Looking for a good target rifle

[Charlie B]

Well, first let me thank everyone for your valued opinions! After ‘fingering’ the 452 Trainer and 453 American again at Gander Mountain, and comparing the difference in the look of the Walnut and Beachnut stocks, I decided to order the CZ 452 Varmint.

I made a few calls to CZ’s local dealers and Whittaker’s. Then I called Chris at Advanced Arms, who is not a CZ dealer and still beat all the local’s price. The best price from a local CZ dealer was $30 more than Chris, and he could have had it tomorrow, but I won’t buy any more from them (but that’s another story). Chris did a bit better than Whittaker, after shipping. I also ordered a factory set of 11mm scope mounts from him. I should have them some time next week.

[MTechnik]

Congrats! I'd love one of those... if I can just get past my strange need to have a lever action rifle, I'd trade one in towards the other...

[Charlie B]

Although my targets are not nearly as impressive as Lycan’s…

Originally Posted by Lycanthrope

5 shots at 50 yards. CZ 452 with Wolf MT ammunition.


Lycandon'thesitatethrope

Here are a few of mine shot today with my Marlin 925 at 50 yards off a bipod, no rear rest.


5 Shots



15 Shots



5 Shots



I can’t wait for my CZ to come in, just for comparison.

[Qtrborecrazy]

WHY DO YOU ALL FORGET ABOUT AMERICAN MADE? I have a Savage in 223 stainless steel heavy barrel and I can shoot 110mm clay pigeons at 350 yards all day long. They are not expensive either. Give an AMERICAN A BREAK.

Qtrborecrazy

[Charlie B]

OK, I picked up a gorgeous CZ 452 last night (and a new case, holster… you can’t get out of Advanced Arms without extra goodies).



After I got home I ran a few patches through the bore and lubed everything, mounted the rings and scope, and bore sighted it. I couldn’t wait to get to the range today. After I set up at the 50 and took a couple of shots off a steady rest I was about 3” off center at 3 o’clock. I clicked off 12 left and shot another 3. About ½ inch left. So I clicked off 3 right and shot another 3, pretty good but a bit high. I switched to the bipod and put around 100 down range to get used to the trigger. My best 10 round groups were something like an inch or so, but I hope to tighten them up after I get used to it and switch to better ammo. I was using Winchester White Box 36gr Hollows just to break it in a bit. Next time I’ll try some CCI 40gr Standard Velocity rounds.

On a side note, when I got to Advanced, Chris had a customer who had something like 6 or 8 CZ rifles and we struck up a conversation. He asked why I hadn’t bought the CZ 452 with a laminated target stock that Chris had on the wall. Chris showed it to me, I asked why he didn’t mention it last Thursday when I called to order the 452 Varmint, I probably would have bought it. Chris said he doesn’t try to talk you into anything else when someone calls in an order. Oh well… Anyway, the wood on my Varmint is certainly top quality and I am exceptionally pleased with it’s looks.

[JoeWilliams]

re .22 vs .17, if you are looking for a target gun, you want the .17 HMR if you can afford it. My wife shoots 3/4" groups all day long at 100 yards with her Savage. It's just flat way more accurate than a .22.

Of course, as you noted, we pay $10-$12 per 50 for her ammo

[JoeWilliams]

Originally Posted by Qtrborecrazy

WHY DO YOU ALL FORGET ABOUT AMERICAN MADE? I have a Savage in 223 stainless steel heavy barrel and I can shoot 110mm clay pigeons at 350 yards all day long. They are not expensive either. Give an AMERICAN A BREAK.

Qtrborecrazy

Savage's are made in Canada... sorry.

[Charlie B]

That’s OK, Canada makes some fine rifles!

[Charlie B]

Originally Posted by JoeWilliams

re .22 vs .17, if you are looking for a target gun, you want the .17 HMR if you can afford it. My wife shoots 3/4" groups all day long at 100 yards with her Savage. It's just flat way more accurate than a .22.

Of course, as you noted, we pay $10-$12 per 50 for her ammo

I thought about a .17 HMR and could have had it for the same $ as the 452. When I’m in the zone, I usually put 50 or so rounds in a 1 ½” circle at 100 yards, depending on which ammo I’m using and if I read the wind right. Sighted in at 50 yards, CCI Stingers drop about 2” at 100 yards, CCI Standard Velocity drops about 7 ¼” at 100 yards, most High Velocity 36gr hollows drop about 4” at 100 yards. That’s the fun about shooting .22.

[JoeWilliams]

Originally Posted by Charlie B

I thought about a .17 HMR and could have had it for the same $ as the 452. When I’m in the zone, I usually put 50 or so rounds in a 1 ½” circle at 100 yards, depending on which ammo I’m using and if I read the wind right. Sighted in at 50 yards, CCI Stingers drop about 2” at 100 yards, CCI Standard Velocity drops about 7 ¼” at 100 yards, most High Velocity 36gr hollows drop about 4” at 100 yards. That’s the fun about shooting .22.

We've not been able to shoot past 100 yards, because that's all further the ranges we shoot at go, but one of the things I like about her .17 HMR is how flat it shoots. She has it zeroed at 100 yards, and it's never more than 1/2" to 3/4" high or low (depending on whether she's shooting the 17 or 20 grain bullets) anywhere from 25-100 yards. Pretty neat. She and I have twin Savages, hers in .17 HMR and mine in .22LR, so we get to see what they'll do side by side. Like you, I have my .22 zeroed at 50 yards, and I get to compensate for drop when we shoot at 100. Her .17 doesn't seem to be as affected by wind as much, either. The .17 HMR is pretty neat, but I'm only paying $2 or so per box to shoot mine... which means she sometimes has to share my gun I don't have to worry about blowing a squirrel to bits if I want to eat it, either.

BTW... your gun is really beautiful!!