Yes you can shorten CZ452's (And still be accurate!)

stratts

Well-Known Member
I gave my .22 WMR CZ452 to James (JagerSA) for a shorten to 16", re-thread, crown and coating and had read various opinions about the CZ rifles not being able to be shortened due to the tapered barrel. Well I can now confirm that with a decent job they can be made more accurate than before!! :D

Finally got out without being in a gale last night to zero at 100 yds and quite pleased with the result. Ignoring the 1 outside the 1" dot at 2 o'clock which was my mates hmr, and the one low down which needed a click up, the others aint too shabby!



I also think it looks a treat with the WTC scope on and even the shrink wrap I put on the SAK mod matches the finish! ;)



So if you have been pondering it then have no fear I lopped off 6" with no ill effect.

Cheers again James for a top job at a great price :thumb:

Stratts
 
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Thanks for posting that Stratts.
Out of curiosity, why did you got for 14"?.
The conventional wisdom seems to reckon that 16" is the all powder burned / optimum length.
 
Simply for ease of use in a motor mate and when the SAK is on the end it is nicely balanced now too.

I also found this chart online which showed that there is minimal difference in MV from 16" to 14" with most rounds and some even go back up!

Cheers

barrel length CCI
Game-
point
40 gr.
JSP
CCI
Maxi-
Mag
40 gr.
JHP
CCI
Maxi-
Mag
HP+V
30 gr.
JHP
CCI
V-Max
30 gr.
polymer
tip
Federal
30 gr.
Speer
TNT HP
Fiocchi
PSD
40 gr.
JSP
Fiocchi
PSD
40 gr.
JHP
Hornady
45 gr.
Flex
Tip
eXpand-
ing
Hornady
V-Max
30 gr.
Hornady
25 gr.
NTX
Win'ster
30 gr.
Hornady
Polymer
Tip
V-Max
19"18271999228523482355190819361773229622652149
18"18371985232222982324192019501764231322352110
17"18251980228022882334191819381755231822412160
16"17801987231622762283188719341702225221662129
15"17991967230422942275191618731738224022292127
14"17831963223022982244188519511751224322502105
13"17491889218122202227185218861698224521912071
12"17501881216822042163184318111699214421382052
11"17091835207920972135178818451652209321461989
10"16871817206021442102179117721643206920651951
9"16721759200020612018172317721630196620241924
8"15941706195020121979165016961536197719281803
7"15291617188719041879162616061525182118181763
6"14841575176318041821152615441454174018241694
5"13551474167217231657143314771307160216701575
4"12481353151015041457128712691239137914921454
3"10891160123613361228110111171049115313081288
2"88794688410858958998538439621114n/a
 
The taper mainly just gives a continual engraving to the cast lead bullets.

Shortening a rimmy barrel will not necessarily give a reduction in performance but if it happens to be cut/shortened to a slack spot in the barrel (as most all factory barrels are not lapped) then you can have a trumpet effect which can hinder accuracy.

Hint:
Before cutting the barrel. Clean it thoroughly then take an air rifle pellet, tap lightly with a hammer to splay the rear cone. Push this through the barrel with consistent pressure with a cleaning rod and feel for any slack spots. Mark the cleaning rod with a marker pen if you suspect a slack spot and repeat the process. Avoid cutting the barrel at the length of a slack spot!

If you happen to think you have a tight spot then this would be a good point to shorten to.

Good shooting :)
 
I'm taking my HMR 452 to Paddy Dane next week to get him to check it after I had a local place shorten it and it's a lot worse than before. The current job doesn't look that great so I'm hoping he can sort it for me.
 
I should have said. With copper jacketed bullets a taper is of no benefit. Many tests have been done and as a whole a uniform, consistent bore/groove diameter gives the best results.
 
nun_hunter

Paddy should get you sorted. Get the pellet test done its simple and quick. The other important factor is a clean crown. Best achieved by grinding.
 
James did mine from 21" down to 16". I was VERY apprehensive as it was a lovely accurate rifle beforehand!:scared:
However, it was the best thing I ever did as it now seems even more accurate! I never had it chrono'd either before or after, but it is ever so slightly louder now which I believe can only be a function of a slight increase in velocity. For standard subsonic loads I'd definitely recommend a 16" barrel.
MS
 
Mine is just one threading job longer than legal limit , think it's 13" then Parker hale mod , Christ it's short but what a fun tool!

Paul
 
Just checked and it's actually 16". I couldn't decide and plumped for the safe option in the end and forgot I changed my mind. Good choice I think though!
 
I had a .22 cut down to 12.5"
the 0.5" is the only bit proud of the stock!

Not had the balls to chop the WMR as I have 4 barrels original length
 
My HMR is 16" and shoots like the proverbial HMR laser.
I had both my CZ452 (17HMR) and my Anschutz 525 (.22LR) shortned to 16 inch barrels, treaded and re-crowned by Dave Mercer and they both showed an increase in accuracy. I have a Voere (.22LR) coming as soon as I get me certificate back with the variation on it and plan on doing the same with that rifle too!
 
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