First time out with the little CZ I bought on here a couple of months ago.
It's a long-term build project with most bits due for upgrade as-and-when parts become available. My aim is to create a light and accurate trekking rifle, suited to the type of quarry & terrain I have access to - small game around South Devon.
I like this rifle for a few reasons: it's value-engineered as a simple .22... no bells and whistles, it was a steal at £220 / in 'used but essentially brand new condition'. It's adequately manufactured from steel with very little plastic (stock aside), it has a wide array of established aftermarket kit, it's highly serviceable and it looks neat and tidy.
I currently have it sitting in the factory polymer stock and since this outing have fitted an Atlasworxs trigger guard. A GRS Hunter Light stock is on order which will be glass & pillar bedded. Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of the trigger guard - the fitment isn't 100% (bit gappy), the wall section of the floor plate is very thin and the countersunk holes have very little contact with the screws. I've CAD'd my own and have an associate who is going to CNC it for me, for when the GRS arrives.
The trigger is the standard unit but dialled down as light as she'll go (remains safe). It feels quite good to me, however I'm not a fan of the fully exposed mechanism - a Timney will probably go in at some point.
The scope is a Hawke Vantage WA30 4-16 x 50 with sub-sonic reticle. Again, it seems fine for budget glass, but will likely be upgraded. Annoyingly, the turrets do not sit squared-up to the reticle by a couple of degrees which is noticeable when mounted. Doesn't seem to impact accuracy or dialling the turrets around, but it looks a little wonky.
Finally got the rail sorted for a proper fitting Britannia Rails model. The steel Contessa one felt way sturdier, but was a make-do design carried over from the 452 (longer ejection port).
Anyway... she seems to shoot alright, considering some of the concessions above.
I tried a range of ammo to see if there were any obvious preferences, but all seemed 'ok'.
I was impressed by just how quiet the CCI Quiet's actually are (akin to a suppressed PCP air rifle). If I was only tucked away at 50yrds all day plinking, this might get my vote for discretion alone.
For my purposes however, the Eley Hollow Subs seemed to square-up better than others. Truth be told, they were grouping beyond me on the day, so at a guess; a little over MOA at present. I also need more time behind the bolt!
Having zero'd and played around with a few types of ammo, I loaded another mag of the Eley subs. Just before taking my first shot, a blue bottle landed in the lower right corner of the target. Sorry to admit, I couldn't resist (here come the animal cruelty crew
), but I was a little bit chuffed to see it vaporised!!!
It's a long-term build project with most bits due for upgrade as-and-when parts become available. My aim is to create a light and accurate trekking rifle, suited to the type of quarry & terrain I have access to - small game around South Devon.
I like this rifle for a few reasons: it's value-engineered as a simple .22... no bells and whistles, it was a steal at £220 / in 'used but essentially brand new condition'. It's adequately manufactured from steel with very little plastic (stock aside), it has a wide array of established aftermarket kit, it's highly serviceable and it looks neat and tidy.
I currently have it sitting in the factory polymer stock and since this outing have fitted an Atlasworxs trigger guard. A GRS Hunter Light stock is on order which will be glass & pillar bedded. Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of the trigger guard - the fitment isn't 100% (bit gappy), the wall section of the floor plate is very thin and the countersunk holes have very little contact with the screws. I've CAD'd my own and have an associate who is going to CNC it for me, for when the GRS arrives.
The trigger is the standard unit but dialled down as light as she'll go (remains safe). It feels quite good to me, however I'm not a fan of the fully exposed mechanism - a Timney will probably go in at some point.
The scope is a Hawke Vantage WA30 4-16 x 50 with sub-sonic reticle. Again, it seems fine for budget glass, but will likely be upgraded. Annoyingly, the turrets do not sit squared-up to the reticle by a couple of degrees which is noticeable when mounted. Doesn't seem to impact accuracy or dialling the turrets around, but it looks a little wonky.
Finally got the rail sorted for a proper fitting Britannia Rails model. The steel Contessa one felt way sturdier, but was a make-do design carried over from the 452 (longer ejection port).
Anyway... she seems to shoot alright, considering some of the concessions above.
I tried a range of ammo to see if there were any obvious preferences, but all seemed 'ok'.
I was impressed by just how quiet the CCI Quiet's actually are (akin to a suppressed PCP air rifle). If I was only tucked away at 50yrds all day plinking, this might get my vote for discretion alone.
For my purposes however, the Eley Hollow Subs seemed to square-up better than others. Truth be told, they were grouping beyond me on the day, so at a guess; a little over MOA at present. I also need more time behind the bolt!
Having zero'd and played around with a few types of ammo, I loaded another mag of the Eley subs. Just before taking my first shot, a blue bottle landed in the lower right corner of the target. Sorry to admit, I couldn't resist (here come the animal cruelty crew
), but I was a little bit chuffed to see it vaporised!!!
