Which way to go

[12ptdroptine]

Which way to go.. I really love to shoot.22 very affordable no recoil..the most fun gun's I own.. I have a Marlin 39a with a williams peep..Soon to get a Leupold on it... A Ruger 10/22 stainless..with a Simmons 4x .22 mag on it a Savage model 93 .22mag with a Leupold on it..( not my favorite) And my new babya H&R .22mag ultra varmint with a Leupold on it..first time out 3/4 inch groups with it @50 yds. But I am wanting yet another .22lr.. I made the mistake of picking up a CZ today.. A friend @ work has one and claims 1/4 " groups @ 50 yds... And I hear about 1/2 " groups at 100 yds.. Is this normal?.. So here is my question. Do I deck out my 10/22 with a Green mountain barrel and the quartz trigger and all the accessories..and what will I spend..vers's the CZ or will the 39a shoot as well with good glass...And what will the CZ cost..Where I was it was marked $550.. That seems kinda high from looking on some web auctions here...I want a .22lr that shoots like this... so  what would you think is the best way to go for value and performance.. I cant even begin to afford one of thos multi thousand dollar Anni thing's.. So here begins the research. Thanks all Drop

[jcn59]

I had a CZ 17 HMR that I could shoot under an inch at 100 yards ...sometimes.  Paid around $300. few years ago.  Sold it for same price few months ago.  No probs., good rifle, beautiful wood.

A friend has the .22 LR version and with good ammo it usually shoots a half inch or a bit less at 50 yards, about the same as my Sako .22 LR..   I really would think you could get a new one for under $400. but maybe I'm "out-dated".  I had a couple low-end Annies that didn't do any better.  I have a fat barrel T/C .22 semi (R-55?) that won't do as well.

Kind of irrelevant, but I have a CZ 527 .223 that almost always shoots under .5" at one hundred yards.

[Keith L]

There are a lot of variables that come into play.  To get that consistent performance with any .22 rimfire you will need to at minimum weigh each shell and shoot the ones that weigh the same into the same groups.  I havent done this for a while, but most bulk ammo, and a surprising amount of the more expensive stuff, has weight variations that mean different size projectiles, or different amounts of powder, or both.  If you get the expensive target stuff the factory does the weighing for you, but it is as expensive as lots of centerfire reloads.

Lots of folks don't think so, but even at 50 yards a cross wind can affect point of impact.  That can change your grouping some days.

How much coffee you have had can affect the size of your groups.

How good the rest you are using can affect your groups.

How much rest you have had can affect your groups.

Your frame of mind when shooting can affect your groups.

I have never known any one with any gun that could expect that small a group every time.  It can happen once in a while, or even quite often.  But not every time.

I have a couple of decked out 10-22s.  The first one I built I could have gotten a couple of the $550 CZs for what I put into that gun.  With target ammo and if I am on my game I can do less than 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards.  The second one I did with all used parts except the barrel.  I built the trigger on both from parts kits, and bought one of Midway's less expensive barrels.  It is still respectable, but not quite as good as the first one.  Total investment was about $300.  Would I do it again?  You bet.  I had lots of fun building them.  Would I buy a CZ?  You bet, if the right deal comes along.

Good luck with your decision.

[Glanceblamm]

How much coffee you have had can affect the size of your groups.

How good the rest you are using can affect your groups.

How much rest you have had can affect your groups.

Your frame of mind when shooting can affect your groups.

Well Said!
Also to be added to the list would be common medications for colds and such.
The thing that I like to preach on when shooting groups (after the shooting rest, breathing, & trigger control are out of the way) would be the target itself...I like the (bench rest) types that I usually make myself. If (scope permitting) you have a 1/2" white circle inside of a 1" black square you are going to shoot much better groups than an orange stick-on or a solid black 1-1/2" circle.

[12ptdroptine]

I am still reading here..And learning also. I just put together a NEF .22mag that I think I am gonna love. I have the scope off it now because I was afraid the weaver Grand Slam ring's might damage the Leupold. They are pretty coarse. So I have new Warne one's due here by Friday. The first time out this Sunday past I got groups that were great for me... It liked Hornaday 30 gr vmax the best..last group was 3/4 at 50 yds..And a super heavy trigger... But the ammo is still 13.00 a box. This is why I love my .22 lr ... And they are just a hoot to shoot. So please keep the advice rolling in... I would love to have a .22lr that would shoot quarter size group's at 100 yd's... Yhanks Drop

[Keith L]

100 yard groups are a little long for most of us and a .22.  I use a 17 HMR  if I feel the need to use a rimfire at 100 yards.  22LR are on the way down by 100.

[12ptdroptine]

Im jonesing here for more information.. I called today fro priceing on the model 453 with the single set trigger in the heavy barrel..$500.00 so far... Is the single set trigger the only defferance between the 452 and the 453..and if so how big of a deal is it? Drop

[22popnsplat]

This is only from my personal experiance
While I do own 2 10-22s and enjoy them they are not going to be a good bench gun no matter what you do to them, They are great for small game though . Alot of people enjoy building them and thats cool too
I have a CZ 453 and while I have shot groups close to a 1/4 inch those the exception not the average , The average is more in the 5/8-3/4 inch with mine @ 5o meters.
I have a Kimber 82g I got from CMP that will out shoot my Cz anytime
This part is opinion
you hear alot guys make exceptional claims of accuracy , If a rifle shoots close to a 1/4 inch groups one time all the sudden it will do it all day long . as always dont belive everything you hear
I just bought 2 of the Mossberg m44s that cmp is selling , its a WWII Training 22 they are in exceptional condition . The 2 I bought I dont think were ever fired but do have some signs of poor handling but nothing that is not easily fixed , with a hand lapped barrel and many reports of fine accuracy i think they are a bargin at $175

[12ptdroptine]

So what is a good price to get one for? I got some price's over the phone today.. A 452 American heavy barrel out the door for $425. And a price on a 453 heavy barrel  with the single set trigger for $499. plus tax. Is the single set trigger worth the extra? And is that the only difference? Drop

[Glanceblamm]

I do not know anything about that model 453 but when you are talking single set triggers, my T/C's come to mind.
The single set (when employeed) reduces the trigger pull from around 6-7lbs down to 3lbs or so. They have zero creep and are like breaking a fine piece of glass when used.

[Swampman]

I'd get the 452 American and put a $15.00 spring kit in it.  You can get one through Bud's Gun Shop for less than $400.00.

[12ptdroptine]

Well I ordered the 453 heavy barrel..varminter I think... The gunshop checked their supplier and they called it the heavy barrel..But the stock number crossed with the varminter..And the ad says American walnut... Now the wait for it. Due to work hours I cant get to it to pick it up til next Saturday... And then the process of picking out a scope for it begins. I am leanning towards a Leupold VXII 3x9x40..I have really good luck with them. I was told by another dealer that the CZ's come with scope ring's . Is this correct? thanks all Drop

[Drilling Man]

I cant even begin to afford one of thos multi thousand dollar Anni thing's..

  Multi thousand dollar???  Your shopping in the wrong spot!!!  NEW ones are much less than that!  And, i see "nice" used ones for around $500.00, sometimes less than $500...

  DM

[Drilling Man]

I do not know anything about that model 453 but when you are talking single set triggers, my T/C's come to mind.
The single set (when employeed) reduces the trigger pull from around 6-7lbs down to 3lbs or so. They have zero creep and are like breaking a fine piece of glass when used.

  Also, a set trigger "increases" lock time by a huge amount too...  That's why the best triggers aren't set triggers...

  DM

[Badnews Bob]

I don't think you'll outdo the CZ for the money, They are great rifles My 452 ultra LUX will shoot inside a half inch with cheap bulk ammo and better that with match grade stuff.  You can surely improve on that with some other rifles but not for the same cash output.

[coyotejoe]

I agree, I have the cheap 452 "military trainer" with an even cheaper 6x scope and get 1/2 to 3/4" at fifty with Aguila subsonics. I've never tried match grade ammo in it since I think of it as strictly a small game hunting rifle and seldom find a bench rest where I hunt so I doubt I could make use of any better accuracy the expensive ammo may offer. I did have to do some trigger work on it but I enjoy tinkering with my guns so I don't really count that as a negative.