

I went through the same decision process a few weeks ago, a CZ455 Varmint vs. a Savage Mk II BV. I also lamented over the .22lr shortage. I ended up getting a Savage Mk II FV (same barrel as the BV, but with a plastic stock) and plan on upgrading the stock to a Rhineland Leopard. I decided on the Savage because it was $200 cheaper and the LGS had it in stock. If the CZ455 Varmint were in stock, I would have bought it. They are a beautifully crafted piece, definitely worth the extra money. But I have no regrets on buying the Savage. I've only put about 200 rounds of Winchester bulk down the barrel, but so far I've been very happy with it.

As far as .22lr vs .17hmr goes, I've not found either to be stocked on a regular basis. I've probably spent more money on gas than bullets to get ammo, but so far I've found enough to keep me busy for a while. I'm paying about $.08/round not counting tax.

[as_rocketman]

I'll stick with 22lr due to cost and greater availability.

I'm now stuck between:

CZ455 varmint ($409/$456) or Savage Mark II BTV ($369/$456). . . . .Kygunco prices/MSRP

Any pros and cons between each other?
which one is more accurate?

Savage Pros: Price, availability, mags and things are cheaper, easier stock options

CZ Pros: Option to change caliber, solid, subjectively better stock trigger

Accuracy between the two will be a wash. You're likely to find more variation in different brands of ammo in one rifle than comparing the two. If you are dead set on crazy-good accuracy (well under 1 MOA) then out-of-the-box accuracy would be a non-factor and you'd choose on the basis of upgrade path, and probably wind up with an Anschutz.

I found myself in the same situation a few months ago, except mine is for field shooting / trainer for heavy centerfires, not a benchrest rifle. I would also accept 2 MOA accuracy though more is always better.

I went with a CZ 452 Varmint. It is an outstanding rifle. The only problem I've run across is occasionally weak extraction, but this looks like either a break-in issue or an easy fix.

My decision was influenced by the fact that CZ's have performed well on my line at Appleseed -- see more of those than any other bolt-action -- though I mostly see the Lux's come out to play. I am not a fan of the Euro-style hogback stock, but that's an individual thing.

The stock on the 452 Varmint is quite large -- about an inch more length of pull than an M1 Garand! Great for me and my monkey arms, but probably too much stock for many shooters. Mine also has a shockingly good trigger out of the box, but I've heard some are better than others.

On the other hand, there is nothing bad to say about the Savage. At my last Appleseed, we had three of them on the line together:



So really you can't go wrong. If I were you I'd shoulder one, and if it fit, I'd buy it.

[Tom-ADC]

Stretch2 take a look at Accu-Riser they really help out the plastic stocks on the Savage FV rifles.

http://www.accu-riser.com/products/Accu%252dRiser-Monte-Carlo-Comb-Raiser.html

[stretch2]

Thanks Tom, might go that route if I don't get the Leopard stock.

[Tom-ADC]

I have the one with the velcro strap helps but I'm going with the Boyds stock on mine.