Tikka vs CZ - 22LR

Cdnance

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I’m trying to get some real opinions on these two rifles. Hopefully all of the fan boys don’t chime in, and I can get some objective opinions.
I just want to know which you think is better. Tikka is a great rifle but I’ve never shot one in 22 rimfire. Every CZ 22 I’ve ever shot (only 2) have been incredible.
I’m looking to get one for my boy (and a matching one for myself.
Thoughts?
 
I’ve had both. I started with a T1x, but have since sold it and purchased a 457. The Tikka was accurate even with cheaper options like CCI standard velocity. However, I had ejection/feeding issues. These seem to be well documented around the internet. I tried a few quick fixes and never could get it solved.

I love my CZ
 
I love both. For me, it came down to the wood stock options on the CZ being nicer than the wood stock options on the Tikka.

The synthetic stock on the CZ American SR is actually really nice, in my opinion. I also handled the Tikka and really liked it.

I own two CZ 457s, a Royal and an American SR that I put into a wood stock. I should probably sell one of them, but I just can’t bring myself to do it yet. I have also owned four CZ 452s (I bought them second hand, set them up, and gave them to my nieces and nephews). CZ rimfire rifles are just really, really nice.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
Both are great rifles, I love tikkas as much as anybody here but I moved on from the t1x for a few reasons. First, the bluing is terrible, mine would be covered in surface rust every morning when I was camping with it. Not necessarily a deal breaker but it was worse than the old Remington shotguns I used to have. Next the magazines suck, I just hated loading them.

Finally and most importantly, mine was just not reliable with hollow point lewd ammo, it would gouge on the feed ramp and I’d have to eject the magazine and drop a round to try again. It was lame when I was out shoot ing ptarmigan. Finally, the t1x seemed to have tight tolerances which is part of the reason it was so accurate but shooting suppressed, it was only a matter of 50-100 rounds before it was too gunked up to feed and extract reliably.

It was a cool gun but not great at all for what I used it for. I’d personally take a cz over a t1x pretty much any day.
 
IMG_4994.jpegIMG_4993.jpeg

CZ 457 Pro Varmint at 42 yards shooting American Eagle 38HP. 15 shots. The one on the left broke clean. I’ll chalk it up to $3.90/40 ammo.

Our other 2 457’s shoot SK+ better than this.
We’ve been happy with them.
 
I just ordered a CZ457 in 17HMR from Eurooptic. Bases being I can order a 22lr barrel and 22 WMR barrel if the 17 doesn’t shoot. . Barrel swap doesn’t require any special tools. No idea if Tikka offers this feature. We will know in the next few weeks of if I made the right decision. Plan on a 30MOA rail and Arken EPL4 scope. Want something I can learn to read wind with at 300. Believe the 17 will help with this and be inexpensive to practice.
 
I got a T1x a year ago and am very underwhelmed for the price I paid. I wouldn't recommend one for over $500
 
I'm deep down the rabbit hole on Tikka centerfire but really like our 457.

It stays in the buggy.

The stock is ridiculous but I value being able to demonstrate a position and then crush it down and hand it to my 6 year old and say "ok you try".
 

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I got a T1x a year ago and am very underwhelmed for the price I paid. I wouldn't recommend one for over $500
I was always just shocked how quickly it would get dirty and stop working smoothly when I shot it suppressed. I don’t have any issues like that with my other 22s including a bargain basement Ruger American rimfire.
 
I was always just shocked how quickly it would get dirty and stop working smoothly when I shot it suppressed. I don’t have any issues like that with my other 22s including a bargain basement Ruger American rimfire.
Funny you say that. I am closet-jealous of my brother's dirt-cheap ruger rimfire ha
 
Funny you say that. I am closet-jealous of my brother's dirt-cheap ruger rimfire ha
I’m grabbed it because I got it for dirt cheap, I put a vortex crossfire with some sort of warne rings I had and my banish 22 that wasn’t being used. I’m constantly impressed with it. I can put like 25 rounds into a hole the size of a quarter at 50yd which is more than good enough to shoot grouse and ptarmigan with.
 
I’m grabbed it because I got it for dirt cheap, I put a vortex crossfire with some sort of warne rings I had and my banish 22 that wasn’t being used. I’m constantly impressed with it. I can put like 25 rounds into a hole the size of a quarter at 50yd which is more than good enough to shoot grouse and ptarmigan with.
Would you put the Ruger up against a CZ? Shooting like that seems pretty impressive.
 
Would you put the Ruger up against a CZ? Shooting like that seems pretty impressive.
I’ve only shot one cz and it was one of the most accurate 22s I’ve ever used. I think the cz is a nicer gun overall, my Ruger is accurate but I I don’t think it really compares to a cz in any other way.
 
I’ve only shot one cz and it was one of the most accurate 22s I’ve ever used. I think the cz is a nicer gun overall, my Ruger is accurate but I I don’t think it really compares to a cz in any other way.
I’ll echo that statement.

My wife started with a RA Target in an MDT chassis. It was extremely accurate with CCI SV.
The big detractor for the Ruger was the heavy bolt lift after the shot. Very difficult to stay on target with it. The CZ solved that problem.

Accuracy wise it was damn near a wash between the two. Bolt manipulation of the CZ was almost effortless compared to the Ruger.
CZ wins there big. To the point that’s what she shoots now.

Ruger probably wins the magazine title.
I’ve never had issues with multiple CZ factory mags, but I’ve paid attention to them too.
We have barricade stops on both of our rifles that we use with 10 round mags and use 5 round mags on the other to avoid issues.
I don’t think it would take much to damage one. Ruger rotary mags are cheap and well proven.

Aftermarket support isn’t really even close.
CZ stuff is everywhere (by comparison).
I saw one MDT chassis for an American in person and it’s the one I bought used. Got lucky to find that one.

Yo Dave trigger spring in the CZ and your GTG. Ended up with a a Jard in the Ruger.
It was good, but it was also around $150 more than a spring. 😁
 
Would you put the Ruger up against a CZ? Shooting like that seems pretty impressive.
I have a special run of the American with 18 inch threaded medium barrel. It shoots close to as well as my CZ varmint, and weighs 3 lbs less with a better magazine.

If you are hunting and not just target shooting, I'd probably get the Ruger.
 
No offense, but I would never counsel someone to purchase a Ruger when you can get CZ sporters for under $500. I don’t even own one of the heavy barreled variants, but I have yet to meet a CZ rimfire that doesn’t require me to do my best to try to match its potential. They shoot great, the bolt is smooth, they handle well. I’ve used a ton of different squirrel rifles, but the 452 and 457 outdo them all.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
The bolt on my T1X is not nearly as smooth and binds up a lot more than my centerfire Tikkas. Also I'm not a fan of the magazines as they are hard to clean.
 
Just went through the same thing. I ended up with the Cz. The Cz is also nitrided which is a big plus
 
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