CZ 452 vs Savage mk II cage fight

[kentucky_smith]

Looking for a bolt action .22 host for my TacSol Cascade. Right now I'm shooting a lot with my Sig 522 and it's plenty accurate for me, but would like to get something even more quiet.

Right now the contenders are the Savage mk II or CZ 452. I've had 452's in the past, and will admit they are great shooters, but I've had some minor fit issues that kinda bothered me, and the triggers were fair to middling. I've also got a 93 in 17hmr with Accutrigger, while the fit and finish isn't great either, is a good shooter.

Is the CZ worth twice the price? I'm going to have to pay about $75 to get either threaded, with the CZ Lux or Trainer, that will cost a little more if I want to keep the front sights.

 

[LemmyCaution]

Were it me, I'd get a MKIIBV or MKIITR. Then I'd shorten the barrel to 16" and have it threaded for the suppressor. I'm not sure I'd want to hang a suppressor out at the end of the 24" barrels on the CZ Lux or Trainer. The balance would be too muzzle heavy.

If iron sights are important to you, I'd stick with the CZ, however. Much better irons than Savage (except the MKIIFVT, which has a crappy stock).

 

[LiquidTension]

When I wanted to suppress a .22 bolt gun I was looking at the same options. I went with the MkII and have been very impressed with the accuracy. I already have a 452 Trainer so for me it wasn't worth the extra money to get the varmint or American over the Savage. Also, I wanted to put some glass on whatever I got, and I found a really good deal on the thumbhole/bull barrel MkII with a scope ($319 OTD, no tax).

I have no idea how much it would cost to move the sights back on a Lux or Trainer, but I have a feeling that it would be pretty close to just buying one of the heavy barrelled versions of the CZ. I think the barrel is tapered on the iron sight versions so some milling would have to be done to the front sight to move it back. Also, the stock on the iron sight versions of the CZ is NOT conducive to a good cheek weld if you plan on putting a scope on it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the barrel of a Trainer or Lux may not be thick enough to have a good shoulder at the end of the threads. I haven't pulled mine out of the safe in a while so I don't remember exactly how thick it is at the end.

 

[bpl]

CZ makes a 452 with a 16" barrel which is already threaded.

 

[KingTiger]

I concur with LiquidTension on this one. I've been very happy w/my Mk II BV that I had cut to 16" & threaded. The factory AccuTrigger makes it a great shooter out of the box. The CZ has better wood & probably a smoother action, but still needs a trigger job. IMO you can't go wrong with either.

 

[kentucky_smith]

After looking at a Marlin 925, that would work as well...

 

[Maverick223]

My vote is for the Mk. II, if good sights are needed, get an aftermarket receiver sight for the Savage and be done with it. The CZ is nice, but so is the Mk. II, and a whole lot cheaper (even with an upgraded sight).

 

[viking499]

Would work or is going to work???

 

[Wahoo95]

I love my CZ American which came with a 16" barrle that was threaded already.....I simply had to add a thread adapter and I was set.

 

[Maverick223]

...and when you get the new rifle, you can go use it here: Rimfire Match!

 

[benzy2]

It really depends on what you are looking for in a rifle. I have all three, CZ, Savage, and Marlin. I like them all. Not a bad purchase in the bunch. All have their own pros and cons. So if you pick from those three I don't think you will be upset.

That said I like the CZs the most. They are built like a tank. Its a rifle I can't say enough good about. The trigger may need shimmed to reduce creep and may need a different spring to get the weight you want but once that's done you are looking atg everything from a very crisp 4lb hunting trigger down to a 8oz bench trigger. When shimmed, it is the crispest of the three and certainly can be set the lightest. I think the CZ has the potential to be the most accurate of the group, especially if bedded and fed quality ammo.

The accutrigger on the Savage is nice. Probably the best of the group out of the box, but not as nice as a shimmed CZ trigger or and aftermarket setup for the Marlin. They seem to shoot well and are priced well. You get a ton of options when it comes to stocks so you should be able to find a model th suits your needs well.

The Marlin is a bit of a sleeper in this group. I feel they use better barrels than Savage, though only slightly. The drawback is that their triggers flat out stink. When replaced with a rifle basix trigger results became much better. Bed the stock and it shot very well. Only problem is that before bedding and a new trigger it was a bit behind the curve.

So they are. 3 rifles with 3 different approaches that all are enjoyable. If I were buying another and had the money I would go CZ. If I didn't have the money for the CZ and wanted an out of the box shooter I would go with the Savage. If I didn't have the money for the CZ and didn't mind buying a new trigger and bedding a stock I would go Marlin. Again I like them all, they just each have a slightly different perspective on what a .22lr should be.

 

[jonboynumba1]

well the 452 is now disontinued and replaced with the 455 American with a cheaper friction/screw retained bbl...wholesalers are mostly out of the 452 Americans right now cause the rimfire guys are buying them up and CZ is no longer shipping that model....the price is still high and it's not yet a proven design (I'd pass)...so if you can find a CZ 452 American used in exc. cond it's a good deal...the euro and lux will be phased out to the new cheaper to produce design by next seasons CZ line-up as well from what I've been told. The MKII is a fine shooting rifle...the wife shoots one in matches and truth be told the humble savage's shoot about as good as anything out there within reasonable price ranges. I think the 452 with the short already threaded bbl would be my choice...right now it should still be the old action and they are available at wholesalers right now (I looked)...so if you want one better find it in stock or order it soon before it becomes replaced with the new cheapy action as well.

That or get a savage...you probably get more rifle for the buck with them...but you get a much nicer rifle with the CZ...both shoot like a house on fire!

 

[lopezni]

cz 452 hands down, savage actions suck, their stocks suck, the accutrigger sucks. Get a CZ, a $25 yo dave trigger get off Ebay, it will be the best shooting rifle you own. I can post pics of mine and the groups it fires anytime you like.

 

[rangerruck]

cz, not sure if the 452 model comes with a set trigger, so if it does, or another model does, get that one. If you can find a Parker Hale version, maybe on gunbroker, that is threaded allready, deff get that one!!!!

 

[NWCP]

I had my gunsmith drop in a Timney trigger on my 452 Varmint 17HMR. While the stock trigger was reasonably good the Timney is better. I own 4 CZ rifles in various calibers. All of them are great shooters and have nice fit and finish. In case you can't tell I'm partial to CZs.

 

[ms6852]

Both rifles are excellent and a good choice and it becomes a personal preference. But if you haven't heard I would check out the new 22's that Savage came out with. The MKII TR and TRR both bolt action and tactical.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/

I love Savages and their accutrigger personally.

 

[Maverick223]

ms6852, I hate you! I have wanted an excuse to get a bull-bbl Mk-II for years...now I have to get that new TRR. Even has the rails for tactical counter-sniping maneuvers against clandestine threats, such as the dangerous...deadly...ravenous...opossums and raccoons, where a flashlight would be most beneficial (not joking...well kinda ).

 

[one-shot]

The TRR is a great looking gun. I might have to pick one of those up.

 

[ms6852]

I'm having a hard time finding one here in San Antonio at this time. Wally world will order one but their new 2010 catalogues don't come in until next month. Good luck, Maverick and one-shot.

 

[Maverick223]

Eh, no rush...not like I don't have another .22LR...or four. I think I have already decided to pass up the Mk. II anyway, instead going for the similarly priced and spec'd 93R17 TRR instead...we'll see.