CZ 455 Varmint HMR Review

May 22, 2023
David Sunnyside

cz 455 varmint17 hmr review

The CZ 455 is a series of bolt-action rimfire rifles chambered for the.22 LR,.22 WMR, and.17 HMR calibers and imported into the United States by CZ-USA. It is a successor to the highly popular CZ 452 rifles, and features an interchangeable barrel system that allows shooters to switch between different contours and calibers simply by removing two set screws from the receiver.

Like most rimfires, the 455 is relatively compact and light. This makes it ideal for target shooting and small varmint hunting. The rimfire calibers produce less recoil and noise than centerfire cartridges, making them perfect for varmint-hunting, where a light-recoiling, quiet gun is preferred.

All varmint models have a cold hammer-forged, hand-lapped steel barrel with a crew cut, target crown and a thumbhole laminate stock for excellent accuracy and handling. They are also threaded for a sound moderator.

One of the best features of the CZ 455 is its adjustable trigger, which can be adjusted for pull weight and sear engagement. This feature, along with a short action travel, helps make the CZ 455 a great varmint rifle.

The 455's hammer-forged, hand-lapped, cold-hammer forged trigger is another major selling point, as it's both comfortable and reliable. The trigger is also easily adjusted for pull weight and overtravel, which is a common problem with modern rimfires.

The only minor complaint I have with the 455 is its lack of a three position safety. The trigger guard has a two-position safety, which is fine for most shooters, but I would have preferred to see a third position as well. I also wish CZ would have put the new set trigger or an adjustable sear in this model from the factory - these options cost just a few bucks more, but can make a huge difference in the rifle's performance.

David Sunnyside
Co-founder of Urban Splatter • Digital Marketer • Engineer • Meditator
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