I am moving to Western WA, soon and would like to shoot some silhouette, question is which CZ should I get, Silhouette, Varmint or Shorty (16" bbl)

Its going to be my only 22 (except for an old single shot) so will use it for all the things 22's are used for. Rats Cans etc/

I really like short barrels on 22's there is less time in the barrel for me to pull the shot off target and higher speed of projectile, on the other hand it is really light and I would have to weight the forend.

Im sure there are lots of opinions,

Thanks

Eric

I have a silhouette model and my son has the american ... both are nice ... my suggestion would be to look at them all and see which is most comfortable for you

The silhouette model is light weight, has a synthetic stock, and is accurate out of the box. They shoot great. Some guys add lead weight inside the forearm to improve their balance.

The american is prettier, with polished reciever and wood stock, and has a little more weight. They sometimes require glass bedding the action to the stock and free floating the barrel to shoot to the full potential.

Both will require trigger improvement.

Bought a CZ 452 Varmint in 22 LR and mounted a vintage Weaver T-10 scope on it. Just starting to get into paper chickens and so far has worked well for me using Federal 510s from Wally World. No doubt higher quality ammo would be more consistent but currently this is more "paper plinking" than anything else.

where will you be heading to Eric? We want to make sure you get all set up welcomed to the community.

Dave

I will be moving north of you to the Shelton area, looking forward to shooting silhouette, used to shoot quiet a bit in college but haven't been real active lately.

Eric

i have a silhouette and its been a great shooter. put in the brooks trigger kit for $15 and its good.
Scott

let me know when you get here so we can get you set up with a match schedule. there are four smallbore and one highpower matches a month relatively close. nice ranges, excellent conditions, and pretty good folks. you will enjoy it. if you don't have equipment by the time you get here we will shove something worth shooting in your hands so don't let that stop you.

Eric-WD wrote:I really like short barrels on 22's there is less time in the barrel for me to pull the shot off target and higher speed of projectile, on the other hand it is really light and I would have to weight the forend.

Im sure there are lots of opinions,

Thanks

Eric

You asked for it Eric...

The CZ Varmint seems like the closest fit since it has a shorter barrel and enough heft baked right in that you won't need (or want) additional weight. I still whine about the one built up with a Timney trigger and Weaver KT15 that got swapped to George in a moment of Leupold lust.

BlauBear wrote:

Eric-WD wrote:I really like short barrels on 22's there is less time in the barrel for me to pull the shot off target and higher speed of projectile, on the other hand it is really light and I would have to weight the forend.

Im sure there are lots of opinions,

Thanks

Eric

You asked for it Eric...

The CZ Varmint seems like the closest fit since it has a shorter barrel and enough heft baked right in that you won't need (or want) additional weight. I still whine about the one built up with a Timney trigger and Weaver KT15 that got swapped to George in a moment of Leupold lust.

Haha...Isn't life funny..... As it turns out, that rig JUST came back avalible. Different scope, but same rifle.... Nice job you did on refinishing that stock. BB has first right of refusal, then it's up for sale.

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GeoNLR wrote:Haha...Isn't life funny..... As it turns out, that rig JUST came back avalible. Different scope, but same rifle.... Nice job you did on refinishing that stock. BB has first right of refusal, then it's up for sale.

[email protected]

In particular, the front recoil lug CZ has dangling from the barrel was a bugger to bed in right and I never was satisfied with the cosmetics, but it was shooting so well I finally just left it alone. Other projects have priority right now (let's just say I've learned some painful lessons) so I'll have to pass.

For anyone interested, nag George for a current test target, but I remember him being pretty pleased with the way it shot when we made the original trade.

I've got a 453 Varmint that I really like. Just won AA class hunting rifle in the British Columbia Championships with it this past weekend, including a personal best 29/40. ;) And came in second in standard rifle, also AA class. Came in at 8 pounds 5.4 ounces with the B-Square Interlock adjustable rings and crappy (though working fine) Tasco Target/Varmint 6-24x42mm scope on there. Difference between it and the 452 Varmint is that it has the same mounting as the American, i.e. two action screws and doesn't have that lug in the barrel that most of the CZ models do, including the 452 Varmint. And it has a much better trigger than the 452. 452's trigger is only adjustable for weight. 453's trigger is adjustable for weight, pre-travel, and post-travel. Plus if you want, you can use the much lighter set trigger for bench shooting. With the 452's trigger you have to look at other options to get a nice trigger, be it the Brooks trigger kit if you can ever get a hold of the bugger, or a Timney or Rifle Basix replacement, or the adjustable sear (that I forget the manufacturer of). At any rate, the 453 gives you a much better trigger, better stock mounting arrangement, and the heavier barrel. It gets my vote.

Thanks for the input, lots to think about.

Eric

Eric,
Your questions are typical questions. I would take the time to attend some of the local matches to the Shelton area, ( there are several close) and try some of the rifles at the match. I have yet to attend any silhouette match where the shooters are not willing to have you try their rifles. As to which of the CZ's is better...it is more a matter of which fits you better, that is why I recommend you try several before buying, as you will see the scope is a personal fit also, and finding something in your budget that is reliable is the most important.

Good luck and welcome to the Silhouette Family.

Mary Watkins aka Innocent

Eric,

Listen to Mary! If you don't have a rifle yet don't buy one. The Tacoma range has two club rifles that are CZ's available for you to shoot at their matches. I have a Sako Finnfire you can shoot and I know a few guys that would be willing to let you shoot their Anschutz. Try a few so you can make your own educated decision.