Supressed subsonic precision 22LR Rifle

Hookturnr · Jan 21, 2019

BlastersAreCool said:
...an important addition is my comp blaster is a GaP Tempest (60 degree throw) in a T4A with a remi rh safety. The 457 is VERY close to this in bolt theow and foreward safety...with a similar design nature as a T4 in the stock. The 455 sits in a Manners already, has been accurized, and comes with bells and whistles...but has the longer throw, reverse safety...tough call. What would you guys do???

I think what you really are looking at here is buying a turn key "known" rifle versus the lottery of buying a new one.

Personally, I haven't felt the slight difference in bolt throw or the reverse safety have made any significant difference for me.
My 6.5 is a Seekins Havak and my others are 700 based customs. It really depends on what the 455 shoots like...

If the 455 been ammo tested and shoots to the standard you are willing to accept that would drive the decision more for me. The early 457's I've heard about don't shoot any tighter than the 455's. I can't see there being much changing with their barrels as they are still using the same attachment system.

Tiger_Shilone · Jan 21, 2019

BlastersAreCool said:
After all of the google-fu and youtube certifications I am at a total crossroads between two options... i currently am on a waitlist for a new CZ 457 Pro Varmint supressor ready 22lr OR an offer from a friend who has an owens armory 455 in a manners that has been worked over for $650. He upgraded to a vudoo barreled action that could set records. $575 for factory 457 OR $650 for a turn-key...

New CZ457 pro varmint comes with a boyd's tacticool laminated wood stock, the CZ457 varmint precision comes with the manners and will be at least $350 more, probably $400+. I use a tacticool stock on mine, but it has been worked over a lot with upgrades (pillars, bedding, alum forearm insert, different trigger guard, adj height cheekpiece).

Used really depends on the barrel, how many rounds through it, does he have previous targets with good groups? Factory or aftermarket barrel, cheek piece, all that adds up. Factory manners CZ stocks usually dont have an adj cheek, not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. I have no knowledge of Owens armory or their reputation, could be a good buy. Get a test drive if possible.

CZ455 in the middle, notice cheek piece on tacticool stock

BlastersAreCool · Jan 30, 2019

Tiger_Shilone said:
New CZ457 pro varmint comes with a boyd's tacticool laminated wood stock, the CZ457 varmint precision comes with the manners and will be at least $350 more, probably $400+. I use a tacticool stock on mine, but it has been worked over a lot with upgrades (pillars, bedding, alum forearm insert, different trigger guard, adj height cheekpiece).

Used really depends on the barrel, how many rounds through it, does he have previous targets with good groups? Factory or aftermarket barrel, cheek piece, all that adds up. Factory manners CZ stocks usually dont have an adj cheek, not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. I have no knowledge of Owens armory or their reputation, could be a good buy. Get a test drive if possible.

CZ455 in the middle, notice cheek piece on tacticool stock

I finally pulled the trigger and scooped this little gem UP! I cannot wait to test drive her!!!

BlastersAreCool · Jan 30, 2019

Thanks everyone for the guidance and especially Tiger Shilone. I went from a complete know-nothing (still don't) to making an informed purchase. This little guy is essentially a brand new CZ 455 that had some love put into it from the good folks at Owens Armory. Trigger feels clean, rather crisp and light. It has an EGW 20 moa pic base on top with an unknown barrel (threaded) I have yet to pull it out of the Manners and look to see if it is pillar or glass bedded. I scooped it up off a friend who upgraded to a Vudoo last year. I think this was a great decision and direction for my purpose.

BlastersAreCool · Jan 31, 2019

So I couldnt help myself and decided to go to the range of all days yesterday. I figured I would share my results thus far

BlastersAreCool · Jan 31, 2019

BlastersAreCool · Jan 31, 2019

...might I add it was COLD! I really should not have gone out but, like I stated earlier I am like a kid in a candy store with this new 22lr.

I bore sighted it indoors then went out back. I just shot in my back yard out to 25 yards. POA dots were apx. 1/4". I shot off my patio table w/game changer up front and a pint-sized for rear support. The wind was ridiculous and the temp skin piercing. Overall, the wind was apx. 1/2 value right to left. Zeroing was a breeze Ill say. I fired one round for a major adjustment and then fired the remaining four into the center big dot. Zeroed! I am a bit disappointed with the subsequent 5 round groups but I might add the conditions weren't optimal for a proper gun/ ammo accuracy test. I only had the one box anyways. Anyhow, thought I'd share my results and see what you guys thought. A tad disappointed, compared to what others here have posted BUT, time and more tests will happen. Cheers

Hookturnr · Jan 31, 2019

Don't be disappointed in that!
1st, yesterday was WAYYY too cold to expect rimfire accuracy.
2nd, Who knows if that's the flavor it likes??

Rimfire starts getting crappy around 37 deg. unless you're shooting polar biathlon or the like. Even then, barrel temp makes a difference as well. I've gotten totally different results by simply keeping the gun inside a warm building in between strings vs. keeping it outside and letting it cold soak.

Get yourself a selection of ammo to try and be patient, wait for a 40 deg. or better day to accuracy test.

Try SK std+, Norma match, CCI SV, Eley Target on the lower end and then look to more expensive stuff from there.

BlastersAreCool · Feb 1, 2019

Hookturnr said:
Don't be disappointed in that!
1st, yesterday was WAYYY too cold to expect rimfire accuracy.
2nd, Who knows if that's the flavor it likes??

Rimfire starts getting crappy around 37 deg. unless you're shooting polar biathlon or the like. Even then, barrel temp makes a difference as well. I've gotten totally different results by simply keeping the gun inside a warm building in between strings vs. keeping it outside and letting it cold soak.

Get yourself a selection of ammo to try and be patient, wait for a 40 deg. or better day to accuracy test.

Try SK std+, Norma match, CCI SV, Eley Target on the lower end and then look to more expensive stuff from there.

I just did what you suggested and got much better results yesterday! Posting shortly...

BlastersAreCool · Feb 1, 2019

So yesterday as you will see on the image was a better day from a wind standpoint. Still cold but manageable. The Federal Supressor performed very similar as the previous days performance...BUT! It seems to really like Norma Tac22 40 grainers. I am now getting pretty excited?.

Hellbender · Feb 1, 2019

I see the DA on that Kestrel is NEGATIVE 4300...
I shot a PRS match (at Mammoth in 2011 or 12???) one year we had some neg. 2-3000's with 30-50 mph winds.
I'm a bit older (and hopefully wiser) and stay up when it gets like that now.
Have fun!

BlastersAreCool · Feb 7, 2019

BlastersAreCool · Feb 7, 2019

I finally decided to take the barreled action out of the stock and take a peek at wat all has been done by Owens Armory to this her CZ 455. I am impressed. It appears they installed a front pillar and also glas bedded the action to the stock. It also appears they did some milling or polishing to the bearing surfaces between the trigger and the sear and adjusted the spring down. I figured they did trigger work because how nice the break and weight appeared. Very satisfied.
Anyhow, I also ran some RWS subsonic and Remi golden bullet thru it with CCI SV as a sort of 'control' since it has generally been consistent in its group sizes. The next step is to order up some Lapua center X, possibly Eley, and Wolf match. afterwards, I plan to shoot em all over a chronograph.

Tiger_Shilone · Feb 7, 2019

Looks like you got a good set up. These are a lot of fun with the suppressor mounted and when it gets warmer it's ammo selection will be easier to determine. 50 yards is the rimfire akin to the 100yd centerfire zero where most comparisons take place.

JaoeyP · Feb 9, 2019

I have a 455 and just bought a 457 (both precision trainers). The big turn on for me with the 457 is it's trigger adjustability, plus it's two stage. You can get it very low with the factory trigger. I also really liked the new PRS stock on the 457. The safety is a non issue for me on a competition/target gun- I NEVER use the safety. Either the bolt is open and my booger hook is off the bang switch, or I'm in position firing. Bolt throws aren't a big deal for me either, I think if you're running it fast you won't notice the difference. I haven't shot my 457 yet, so I can't comment on it's accuracy. Both are great options, the 457 precision trainer is very hard to find right now, when they hit shelves they'll like cost $1000-1100; use 455 precision trainers are going for about $800.

BlastersAreCool · Feb 10, 2019

JaoeyP said:
I have a 455 and just bought a 457 (both precision trainers). The big turn on for me with the 457 is it's trigger adjustability, plus it's two stage. You can get it very low with the factory trigger. I also really liked the new PRS stock on the 457. The safety is a non issue for me on a competition/target gun- I NEVER use the safety. Either the bolt is open and my booger hook is off the bang switch, or I'm in position firing. Bolt throws aren't a big deal for me either, I think if you're running it fast you won't notice the difference. I haven't shot my 457 yet, so I can't comment on it's accuracy. Both are great options, the 457 precision trainer is very hard to find right now, when they hit shelves they'll like cost $1000-1100; use 455 precision trainers are going for about $800.

I hear ya JaoeyP, that essentially how I handle my comp blaster. The 455 lives without safety on unless I'm teaching my kiddo basic fundamentals of marksmanship/ firearm safety. On a comp gun they are pointless. I bet us talking about this on an internet forum will eventually get seen by someone who thinks we are wrong...most likely by someone who doesnt engage in precision rifle comps.

BlastersAreCool · Feb 18, 2019

Made it out to the range yesterday and decided to put a bunch of rounds down the tube iot hopefully season the bore and wax it up a bit. Once I had a couple hundred more rounds thru it I decided to send some groups at 100yds and see what I got. I shot CCI SV and Lapua center x. Here are the results: