For those of you who own or have shot both in .22 cal, is there an actual accuracy difference between the American barrel and the Varmint barrel? Having never seen either in person, I assume the American is tapered and the Varmint is a bull / heavy barrel? Bud's touts the Varmint barrel being more accurate due to the size and added weight so is this advertising nonsense or fact?
I am close to buying a 455 but need help deciding which one to get. (and NO I can't financially buy both)
I will be using the rifle for 3 position Appleseed type shooting and some bench rest paper punching.
Depends on the quality of the bore/rifling as it comes off the production line.
I've had both barrel styles shoot well, and not so well due to production quality.
The stock on the Varmint is a better fit for bench use.
The stock on the American works better for offhand use.
So what happens if you get a lemon? Am I stuck with it, sell it for a loss and try another one? Is there any warranty with CZ or if I would buy one from Bud's do they have any exchange policy?
I imagine the mechanical accuracy potential of the models average is exactly the same.
What will differ is how each model interfaces with the shooter. Balance, weight affecting how the shooter handles the Firearm. The meatier barrel resists a little movement input due to weight.
Other than that the models are nearly the same. Same roughly, stock design.
Just my two bits.
I think it would have to be fairly abysmal to have them replace anything. Your only
Recourse is through CZ, retailers and distributors don't help other than to refer you up.
As far as accuracy standards I think you might send an email to CZ USA and ask them the standards on each model that interests you.
I dealt with Remington sending back a high end .308 and their standard was referenced on their repair slip as "meets standard". I think their standard at Remington was that the bullet successfully left the muzzle.
I have seen a couple posters here cite an accuracy standard from CZ but it may have changed to a more relaxed standard. So I say go to the source and then if they give you a number you have something.
For your uses, I'd go with a Varmint, but there is really no inherent accuracy difference between the two rifles. I have three Americans, two of them outshoot my Varmints, one is definitely not as precise.
As for Bud's claims, the theory is correct. A shorter, fatter barrel should shoot more consistently and exhibit better precision. But the quality of the CZ barrels, stocks, triggers and actions and variance among all these components means that, while nearly every CZ is a good shooter, there are exceptional rifles in every variant.
As above, we have an American in 22 LR that will stay right with our 453 Varmint in 22 LR for group size and one that won't quite match up, though it's still no slouch in the accuracy department.
Based on my experience, I'd recommend making your choice on the type of shooting you want to do more than trying to make a prediction as to accuracy. For instance, I prefer the Americans for my offhand work, which is much of my shooting. Being a gal, just don't have the upper body strength to handle the weight of a Varmint for long with my offhand shooting, but if YOU can handle the weight, I think the Varmint would be all to the good for competition.
In theory the shorter stiffer varmint barrel "should" have an edge, but I never noticed much difference in the ones I've owned. I do find the that the varmint is a bit easier to shoot off the bench due to the wider forearm and increased weight.
The 2014 CZ-USA Catalog states the following on Page 19:
"Questions regarding accuracy comparisons between different CZ rifles are often asked. The answer is simple, all CZ rifles have the same quality premium [sic] hammer forged CZ barrel. The barrels are lapped at the factory for accuracy, eliminating the need for a "break in" period. This being said there are several factors influencing the accuracy realized from each individual rifle.
Varmint vs. American- While the barrels of both the CZ Varmint and sporter weight models are of the same high quality, the varmint being the heavier and stiffer of the two is more forgiving over a wider range of loads than the thinner barreled sporter weight models. For example, given a selection of 10 different .22LR loads from various manufacturers, the varmint weight barrel will shoot to the best accuracy potential with 4 of the loads and it shoots another 3 of the loads very well. In general, the sporter weight will be more sensitive to differences between the loads. Typically out of the same 10 different loads tested with the varmint weight barrel, it will only shoot at its best with 2 of the loads, while another 3 or 4 will shoot acceptably.
Typically there will be a few loads each individual rifle really likes and a few the rifle really doesn't like, with the rest falling somewhere in the middle. By starting with a quality action and premium barrel, the odds are stacked in your favor, making the search for the best accuracy combination easier."
There are more comments regarding open-sight rifles and the accuracy role played by longer sight radius.:bthumb: Then it states:
"Shorter barrels are stiffer and inherently more accurate than longer barrels of the same diameter, so if the rifle will typically be shot with optics, the shorter barrel should have the accuracy advantage."
This is followed by a brief discussion of adjustable CZ triggers as regards accuracy. The article closes as follows:
"Of course, the shooter is ultimately the largest factor in the accuracy realized on the target. Even the best equipment doesn't replace the skills and knowledge gained through practice."
This information has been validated by my experience with my CZ455's (Training Rifle, UltraLux, Varmint) and more than 20 bricks of target- and match-grade ammo. Detailed results available.
Here is a harder-to-read screen capture of my information source.
I think the Varmint stock helps you out by riding the bags better than the one on the American. Nicer for target shooting. But honestly, it was a close call for me given my own limitations as a shooter. Call it .5 inch at 50 yards. I think the American is nicer to carry.
Thanks for all of the responses. Having read all your replies and the article from CZ, would it stand to reason that the Evolution design may provide an accuracy edge, over the standard varmit model, since the heavy bull barrel is free floating. According to CZ's description it offers better barrel harmonics (what,ever that means)?
Its probably a toss up as to which is more accurate, I have had one really accurate Varmint in the past and I sold it to a member here, something I have found with the Varmint model is that 2 out of 3 of the ones I have owned had a tight spot where the barrel is machined for the front dovetail mount in the forearm. They were average as to accuracy with the exception of the one I sold here on RFC it was a shooter.
I got a 455 Walnut Varmint 2 months ago. A business card would slide the full length of the stock. It shot good. But it shoots better with a support pad.
Barrel contour has little to nothing to do with it's ultimate accuracy potential, the quality of the workmanship in the barrel making is what matters. Assuming exactly equal quality, a lightweight sporter barrel will shoot just as accurately as a heavy barrel, given that each barrel is paired with it's ideal load.
As has been noted, the lighter barrel may be "picky" about what shoots well in it, and possibly go a little more "wild" with ammo that is not compatible in it. The heavy barrel will have a tendency to shoot a wider variety of ammo acceptably, but still require a certain load to shoot it's best. Presumably, the extra stiffness limits excessive shot dispersion with an out of tune load as compared to the more flexible sporter barrel.
Floated and shimmed was a question that interested me.
The answer is: it depends on the rifle/barrel/stock and how they interact.
A flimsy stock shimmed to the barrel to minimize flex will show improved target results.
A whippy pencil barrel shimmed to the stock will show improved target results.
By shimming or bedding the barrel into the stock a more rigid composite structure is created.
Some barrels need a support pad in the barrel channel to shoot well.
A benchrest rig with a heavy barrel and extremely rigid heavy stock
will shoot better with the barrel free floated the entire length.
With a stock that shows flex, support when shooting needs to be close to the receiver.
Support out front at the sling stud will produce recoil bounce and sloppy target results.
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