Squirrel Sniper

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Today I picked up a brand new CZ-457 American .22LR bolt rifle from my LGS:



I have it crowned with a Leupold in Warnes and have a cheap leather carry strap. That's going to change in a few days when I receive my Montana sling from Pat Sinclair.

If the rumors are true, these little rifles shoot. I hope to use it as my primary small gamer come fall.

-Glenn

 

[lihpster]

I need one like a hole in the head, but it doesn't mean I haven't been looking. Nice rifle.

 

[Yendor357]

if that's a Leupold Freedom 3-9, always be mindful of parallax. For not much money, Leupold will focus it for whatever range you want.

I'll bet it's a rim fire scope, tho.

I e heard nothing but good about the CZ rifles.

 

[chief38]

I have a CZ 453 American that I bought many years ago. It is topped with a Leupold Rimfire scope (3-9 with adjustable parallax) and has the single set trigger option. The rifle is the most accurate 22 rifle I have ever shot and that includes Anschutz and Coopers. They have not made that model in years but is just superb!

They have come out with different models after the 453 American was discontinued but none have the single set trigger on them. CZ makes a wonderful rimfire rifle - good luck with it!

 

[Greyman50]

Believe it or not the Ruger 10/22 I bought from a guy at a show years ago is the most accurate 22 rifle I have. Less than a dime size group off a cheesy rest at 25 yards.

 

[Babysitr]

That's a beautiful rifle, squirrel hunting is still fun for me too...that one will "ring em out"

 

[SS336]

Fine rifle. it will get the job done. Sniping squirrels is a worthwhile activity.

 

[Bastogne71]

My CZ is an older model 452. Shooting 5 shots inside 1/2" at 50 yards is somewhat boring because it's so easily done. It's the most accurate 22lr I've ever owned. Wish it came with the set trigger.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Here's a better photo guys:



Words cannot describe how beautiful this little shooter is. The handling and balance, shoulderability, etc. is tops.

It is fitted here now with proper swivels (Montana still on the way) and a 10-round clip.

I love this rifle. I cannot wait to shoot it!

 

[Faulkner]

Believe it or not the Ruger 10/22 I bought from a guy at a show years ago is the most accurate 22 rifle I have. Less than a dime size group off a cheesy rest at 25 yards.

I believe it. My 10/22 Takedown LITE is that accurate.

 

[BB57]

I have a CZ 453 American, a CZ 453 Varmint, a CZ 455 Varmint, a CZ 455 Varmint Tacticool, and a CZ 513 "Farmer" (built on the CZ 452 action, but with a truly horrible trigger).

The CZ 453 American is a consistent 1 MOA, 5 shot group rifle at 100 yards with SK Standard Plus. The single set trigger is very, very good for a factory trigger. Seen here in between a Winchester Model 52 Sporter reissue and a Ruger 10/22:

The CZ 455 Tacticool demonstrates the same accuracy and consistency with the same ammo.

Both hold their own with my Bergara B14R.

The CZ 455 varmint is a consistent 1.25 MOA 5 shot group rifle at 100 yards with the same SK ammo.

Despite it's better single set trigger, the CZ 453 Varmint averages 1 MOA but seems to have .5 MOA and 1.5 MOA groups in about equal proportion with SK Std. Plus, so while the average is the 1 MOA, its not nearly as consistent, and I classify it as a 1.5 MOA rifle at 100 yards.

The dark horse here is the CZ 513 Farmer, designed and marketed as the budget rifle in the CZ line. It uses an entirely different trigger design, one that is non adjustable, and extremely heavy. That said, if you can manage the trigger, it demonstrates the best mechanical accuracy.

----

In summary, in my experience with a number of CZs and based on feed back from other CZ owners, CZ rimfires in general are accurate adult sized sporters, on par with more expensive sporters like the Kimber Model 82, in terms of quality and accuracy, if not fit and finish, and generally slightly more accurate than the Winchester Model 52 reissue sporters, but no where near close in terms of fit and finish.

But...the CZ 452/453/455/457 series do vary a bit in terms of accuracy rifle to rifle, so they can be a bit of a crap shoot. But then again a "bad" CZ rimfire will still be a 1.5 MOA rifle at 100 yards with mid grade target ammo.

 

[robvious]

my only contribution is my CZ452 FS.. sadly it's chambered in 17hmr.. hee hee... it's a lazer gun... so yup, CZ Rimfire rifles are wonderful

 

[CajunBass]

I remember years ago engaging in many a debate on Rimfire Central about the CZ vs the Ruger 77/22. I was always in the Ruger camp, mostly because I had a first year Ruger 77/22 that was a squirrel killer for sure. Those CZ guys must have had good ones too though.

The only 22 rifle I have left is my wife's "Wally World Special" with a 4X32 Bushnell Blister Pack scope and a nylon sling, both also from Wally World. I got it for her to hunt with, but not long after, she became disabled and wasn't able to hunt anymore. A fellow on Rimfire Central did a trigger job on it, and it is a great shooter. I've killed a few squirrels with it for her, but haven't hunted in years now. Squirrel hunting was my favorite.

 

[Bald1]

my only contribution is my CZ452 FS.. sadly it's chambered in 17hmr.. hee hee... it's a lazer gun... so yup, CZ Rimfire rifles are wonderful

But it's a Manlicher so caliber choice is forgiven !

 

[BB57]

I remember years ago engaging in many a debate on Rimfire Central about the CZ vs the Ruger 77/22. I was always in the Ruger camp, mostly because I had a first year Ruger 77/22 that was a squirrel killer for sure. Those CZ guys must have had good ones too though.

I've always liked the 77/22, but they usually need some work accuracy wise. This one (above a CZ 453 American and a Remington Model 5 (Zastava CZ-99 Precision/MP-22), shot about 2 MOA when I bought it. It needed bolt shims, a Timeny trigger and an action bedding to get down to being a consistent 1.25 MOA rifle. That puts it on par with the average out of the box CZ 452/3/5/7.

But the 77/22 has a better, more adult feel to it and it doesn't have the stamped bottom metal CZ is so fond of. Both the 77/22 and the Zastava made .22LR rifles are superior in both regards. Between the feel and the superb magazine design, I prefer to the 77/22 in the field.

 

[CH4]

Love hunting squirrels. Have had many dedicated squirrel rifles of the years. Here're a few from my rimfire lineup:

 

[BloodyThumb]

I have used so many different guns to squirrel hunt I can't remember them all. I guess my first hunt with my dad and grandfather was probably in about 1964 or 65. LOL…. DAMN that sounds horrible.

12ga, 20ga, 410, 22 revolver, 22 pistols, and now days with my own grandkids the most accurate squirrel gun I have ever had. An Anschutz 1517D HB. I THINK that is the right model. 17M2 with a heavy barrel.

I tried several different rounds though it and they were all exceptionally accurate when I did my part. I bought some Eley rounds on a closeout that were so freaking accurate out of that gun that I went back and bought more. They had a "brick" of 2000rds and gave me a killer price to move them and I have been squirrel hunting with those ever since. I expect the gun and what is left of the ammo will go to one of my grandsons one of these days.

Put some Leopold optics on it and it is a squirrel killing S-O-B. The HMR is too much, but the M2 is perfect. I recently noticed that somebody's making guns in M2 again. They were completely gone for a long time.

 

[Gamecock]

Most accurate .22?

I was shocked by how accurate my Marlin 39A is.

But, hands down, my STEYR MANNLICHER Zephyr II is the most accurate .22 ever. Like Bastogne71 says, boringly accurate. It just goes where you aim it.

The CZs are good, but consider the Steyr before buying.

Additionally, I had a thread years ago on putting a std rifle scope on premium bolt action .22s. Should you buy a precision .22, put a serious, real rifle scope on it, not a "22 scope."

 

[huntsman22]

Pass the RimX, hold the fluff.....

 

[got2hav1]

CZs will shoot! Some are really good and some just average. Like anything else, you can spend money on them and they become excellent rifles. I'm afraid to add up what I have in these two 457s.

 

[CajunBass]

I've always liked the 77/22, but they usually need some work accuracy wise.

I've always heard that, but the one I had was dead on from the start. Of course, I bought it used, so I have no idea if someone else worked on it or not. I never even touched the scope screws, (Simmons 2x7) it was like it was sighted in for me. It just made tiny groups at 25 yards, and dropped squirrels regularly, with bulk pack Federal ammo from Wal-Mart. It never occurred to me to shoot it at longer ranges, or with different ammo.

About the only picture I could find.

It was a beautiful rife. I'd stand on the side of a hill at times, and imagine I was off in Montana or some such place hunting elk or some other critter. It was about the only experience I had hunting with a rifle.

 

[hardluk1]

Lots of CZ love here but do not over look a Savage MKII BV for a sub moa shooter . but price has gone up to the mid 300 dollar range today . I paid 254 for mine some years ago . Mid level match ammo should still be tested before buying by the case as some will group better than other lot numbers but sk rifle match that I have will alow me to shoot sub moa groups . Old federal 711b will to but less chance of sub moa groups . Old federal 811b was fine shooting ammo too but those over seas loads days are over now . I have a 6-24x44 tmd scope on mine . Stock accu-trigger can be tuned to a lighter pull . Mines at 13oz and has been reliable over the years .

 

[EZryder]

I believe it. My 10/22 Takedown LITE is that accurate.

View attachment 764641

It looks like they were within earshot! Nice shootin.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

It looks like they were within earshot! Nice shootin.

Now that's clever

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Montana sling on guys:



I am deeply impressed with the quality of this sling. It has no excess hardware to clang and come loose, adjust rapidly to hasty to storage and everything between, and looks good, too!

 

[BB57]

Lots of CZ love here but do not over look a Savage MKII BV for a sub moa shooter . but price has gone up to the mid 300 dollar range today . I paid 254 for mine some years ago . Mid level match ammo should still be tested before buying by the case as some will group better than other lot numbers but sk rifle match that I have will alow me to shoot sub moa groups . Old federal 711b will to but less chance of sub moa groups . Old federal 811b was fine shooting ammo too but those over seas loads days are over now . I have a 6-24x44 tmd scope on mine . Stock accu-trigger can be tuned to a lighter pull . Mines at 13oz and has been reliable over the years .
View attachment 765006

Its always been by far the best bang for the buck for a precision .22LR rifle.

 

[H Richard]

Since I did small bore competition with an Anschutz, I also used a sporter model. It didn't quite match up to my heavy barrel Match rifle, but it came really close. I guess a 1/4 to 1/2" at 100 yds was pretty good for head shots on the squirrels.

 

[65-2x2]

My squirrel gun is a little old-school. I will tell this, and it is the truth, (which generally prefaces a lie) the squirrels on my place leap to their deaths to prevent being shot when I come out of my cave with this one.

Winchester Model 75 (from about 1960)

 

[Fishinfool]

Big fan of the 457 myself. My 457 with the CZ factory Boyds adjustable stock, a "Yo Dave" trigger spring, and a decent scope is a solid , repeatable 5 shot 1/4 inch group at fifty yards rifle with ammo it likes. Now there are a lot of big dollars custom and semi-custom .22 rifles out there with high dollar optics that do better......

But for a $600 rifle, and a $300 scope, the CZ is an absolute steal. I attached a pic of targets I shot just last week. All 5 shot groups at 50 yards. A .210, .266, .156, and a .420 (I felt myself pull one to the left). The CZ 452 at the bottom of the pic is a solid sub half inch rifle, with a cheap 3x9 scope. The Kimber sporter in the middle also shoots on par with the 457, and has taken a lot of tree rats.

Larry