Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires CZ or Ruger American .22 for 4h

A CZ 455 trainer could be used for CMP Rimfire Sporter matches if he wants to pursue competition later. A 452 or 455 is the way to go for O (open sights) class, and will work just fine with a scope in T class. You have to keep the rifle at 7.5 lbs, with sights and sling, and the trigger needs to be able to pick up a 3.0 lb weight.

I'm not advocating a semiauto to teach kids, but be aware that the 10/22 Collector series comes with a rear aperture sight and bladed front, about the same as their Mini 14. The rear is a bit funky to adjust, but it does provide the advantages of an aperture.

I know times have changed, and the world doesn't stand still for old farts, but I shake my head when I read of a dad teaching a kid to shoot by giving them a semiauto and a brick of ammo. Sure, they'll have fun, and hopefully learn some useful stuff like safe gun handling, but not true marksmanship.

My son, of grandpa age himself, learned on a falling block single shot and muzzleloader. Never fired a repeater until a Garand in a junior program and Camp Perry. He is one of the best shots you'd ever encounter.

Paul

I got my 10/22 in 2nd grade
Nothing wrong w a semi auto IMHO.
Fuggit man, I got a Ruger #1 in 8th grade.
Theyre just rifles. You either shoot em well or dont.


Have a CZ455. Dont plink. Just hunt. Target shooting bores me anymore

Thought about dumping my CZ......then I remembered.
Can swap bbl to .22 mag.

Another plus for the CZ457 (and the discontinued 455) is the availability of barrels for other RF rounds or other lengths and weights. Not a fan of the barrel swapping as a rule, but as a child grows, the ability to replace the barrel and/or stock at a reasonable price might be advantageous. The 457 is the current model, so besides the improvements to the action, stock options are going to be better going forward. Thinking about one for my grandson’s next gun.

The Ruger American has stock modules to change LOP as well.

It's up to the money spent. The 452 or 457 seems to be the preference on CZ;s. The Savage is good cheaper alternative. Mine right now is a first year BSA International MKIII, not worried about the Anshutz shooters. A semi auto can be good with money spent to get the accuracy. . As your son progresses, if he stays with it the price and rifles will go up.

I have a cz 452 American (17hm2) and had a Ruger American compact. Scoped there is a weight disparity that could be a significant factor if your kid is small framed. If that isn't an issue my cz is scary accurate. My RAR was pretty good, just not the equal of the cz.

Don’t worry Paul39. I don’t plan on buying a semi auto but just stated that a lot of kids do. However most of them rush their shots while the bolt action kids out shoot them. That’s why I was considering those 2 models.

As far as learning to shoot, I taught him on a little Savage rascal .22. He has shot that for 4 years not in competition. He uses a Ruger American compact 7mm-08 for deer hunting and has killed 11 deer. When he handled the Ruger American rimfire, it was familiar to him since he shoots a RAR center fire. I’m still leaning CZ but will let him decide after Christmas.