CZ 457 Pro Varmint vs Savage Mk II FV-SR - Worth the Price?

4546 Views 60 Replies 32 Participants Last post by mick l, 6 d ago

nbonner

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

I’ve got a CZ 457 Pro Varmint Chassis and love it. Now I’d like to add another precision 22 to use when friends drop by. My shortlist right now is the CZ 457 Pro Varmint and the Savage Mk II FV-SR - not exactly apples-to-apples i know but, if I’m not going to buy another CZ, I’d like to save a significant amount (if I’m only saving $100’ish to get a Ruger or B22, I’ll just pony up for the CZ). With the CZ at nearly $650 and the Mk II at around $240, should I put up with rougher fit and finish, iffy reliability, etc. and just buy the Savage? Or should I spend nearly 2.5x the price and probably be much happier longterm? I’m guessing it’s pretty obvious which way I’m leaning but if I get enough Savage fans telling me the Mk II can be made to be smooth and reliable (I already know it’s VERY accurate), I could still be swayed.

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bigd9247

· #2 · 8 mo ago

I own both a Savage MKII and a CZ 457. The Savage has always been a great rifle and I have no complaints with it, however the CZ feels much more premium. I bought the Savage many years ago to replace a Ruger 10/22 and it has served me well for many years. At the time I was just getting involved in 22LR and I was a broke college student so the Savage fit my budget and needs at the time. As a side note, I don't have anything against Rugers, but my particular 10/22 constantly had reliability/feeding issues and that's what pushed me to sell it and move towards bolt action rifles. I've had zero reliability issues with my MKII. Fast forward 15 years or so and I've learned a lot more about 22LR and wanted to step up to a more premium rifle. I've only owned my CZ for a couple of months now, but I think the factory trigger in the CZ is better than the factory Savage trigger and the action on the CZ feels more robust. It's hard for me to explain in words, but like I said earlier the CZ just feels more premium than the Savage.

So yeah this doesn't exactly help you, but I feel like both are a good choice depending on your budget and wants. With that said, having one platform can be helpful since you can share parts and magazines between rifles. On the other hand, you could buy a lot of Savage magazines for the cost savings.

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nbonner

Discussion Starter · #3 · 8 mo ago

bigd9247 said:
I own both a Savage MKII and a CZ 457. The Savage has always been a great rifle and I have no complaints with it, however the CZ feels much more premium. I bought the Savage many years ago to replace a Ruger 10/22 and it has served me well for many years. At the time I was just getting involved in 22LR and I was a broke college student so the Savage fit my budget and needs at the time. As a side note, I don't have anything against Rugers, but my particular 10/22 constantly had reliability/feeding issues and that's what pushed me to sell it and move towards bolt action rifles. I've had zero reliability issues with my MKII. Fast forward 15 years or so and I've learned a lot more about 22LR and wanted to step up to a more premium rifle. I've only owned my CZ for a couple of months now, but I think the factory trigger in the CZ is better than the factory Savage trigger and the action on the CZ feels more robust. It's hard for me to explain in words, but like I said earlier the CZ just feels more premium than the Savage.

So yeah this doesn't exactly help you, but I feel like both are a good choice depending on your budget and wants. With that said, having one platform can be helpful since you can share parts and magazines between rifles. On the other hand, you could buy a lot of Savage magazines for the cost savings.

I’ve had trigger time on two newer Mk II’s in the past few months and both had feeding issues with certain ammo types (both struggled to consistently feed CCI Subsonics and one also had a hard time with Eley Match of all things). I wonder if reliability will improve with break-in or if it was just a few bad magazines or if quality has gone downhill at Savage in the years since you got your Mk II…

Tacoma

· #4 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

I own several 457's and a Savage FV-SR.
You're right, there are no where near apples to apples. The Savage trigger is horrible as compared to any CZ. The Savages stock is ( maybe) one step up from Tupperware and sized to fit a child. The savage barrel "can be" accurate but given it's trigger, stock and child sized ergonomics, I have yet to ever get anything close to 1MOA out of mine. There is also little that can be done to the savage to make it comparable to the CZ out of the box (not that you'd want to sink aftermarket $ into a $250 rifle. ) Personally, I would never buy another savage again ( based on ownership experience with my FV and B22)

So if you sum it up, it really depends how much fun, quality, and shoot ability you want in your guest rifle. If it's more than the minimum, I'd either continue to share the (very nice!!) VPC or take the opportunity to splurge the $550 or so on a CZ PV , AT-ONE, THB purchased off the net. Even a basic synthetic American (at $420) will be a better choice. IMHO, money saved on something you'll never love is money wasted. Been There- Done that. ps My FV is currently for sale.

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flangster

· #5 · 8 mo ago

I own several CZ's of various models (452, 455, 457) and two MkII Savages (BTVS, FV-SR (I think)). In general, I have more CZs because I find them easier to work on. I actually don't think the Savage trigger is so awful. There is a spring kit (Apache) for reducing Savage trigger pull, and mine have been reasonably accurate at 50 yards. In my opinion, you also have about the same chance of getting one of either brand that will shoot at least .5 inch at 50 yards out of the box.

Where the CZ shines, IMHO, is that it easier to work on. Partly this is due to the ease of swapping CZ barrels. There are also options for adjusting the CZ's headspace, lightening the trigger pull (452, 455, 457), or shimming (452, 455) to reduce creep. While the CZs and Savages may have started out more or less equal on target at 50 yards, the ease of working on the CZs has helped them pull ahead in nearly all cases. I also like the CZ magazines better, the quality of the wood stocks, and the quality of the CZ synthetic stock compared to their Savage counterparts.

So: no knock on the Savage, which is a good rifle to start out with. But the CZs have grown with me as my ability as a shooter has increased. If I had to have just one it wouldn't be a hard choice.

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rwphilli

· #6 · 8 mo ago

I think the CZ is a better rifle in many ways, but I was shocked that the FV-SR that I picked up was so darn accurate. I’ve never found Savages to have that “legendary accuracy” so talked about in the net, but this rifle shot right with my old 452. I’m keeping it as a truck and ATV rifle because it’s so compact and handy.

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WildBillHiccup

· #7 · 8 mo ago

Your not comparing apple to apples, The Mark II BTVSS is another animal. I have a model 12BTVSS in 22-250 and its a tack driver even out past 500 yard distances. I also have a Mark II BTVSS 22lr and a 93R17 BTVSS. All are superb rifles but Im also a Savage fan. I LOVE the triggers on all of mine. I also have a Savage hog hunter in 308.The Mk II FV-SR is an entry level 22 to me.
Buy American! MAGA!

bigd9247

· #8 · 8 mo ago

nbonner said:
I’ve had trigger time on two newer Mk II’s in the past few months and both had feeding issues with certain ammo types (both struggled to consistently feed CCI Subsonics and one also had a hard time with Eley Match of all things). I wonder if reliability will improve with break-in or if it was just a few bad magazines or if quality has gone downhill at Savage in the years since you got your Mk II…

That's interesting. Maybe I just got lucky or like you said maybe the quality control has dropped over the years, but I've never had any issues with mine. I've tuned my trigger and it's nice, but I still say that factory-vs-factory the CZ trigger was better out of the box.

With that said, I have a newer Savage Rascal (completely different action, bolt, etc) and it's been pretty terrible. Consistent light strikes and failures to eject. Based on my internet research it sounds like this is a common issue with the Rascal. I've played with the firing pin and springs and it's more reliable now, but still not great. Once my daughter is a little bigger I will buy her a CZ Scout and get rid of the Rascal.

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lil_Glock

· #9 · 8 mo ago

I have a Savage BTVS, and a CZ 455 Stainless American that I cut down to 16.5 and threaded.

I haven't had any reliability issues with either. Both shoot well. I have not put either on a bench to see which one is more consistent.

However the CZ is a much more quality design. After a simple light trigger spring install on the CZ. It has an amazing crisp short light trigger. Also it is a breeze to swap or remove the 455 and 457 barrels for customization.

I like the MKII. However the long term ownership and resale is also worth going with the CZ.

CZ because quality, customization, and resale.

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PAPAJERRY

· #10 · 8 mo ago

Savage rifles shoot great but a cz is much more pleasant

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JW22

· #11 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

One you can get at Walmart, and one cannot! that should tell you something.
One has a lot of aftermarket parts available i.e., barrels, drop in triggers, chassis, pic rails and one not so much.
it should be a very easy decision!

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Aerocolor

· #12 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

I have owned both brands and have never had a bad CZ however the $299 Savage isn't a comparable rifle.
Not sure what Savage I own but it is a 22"

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fluted heavy barrel with a target style stock and bolt handle.
Accutrigger is decent and it shoots as well as any other 22 rifle in my stable. Cost was over $499 several years ago.
CZ rifles have much better resale used though.

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WildBillHiccup

· #13 · 8 mo ago

JW22 said:
One you get at Walmart, and one cannot! that should tell you something.
One has a lot of aftermarket parts available i.e., barrels, drop in triggers, chassis, pic rails and one not so much.
it should be a very easy decision!

Show me one Walmart that sells a Mark II btvss, the only sell the entry level ones, if they sell them at all.
FUD

WildBillHiccup

· #14 · 8 mo ago

Nice bolt and I love the fluted barrel. While I am partial to Savage, I would have no problem owning a CZ, I've never owned a CZ but IMHO the difference in accuracy between the 2 is. I highly doubt you could ever hold one more still than the other to see any difference in accuracy, despite human nature to say :great taste, less filling or the ford vs chevy debate, its all subjective. Buy whatever floats your boat.

67R/T

· #15 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

I own both and I like both. The CZ is almost twice the money depending on the model.
Both the FVs I bought to enable others to shoot with me. Almost two for the price of one.
No complaints from any of them. It's your money and your choice.
If they don't own a .22 now......they wouldn't know the difference anyways.
They both shoot well.

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flangster

· #16 · 8 mo ago

WildBillHiccup said:
Your not comparing apple to apples, The Mark II BTVSS is another animal. I have a model 12BTVSS in 22-250 and its a tack driver even out past 500 yard distances. I also have a Mark II BTVSS 22lr and a 93R17 BTVSS. All are superb rifles but Im also a Savage fan. I LOVE the triggers on all of mine. I also have a Savage hog hunter in 308.The Mk II FV-SR is an entry level 22 to me.
Buy American! MAGA!

I hear ya on those Savage centerfires. I have several Model 12s in .223, one that I rebarrelled to .222, a .308 and they are all just one-hole wonders at 100 yards with handloads. The barrels may not be as pretty as aftermarket Douglases and Criterions, but they sure do shoot! And the CF target triggers are just great.

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Toomany22s

· #17 · 8 mo ago

Well if you want your friends to be impressed, buy the CZ.

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Air gun Trigger Wood Shotgun Gun barrel

If you want to have something different get the FV SR. Or thr TR SR

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nbonner

Discussion Starter · #18 · 8 mo ago

WildBillHiccup said:
Your not comparing apple to apples, The Mark II BTVSS is another animal. I have a model 12BTVSS in 22-250 and its a tack driver even out past 500 yard distances. I also have a Mark II BTVSS 22lr and a 93R17 BTVSS. All are superb rifles but Im also a Savage fan. I LOVE the triggers on all of mine. I also have a Savage hog hunter in 308.The Mk II FV-SR is an entry level 22 to me.
Buy American! MAGA!

When you push that “patriot“ button, it makes a very strong case for the Savage. I just wish they could get the fit and finish on the receivers to not feel like something I cobbled together in the shed out of some old pipe. I know they smooth out with a little use but I am a sucker for that silk-like feel I’ve only seen from European labels such as Anschutz, CZ, FNH, Sako, Tikka, etc. Are any of the higher end Savage’s on par with them? I’d definitely rather buy American and am happy to pay for quality but I‘ve only seen the budget/poverty-tier Savages and they don’t inspire confidence that simply adding more money will improve the outcome.

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Toomany22s

· #19 · 8 mo ago

Might be an old pipe, but it shoots like the best . Savage Model 12 BV 223 pre accu trigger. Even has a Prairie Dog on the Tasco Scope. 50 grain Varmint tip groups as good or better than any 22 I shoot.grain

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Villaroel

· #20 · 8 mo ago

My vote is for Savage Mk II FV-SR as I have one and shoots well with CCI SV. I do have the Apachee trigger mod in it. Plus you’ll have extra money left for ammo.

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