New CZ 455 Combo or used CZ 452?

[StacheMan]

I'm in the market for a new rimfire rifle, and I've heard nothing but good things about the CZ 452/455 series. My question to NESers who own one or both of these rifles is this: should I look for a good quality used 452 (I understand that they are no longer being produced) or go with a brand new 455 combo?

Honestly I'd probably only shoot 17hmr if I somehow ran out of all my ammo for my 22 and 22mag, but it's a nice utility to have (assuming that swapping the barrels doesn't have an adverse effect on accuracy).

Is there something that makes the 452's better? They seem to be the go-to whenever a CZ is recommended. Is the 455 just a newer version with improved features? From what I gather, the 455 is the new standardized receiver for their rimfire line, but does that make it better, or just easier to manufacture?

Any help is appreciated, and pictures are a bonus! Thanks!

 

[richc]

I own both and they are both great rifles. You can't go wrong with either.

I also love the idea of interchangeable calibers. I use the 455 in both .22 and. 22 mag.

 

[dcmdon]

Does the 452 have swapable barrels?

I ask because I've seen some big name replacement barrels for CZ .22 rifles. If only the 455 can swap barrels, it might be nice to be able to put an ultra match barrel on it.

http://riflebarrels.com/shop/22-rf/cz-455-precision-barrel/

 

[Varmint]

I'm in the market for a new rimfire rifle, and I've heard nothing but good things about the CZ 452/455 series. My question to NESers who own one or both of these rifles is this: should I look for a good quality used 452 (I understand that they are no longer being produced) or go with a brand new 455 combo?

Honestly I'd probably only shoot 17hmr if I somehow ran out of all my ammo for my 22 and 22mag, but it's a nice utility to have (assuming that swapping the barrels doesn't have an adverse effect on accuracy).

Is there something that makes the 452's better? They seem to be the go-to whenever a CZ is recommended. Is the 455 just a newer version with improved features? From what I gather, the 455 is the new standardized receiver for their rimfire line, but does that make it better, or just easier to manufacture?

Any help is appreciated, and pictures are a bonus! Thanks!

Pretty sure the 452 is still in production, they show up occasionally back in stock.

just from what I read, the 452 is a bit more accurate, the 455 has swappable barrels.

 

[KMM696]

The 452 is only currently produced in left hand and Scout kids version, but used right hand 452s are out there. It's not a switch barrel. The 455 is the 452 replacement with swappable barrels that CZ started putting out, but don't make in left hand. I bought a lefty 452 - very accurate, much better fit & finish than the Savage 22 it lives next to, but not necessarily more accurate. There is some room for improvement to the CZ rimfires, which RimfireCentral covers. The YoDave trigger is a nice upgrade. Scope rings are a little difficult to sort out, read up on RFC for those.

I love the 452, and if they ever sell a lefty 455 I'm getting one. The 452 bolt is getting better as it breaks in. None of the screwy Savage magazine issues, built more like a mini centerfire rifle, nice wood in the stock. No regrets.

 

[Varmint]

So Kevin, you see no reason for us to buy 452 instead of the much easier to get 455? (I'm right handed)

 

[DW357]

There's a few CZ's in stock at grabagun http://grabagun.com/firearms/rifles...les-for-sale.html?limit=100&manufacturer=2382

Just sign up for email notification if it's out of stock. A friend of mine at my club was looking for the 452 left handed model and ordered one just last week or the week before from grabagun.com

 

[RKG]

1) The primary difference between the 452 and 455 is how the barrel is attached to the receiver. (There are a few other changes, in my judgment minor, that appear to involve reducing the cost of construction.) Over the years, I have recommended 452s to students looking for a quality .22 bolt gun; a couple of them bought 455s when 452s became scarce. While I prefer the design of the 452, I can't say that the 455 doesn't perform just as well.

2) I'm a tad mystified at the complaint about accuracy. On my personal 452, all I did was to install a Timney trigger and open up the barrel channel a tad to insure free floating. The rifle will hit golf balls at 100 yards 10 out of 10 times, so long as there isn't a gale blowing.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

CZ 455 is a good, accurate rifle. Fit, build and accuracy are measurably better than most other rim fire rifles on the market short of actual competition rifles.

Best part about the 455 is they made the barrel swap reasonably affordable at about $150 per barrel / bolt caliber

 

[Varmint]

CZ 455 is a good, accurate rifle. Fit, build and accuracy are measurably better than most other rim fire rifles on the market short of actual competition rifles.

Best part about the 455 is they made the barrel swap reasonably affordable at about $150 per barrel / bolt caliber

Cool, probably will be my next purchase, not a big fan of my Sig 522, might sell that.

 

[KMM696]

So Kevin, you see no reason for us to buy 452 instead of the much easier to get 455? (I'm right handed)

If I weren't a lefty, I'd have bought the 455 with a 22LR and a 17 HMR barrel.

 

[KMM696]

2) I'm a tad mystified at the complaint about accuracy. On my personal 452, all I did was to install a Timney trigger and open up the barrel channel a tad to insure free floating. The rifle will hit golf balls at 100 yards 10 out of 10 times, so long as there isn't a gale blowing.

... I bought a lefty 452 - very accurate, much better fit & finish than the Savage 22 it lives next to, but not necessarily more accurate. ...

I wouldn't call my comment a complaint - my Savage Mk II BVTLSS is also a golf ball at 100yd rifle. I got a Savage with a very good barrel, and then did some trigger work, bolt work, bedded the action and free floated it. The 452 hasn't had any of that treatment (yet), and is neck and neck with the Savage already. Can't wait to see what it can do after some more work!

My biggest objection to the Savage rimfires is that they are somewhat cheaply made. They'll shoot very well, but if I never again spend an afternoon tweaking Savage mags so they'll feed it'll be too soon. The CZs I've handled and shot overall quality has more of a keep it forever feel to me. My prediction is that once I get the 452 consistently outshooting the Savage, the Savage is going to be spending a lot of time in the back of the safe feeling unloved.

Buy the 455!

 

[dcmdon]

So based on earlier posts, if I want a left handed rifle, I am limited to the 452?

Not a bad thing but I like the idea of easy swap barrels.

 

[KMM696]

You and me both...

 

[Varmint]

Can anyone recommend a scope for the CZs? I'm thinking the Nikon Target EFR, partly cause I have a Cabela's gift card.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

Can anyone recommend a scope for the CZs? I'm thinking the Nikon Target EFR, partly cause I have a Cabela's gift card.

When I end up with a CZ 455 I will out either a SWFA SS x6 on it or a Leupold Mark AR 3-9

 

[Varmint]

When I end up with a CZ 455 I will out either a SWFA SS x6 on it or a Leupold Mark AR 3-9

What do you gain from the Leupold for an extra $110 vs the Nikon? The Nikon has parallax adjustment, seems like the Leupold does not? That only matters for short range, like indoor or 25 yard ranges right?

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

What do you gain from the Leupold for an extra $110 vs the Nikon? The Nikon has parallax adjustment, seems like the Leupold does not? That only matters for short range, like indoor or 25 yard ranges right?

For me, I would be looking at a CZ 455 as a "precision trainer" and I would like the scope to be similar to my other rifles / scopes. Exposed target turrets and ranging reticle are my requirement

The glass in the SWFA SS fixed power scope will blow the Nikon away ( I'm a big fan of fixed power scopes )

Persoanlly, the leupold is a lesser interest than the SWFA as I can keep all my scopes .mil / .mil.

 

[Varmint]

For me, I would be looking at a CZ 455 as a "precision trainer" and I would like the scope to be similar to my other rifles / scopes. Exposed target turrets and ranging reticle are my requirement

The glass in the SWFA SS fixed power scope will blow the Nikon away ( I'm a big fan of fixed power scopes )

Persoanlly, the leupold is a lesser interest than the SWFA as I can keep all my scopes .mil / .mil.

Understood, cool, thanks! The Leupold has a .mil reticle as an option though I think.

 

[1903Collector]

Can anyone recommend a scope for the CZs? I'm thinking the Nikon Target EFR, partly cause I have a Cabela's gift card.

I put a Weaver Classic rim fire 3-9x32 AO and 11mm TPS ring mounts on my 455 .22 mag. The rings weren't cheap but well worth it to me.

 

[Varmint]

I put a Weaver Classic rim fire 3-9x32 AO and 11mm TPS ring mounts on my 455 .22 mag. The rings weren't cheap but well worth it to me.

Thanks. I decided on a Mueller APT (OpticsPlanet on Ebay had it for $150), (has mil-dot reticle and AO), will put it on the Sig 522 til I get the CZ.

 

[KMM696]

Thanks. I decided on a Mueller APT (OpticsPlanet on Ebay had it for $150), (has mil-dot reticle and AO), will put it on the Sig 522 til I get the CZ.

Nice scope - I have the APV version of that on a Savage. Good glass and tracks well.

 

[1903Collector]

Thanks. I decided on a Mueller APT (OpticsPlanet on Ebay had it for $150), (has mil-dot reticle and AO), will put it on the Sig 522 til I get the CZ.

I don't know anything about Mueller but good luck with it.

 

[jaypap]

I've got the CZ 452 military trainer. This was readily available when I was looking and I had a discount I won at a auction so I paid $200.00 for it new. Great gun for the money.

Check out rimfire central as suggested above, lots of good info and advice.