Henry Rifle Forums

Not many CZ 453s come up for sale and, when they do, CZ fans gobble them up, fast. What makes the 453 different than all the other CZ rimfires? It's that set trigger, the one that operates the same as the excellent 527 centerfires. When in the set position, the trigger breaks in ounces. Really hard to beat for long range work.

We're fortunate enough to have found two 453s. Both are heavy barrel 453 varmint series. We have other CZs for 50 yard work, so these two get reserved mostly for 100 yard work. When we want to shoot those tiny rimfire groups way out there at 100 yards and not mess around about it, these are the guns. Not much for looks, though certainly not ugly. Just guns made to shoot nice groups and that they do like few other guns we own.

Top gun is a 453 V in 17 HMR. It's one of the rarer versions of the CZ 453 V in that it has a fluted bull barrel. It wears a big Bushnell Banner 6-18x AO scope. Bottom gun is a 453 V in 22 LR. It wears an old Simmons Aetch 3.8-12 AO scope.


Today was really not a pleasant day for shooting. Temps right at the 40 degree mark, heavy overcast and a steady wind in our face to make things even chillier. Still, the CZs came though, same as always. Bill prefers to just shoot the center out of 3" bullseyes at 100 yards, but I get more of a kick using these 1" dots. The CZs certainly have no problem going that small. My better groups on a chilly day, cold fingers and all.

First, the 17 HMR


Now, the 22 LR


Also did some offhand work using open sights at 100 yards with a different CZ rimfire, our 455 UL, but that's a something I'll do in a future report. These two 453s are our main 100 yard rimfires.

NCG? I’m envious that y’all have two 453’s. Min still waiting for my first one.

Great shooting. I love bench shooting my CZ’s.

Yeah, shooting from a rest, or at least a bipod, is what varmint rifles are all about. Wouldn't want to carry one any distance, though the fluted barrel 453 V is actually not too bad. Definitely a nicer handling gun than the un-fluted 22 LR version.

Had to share the 100 yard shooting station with three other shooters, today, all sighting in their big deer rifles. Our pipsqueak rimfires sounded pretty tame busy comparison. Of course, checking their targets though the spotting scope, we out shot all of them. The next few week will get crowded at our range, since it's open to the general public for sighting in their deer rifles at no charge. I think it's a nice service by our club, but it does make for some interesting examples of, uh, let's say, unusual shooting.

I have one of those 527's with a set trigger in a 762x39 and its just probably one of the best rifles I own.

I LOVE the CZ 527s. They are great guns.

Excellent shooting for sure.

Of my 3 CZ's, my CZ 453 Premium in .22 is probably my favorite sporter. It has a fluted barrel, factory engraving and a nicely checkered stock. I'll try and post a photo when I get back from my travels at the end of the week.

Thanks, Les. Would love to see that one. Not sure if that version was ever imported over, here.

I know people rave about CZ's but I love my Sako, it is the sporter weight quad combo with barrels in 17HM2, 17HMR, 22LR & 22WMR.
Takes less than 30 seconds to change barrels and with the Burris 3-9X scope made for them with the 4 zero turret you can be almost zeroed in the same amount of time.
This was the first time we tried the CCI 20gr loading in HMR, distance was 110y and one group each by myself daughter and son off a bipod. Groups went from 1/2"-3/4" with the wind getting hold of a few shots.
It shoots as well with all 4 barrels, I have even shot 1/2" groups at 50 removing and replacing the barrels between shots.

Excellent work with the Sako. Thanks for sharing.

Accurate rimfires are fun.
Another forum I am a member off has a yearly range shoot, one of the matches is a 200m (220y) rimfire match. For the past 5 years at least one of the kids or I has finished on the podium. We have been rotating barrels each year, last year we used the 22WMR. Given its reputation for a lack of accuracy and everyone else using HMR or 22lr they all thought we were mad until the results were posted. We finished 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.

Congrats on some fine shooting and in competition, no less. Very impressive.

Been somewhat my experience with the accuracy issue of the 22 mag, as well. Have had my share of mediocre 22 mags, but when you find a good one, they're really good. Our Hunter Low Wall 22 mag has been such a gun. At 100 yards, it will consistently give me 5 shots under an inch. Totally unexpected when I bought it, but not complaining. Not ugly, either.

Great shooting by NCG and 220

Very nice NCG, those low walls certainly have a reputation for shooting well.
Have even heard good reports about them in 17WSM.

Here are a few pics of my CZ 453 Premium. I don't know if there is an equivalent model across the pond, but I do know that they are fairly rare over here.

Thanks, Les. I can't say I've ever seen one of those Premiums, over here, but there have been a number of CZ models that have been imported a sporadic basis that were not standard import models. Have had one or two. In other words, it is possible that some of those Premiums came this way. Regardless, that is a beautiful CZ. I would have no problem grabbing one.