New .22 rifle, CZ 452 American, scope suggestions? (pics)

[canoeguy]

My local gun dealer got into a nest of guns, a Pre-64 Winchester Model 94 30/30, a Sako .243, and a CZ 452 American. The Winchester and Sako sold quickly, the CZ had a nice target scope that he sold seperately. He put a price tag of $300 on the CZ, and set it in his case....

I looked at the CZ for weeks, but couldn't get excited about it knowing I'd have to buy a scope on top of the $300. The other day, my dealer said "If you want that rifle, let's talk"....

He put a cheap Simmons fixed 4X scope on it, and I wrote him a check for $226, tax and fees included.

Took it immediately to the range, and even with the cheap scope got some target rifle worthy groups at 50 yards, shooting the rifle prone with a bipod. Here's some pics:

I'm going to get a nice target scope for the rifle, something compact with target knobs. The BSA "Sweet .22" looks nice, but I'm not excited about the BSA name. What would be a good scope for this rifle for less than $200?

 

[Rule3]

Look at some Bushnells. Actually, the 452 is such a good rifle, if you can swing it, put a really nice scope on it.

I put a Browning on mine, which at the time was made to Bushnell Ellite standards in the same factory. Pretty much the same but without "rain guard"

 

[s&wchad]

Nice .22!

You might consider a previously owned Leupold Rimfire Special. The parallax is corrected at 75yds and it was offered as a 4X or a 2-7X. Their warranty is one of the best in the business, but I doubt you'll ever need it.

 

[Dan Cash]

Sightron can hook you up. Good glass and adjustments for the price.

 

[H Richard]

Give some thought to what you are going to do with the rifle. Will it be used from 50 yards in, or out to and beyond 100 yards? That can determine the amount of magnification you want in the scope. Are you going to be shooting bench rest competition or shooting tin cans and squirrels? That can help determine the cost of the scope you need.

Clarity and repeatability of settings are requirements in a good scope. For a .22 RF I would recommend a compact version. Both Burris and Leupold make compact versions. I put a compact 4-12 with target turrets on my Anschutz sporter as I intended to use it for RF Metallic Silhouette. It has been a great scope and very clear.

I was told years ago, that for a quality rifle the cost of the scope should equal about the cost of the rifle. I have found that to be relatively true.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Nice .22!

You might consider a previously owned Leupold Rimfire Special. The parallax is corrected at 75yds and it was offered as a 4X or a 2-7X. Their warranty is one of the best in the business, but I doubt you'll ever need it.

Can't go wrong with this suggestion, if you can afford it.

 

[chief38]

I have the CZ 453 American which is almost the identical rifle, (with the exception of a single set trigger). I put a Burris 6X scope on it and at 75 feet from a bench rest I can consistently shoot 5 shot groups inside a dime sized hole with just about any "junker" (promotional brand) ammo. The rifle is exceptionally high in quality (no plastic parts) fit & finish, and has 4 different trigger adjustments on it. I was not as fortunate as you though..........I paid about $575.00 for the rifle and over 220.00 for the scope, but even though I spent almost 800 bucks I have been thrilled with its performance! YOU'VE GOT YOURSELF SOME DEAL! As others have said though.........if you can swing it get a good scope. The Bushnell and the Simmons brand are not going to help you reach the rifle's full potential.

ENJOY IT!!
chief38

 

[ridewv]

Nice rifle Canoeguy! I've already selected the scope for my .22, but I'm still trying to decide on the rifle.

Leupold's VX-11 3-9 x 33 Rimfire

 

[canoeguy]

HRichard,

I intend to use the rifle for club level Bench Rest competition, recreational shooting, maybe some squirrel hunting. I'd like a target scope with target knobs, so I can zero the rifle at 50 yards, if I see a target at 100 yards, just dial in the elevation clicks and hold dead on. I would like to experiment with it out to 200 yards, see what kind of groups I could get at 200.

I like the Leupold scopes, I had a Vari-X III Tactical on a Remington 700 that was awesome in it's ability to come back to zero. That rifle had a 100 yard zero, I had the elevation dope written down on a card, if I saw a target from 25-500 yards, just dial in the elevation clicks, slay your target (in my case, paper and steel), then go back to the 100 yard zero and it would be dead on.

The Leupold is a little pricier than I want to pay right now, but I think I'll look for a used one.

Chief 38,

I do appreciate my dealer giving me a break on this rifle, this is the result of being loyal to your local shop. I have gotten many good deals from him, he saves the stuff he knows I'm interested in and gives me first crack at them as well. He has a good pricing strategy most times, he owns his building outright and doesn't have to pay rent...

RideWV,

If you haven't decided on a rifle take a good look at the CZ's. I have two now, the above 452 American, and the 452 Military Trainer. The triggers are excellent right out of the box, super accurate, and priced right. My dealer ordered me the 452 Miltary Trainer, brand new with taxes and fees it was $383. The 452 American (no iron sights) I believe is about $100 more. I can think of no other rifle that will outshoot it for that money.

They also make a heavy barrel 452 "Varmint".

 

[Snowbandit]

I've tried the BSA scopes and the best advice I can give is - RUN! They're junk. Like looking through a cloud bank and won't hold zero. For the lower priced scopes I've had good luck with Bushnell's Trophy or even the Legend series. Bushnell has a factory outlet store in the Kansas City area with some really good prices too. I bought several from them in the past few years and have been pleased with every one.

 

[dennis40x]

CZ-452 American with a Leupold M8-4X-28mm compact R.F. Special

 

[BlackAgnes]

The whole subject of scopes for .22 rifles is interesting. I'd rather go "scopeless" than put BSA, Simmons, Tasco or some such cheap glass on my guns.

My Oregon Kimber Model 82 wears a Burris Signature Select 4-16X because the gun is so accurate I want to be able to "thread the needle" at longer ranges--something you cannot do with a 2-7X or the like.

The Winchester 52 Sporter (repro) is equipped with a Leupold straight 8X because I got a deal on it used, and because it's not quite as accurate as the Kimber.

Remington 510--Older Redfield 5-Star 3-9X, again a quality scope, power commensurate with its accuracy.

I like to match up the scope magnification with the accuracy of the rifle. A 3-9X or 2-7X is fine for small-game hunting, but most of my .22s get "plinked" with most of the time.

Tim

 

[ptrumble1]

Put the most expensive scope on it you can afford---

 

[fyimo]

I'm a Leupold guy and have been forever but last year I bought a few Bushnell Eltie 4200 scopes and they are very good indeed and fit somewhere close to the VariX III in optical quality and I bought mine off of Ebay for around $239. These were not the target version with external adjustments but they are very nice. The ones I bought were 3-9x40mm.

Good luck in your search.

 

[ridewv]

.......

RideWV,

If you haven't decided on a rifle take a good look at the CZ's. I have two now, the above 452 American, and the 452 Military Trainer. The triggers are excellent right out of the box, super accurate, and priced right. My dealer ordered me the 452 Miltary Trainer, brand new with taxes and fees it was $383. The 452 American (no iron sights) I believe is about $100 more. I can think of no other rifle that will outshoot it for that money.

They also make a heavy barrel 452 "Varmint".

Thanks. A CZ is on my "short list" along with Anschutz (used), or Cooper (very used )

 

[pownal55]

That rifle is worthy of a good scope, you only have to buy a good one once. Leupold would be my first choice but i found the bushnell 3200 series also good for less money. My kimber classic varmint 17m2 has a leupold 4x12 vx2 with AO. I consider the money spent a good investment.

 

[Rule3]

Sightron can hook you up. Good glass and adjustments for the price.

I have the Sightron also on another rimfire. The 3-9 Rimfire is a excellent scope. They are made in Japan with good glass.

 

[Wyo]

I have a 452 Varmint and have mounted one of the Bushnell 3200 fixed 10x scopes with the mildot reticle and target knobs. I shoot lots and lots of prairie dogs with it, and the mildot makes holdover easy out to 150 yds. - that's a long shot with a .22 LR! Also, 10x is plenty of power for precise shooting at any distance at which the .22 can be used effectively. I tried several others from a fixed Leupold 4x to an inexpensive Simmons 6.5x20, and this Bushnell has worked best for me.

 

[armadillo]

You will love that rifle. I went to my box of leftovers for my scope and low rings. The best fit was an old Redfield low-profile 2x7. I get 2" groups @ 100 yds with Winchester Power Points.

 

[H Richard]

If you're going to use it for bench-rest competition you want/need a quality scope. I'd go gun-show shopping for a Leupold, and probably at least a 12X. I know they make a 4-12 (be sure to get parallax adjustment). Another advantage of the Leupold is the "Custom Target elevation knob". You can specify to Leupold the exact bullet, chrono'd velocity, ballistic coefficient, and they can make you a custom elevation knob with the distances marked for just your load. It was less than $60 for this custom feature a year ago. It works wonderful on my Prairie Dog rifle. Read the distance on your range-finder, dial it in and the dog is dead. I bought a 6-18 Vari-X 3, new, for about $400 last year. A good used one could probably be found in the $275 - $350 range. One ammo to not overlook is Winchester power point. I know, it's a HV and shouldn't be as accurate as match ammo, but it will equal my Fiocchi 320SM in my Anschutz.