New Shooter

[jsimmons]

I decided I wanted to try my hand at silhouette, so after a reasonable amount of research, I've selected (and ordered) a CZ452 Silhouette and BSA Platinum 6-24x44 scope. I can't afford that expensive stuff you pros use (grin) , so I'm gonna see what's what with something more moderately priced.

Can anyone point me to an active silhouette group down here in the San Antonio/Austin area (the closer to San Antonio the better)?

BTW, am I correct in saying that the gun I selected be a "hunter" class gun?

Canceled the BSA scope and ordered a Mueller APV instead.

[BlauBear]

Those are very good choices.

[CWS]

You're in luck. First Sunday of the month at New Braunfels (just west of town on hwy 46... 'bout 5 miles out is "Dietz's" on the left... follow the road all the way to the back) Third Sunday is the Austin club... handily held close to Manor (east on 290). Your CZ will easily qualify as hunter... meaning you can shoot either class with it. Good luck.

[Dee]

I just got the same rifle a few months back. Today was our last official match at our local shoot and I shot my best score yet with a 21 so that was a nice way to end the season for me (besides practicing at home till next year).

If your wondering whether or not to get the Brooks trigger kit stop and go ahead and order it. I put it in mine and its a world of improvement over the stock trigger. Also when I did the trigger kit work I tried using a washer to get the barrel floated out of the stock end and its working well IMO at least the barrel is floating all the way back to the lug When using the kit I did try the thickest tube first but ended up having to install the next size down because I had issues with sear/trigger engagement, since I changed it out no more issues.

The BSA should work out well, I have one on a PCP air rifle and it works well for the money although I don't dial it being a mil-dot.

Next up now that the season is over is to work the bolt over with some JB Paste a few hundred cycles to smooth things up. Oh and save for a Weaver T24 and try to get one of Boyds Laminated stocks.

Hope you enjoy yours, I know I like mine a lot.



Dee

[Fat NDN]

You will like the rifle. I shoot a 452 American with A BSA Platium 8-32x44 target dot. It all works great for me.

[BlauBear]

If your wondering whether or not to get the Brooks trigger kit stop and go ahead and order it. I put it in mine and its a world of improvement over the stock trigger. Also when I did the trigger kit work I tried using a washer to get the barrel floated out of the stock end and its working well IMO at least the barrel is floating all the way back to the lug When using the kit I did try the thickest tube first but ended up having to install the next size down because I had issues with sear/trigger engagement, since I changed it out no more issues.

Next up now that the season is over is to work the bolt over with some JB Paste a few hundred cycles to smooth things up. Oh and save for a Weaver T24 and try to get one of Boyds Laminated stocks.

Hope you enjoy yours, I know I like mine a lot.

Dee

When you install the Brooks kit, make sure the trigger pull stays over 2 lbs so the rifle remains legal for Hunter class. I have mixed feelings about the "washer trick" as a substitute for floating and bedding, since it adds stress to the receiver by lifting it up out of the stock, but it does float the barrel and it does improve accuracy.

If you're interested in a Boyd's pepper stock for CZ or an unfinished cast trigger guard, let me know. I've got one of each sitting in my shop untouched and unneeded. Be warned they both need a lot of finishing work.

[jsimmons]

When you install the Brooks kit, make sure the trigger pull stays over 2 lbs so the rifle remains legal for Hunter class.

Right. But how do I measure this?

I have mixed feelings about the "washer trick" as a substitute for floating and bedding, since it adds stress to the receiver by lifting it up out of the stock, but it does float the barrel and it does improve accuracy.

Yeah, I'd seen that a lot of folks are doing it this way, and I had the same concern. I'm about as handy as a one-handed electro-shock patient when it comes to detail work, not to mention that I'd be devastated/angry if I screwed up the stock trying to make it "better".

If you're interested in a Boyd's pepper stock for CZ or an unfinished cast trigger guard, let me know. I've got one of each sitting in my shop untouched and unneeded. Be warned they both need a lot of finishing work.

I'd read that the synthetic stock on the Silhouette had a tendency to warp in direct sunlight, so I was already considering replacing it if that happened to me. I've never done anything like this before, so what would I need to do to "finish" those pieces?

[Bob259]

I've been thinking about getting a CZ 452 American to tinker with and the reason I picked it over the Silhouette was it has two receiver/action screws and no barrel lug, the barrel is already floated. I think in the long run that is better.

[BlauBear]

CZ Silhouette stocks are floppy in the forearm when you float the barrel, and epoxy is reluctant to stick to whatever compound they used, so usual methods are problematic. Threaded lamp post pillars, cut to the right length and smeared with a little epoxy to hold them in place are adequate. Just drill out the action bolt holes in the stock enough that the pillars thread in lightly so you have some mechanical contact from the threads and room for some chemical bonding with the epoxy. Then use hex head bolts from Brooks that you can torque consistently. Float from the front barrel lug forward, not the receiver as you would in most rifles, and make sure the forearm doesn't contact the barrel when it warps (not if - when.)

There is quite a bit of finishing to be done on the inletting of the Boyd's stock, most of it sanding but you will want some sharp chisels. As for the trigger guard, I'd want help from someone with metal finishing experience.

[jsimmons]

Hmmm, that gives me a lot to think about.

I would think a white or light gray "stock sock" would help the warping problem. Are you allowed to shroud the barrel /stock with cloth material during matches? I think I know the answer to this already, but I thought I'd ask.

BTW, how much do you want for the Boyd stock, and will the factory trigger guard work on it?

[BlauBear]

I'm offering the Boyds stock, a Boyds gun bag and the raw trigger guard as a package for $85 plus shipping. I also have a 452 American, bedded, floated and Brooks kitted I'd like to sell if anyone's interested. Yes, I need to list it all in the "Marketplace" section but just haven't made the time. Nothing wrong with this stuff, I just moved on to Anschutz (avoid that bug if possible...) mid-project and lost interest in CZ's.

A stock sock would, I think, count as an attachment and disqualify the rifle for Hunter class, but might go in standard. Just relieve the barrel channel enough for "improved barrel cooling" and forget about it. The Silhouette stock is formed around the rest of the action pretty well so all should be well.

[Dee]

I'll take the extra stock etc. PM Sent. Thanks.




Dee

[BlauBear]

Wow - that was weird! One person's surplus is another's winter project! Guess the message here is to sell it on instead of hoarding it.

[jsimmons]

Also when I did the trigger kit work I tried using a washer to get the barrel floated out of the stock end and its working well IMO at least the barrel is floating all the way back to the lug

What size washer should I use for that? Am I correct in assuming I can go to Lowes/Home Depot and find something suitable?

[BlauBear]

Use a very thin one! It doesn't take much.

To answer your question about trigger pull, other shooters probably have a trigger gauge, but until I got one I just used a fish scale that was laying around the garage. It isn't great, but it was close enough to pass tech inspection at matches, and once pull was down to about 2lbs, 2ozs, it was plenty light anyway.