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My new CZ 452 Varmit

bunsen27

ACME Labs
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 2, 2011
1,768
445
Raleigh, NC
I've spent this week in Pa on vacation trying to shake out an old FN Browning T-bolt for some upcoming .22LR precision matches. I've been blessed all week with dead calm conditions each evening so I know there is no wind variable in the accuracy equation. Overall, the T-bolt is not a bad shooter out to 150yds on steel, but it looses a lot of it's consistency past 150yds. At 200yds even with calm conditions it was challenging to get the rifle to group at 2MOA or less. I'll likely do some more trigger work and possibly free float the barrel down the road. However, I went ahead and took the plunge on a CZ, and boy am I happy I did!


50yd groups with Wolf Match
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I freely admit that I am not the best bench/group shooter and not all of these are super tight bug hole groups, but for straight out of the box to the range I'm pleased with them. I'm considering installing a Yodave trigger kit since the trigger is a touch on the heavy side (4.5lbs).

Group #8 & #9 were the last ten shots of the day (200 rounds total) after dialing my scope back from 200yds. Below are shots #181-190 shot at 200yds with a bipod and rear bag from the bench.

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I only had one 5 round mag with me and forgot the spotting scope so I unfortunately don't know the exact order for the 10 shots. I had one high flyer and one low flyer, not sure if that was me or the ammo. I'd love to claim that the two distinct four round cluster were from each string of five, but since I didn't witness it I won't. Sure wish I could though.
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I suspect the rifle is certainly capable of producing that type of accuracy at 200yds. It typically yields about a .80-1.0 MOA group at 100yds.
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Now for the obligatory gun porn and specs:

CZ 452 Varmit topped with a Vortex Crossfire 6-24X50 mounted in Burris Signature rings with the pos-align inserts set up to yield a 30MOA cant (-20 bottom front and +10 bottom rear).

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Thanks to all the guys on this forum recommending the CZ 452 varmit in numerous threads. It is one fine shooting and looking rifle at an excellent price point. I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase!
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Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Bunsen - Looks like you made a good choice. You'll definately be competitive at the TSC match by the looks of your 200 yard groups. Get a quality trigger in it-(I have used the DIP triggers with great results)and those groups will get smaller. What ammo were you using? Most of the CZ's I have seen prefer the Wolf or Federal Match. Hope to see ya on the 11th. SR
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

I've got a 452 Varmint in .17hmr and a 452 American 16" in .22lr. The .22lr trigger is ok out of the box, the .17 sucked.

Ended up with a DIP adjustable sear in the .17 and will say it was well worth the money.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Nice. I bedded mine and put in a yo Dave trigger kit and couldn't be happier with it. i do wish they made it with 2 action screws and no barrel lug but bedding the actiona nd island bedding the lug made it very consistent. It is darn close to my Sako Finnfire for accuracy.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Thats why they use CZ rifles as part of the Olympic Team's lineup. Nice rifle buddy.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

You're going to love the Varmit. The first time that I shot a CZ (was an Ultra Lux) I about giggled like a school girl. They are just that nice.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Thanks for the feedback on the trigger upgrades. I'll look into the DIP trigger as well as the YoDave.

I may have forgotten to mention in the original post but I have only fed the CZ Wolf Match ammo. I haven't been able to locally find a wide selection of .22LR match type ammo. I ordered the Wolf online from Sportsman's Guide. Are there any other good online retailers for .22LR match ammo?
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Sportman Guide is not a very good place to buy match ammo. Try Champion Shooters Supply. They have most of the high end ammo.
The Rifle Basix trigger is the best option for the CZ...period. Drop it in, set it and forget it.
When you come over our way in a few days we will direct you to some stores that will have almost any ammo you need.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Nice shooting! Were you shooting the Wolf match 'target' or 'extra' ammo? I found that they do shoot differently in my guns so check that out before you order online.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

I was shooting Wolf Match Target just to clarify.

I'll also look into the rifle basix trigger. I haven't decided on which one or exactly when I'll upgrade the trigger. I want to get some more rounds downrange before I go tinkering too much with a perfectly good shooting rifle.
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Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Congrats on the Varmint! I sold my Varmint HM2 when an American HM2 became available..I find myself wishing I still had the varmint as well. You will love the CZ. My HMR is bedded and has a YoDave kit in it. Great combo!
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Rifle Basix trigger is the best option for the CZ...period. </div></div>

I'm a really big fan of the Brooks trigger kit myself. Easy to install, cheap ($14), and works miracles with the CZ 452 trigger.

To the OP, congrats on a very nice little 22. I've had my Lux for three years, and only god knows how many thousand round and it's never gone wrong once. Still shoots lights out too.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

nice rifle. i just shot a friend of mines cz 452 varmint last weekend and was really happy with how it felt and shot.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

I dig my 452. Doing it over though, I would have bought the set trigger version.

I threaded mine for my Gemtech Vortex II can. It is a quiet shooting machine.

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Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

What don't you like about the trigger? and is the barrel threaded to the action or is it a press in and set screw secured?

Contemplating between the 452 and the 455
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

I wish that the 452 barrel was threaded. That is the only downside to the 452 series. It is also something that CZ corrected with the 455. Those barrels are threaded. There is no set screw/pin either. As far as I can tell it's some sort of press in and glue method.

As nice as the 452 triggers are, there is still a bit of creep and they are only adjustable down to the 3 1/2 lb range. Adding the YoDave kit for $15-20 greatly reduces the creep, and depending on which of the supplied springs that you decide on will bring the pull into the ounces range.

My personal advice if you are trying to decide between the 452/455 is to pick up the 452. They are already proven great shots. The 455 has the potential for barrel inter-changeability, but so far there are no barrel manufacturers making one for them. I'd hold off on the 455 until some of the big name manufacturers start producing replacement barrels.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

There have been threaded 452s available on Gunbroker, 16" IIRC.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Threaded on which end of the barrel?

What I meant is for the 452 barrel to be threaded on the receiver side for easy barrel interchangeability. They fixed this with the 455 series.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

Nice looking CZ and thanks for the review. I'll be ordering up one for myself soon and the feedback is greatly appreciated.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SingleShot85</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What don't you like about the trigger? and is the barrel threaded to the action or is it a press in and set screw secured?

Contemplating between the 452 and the 455 </div></div>

In regards to the trigger, mine is quite heavy. It is usable, but I will end up lightening it.The accuracy the CZ is capable of pretty much demands an appropriate trigger.

My dad has a couple of CZs with set triggers and they are truly excellent.
 
Re: My new CZ 452 Varmit

just ordered a 453 varmint myself can't wait to see how it shoots