CZ457 17HMR synthetic - barrel selection

[andy34]

Hi all

I have a CZ 452 American with 16 standard (non varmint) barrel and have had great fun with it but since I put an HIK Micro Alpex Night Vision Scope and IR torch on it, I've noticed its got a bit heavy for carrying around the fields. It still shoots fine although anything over 75m its very unforgiving if i'm not rock stable, but that might well be my own marksmanship skills.

I've been looking at upgrading to a synthetic 17HMR and tried a few and found I like the CZ457 very much even compared to much more expensive SAKO and Tikka models. I did however find that having the heavy varmint barrel on the 457 just removed any of the weight saving I'd gained by going for a synthetic stock and was much more comfortable with a standard barrel.

I'm happy to admit that I'm no expert in firearms and don't do a huge amount of shooting, most of which is stalking (with a Saeur 202 270) and rabbiting with the 17HMR, so given I like the CZ 457, I was looking for some advice on whether there is any significant accuracy improvement in going for:

1. Varmint (heavy) barrel or non varmint standard barrel
2. 16 inch or 20 inch barrel

Thanks

 

[David78b]

Varmint barrel will let you take more shots before it gets hot.
I’ve not seen any disadvantage with a 16” barrel. Hope this helps

 

[andy34]

Varmint barrel will let you take more shots before it gets hot.
I’ve not seen any disadvantage with a 16” barrel. Hope this helps

Thanks

 

[Smellydog]

Mines just the standard barrel.
I've taken plenty stuff with it that if there was an advantage to having the heavy barrel I would not know what to do with the advantage!

 

[andy34]

Mines just the standard barrel.
I've taken plenty stuff with it that if there was an advantage to having the heavy barrel I would not know what to do with the advantage!

Yes I feel much the same - my standard 16 inch barrel works fine and I suspect as it is, the rifle is already more capable than I am

 

[Warbucks]

Hi Andy.
One of the biggest limiting factors with the hmr's (all makes and types) is the consistency of the amo.
I'm running a 16" cz 455 with synthetic stock which i have two part "bedded" action, the best i've ever done with it is 29 head shot rabbits from 30 shots (good batch of hornady amo ) , the normal is a 20% miss ratio "mainly" due to "amo flyers" .
In theory short heavy barrel have less muzzle movement due to barrel harmonic's, but in practise this doesn't always mean a more accurate rifle.
I've had about 5 cz hmr's (452/455) and if i was buying again it would be the Tikka in 16", i just think they are very light well sorted rifles, i also think that the interaction between the stock and the action makes for no movement when the bolts are tight.

If your doing ok with your 452 out to 75m, id stick with what you've got and on average expect a one in five miss through no fault of your own.

Dave (warbucks)

 

[andy34]

Hi Andy.
One of the biggest limiting factors with the hmr's (all makes and types) is the consistency of the amo.
I'm running a 16" cz 455 with synthetic stock which i have two part "bedded" action, the best i've ever done with it is 29 head shot rabbits from 30 shots (good batch of hornady amo ) , the normal is a 20% miss ratio "mainly" due to "amo flyers" .
In theory short heavy barrel have less muzzle movement due to barrel harmonic's, but in practise this doesn't always mean a more accurate rifle.
I've had about 5 cz hmr's (452/455) and if i was buying again it would be the Tikka in 16", i just think they are very light well sorted rifles, i also think that the interaction between the stock and the action makes for no movement when the bolts are tight.

If your doing ok with your 452 out to 75m, id stick with what you've got and on average expect a one in five miss through no fault of your own.

Dave (warbucks)

Dave, Thanks thats really helpful and especially the information on the ammo. I had no idea and even though I've been using Hornady I have had the odd miss I couldn't explain so put it down to me snatching or not being steady. I did try the Tikka but just found the cheek weld wasn't as good for me as on the CZ and while the 452 is great it is getting a bit heavy with all the bells and whistles on it so will probably upgrade and I'm now leaning towards the non varmint barrel given the helpful feedback I've had here. Thanks again

 

[Pete1774]

I've just swapped my 455 with 16 inch varmint barrel for a 457 synthetic with a 20 inch standard barrel and found its much improved my accuracy shooting off a Primos trigger stick. This may be just because the trigger on the 457 is a big improvement over the 455. and the balance seems to be a lot better too.

 

[TomY]

I’ve got 20 inch tikka 17hmr. Goes good. Ammo is all over the place with > 200 fps difference in speed. Reckon that’s why one day you get a 1/2 inch group and the next 1 inch.

 

[Domer]

I have the cz457 synthetic with a 20” Sporter barrel. My shooting buddy has the same. They are both very accurate . As we stalk round our permissions a lot then the weight saving over the varmint barrel is preferred.

 

[andy34]

I've just swapped my 455 with 16 inch varmint barrel for a 457 synthetic with a 20 inch standard barrel and found its much improved my accuracy shooting off a Primos trigger stick. This may be just because the trigger on the 457 is a big improvement over the 455. and the balance seems to be a lot better too.

Thats really helpful as I was considering a used 455 over a new 457 - thanks

 

[andy34]

I have the cz457 synthetic with a 20” Sporter barrel. My shooting buddy has the same. They are both very accurate . As we stalk round our permissions a lot then the weight saving over the varmint barrel is preferred.

Thanks - that's just what I was hoping to hear

 

[Smellydog]

I forgot about this thread.
Check my content.

How could you not like the HMR

One minute it's sniping crows. The next it's taking rabbits at 160yds plus. The next thing and it's shooting rats! How could you not like a 17 HMR?

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk