I fired my first .22 caliber rifle at perhaps 10 years old. I have been through many rifles always upgrading the .22. The .22 offers excellent economy and is the place where we should all start. The .22 is also the place we should go when we are having marksmanship issues. Today, one of my favorite .22 LR offerings is the CZ 455 series.
No skill that is important should be neglected, and the .22 allows hours of pleasant skill-building practice. The .22 rifle may be a very inexpensive rifle, but quality and craftsmanship may be had for the right price. The CZ 455 Varmint isn’t the most expensive rifle, but it is among the best.
Few shooters will master this rifle to the limits of its accuracy. While a less expensive rifle may serve for most uses, the modern CZ 455 bolt-action rifle offers excellent accuracy in all versions. Self-loading rifles are good for many uses, but a bolt-action rifle encourages concentration on every shot. The rifle is a classic design with an excellent appearance. The barrel is free floated and every part is well fitted. Fit and finish are excellent. There are no tool marks.
The rifle isn’t supplied with sights. The stock is properly designed for scope use. The action is rugged and reliable. Some bolt guns are made cheaply but the bolt, extractor, and bolt handle are larger than most .22 rifles.
The trigger has a bit of take up, but no creep, and breaks cleanly. The magazine is well designed and presents the cartridge nose straight into the chamber. The barrel is heavier than most .22 rifles and makes for a great all-around shooter. The rifle isn’t a lightweight at 7.0 pounds.
In my experience, a CZ 455 standard bolt-action rifle will deliver three shot groups at 50 yards with quality ammunition of 1.0 inch, with the occasional brilliant group a little smaller. The CZ 455 Varmint is designed for even great accuracy potential.
The Trainer
A new variation on the CZ 455 are the rifles with interchangeable barrels. The rifle is delivered with a 24.8-inch barrel, five-shot magazine, and tangent rear sight. This combination makes for an excellent training rifle. The CZ 455 Training has the same action as the Varmint rifle and features a beech stock and Schnabel forend.
With the ability to change the barrel and stock, this is a versatile rifle. Like all CZ 455 rifles, the Trainer is set up with dovetail scope mounts. These rifles are excellent choices for anyone wishing to own and use a quality .22 Long Rifle firearm that is head and shoulders above the rest.
Do you have a favorite .22 LR rifle? Where do the CZ 455 rifles rank among your favorites? Share your answers in the comment section.
Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.
How much? Where are you located? We travel quite a bit since we both retired as school teachers.
Hi!
There are links in the article to our website where those models can be purchased, and shipped to the FFL dealer of your choice.