Which CZ 452?

[BruceA]

Getting my first .22LR for vermin and a bit of range time. My bench accuracy is good (100.3 first time...still trying to better my beginner's luck though) so accuracy is important. It seems that a 452 is highly recommended, allegedly better finished and a more stable barrel mounting than the 455/457. Yes, I know a 452 isn't a BR rifle and I will get a proper one when my club probation is over

My research suggested a 16" heavy varmint barrel. However, I have been offered a very nice Silhouette for the right price. Would I regret the longer barrel? Would an older Anchuntz or similar be a better buy? Should I just bite the bullet, spend more and spend once and get a newer Annie or P94S. And if an Annie, which one as I'm totally confused by the model numbers.

PS Apologies for opening a potential can of worms

 

[David78b]

Buy the silhouette I've got on 16" barrel had it years very accurate, you will be pleased with it

 

[Rhodesianjess]

I've had 20 inch barreled varmint for years. Lives on the gator this time of year, knocks over everything I point it at using CCI subsonic, copper jackets.
No complaints whatsoever.

 

[BruceA]

Buy the silhouette I've got on 16" barrel had it years very accurate, you will be pleased with it

I believe this is the 20" version

 

[User00033]

I have a 452 and a 455 here, both varmint contour 16” barrels. Both .22LR. Both rifles are used almost exclusively for vermin control.

Both rifles are pillar bedded and epoxy bedded into Boyds laminate stocks. Both have polished trigger components and minor spring work. Both wear the exact same scope, the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x50 FFP. Both are suppressed with a New Zealand made Gunworks suppressor which is a very effective bit of kit.

There is diddly squat difference in accuracy between the two. The quality of the ammunition batch is way more influential on accuracy on the day than anything to do with the barrel mounting, alleged finishing differences etc. Unfortunately I am seeing significant deterioration in batch quality from CCI which is something my mates in our community are also experiencing. The latest batches available for purchase here are all Covid batches, made in Q2 and Q3 of last year. And compare to what has gone before they are shite.

I’ve been battling the CCI technician by email and not getting anywhere, but the exercise of proving the deterioration in ammunition quality has been very interesting, because it has been the first time I’ve shot these two CZ rifles side-by-side with ammo from the same boxes / batches and in the same conditions. I also ammo tested with a Lithgow LA101 and a Tikka T1x. So to reiterate, I have not seen any difference in accuracy between the two models and I firmly believe that a lot of our casual rifle comparisons are not made objectively in relatively controlled conditions, with the exact same ammo.

Just my two cents worth. If I were you I would look for the right condition rifle at the right price with some extra goodies, and either of the CZs will do just fine.