Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires First 22LR for first time buyer.

I just came back in from shooting some 22 lr, the rifles used were a CZ 452 American and a Ruger American Rimfire. Both rifles had 3x9 scopes and I used three different hunting ammo in both of them (since they are both gopher hunting rifles I could not see any point in using match grade ammo). The CZ consistently shot better groups than the RAR. Yes, I realize these are samples of one, but the main difference is that the CZ just feels more solid. The CZ trigger, with a Yo Dave kit in it, feels better to me than the RAR with the safety shoe but overall the CZ trigger just feels better - it is hard to explain beyond that. The RAR trigger has had a spring change and is set at 1-3/4 lbs, the same weight as the CZ.

To me the CZ seems to be a better built rifle overall and I can understand why your friend is attracted to it over the RAR. The CZ feels more like an adult sized rifle whereas the RAR feels more like a child's rifle.

My advice to him would be to save a few more dollars and get what he really wants. If he chooses not to the RAR is certainly a decent option but I doubt that he will ever be as happy with it as he would be with the CZ. I believe that Whittakers will do lay-aways so that may appeal to him if money is tight.

drover

Hoser - that little tidbit just cost me some $

It is money well spent.

drover

Savages are potentially accurate, but put one next to a CZ and you'll always go Czech. Even at $150 more.

Yep, just bite the bullet and come off with a measly $70 more for the CZ 452. If he doesn't get one now, he will wish he had just spent a bit more now and got what he really wanted.


Honestly, if $70 is really that big of a deal to him, he doesn't need a rifle at all. He can't afford one.

Seems strange to plop down $300 for a Ruger American that can't outshoot a Marlin 60.

I agree that the Ruger American is a nice rifle with a very nice trigger, but the accuracy reports I've seen aren't that impressive.

that's interesting, most reviews/reports i've seen and heard have been much the opposite. i don't doubt some bad reports out there, but its been more of the exception than the norm from where i have seen. hope it is not a wide spread issue.

I ordered a RAR and all of a sudden whitikers came out with the 452s and I bought one because of the reputation and the enablers here pointed me at it.

Just went through scope mounting and trying a few loads, but its obvious the cz is the better gun. The RAR does a good job too, but it doesnt compare sxs. I'll say I dont care for the feel of the ruger trigger.

Save up for a cz if he can still buy one. I'm almoste
tempted to sell all my 22's except the cz and keep the RAR for farm truck duty.

I was just reading Jeff Quin's review of the 22lr American. He tried a lot of different ammo and the accuracy was nothing to get excited about. I can shoot 1" 50yd groups all day with a 4X power simmons cheapo scope and CCI minimags with my Marlin 60.

I like the American, but I'm afraid it is like the 10/22 accuracy-wise.

i went and read his review, http://gunblast.com/Ruger-American22.htm and i am surprised with some of the group sizes, especially with the mini mags. i wonder if he really allowed the barrel to get seasoned with each brand prior to shooting for group sizes.

If he was shooting those groups like he was shooting on the video, it's no wonder he didn't get great accuracy.

On the list of ammo tested, I counted six brands which gave 1" or less @ 50 yards and a couple of those really close to 1/2".

I would not call that an inaccurate gun.

Mine (the Compact version) loves CCI Standard velocity Solids. The very first day I shot a 3/8" group at 50 yards and proceeded to shoot a group at 100 that was just over an inch.

That feat is repeatable, but only when I do my part.

Late last week I spoke with the owner of the LGS where I got mine and he had another happy customer come back in and said that he too was getting ~1/2" groups at 50 yards and just over an inch at 100yards with his Compact.

I need to pick up some honest-to-God match ammo and wring it out, take pictures, and post them.

Don't get me wrong, if Sponxx were to leave his Maple stocked CZ 452 lying around it might disappear...

Ed

O
Not wrong at all, sounds like a Mark II would be an excellent choice.

My feeling, as well. For the money, you get very good accuracy AND you can afford a scope. Sometimes a limited budget really IS limited. It is very easy to keep inching up and exceeding that 300 by a couple hundred. Really and for true, including a scope, I don't see another option.

Guys,

I just looked at a CZ452 Ultra Lux yesterday. Vendor does internet sales as well as a store front. On his website, the rifle was $407. In the store it was $457 although he said he would honor the internet price.

The only CZ's in the $300 range are the CZ455 Americans with the plastic stocks. And they're still at $350

Good luck in what ever choice you make.

I did buy 5 of these last year- They were $169. They've been good little rifles.

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-cz99-bolt-action-rifle,-22lr,-22-barrel,-yugo-import-by-cai,-new.-p-62934.html


I've seen good and bad postings on the web about them. All 5 of the rifles I bought are great little shooters. Especially at $169

I suggest a cz American because it has a stock suitable for use with a scope and a barrel lenght less excessive than the trainer/lux/ulux group of guns. The trainer/lux/ultra lux all have long barrels with iron sights. The stocks have excess drop in the butt stock designed for using iron sights. 99% of rimfire shooters want a scope. That is the American, only cz option for a normal size adult. (the varmint is a heavy specialty gun)

I dont like the 455 as much, but a proper 455 is better than a mis fit 452. I would prefer a Ruger to a 455, But I am not the Op's friend. I have a 453 which is a superb firearm but those are history now.

I suggest a cz because that is what the op said his friend wants. So; he may need to show some decipine and character and work and save his money. A new concept for some these days. Or borrow to get a gun from Whitakers which are probably all sold out by now.

For the cz gun nut a 452 scope can be restocked. The 452 scout also has too much drop in the comb. And the stock is too short.

A gun stock should fit. A first gun should fit.

The cz99 are zastava and a very poor gun compared to the check cz or ruger American. Those 99's are fine for what they are and might be a good project. Most important is cheap price. There is always/always a market for cheap. That is not a bad thing either. It is just not a quality cz alternative - IMHO.

Whittakers is still showing them in stock on their website. I just picked mine up on Tuesday...