CZ 455 Varmint 17 hmr

[Major Sharpe]

I am considering buying the above rifle (new) and would really appreciate any comments. It has a black synthetic soft touch stock. 16" barrel.

 

The Tikka TX1 is also on the list, but is slightly more expensive, however not outside of the budget. Whichever rifle I get I'd get a new scope for it. (Total budget £800)

 

Many thanks

[Walker570]

I have a 455 in 17HMR and it can shoot far better than I can. Tree rats hate it as do carrion crows. Never had any problems with it at all.

[Major Sharpe]

6 minutes ago, Walker570 said:

I have a 455 in 17HMR and it can shoot far better than I can. Tree rats hate it as do carrion crows. Never had any problems with it at all.

Thank you, is yours a synthetic stock and has it maintained its condition?  I read that they can look shabby after a few outings, but I find it hard to believe CZ would continue to use this method if there was an issue.

[Walker570]

Mine is a black synthetic stock but you mention 'soft touch' now I would not call mine soft touch.  My stock is as purchased and has had a fair amount of use and abuse over five-six years.

This 'soft touch' stock may be a new addition to their wares since I purchased mine.   Still a great rifle an is the second CZ I have owned in 17HMR, the first was one of the first that was imported wy back when. I sold that to one of the farmers I shoot over and it is still shooting sub moa.

[bumpy22]

t1x mine has been fantastic worth every penny

[Major Sharpe]

10 minutes ago, Walker570 said:

Mine is a black synthetic stock but you mention 'soft touch' now I would not call mine soft touch.  My stock is as purchased and has had a fair amount of use and abuse over five-six years.

This 'soft touch' stock may be a new addition to their wares since I purchased mine.   Still a great rifle an is the second CZ I have owned in 17HMR, the first was one of the first that was imported wy back when. I sold that to one of the farmers I shoot over and it is still shooting sub moa.

It might not be an official description, but one used by one of the RFD's that I have visited. It does not feel like the hard plastic of the Tikka or a Ruger American, but has a slightly softer/rubberlike texture.

7 minutes ago, bumpy22 said:

t1x mine has been fantastic worth every penny

Thank you for that.

 

Have you had any issues with it at all? or has it been fine right out of the box?

[bumpy22]

great straight out of the box. had a few tikka cf before so did not hesitate to get the rimfire. some great reviews of these and yet to find a bad one yet

[Pigeon Shredder.]

12 minutes ago, bumpy22 said:

t1x mine has been fantastic worth every penny

As sponsored by a certain sponsor on this forum 😎

[bumpy22]

1 minute ago, Pigeon Shredder. said:

As sponsored by a certain sponsor on this forum 😎

?

[barbel]

I have the 455 16 inch .17hmr with the t/hole stock very accurate, have the 455 .22 rf soft touch stock, very light no problems, ideal if you do a lot of walking about, had it about a year no obvious marks, again very accurate, no inclination to get rid off either, trust them, they do what I want .

[Major Sharpe]

1 minute ago, barbel said:

I have the 455 16 inch .17hmr with the t/hole stock very accurate, have the 455 .22 rf soft touch stock, very light no problems, ideal if you do a lot of walking about, had it about a year no obvious marks, again very accurate, no inclination to get rid off either, trust them, they do what I want .

Thanks Barbel, I appreciate your response.

[davewh100]

I've got the t1x purchased on the advice of the forum and very good advice it was now my mate also as purchased one, bit more expensive than the cz but worth it

[Major Sharpe]

15 minutes ago, davewh100 said:

I've got the t1x purchased on the advice of the forum and very good advice it was now my mate also as purchased one, bit more expensive than the cz but worth it

Thank you for that. Glad you like your Tikka

[davewh100]

1 minute ago, Major Sharpe said:

Thank you for that. Glad you like your Tikka

[Dekers]

First question is WHY the Varmint version, do you have a specific need for a heavy barrel (rifle) or do you jut like them?  For the vast amount of field work there is absolutely no benefit of a heavy barrel, it is not more accurate, jut makes you tired holding/carrying it.  Varmint is NOT for me but some do need/like them.

Guy at my rifle club has just bought a TX1 and tricked it up, great gun and if money were no object I would get a TX1 over a 455 any day.

Just the same, I run a whole load of CZ and have used more rifles than I can remember over the years.   I rather suspect the TX1 will be no more accurate, reliable or repeatable than the CZ, I have never found my CZ's lacking for anything for field use and I'll not be rushing out to replace them with a TX1!

 

My CZ 452 American HMR, 100 yards, 4 shots, I bottled out of a 5th when I saw the group.  That works for me!

Edited March 17, 2019 by Dekers

[Major Sharpe]

23 minutes ago, Dekers said:

First question is WHY the Varmint version, do you have a specific need for a heavy barrel (rifle) or do you jut like them?  For the vast amount of field work there is absolutely no benefit of a heavy barrel, it is not more accurate, jut makes you tired holding/carrying it.  Varmint is NOT for me but some do need/like them.

Guy at my rifle club has just bought a TX1 and tricked it up, great gun and if money were no object I would get a TX1 over a 455 any day.

Just the same, I run a whole load of CZ and have used more rifles than I can remember over the years.   I rather suspect the TX1 will be no more accurate, reliable or repeatable than the CZ, I have never found my CZ's lacking for anything for field use and I'll not be rushing out to replace them with a TX1!

I don't need the Varmint barrel, but I do like the balance of the rifle. I had a CZ 452 American before, that I bought second-hand and wanted to buy new. The CZ feels right to the shoulder and in the hand.

The Tikka looks great but the stock feels a bit hollow and plastic-like. However looking beyond that, will I regret not buying one whilst I have the chance? A question only I can answer.

The CZ, I feel has a fantastic reputation as a very capable hunting rifle and I'm sure it will do the business in the field.

 

Currently I am watching every you tube vid I can find and reading the internet in an attempt to reach a decision.

 

I really appreciate everyone's input.

 

And very nice shooting.

 

I too wouldn't have taken the 5th shot.

Edited March 17, 2019 by Major Sharpe

[Dekers]

2 minutes ago, Major Sharpe said:

I don't need the Varmint barrel, but I do like the balance of the rifle. I had a CZ 452 American before, that I bought second-hand and wanted to buy new. The CZ feels right to the shoulder and in the hand.

The Tikka looks great but the stock feels a bit hollow and plastic-like. However looking beyond that, will I regret not buying one whilst I have the chance? A question only I can answer.

The CZ, I feel has a fantastic reputation as a very capable hunting rifle and I'm sure it will do the business in the field.

 

Currently I am watching every you tube vid I can find and reading the internet in an attempt to reach a decision.

 

I really appreciate everyone's input.

You'll not go wrong with either!    ……..but I still don't like the Varmints!

[Rst1990]

i own a cz varmint 17hmr and think it’s great the balance is perfect for ME and replicates my centrefire rifles in terms of weight.

i was tinkering with the idea of having a tx1 as I have the centrefire versions and knowing how they are thought it would be a great move. How wrong was I..... it felt really light to hold and not steadily planted like my cz and tikka are not doing a wooden version with varmint barrel to up the weight at present when I enquired.

i Take a lot of free standing shooting shots and not much shots taken off a bipod in the field so for me having a wondering light barrel makes no sense for ME others like a lighter gun for carrying.

im sticking with my cz varmint 👍

[Dave-G]

I have a SAKO Quad Varmint with the composit stock and heavy barrel, comes with the box. Its immaculate and has done less than 300 rounds. £500 face to face to enable inspection before purchase, or £600 with a very nice condition MTC Mamba. No sound mod with it. I only bought it for a dedicated night vision rig but no longer need two of them. 😔

It's not well known that they have a 5 round magazine - and its flush fitting with no protrusion below the action. It will also of course allow you to fit a .22LR or WMR barrel and magazine to it at some later date.

I occasionally travel through Devon en route to Cornwall from Leicester.

Edited March 17, 2019 by Dave-G

[Walker570]

5 hours ago, Dekers said:

First question is WHY the Varmint version, do you have a specific need for a heavy barrel (rifle) or do you jut like them?  For the vast amount of field work there is absolutely no benefit of a heavy barrel, it is not more accurate, jut makes you tired holding/carrying it.  Varmint is NOT for me but some do need/like them.

Guy at my rifle club has just bought a TX1 and tricked it up, great gun and if money were no object I would get a TX1 over a 455 any day.

Just the same, I run a whole load of CZ and have used more rifles than I can remember over the years.   I rather suspect the TX1 will be no more accurate, reliable or repeatable than the CZ, I have never found my CZ's lacking for anything for field use and I'll not be rushing out to replace them with a TX1!

 

My CZ 452 American HMR, 100 yards, 4 shots, I bottled out of a 5th when I saw the group.  That works for me!

You snatched the first slightly then

Edited March 17, 2019 by Walker570

[Walker570]

You had me thinking and I went into my gunsafe to have a look at my 455 17HMR.  Having lifted it out, then yes I could feel a ????? not what I would call softness, but almost like the surface was covered in soft brushed cotton, is this what you referred too?  If so, then yes I have a soft one..as the actress said to the bishop... and after oh! I can't truly remember, 6 or 7 yrs maybe a bt more, of fairly regular use, then it is still as it was when I purchased it.  Have wiped it down with a damp cloth on occasion when it gets a bit mud splattered.

[browning123]

I own a CZ .17hmr varmint with a 16" barrel and a thumbhole laminated stock, I do a lot of walking on my permissions and sometimes find the rifle a bit heavy........but I am 72 years of age, I also considered changing the rifle for a lighter one - but decided against it as the rifle is so accurate and I knew I would regret the change.

Edited October 30, 2021 by browning123

[Major Sharpe]

8 hours ago, Rst1990 said:

i own a cz varmint 17hmr and think it’s great the balance is perfect for ME and replicates my centrefire rifles in terms of weight.

i was tinkering with the idea of having a tx1 as I have the centrefire versions and knowing how they are thought it would be a great move. How wrong was I..... it felt really light to hold and not steadily planted like my cz and tikka are not doing a wooden version with varmint barrel to up the weight at present when I enquired.

i Take a lot of free standing shooting shots and not much shots taken off a bipod in the field so for me having a wondering light barrel makes no sense for ME others like a lighter gun for carrying.

im sticking with my cz varmint 👍

I felt the Tikka was light,  hollow and plastic like. I want to like it but,....

7 hours ago, Dave-G said:

I have a SAKO Quad Varmint with the composit stock and heavy barrel, comes with the box. Its immaculate and has done less than 300 rounds. £500 face to face to enable inspection before purchase, or £600 with a very nice condition MTC Mamba. No sound mod with it. I only bought it for a dedicated night vision rig but no longer need two of them. 😔

It's not well known that they have a 5 round magazine - and its flush fitting with no protrusion below the action. It will also of course allow you to fit a .22LR or WMR barrel and magazine to it at some later date.

I occasionally travel through Devon en route to Cornwall from Leicester.

All noted, thank you. I know nothing of the Sako, so I'll have to do some research.

3 hours ago, Walker570 said:

You had me thinking and I went into my gunsafe to have a look at my 455 17HMR.  Having lifted it out, then yes I could feel a ????? not what I would call softness, but almost like the surface was covered in soft brushed cotton, is this what you referred too?  If so, then yes I have a soft one..as the actress said to the bishop... and after oh! I can't truly remember, 6 or 7 yrs maybe a bt more, of fairly regular use, then it is still as it was when I purchased it.  Have wiped it down with a damp cloth on occasion when it gets a bit mud splattered.

Yes!

This is what I mean. It feels very different to hard plastic and I like it. Very pleased to hear that it survives very well. Thank you for checking.

[Major Sharpe]

1 hour ago, browning123 said:

I own a CZ .17hmr varmint with a 16" thumbhole laminated stock, I do a lot of walking on my permissions and sometimes find the rifle a bit heavy........but I am 72 years of age, I also considered changing the rifle for a lighter one - but decided against it as the rifle is so accurate and I knew I would regret the change.

Thank you for your response.