CZ 452 Free Floating The Barrel?

[rab19]

Hi All,

Noticed the other day the barrel was touching the stock at the forend, took it off and could see that some of the varnish had worn away on the inside down the length of the stock, so a little swelling was starting. Have gave it a rub down as far as the first screw mounting hole, 5". How far have others gone? Is there any point in going past the screw hole as this is the first pressure point?

Thanks

 

[User00056]

My Silhouette has a threaded barrel lug that secures the synthetic stock forend, but I'm pretty sure that's mostly to prevent stock flex. With a decent wooden stock I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be necessary at all. All other models (I'm pretty sure) have the barrelled action attached via two screws at the trigger guard. As long as you can pass a banknote between stock and barrel without it snagging you should be fine

 

[Rhodesianjess]

I have had the 20inch Varmint model since they came out, some while ago now.
Barrel fully floated before even shooting it, using bit of sandpaper wrapped around a bit of dowel. Hasn't missed a beat ever, wonderfully accurate little gun. Shudder to think how many rounds I've put through it and it's still excellent.
Doubt floating barrel would harm yours either.

 

[Jagged77]

I’d free float down to the stock screw but not past that. I’d also seal up the wood to stop water swelling it, that’s what’s going to cause the most problems as the wood swells and contracts.

 

[Trilby]

Free float as much as possible for sure. make sure that the stock doesn't flex and touch the barrel either - especially with a bipod attached and in use. As previously mentioned, seal well to protect from the elements!

 

[Heym SR20]

My old brno mod 2 has a screw mounting on the barrel as well as the action. I built a new stock many years ago and full length bedded it. It shoots tiny little groups when I do my bit.

 

[Trickyd66]

Oddly been doing this today with two of my 452's. 22lr has third screw into barrel so made sure not touching to there. WMR just two screws into the action so made sure clear the whole length. All sealed and ready to test tomorrow.

While at it, changed trigger spring on the LR to a medium rimfire magic spring.... what a difference . (Yes, drop tested and slam fire checked) using my highly technical luggage scale trigger pull gauge, LR breaking at 1.75lbs. Tested WMR still with original spring at over 5lbs!

 

[MarinePMI]

Yes, the 452's came in two versions. The "American" versions were a two point action and free floated barrel (which always rubbed on the right side; their inletting pattern was off). All others (Trainer, Youth, and earlier Varmint versions) had the European barrel lug affair, reminiscent of the patronage of the BRNO #2 design.

 

[tarponhead]

On a similar note, I did the banknote test on my .17 hmr with a £20 note ( it is a Sako P04R after all…so a fiver won’t do) after an indifferent range performance - 1 moa at best and some shocking groups at worst - and it stuck slightly at the fore end tip. Off with the stock (several times) and after some hand fettling it’s now a smooth travel up and down the barrel until beyond the stock. But that’s the width of a plastic banknote. Is that enough? My stock screws were also only finger tight, but how my float does a .17 spotter barrel need?

 

[tarponhead]

On a similar note, I did the banknote test on my .17 hmr with a £20 note ( it is a Sako P04R after all…so a fiver won’t do) after an indifferent range performance - 1 moa at best and some shocking groups at worst - and it stuck slightly at the fore end tip. Off with the stock (several times) and after some hand fettling it’s now a smooth travel up and down the barrel until beyond the stock. But that’s the width of a plastic banknote. Is that enough? My stock screws were also only finger tight, but how my float does a .17 spotter barrel need?

£20 note measures 4.5 thou. Is that enough?