Are match barrels worth it for a “new to precision” shooter?

[Saftiman]

Base question: speaking in MOA’s or 1/4 inches, what should be the difference between a match chamber and a standard chambered barrel?

Here’s why: I am just getting into precision rifle and I’m about to buy my first .22lr, should I spend the extra money out of the gate for a CZ 457 that already has a match chamber barrel or do I buy a base model and update down the line when my shooting ability catches up to the rifle. I don’t want to spend $1 million for an almost un noticeable difference in accuracy, but I also don’t want to waste money on a lower end and find out in 10 minutes that I have to upgrade my barrel.
If you assume that I as the shooter do what I’m supposed to will the match chamber improve my groups by a quarter inch or a half inch? Or is it safer to say that in the most skilled hands a match barrel might give me a 16th or an 8th inch Tighter group?

 

[alamo5000]

I tend to tell people that it depends on the ammo budget. You don't run a F1 car on 87 octane. With any rifle, the best barrel ever will not compensate for mediocre ammo. For example I have a rifle that can shoot .5 to .7 moa pretty much all the time using my hand loads. With that same rifle I shot it using cheap off the shelf ammo and it was shooting about 2 plus moa. Later on the same day I went back to my hand loads and it was right back to normal.

In the end 'is it worth it' depends on what you are doing and what you plan on doing.

 

[DocRDS]

Barrels make a big difference. Your chamber? Less so. Unless you know "I am going to be shooting X bullet for the life of my barrel" there is no need for a custom chamber.

A standard chamber allowss you to experiment with different bullets/loads more so than a custom chamber.

In short, custom chamber for new guy? Nope!

Get a solid barrel though.

 

[Saftiman]

I tend to tell people that it depends on the ammo budget. You don't run a F1 car on 87 octane. With any rifle, the best barrel ever will not compensate for mediocre ammo. For example I have a rifle that can shoot .5 to .7 moa pretty much all the time using my hand loads. With that same rifle I shot it using cheap off the shelf ammo and it was shooting about 2 plus moa. Later on the same day I went back to my hand loads and it was right back to normal.

In the end 'is it worth it' depends on what you are doing and what you plan on doing.

I understand about the ammo, and I agree that quality produces quality. I’m shooting .22LR so hand loading isn’t really an option, but I do plan to test and see what shoots best for whatever I buy. 22ammo doesn’t hurt the wallet quite like other calibers so I’ll play around and shoot what’s best. But, will the match chamber be “worth it”?

 

[Saftiman]

Barrels make a big difference. Your chamber? Less so. Unless you know "I am going to be shooting X bullet for the life of my barrel" there is no need for a custom chamber.

A standard chamber allowss you to experiment with different bullets/loads more so than a custom chamber.

In short, custom chamber for new guy? Nope!

Get a solid barrel though.

So you’d say get the CZ varmint, versus the cz mtr with the match chamber and save $200?

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

The two factory MTR barreled guns I have had experience with have shown great accuracy. They seem to really like SK rifle and the long range version. Eley match has always been great as well. I shot a 457 Varmint once and it didn't seem to be a slouch.

I believe the CZ custom chamber is tighter than the standard and therefore bolt close on junk tier ammo might suffer if its out of spec. The reality is that you'll probably want to only be shooting match ammo through these guns if youre looking to really improve your marksmanship.

 

[mark5pt56]

Fairly simple-if the intended goal is precision-spend the money as you would most likely spend more in ammo trying to get the cheap one to find that magic load. Doubt, frustration, waste of time and resources, it's not worth the aggravation.

 

[6.5SH]

Base question: speaking in MOA’s or 1/4 inches, what should be the difference between a match chamber and a standard chambered barrel?

Here’s why: I am just getting into precision rifle and I’m about to buy my first .22lr, should I spend the extra money out of the gate for a CZ 457 that already has a match chamber barrel or do I buy a base model and update down the line when my shooting ability catches up to the rifle. I don’t want to spend $1 million for an almost un noticeable difference in accuracy, but I also don’t want to waste money on a lower end and find out in 10 minutes that I have to upgrade my barrel.
If you assume that I as the shooter do what I’m supposed to will the match chamber improve my groups by a quarter inch or a half inch? Or is it safer to say that in the most skilled hands a match barrel might give me a 16th or an 8th inch Tighter group?

At the price point you are talking about it is a crap shoot. A friend has 3 Cz 457's, 2 with the Match chamber and Manners stocks. The non Match barreled 16" At-One model he has is the best shooter of the three as far as precision.

From a practical standpoint however that rifle is a struggle to shoot well in NRL22 because it doesn't balance. The main driver for the giant barrels you are seeing on .22's is to make them balance and be stable on a bag.

The reason the 457 MTR 20.5" is a common choice is it usually does shoot well and is easy to setup for this game. It is also easy to change parts and upgrade as desired.

Lot tested ammo will be the closest you get to "buying a hit", you won't buy a win with anything unless you have the skill and ability to use it.

If you've not shot a match yet see if the club(s) in your area have a loaner rifle to try.

 

[alamo5000]

I understand about the ammo, and I agree that quality produces quality. I’m shooting .22LR so hand loading isn’t really an option, but I do plan to test and see what shoots best for whatever I buy. 22ammo doesn’t hurt the wallet quite like other calibers so I’ll play around and shoot what’s best. But, will the match chamber be “worth it”?

If you are doing anything that requires, or even if you just want to have the option, to shoot small groups then by all means get the best thing you can afford.

In the end "is it worth it" should be asked in a different way. "Does it actually make a difference" is a better way to ask that.

In general I would answer yes, it does make a difference (provided all the other factors are in place).

For me I wouldn't even think twice about it. That said I am not exactly certain of the specific product, but as long as everything looks legit I say go for it.

 

[ma smith]

The rifles with straight-pipe barrels (>1inch) at the end of the day are actually lighter and cheaper to build.





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[Saftiman]

If you are doing anything that requires, or even if you just want to have the option, to shoot small groups then by all means get the best thing you can afford.

In the end "is it worth it" should be asked in a different way. "Does it actually make a difference" is a better way to ask that.

In general I would answer yes, it does make a difference (provided all the other factors are in place).

For me I wouldn't even think twice about it. That said I am not exactly certain of the specific product, but as long as everything looks legit I say go for it.

Specifically, a CZ 457mtr vs a 457 varmint (with and without a match chamber $200 difference+/-.)

 

[mark5pt56]

Wait until you start with ammunition! It's almost the same, You might get lucky and something like Center X shoots better than Midas or Midas +, of course it's barrel and lot dependent. Then is it less likely to have fliers or a lower number of them and for $10 a box more you get 25 x verses 23, etc. etc.

 

[dms416]

Doubt, frustration, waste of time and resources, it's not worth the aggravation.

This should become the new slogan for PRS

 

[King_beardsly]

This should become the new slogan for PRS

100%

 

[DocRDS]

So you’d say get the CZ varmint, versus the cz mtr with the match chamber and save $200?

I am not super knowledgeable about 22s. For my centerfire, I just have a sammi chambers. There may be more to the MTR than just the chamber though.

But yeah i would get the varmint and buy good ammo and go practice.

I'm a big believer that skill and practice trump gear. aka a good shooter with bad gear beats a bad shoot with great gear.

 

[Cr1775]

If you get the varmint and want to upgrade later a good barrel is gonna cost you 600 or more.
I have a CZ 455 varmint I was thinking about getting a Bartlein or Lilja for it, and decided screw it and ordered a MTR.

 

[Saftiman]

If you get the varmint and want to upgrade later a good barrel is gonna cost you 600 or more.
I have a CZ 455 varmint I was thinking about getting a Bartlein or Lilja for it, and decided screw it and ordered a MTR.

If you get the varmint and want to upgrade later a good barrel is gonna cost you 600 or more.
I have a CZ 455 varmint I was thinking about getting a Bartlein or Lilja for it, and decided screw it and ordered a MTR.

I was about to ask, then I answered my own question.

 

[MaximusDecimusMeidius]

It is especially worth it for a new shooter not to be chasing your tail all over the place during load development

 

[ma smith]

It is especially worth it for a new shooter not to be chasing your tail all over the place during load development

I think OP is mostly asking about 22lrs, but... the same comment applies to lot testing...

 

[moosemeat]

With the cz457s it's a crap shoot. I shoot ARA 50 and the number of guys there that have bought and sold 3 or 4 rifles looking for one thats a absolute hammer is insane. The MTR seems to be a little better than the varmint and has a better stock. If it has to stay stock I say go match. If not buy a lilja or what ever and enjoy.
Also, seems 22lr is 99% finding the ammo your rifle likes and buying as much of that lot as possible.

 

[hafejd30]

I’d buy the MTR if you want the best chance of factory accuracy

Otherwise find a rifle or barreled action in the px. Can find a custom setup for decent $$