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Post by carbon on Jan 6, 2024 19:12:34 GMT
Just thought I'd post a few pics of my latest toy. I've been wanting a good 22 WMR bolt action for a while and finally found a CZ 457 American at a gun shop not too far from me. After going over it thoroughly I mounted an Athlon Talos 3X12 I had laying around and boresighted it. A few weeks ago I finally managed to get some range time. It took a while for the gun to settle in but finally started shooting like I had hoped it would.
My closest outdoor range uses Kongsberg electronic targets which save a lot of walking but I don't know enough about them to get an accurate measure of group size. The pic shows my last group of the day. The yellow dot was my last shot fired, and of course I rushed the shot and didn't wait on the right wind condition thus blowing what looked like a decent 50 yd. group.
The gun shows promise, and hopefully will get even better with a little tweaking and breaking in. At some point I intend to put better glass on the rifle but haven't found exactly what I'm looking for yet.
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 7, 2024 8:58:51 GMT
I have a 455lux in .22lr, seems they changed the bolt by a lot. Looks like an upgrade, less bolt angle and travel, also the safety looks better. I always wanted to buy a .22 WMR barrel for mine, but I spent all my money on swords lately. Can't shoot that in my backyard, well I could, but that'sprobably not a good idea. Either way, probably a better idea now to get a 457 instead. The CZ were supposedly the most accurate low budget .22 around when I bought mine, looks like the 457 is following that trend. I bought the CZ513 Farmer first, but that thing was a mess. Had feeding problems with every ammo and magazine, also tried out a second 513, same. Thankfully the shop let me upgrade to the 455lux in the end, the 513 farmer was no fun at all. Every second time I racked the bolt the new cartridge got clamped sideways between bolt and chamber or the bullet got skewed off, the feeding ramp design was not good I think. Haven't been shooting in ages, shooting range is at a stupid place for me to get to unfortunately. Happy shooting.
EDIT: Whoa, I just looked up the price for the 457LUX in .22lr, almost 50% higher now than what I payed for mine! That's not low cost any longer....
BTW have you tried the 10 round magazine? I wanted to buy one but they were said to be finnicky.
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Post by eastman on Jan 7, 2024 15:53:51 GMT
I use the 10 round mags in my 455 (I think that's all I have). The .22 LR CZ rifles attain their high accuracy by using an undersized bore. Can't do the same thing with the jacketed .22 WMR ammo. The rifle may have strong preferences for one brand or bullet weight for the best accuracy.
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Post by carbon on Jan 7, 2024 16:33:08 GMT
I haven't tried a ten round magazine yet. They are in short supply here in the US and tend to fly off the shelves quickly. CZ factory parts in general are also in short supply here. Factory barrels, bolt parts, etc are hard to find. I've heard reasons for that running from their takeover of Colt to the war in the Ukraine. Fortunately there is a growing aftermarket for things 457 so that helps.
The price has definitely gone up on the CZs, however, they are still cheaper than than some of the competition such as Bergara, Anschutz, etc. The 457 VMTR is still seen as one of the cheaper rifles for those getting started in the rimfire benchrest competitions that are popular here. I feel at this point the CZ rimfires could be considered mid-priced. Savage makes a good gun that can often run with a CZ at a lower price. I looked at one when I bought the American that was about $100 US cheaper, but it just didn't feel as well made. Are the CZs worth it? Up to the individual's preference
As Eastman mentioned, rimfires can be picky on ammo, which I'm sure many here already know. With production tolerances being what they are, that can not only be dependent on ammo brand and type, but can vary quite a bit from lot number to lot number. My VMTR has shown that with some of the ammo I have tested different lot numbers with. All part of the fun I guess... When the weather opens up here I'll start that journey with the American. It may be a couple of months before that happens as winter here tends to be windy and I don't like wasting ammo in conditions like that.
Edited to add, my nearest outdoor range is a bit of a drive for me as well. Roughly an hour and a half each way but hey, such is life in the big city.
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Post by nerdthenord on Jan 7, 2024 17:49:46 GMT
Nice rifle!
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Post by carbon on Jan 7, 2024 20:03:43 GMT
Thanks my friend!
FWIW, my wife and I both enjoy the shooting sports and is our primary hobby. Keeping us in ammo etc. eats up most of my discretionary funds these days and doesn't leave much for my sword budget.
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Post by nerdthenord on Jan 9, 2024 19:04:21 GMT
Thanks my friend!
FWIW, my wife and I both enjoy the shooting sports and is our primary hobby. Keeping us in ammo etc. eats up most of my discretionary funds these days and doesn't leave much for my sword budget. Warhammer 40K takes most of my discretionary budget, then airsoft, then real steel gun stuff, with the exception of the occasional big spend on a real gun. Haven't bought a sword since 2020 with my custom to be honest, but I'm still a fan.
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