.22lr Rifle

[LogarAnton]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking to buy a .22 LR rifle mainly for relaxation and occasional practice shooting at targets (and maybe, at some point, I'll get more serious about it). I'd be shooting at distances of around 35 meters, up to a maximum of about 100 meters.

I've been a licensed hunter for three years, but I don't really have much experience with .22 LR rifles, so I hope I won't be asking any stupid questions.

Based on what I've read so far and on other people's experiences, I'm currently leaning toward buying a CZ 457. Could someone please explain the differences between the various models and designations (Synthetic, Royal, Ergo, MDT, Varmint, etc.)?

What scope would you recommend for this kind of use?

I would mostly be shooting on my own property, in the woods behind my house, where it generally wouldn't disturb anyone. Still, just to be considerate toward the nearest neighbor, I'm thinking about adding a suppressor. Is a suppressor even necessary if I'm shooting subsonic ammunition?

And maybe one last (possibly silly) question: if you shoot a .22 LR a lot, can that negatively affect your shooting with larger-caliber rifles where recoil is involved? I've read something along those lines somewhere

 

[Stugots]

You will experience a major difference in report shooting subsonic ammo with a suppressor vs not. I personally see no adverse affects shooting a .22 bolt action rifle and embrace the fact this is a great trainer caliber for various high power calipers which I currently endorse.

 

[oneshot.onehit]

I don't know much on the CZs to pick them apart, as far as shooting a 22LR it can be a lot of fun and excellent training, any shooter errors are not camouflaged by recoil.

Even though you are focusing on 35 meters to 100, throw a 20 moa rail on and select a scope that has a decent amount of vertical travel because there will be a day you will want to see how well you can do at farther distances within reason.

My 22LR has a 6-36x56 scope on it, but I use it to its max both travel and magnification when trying to see detail.


Have fun
Osoh

 

[eshell]

...I'm currently leaning toward buying a CZ 457. Could someone please explain the differences between the various models and designations (Synthetic, Royal, Ergo, MDT, Varmint, etc.)?

CZ makes quite a few variations of the 457, as you've seen. While it is always a "barrel lottery" with regard to absolute precision with CZ rimfires, none of mine have not shot well enough for fooling around and informal target work. I have two, a 455 VPT and 457 VPC, that are amazingly accurate with good match ammo.

Ammo will alays be your limiting factor - "garbage in, garbage out".

The "American" is a sporter-style rifle with a tapered barrel and can be had with a synthetic or walnut stock. The synthetic stock is very lightweight and sorta flexible, but shoots very well if one pays attention to putting pressure on the stock. The walnut stocks are a little easier to shoot well due to less flex, but both can shoot extremely well. They are available with and without threaded muzzles

The "Royal" is also a sporter-style rifle but has a fancier stock with a more tapered forend. They typically have nicer wood. Most Royals are threaded at the muzzle at the factory, but will have 1/2-20 threads in lieu of standard USA 1/2-28 threads, so an adapter is needed for most suppressors.

I am not familiar with the "Ergo", but I understand that is is a European lightweight model.

The "MDT" is a target/competition model with a Chassis-style stock (made by MDT) and has a heavy barrel with a "match" chamber. Designed for competition.

They also offer a "VPC", which is also a chassis-style stock, but a less expensive chassis. It has a "match" chamber and heavy barrel and mine shoots very well.

The "VPT" is another specialized target rifle with a Manners stock that mimics a tactical centerfire. I have a 455 VPT that is very precise and easy to shoot, albeit quite heavy. The 457 VPTs are about the same, but updated with a little different Manners stock design and the 457 action.

There are several "Varmint" versions, but the main characteristic is the heavy barrel without the "match" chamber. There is the "Varmint Precision Trainer" (the "VPT" discussed above), there is a plain "Varmint" that is very much like a traditional "varmint rifle " with a heavy barrel and wider forend that is available with a synthetic, composite or walnut stock.

There is also a "Scout" model with a short length of pull, birch stock and threaded 16.5" sporter-style barrel. I bought one as a kid's/lady's trainer, but put it in a full-size synthetic stock and it shoots great.

The first question is whether you want a heavy barrel. That will rule out about half of them, then you only have the other half to evaluate. Then, "Do I want a walnut stock?" and "Do I want a threaded muzzle?".

My suggestion would be to go to Bud's Guns, search for CZ 457s, look at the pics and read the descriptions. If you have questions about specific models, ask them. You can also find a LOT of CZ 457 info over at RimfireCentral.

The 455/457 barrels are easily interchangeable and can be swapped out in about 10 minutes if they fit your stock.

Regarding suppressors: Sub-sonics from a long barrel can be very quiet, but a suppressor is a whole new ball game. Most of my rifles were purchased with threaded barrels and most are 16.5" to make them easier to handle with the silencer attached. I have neighbors and shoot groundhogs out the kitchen window with suppressed sub-sonic LRHPs and no one knows a shot was even fired. I have several suppressors, an old AAC 'Cloak', an AB 'Little Bird', and AB 'MELB' (10/22 barrel), a YHM 'Phantom' and a Dead Air 'Mask'. I'd start with a Dead Air "Mask" and I'll bet you'll be happy with it.

 

[czgunner]

I run a lefty 457 Varmint in a Grey Birch chassis. Very accurate and fun. Get a 20 MOA rail and a scope with lots of room to dial and you can shoot way further than people think you should be able to.