CZ 455 .17 HMR American Synthetic

After recently moving south where there is an abundance of rabbits where we live I decided to buy another .17 HMR as I've previously owned a CZ 452 varmint which was super accurate but later sold as it simply wasn't being used.

The farmer who's property we've been shooting on has been loaning me his Savage semi .17 HMR but I found it to shoot inconsistently, the magazine would drop out, misfires, misfeeds so it only encouraged me more to get my own.

Sure I was using my .22 LR out to 120 mtrs but I had to range the bunnies and then figure the drop on which of the BDC reticle so the only practical decision was to get a .17 HMR or even a .22 Magnum but I was more sold on the HMR.

After some googling, forum searching with some humming and harring I eventually went and bought a CZ 455 synthetic in .17 HMR

I settled on this for a few reasons, firstly I have a CZ 452 in .22 LR and love that rifle so having the next model was a good option as I can always buy the extra barrels (.22 LR & .22 Magnum) if I decide to later on without having to upgrade to a whole new rifle.

I was in "Shooters World" in Gore just before Christmas and got talking to the team there where they had a blue synthetic model on the shelf for $795 which came with a Huntsman 3-9x40 scope which is a pretty sharp price considering other retailers are selling the bare rifle for a lot more!

I have to give a big thanks to Shooters World as they also got the rifle threaded for me (1/2x20) as I bought a DPT suppressor to go on it.

Finally after they were open after the Christmas / New Year period I popped down to Gore this morning to pick it up along with a box of Hornady 17 gr ammo

I was going to buy a few different boxes but just bought the one brand after some advice from Lindsay

https://i.ibb.co/1GvhDqG/IMG-5879.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/9vfHZZ6/IMG-5882.jpg

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Took the rifle to the range this evening and fired a few shots, it took a few rounds for the rifle to settle in and I have to say shooting conditions weren't ideal with gusts of wind about but did get to fire off a 5 shot group once zeroed to see what sort of accuracy I'm getting with rifle / suppressor and ammo combination.

https://i.ibb.co/Mp3gms6/IMG-5884.jpg

I took the suppressor off to see what the sound was like without it and won't be doing that again in a hurry... LOUD!!!

The suppressor certainly tames it and you don't even notice the weight with it on.

https://i.ibb.co/Kw2zgny/IMG-5881.jpg

I know that over time and with more rounds through the barrel the rifle will settle down.

I like the rifle though the bolt feels a bit rough but with use and even the use of a polishing tool on a Dremel will have that bolt feeling silky smooth.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get it out tomorrow night to introduce some bunnies "to my new little friend" ;D

Theyre good little rigs.

My synthetic wasnt as accurate as the wooden stocked 452 I had.

The bolt throw takes a while to settle and from new the CZ barrels need a really good clean as there is a heap of gunk in there.

I used the shim kits off ebay on all the CZ rimfires I had and they sorted the heavy triggers out too.

I dont think a dremel is a good idea

the early CZs(Brnos) were hand lapped but they stopped due to the extra cost
you can do this yourself with a little lapping compound in strategic spots

keep it out of the trigger bore ect and do it while you sit watching tv

give it a good clean afterwards and get it all out before reoiling

Nice, you have moved south. The sika will appreciate it :thumbsup: , although I imagine the tahr and chamois are in for a good hiding.

Good Move , gotta be, Now that your down here we may well met up again
Lindsay Duncan has been the recipient of alot of my hard earned money over the years and in return has helped me into rifles and shotguns I never would have had the chance to own when I was younger.
He has never let me down in any way shape or form, he is genuinely one of the best Gunshop proprietors I've had the good fortune to meet.

Last Xmas I spent a week with a pest controller over central and they use that model in conjunction with the 17 hornet Model.
It seems to be able to take the knocks and with the barrel replacement ability of that model will serve you well.

@Seventenths please whatever you do, don't use a Dremel. By far the better way to improve the feel of the action is to apply a thin coat of fine valve grinding paste and work the bolt back and forward repeatedly. This way the smoothing process will work the areas that need attention automatically. Wash the paste out and repeat, until you are happy.

I've done this with several rifles over the years, including CZs, and it works very well. It only removes a tiny bit of material, only in the place where material needs to be removed.

Dremels can accidentally remove more material than required (very easily) and in places where material should stay put!

Jakewire... I've sent you a PM

A 17 Hornet would be ALOT of fun, I've been eyeing one up but Wingman's thread on his .22 TCM has my attention

Nice report. I've been dealing with lindsay for over 30 years, ever since I got my first air gun and he was in the wee shop at the other end of town. Great shop and often very sharp prices.
The .17 hmr is just the thing for bunnies and much nicer with a suppressor.

looks like a great outfit to use..... would be ok on wallabies to at a pinch but your .222 or .223 will have that one more than covered. hope you have found some fallow to harvest close by.there seems to be an abundance of them about as of late.