Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires CZ455 Varmint vs American accuracy

I am planning a 455 purchase and torn between the varmint and American model. Is there any real accuracy advantage? Beyond the normal gun to gun variation. Maybe less sensitive to ammo choice? I really want to shoot VMax, 17HMR or 22mag undecided.
Today there is a 17HMR American and 22Mag Varmint available, within a 100 mile radius.

Why a CZ? Classy looks and ACCURACY. I dont want extra weight, but if the Varmint is a better barrel, then that is what I want. I may carry it around a bit to hunt, but I really hope to shoot some bragging targets.

I see the Varmint cost more. Why the extra cost? Is the barrel rifled better or just heavier. My past experience with some inexpensive usa made less costly guns, was the so-called Varmint was just extra weight with no performance gained over my friends gun by the same maker.

Totally separate question, can a CZ single set trigger be had for the 455?

I feel the Varmint is easier to shoot for accuracy from the bench due to the weight and the fact the wider flatter forearm sits easier on sandbags. If you put them both in a vise, you'll find very little if any accuracy difference. The American is a bit easier to carry around all day if you're wanting a hunting rifle.

Thanks Timbo, that is my suspicion.

I have been reading discussion on the 17HRM and 22WRM. I hesistate to hijack my own main concern. I hear a lot of accuracy praise for the new 17. I assume even when compared to 22mag both shooting VMax. I see the twist on the 17's is 1:9 while the old 22WRM is 1:16. That is quite dramatic. Could that be a factor?

That 17 vs 22 stuff on you tube is a real disappointment. Talk about dumb and dumber. Instead of shooting dog food - how about shooting some 100 yard groups from a good bench?

You'll find the vast majority of 17HMRs will out shoot 22WMR rifles. I prefer the 22 mag. for larger varmints, but they just don't have the intrinsic accuracy of the 17's. When I get a 22WMR that will get close to 1" at 100 yards, I'm thrilled. Most 17HMR's will easily out shoot that.

I see a fair number of both at my silhouette club. No big difference in accuracy, but most grown men perfer the varmint model due to the increased steadiness once you get off the bags. The American is quite muzzle light.

Thanks guys. I will focus on the American. Probably a road trip this weekend. I almost wish I was left handed, they still some CZ 452.17 LH around locally. I am righty and I got quite a pile of 22WMR ammo to burn up. I guess I was a hoarder, decades before it became fashionable. Old paper boxes. No Vmax. I really want to try those.

I own one of each in .22 lr. accuracy is comparable. the american is pretty muzzle light, easier to carry, and doesn't sit as steady on the bags. the 455 varmints have a straight bull barrel, heavier contour than the old 452 varmints. I have carried my 455 varmint all over the squirrel woods and it makes headshots like they were on a production line. the american is definitely a little easier to tote, though.

I have one of the 452s in Varmint and American, in .22LR. Both shoot lights-out with their preferred ammo. Remington SubSonic for the varmint, SK rifle match for the American. Either one will knock a squill out of the treetops as far as I am willing to shoot, but the American is far nicer to carry in the woods.

At one time, I had a 455 with both the HMR & LR barrels...It got sent down the road when I found a 452 in Mach 2.

The "Rifle Basix" trigger is a pretty good option for either the 452 or 455...

I just compared a 455 side by side with a 452. The 455 is a piece of crap. What gives? I though gun owners were an outspoken bunch. You all just bend over to CZ and take this like no big deal?

CZ DOES NOT EVEN POLISH THE STEEL! A total crap blue job. The old barrel was contoured , now just straight. This is a $300 gun. And insult to injury, the 452 Left Hand cost less than the 455. The 452 has at least an extra $100 or $200 in extra machining steps and finish.

Finish work is 1/2 the cost of a gun. Same price for 1/2 the finish?

Forget the 455. No way baby. My 40 year old Marlin is better than this.

Yea, I have a 452 in a.22 mag and it has a better looking stock then the 527 .222 I just purchased today and its over twice the price, I still love them the same....

Just looked at a 452 in 17HMR. Was not impressed by the stock on this one. Looked like a nice rifle other than that.

Is that a new 452 ? how much did they want for it ?

New in box. 469 or something like that.

Yea, the price is higher then what I paid for mine three years ago that was 350.00, its a keeper...