Ammo and cleaning for a CZ 452 Varmint

[safetyfirst]

HI!

 

I'm after opinions about the best .22 LR subsonic ( use a Parker Hale supressor) hollowpoint ammo to use for Rabbits, I shoot a CZ 452 16" Varmint.

 

I don't mind paying a bit more for my ammo as I dont shoot a lot of it, I'm after something quiet and consistent.

 

Also, I've been told not to clean the barrel until you start losing accuracy, just clean the breech area and receiver after each shoot and leave a little oil with an oily rag before it goes back to bed in it's dark metal box.

 

So opinions are welcome regarding both topics!

 

Thanks.

[Sussexboy]

I use Winchester subs, they are as accurate as I need in my 452 varmint. Unfortunately with 22LR that doesn't mean they will work for you. Many people swear by Eley subs, I cannot get on with them.

 

As for cleaning, well I only ever clean the chamber and bolt to ensure clean loading and extracting. Never cleaned the barrel in the last 7 years. Still get a ragged hole at 25 metres on the club indoor range.

[Luckyshot]

I have a similar cz apart from mine is the sillouette 16" standard barrel. Ive put over 5000 winchester subs through it and have never lost any accuracy neither have I ever cleaned the action,bolt or barrel at all and it still shoots as good as the day I bought it. Never tried any other ammo as the winchester suits my rifle perfect but may not suit yours. Try a box of each and see what your rifle likes the best.

[Colster]

I also have the Silhouette in 16" with a SAK mod, it groups slightly better with Remington Subs than the Winchester but found they tended to over penetrate, the Winchesters seem to open up better on impact.

 

Not had much luck with the HV stuff though, tried CCI Stingers and Federal Game-Shok and couldn't get either to group well.

 

I tend to wipe the bolt down whenever I put the gun away and clean the barrel after every couple of boxes of ammo.

Edited April 12, 2010 by Colster

[SSS]

Mine seems to like remington subs, but It doesn't shoot well with winchesters or eleys :blink:

[Dekers]

Many will say Eley, they are no better accuracy wise in mine than many others and the HP is small, better stopping power is achieved with the Winchester or Magtech 40gHP subs as these have a very large HP which tends to open up well on arrival.

 

Many will also slag off Magtech, I have been using them about 3 or 4 years and they work very well in my Silhouette, another pal with a Silhouette and the same mod struggles with 2-3 inch groups at 60 yards, mine does 1" all day with the occasional fast one..such is life!

[safetyfirst]

Thanks for all the replies guys, fascinating variance in answers.

 

I shot the rest of my Lapua rounds at 60 yards yesterday and didn't get under 1.5 inches then I cleaned the barrel and shot some Winchester subs through it, stuck five rounds through three holes totalling under half an inch, they were much quieter too.

 

I'll stick to Winchester now thanks to your replies and my results. No idea what's the best regime with cleaning though! The guy who sold me the rifle said dont clean it till you start to lose accuracy, think this sounds about right then.

 

I'll clean the action, breech and bolt after every shoot but leave the barrel. I understand the cleaning situation is quite different for Centrefire rifles etc.

 

Thanks again!

 

Once I was happy it could shoot straight, I took it out looking for bunnies yesterday, spotted one I estimated to be about 75 yards off, having zeroed at 60. Aimed about 2 inches above it and missed! Then I paced it out, 105 Yards!!!!!!

 

Now for a rangefinding thread!

[Colster]

I took it out looking for bunnies yesterday, spotted one I estimated to be about 75 yards off, having zeroed at 60. Aimed about 2 inches above it and missed! Then I paced it out, 105 Yards!!!!!!

 

For Winchester Subs I'd zero it at 55, makes it a little flatter shooting with no need to hold under for those 20-30yard ones (where I would always struggle when I zero'd at 60).