A few years ago I was in the market for a target grade .22 Rimfire rifle to be used mostly on paper, but occasionally on Squirrels, Rabbets and Crows out to 100 yards. After a few months of research I purchased a CZ 453 American which has turned out to be an incredible rifle!

The first time I shot it (to sight in the scope) it was at 100 feet and I bench rested it. With Winchester Wildcats (promo ammo) it will shoot 5 shot groups smaller than a dime all day long. Similar results were achieved with Federal Champion, America Eagle, and the "Big Three" Bulk .22 rimfire ammo.

Now in my constant quest for improvement, I read about and purchased the very expensive Eley Red and Eley Black box Match grade ammo. I figured if Wildcats could shoot sub dime size groups, I wanted to see what the Match Grade stuff could do. To my surprise, the Eley did NOT shoot as well as the cheap promo ammo and I was really puzzled. Not that I am complaining that the rifle shoots so well with cheap ammo, but I was shocked that the real expensive Olympic quality ammo was not even as good. Hmmmmmmmmmm............

Chief38

Suggest you go to the "Rimfire Central" forum they have a CZ section with a bunch of great guys.... who will tell you more than you want or need to know...LOL

I have a couple of CZ452s and have had great luck with CCI stuff

22's routinely shoot better with certain types/brands of ammo. They are finicky like that.

I would just be "happy as a pig in slop" that it likes the inexpensive brands and let it go at that.

I have an Anschutz 1416D Sporter that I squirrel hunt with...it likes Winchester Dynapoints in the bulk box ...shoots'em as well as any of the premium target rounds.....thats fine with me, saves on ammo.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

The CZ 453 rifles with the set trigger are a great bargin. I have 453 Varmint in 17 HMR topped with Bushnell Elite series. Hitting squirrels at 50-75 yards is a piece of cake. Add a little wind and the challenge increases.
I liked the CZ rifles so much I traded a S&W m19 for a CZ 527 Varmint in .204 Ruger with Kevlar stock. Now I can hit ground squirrels out to 100- 200 yds. Plus it's good for dispatcing coyotes.

As mentioned above, each rifle will shoot different ammo better if you do your part. I have used Eley with good results, but at a cost of course.
Have fun with the CZ, they are a fine rifle and addictive.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

You know come to think of it, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the CZ453 rifles have a slightly tighter bore than standard and the Company suggests using High Velocity ammo rather than the standard target velocity as that of the Eley ammo. That could possibly be the difference. Be that as it may, YESSSSS I am tickled pink that it shoots incredibly with run-of-the-mill promo Hi-Vel. ammo that always seems to be on sale somewhere.

Mickey D:

You are 100% correct about the CZ 453 being a great bargain. For the money (I paid a little over $500.00) I feel that there is NO BETTER .22 Rimfire Rifle currently made anywhere! I'll even go out on a limb and include the coveted Kimber America as well (which is more than twice the price). Not only does the CZ shoot, but the Walnut stock, bluing, machining, bolt, fit and finish is quality all the way. I desperately wanted to buy an American Rifle, but there was absolutely nothing in the same class as the CZ other than the Kimber, and at more than twice the price I saw no advantage at all. I might actually rate the CZ above the Kimber. Add in the fact that my CZ has it's Single Set Trigger set at 1/2 pound and to me it's a "no brainer"!! I simply can't miss with this sucker.



Chief38

My CZ 452-2E isn't picky about anything except Remington, but Remington .22 ammo is total junk anyway. I get my best accuracy with sub-sonic, but I don't do any long range shooting. The CZ is a wonderful rifle, but my go-to rim-fire remains the Winchester 9422.

My CZ 452 will shoot anything. Your best bang for your buck for hunting ammo ( in my opinion) is Win Dyna Point. It also is good for paper.

As mentioned all guns prefer certain ammo but I have never spent the big money for so called premium, super target ammo. It isn't worth it to me. I am not in the Olympics.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I bought a 452 several years back and was so impressed that I decided to try the high-end ammo. My results were the same as yours. There was very little difference but the best results were obtained with Federal Champion ammo. It seemed like the more expensive the ammo, the worse it shot. Eley performed worse than most. Two years ago I bought an Anschutz 1905. Again, I found very little difference in performance based on ammo type.

I have the CZ 452-2E American in 22LR. It has a preference for Winchester "Power Point HP" 40 gr. I sight it in at 100 yds and get 2" or better groups.

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6/23/2022

One thing the more expensive 22 ammo gives you is more consistency. You don't get as many fliers as you do with cheaper ammo. I do agree you have to find what ammo your rifle likes. I have a CZ 452 American and an Anschutz 1416HB and I am doing pretty good with Wolf 22 ammo. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I've got a 452 trainer, and it is not as good a rifle as my bros' Kimber. I paid $165 for is many years ago, less than 1/3 the price of his Kimber. It groups slightly larger than the Kimber at the range, but for squirrels and such, there is really no difference.

I use Winchester Power Points for most of my shooting, but have had good results with the cheap bulk ammo as well. The power Points have gotten more expensive in the last few years, as have the CZ guns.

When I first started buying Cz's they were the best bang for the buck you could find. I have owned several over the years, and all have been great shooters.

caromrk:
Mine is the 453 which has the Single Set Trigger on it and is what I felt separated it from the Kimber. I think that is the only real difference between the 453 and the 452 as well.

I also find that the best quality "reasonable' ammo is the blue boxed Federal Champion 40 grain which you can get for about $20 bucks a Brick. Winchester Wildcats are OK, and the Remington stuff is really BAD! CCI is also good stuff but very expensive.

Regards,

Chief38

You can substantially increase the accuracy of bulk 22 ammo by weighing each round, and sorting the rounds into batches. Use the lightest and heaviest rounds for plinking, fouling, etc. Doesn't cost anything but some time. Details at:

weighing 22 ammo - LongRangeHunting Online Magazine