CZ 452 Varmint 17 HMR


AJ

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I recently purchased a CZ452 Varmint chambered in 17 HMR. It is a nice little gun that has a floated 21" heavy barrel with a recessed target crown, a 5-shot detachable magazine that is made out of metal, a 3/8" grooved dovetail for scope mounting, and a walnut stock with hand cut checkering on the pistol grip. The bare gun weighs in at 7.0 pounds. The trigger is a 2-stage type and breaks fairly cleanly at 3 pounds. The rifle has a 2 position swing safety that operates backwards compared to the Winchester, you push it forwards to engage the safety. The rifle does not come with sights as it is a varmint gun. Optics are expected to be added by the user. I added a Nikon Monarch 4-12x40mm scope on B-Square rings.

170cz452v.jpg

Off to the range. After a few shots to get the scope zeroed to my liking, I tried 5 different types of ammo for accuracy. I used Remington Premier 17 grain AccuTip-V™, Hornady's 17 grain V-Max and 20 grain XTP, CCI's 17 gr TNT hollow point, and Federal's Premium V*Shock 17 gr Hornady V-Max ammo. I found my gun does like the 17 gr V-Max bullet but hates the 17 gr TNT and 20 gr XTP. The target below shows four different 5 shot groups. Two of the groups were the Remington. One was 1/4" and the other was 7/8". The Federal managed 3/4" groups, and the Hornady managed a 7/8" group. The TNT and XTP ammo gave 2.5" to 3" groups on average.

17017group.jpg

I have not bedded the action or tweaked the trigger. I do feel I can reduce the group size significantly with a little work and more concentration on bench technique. Time will tell.

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Re: CZ 452 Varmint 17 HMR

Good deal AJ, thanks for the info. I am still torn between this rifle, a 204 or just my trusty .243 loaded light and heavy...LOL

What I am searching for in the rifle I choose I figured I do want the best / most knockdown power with the least pelt destruction.

When I shoot for pelts, I usually try to put a round in the head but sometimes I have to go for a trotting shot and then it has to be the chest area.

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