CZ 457, Bergara B14R, or....?

calicojack · Apr 3, 2024

Browning T Bolt. This model has a 16" threaded barrel. The only complaint is the stock trigger but I remedied that with a simple tweak. Jard also makes after-market triggers for the T Bolt and these go down to like 1.5# or something like that. I may go that route.

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

Hibs said:
If I had just one, it would be a .22LR bolt gun without a doubt.

Nah 10/22

Hibs · Apr 4, 2024

Bountied said:
Nah 10/22

10/22 pales in comparison to a bolt gun when shooting suppressed.

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

calicojack said:
Browning T Bolt. This model has a 16" threaded barrel. The only complaint is the stock trigger but I remedied that with a simple tweak. Jard also makes after-market triggers for the T Bolt and these go down to like 1.5# or something like that. I may go that route. View attachment 463913

I have one in 22wmr. The bolt throw on a straight pull is awesome. I wish it had a threaded barrel.

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

Hibs said:
10/22 pales in comparison to a bolt gun when shooting suppressed.

Not mine. It cycles Gemtech subs and is as quiet as my CZ bolt except for the bolt moving which is the loudest part of the whole equation. From the standpoint of an observer standing about 6' away they sound the same. As the shooter, the 10/22 seems louder due to the action cycling. YMMV.

trickg · Apr 4, 2024

calicojack said:
Browning T Bolt. This model has a 16" threaded barrel. The only complaint is the stock trigger but I remedied that with a simple tweak. Jard also makes after-market triggers for the T Bolt and these go down to like 1.5# or something like that. I may go that route. View attachment 463913

Hmmm - that one wasn't even on my radar. It's a bit more expensive than the CZ options, but a bit less than the Bergara. Is the barrel free-floated?

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

trickg said:
Hmmm - that one wasn't even on my radar. It's a bit more expensive than the CZ options, but a bit less than the Bergara. Is the barrel free-floated?

Mine is. Just the action has screws, you can run a dollar under the barrel all the way to the receiver.

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

Bountied said:
Mine is. Just the action has screws, you can run a dollar under the barrel all the way to the receiver.

Although cool with the straight pull bolt, I don't think you'll find the accessories or the options you will with the B14R or the 457. My only regret is that mine is in 22wmr and no threaded barrel. I got a good deal on it from a member here and I had been wanting one. I have a bunch of 22wmr so it wasn't a deal breaker. It makes a good hunting rifle. I haven't done much bench shooting with it but I should.

357Max · Apr 4, 2024

This is a decent deal & available now.

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

Bountied said:
Although cool with the straight pull bolt, I don't think you'll find the accessories or the options you will with the B14R or the 457. My only regret is that mine is in 22wmr and no threaded barrel. I got a good deal on it from a member here and I had been wanting one. I have a bunch of 22wmr so it wasn't a deal breaker. It makes a good hunting rifle. I haven't done much bench shooting with it but I should.

357Max said:
This is a decent deal & available now.
View attachment 463994

Done tempt me. I have a Rem 700 stock lying around. I guess I'd need bottom metal too though to accept magazines.

357Max · Apr 4, 2024

I also need to correct my earlier post. Apparently they are now available in a 20" heavy MTU SS barrel at a premium of course.

Not my rig. This fella is from France. These Heavy barrel versions have been available in Europe for a while.
Looks like they perform pretty well.

357Max · Apr 4, 2024

For inspiration here is my rig & how it shoots @ 100y with SK LR match. Well that lower left isn't typical, the stars aligned for that one. The SD on the LR match is very good for RF IMO. 20 shots SD 9.4

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

357Max said:
For inspiration here is my rig & how it shoots @ 100y with SK LR match. Well that lower left isn't typical, the stars aligned for that one. The SD on the LR match is very good for RF IMO. 20 shots SD 9.4

View attachment 464004

View attachment 464008

Is that a chronograph on your rig? If so what kind is it?

357Max · Apr 4, 2024

Bountied said:
Is that a chronograph on your rig? If so what kind is it?

Yes it's the Garmin Xero. That little gem has been excellent.

4g64loser · Apr 4, 2024

Bountied said:
Is that a chronograph on your rig? If so what kind is it?

That's a Garmin xero c1 pro. The spar mount looks to be the Area 419 version. Attaches to the area plate. I use a similar rig from Crux Ordnance. It's actually a NOD spar from my overwatch head but it works for.this job too.

My search fu is weak but somewhere there's a thread where Macguns and I did side by side testing of the Garmin and the labradar.

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

4g64loser said:
That's a Garmin xero c1 pro. The spar mount looks to be the Area 419 version. Attaches to the area plate. I use a similar rig from Crux Ordnance. It's actually a NOD spar from my overwatch head but it works for.this job too.

My search fu is weak but somewhere there's a thread where Macguns and I did side by side testing of the Garmin and the labradar.

Which one performed better? For $600 the Garmin might be a good option due to the size. My Caldwell is a pain to setup and isn't 100% reliable. I couldn't get the specs on the Labradar, how does it compare in size to the Garmin?

4g64loser · Apr 4, 2024

Bountied said:
Which one performed better? For $600 the Garmin might be a good option due to the size. My Caldwell is a pain to setup and isn't 100% reliable. I couldn't get the specs on the Labradar, how does it compare in size to the Garmin?

https://www.mdshooters.com/threads/garmin-xero-c1-pro-chronograph.279065/page-2

Meat and potatoes starts in page 2. Page 1 is just us blabbing about availability and logistics.

TLDR: I own both units and I'm not selling either one. For the normal user (and for me on most days) the Garmin is better simply based on form factor. Super convenient. I repurposed an old eotech box to hold mine and all its associated shit.

Labradar is better for data tracking if you don't use the Garmin app (I dont) and can capture the velocity at multiple data points if you are trying to determine or troubleshoot BC data.

trickg · Apr 4, 2024

4g64loser said:
That's a Garmin xero c1 pro. The spar mount looks to be the Area 419 version. Attaches to the area plate. I use a similar rig from Crux Ordnance. It's actually a NOD spar from my overwatch head but it works for.this job too.

My search fu is weak but somewhere there's a thread where Macguns and I did side by side testing of the Garmin and the labradar.

In the little bit that I've seen recently, I really like the look of the Garmin - that's yet one more thing on my list for this expensive hobby I've embarked on.

Back to the subject of the rifle, I think I want a steel barrel rather than CF, but I'm still on the fence - the two top contenders here are, in order:

1.) CZ 457 Varmint - heavy profile, 20.5" barrel
2.) Bergara B14R - if I go this route, I'll buy it as a barreled action

The CZ would cost less, but it's not pre-threaded for a suppressor if I should ever get into that game. I've heard/read/watched videos about how the Bergara can have feeding issues with anything other than the OEM stock.

I don't know how much of that is true, but the bottom line is that I want something reliable and accurate enough with the right ammo out to 100 yards, and hopefully something that can shoot bug holes at 50 on a calm day.

Regarding the lineup from CZ, is there any fundamental difference between these three rifles other than the stock they come in?

1.) CZ 547 Varmint
2.) CZ 457 AT-One (this one has a 20" barrel threaded for a suppressor)
3.) CZ 457 Varmint MTR

If my plan is to ditch the stock right away and I don't care that much about using a suppressor, do I gain anything from either 2 or 3?

Bountied · Apr 4, 2024

trickg said:
In the little bit that I've seen recently, I really like the look of the Garmin - that's yet one more thing on my list for this expensive hobby I've embarked on.

Back to the subject of the rifle, I think I want a steel barrel rather than CF, but I'm still on the fence - the two top contenders here are, in order:

1.) CZ 457 Varmint - heavy profile, 20.5" barrel
2.) Bergara B14R - if I go this route, I'll buy it as a barreled action

The CZ would cost less, but it's not pre-threaded for a suppressor if I should ever get into that game. I've heard/read/watched videos about how the Bergara can have feeding issues with anything other than the OEM stock.

I don't know how much of that is true, but the bottom line is that I want something reliable and accurate enough with the right ammo out to 100 yards, and hopefully something that can shoot bug holes at 50 on a calm day.

Regarding the lineup from CZ, is there any fundamental difference between these three rifles other than the stock they come in?

1.) CZ 547 Varmint
2.) CZ 457 AT-One (this one has a 20" barrel threaded for a suppressor)
3.) CZ 457 Varmint MTR

If my plan is to ditch the stock right away and I don't care that much about using a suppressor, do I gain anything from either 2 or 3?

What about the CZ American Synthetic? If you want a 20.5" barrel the At-ONE is out. The Varmint isn't threaded but I'd get that just in case. It'll save you a headache when you get that itch. If you plan to ditch the stock then get the same action in the cheapest stock. The price differences are in the stocks they come in.

4g64loser · Apr 4, 2024

trickg said:
In the little bit that I've seen recently, I really like the look of the Garmin - that's yet one more thing on my list for this expensive hobby I've embarked on.

Back to the subject of the rifle, I think I want a steel barrel rather than CF, but I'm still on the fence - the two top contenders here are, in order:

1.) CZ 457 Varmint - heavy profile, 20.5" barrel
2.) Bergara B14R - if I go this route, I'll buy it as a barreled action

The CZ would cost less, but it's not pre-threaded for a suppressor if I should ever get into that game. I've heard/read/watched videos about how the Bergara can have feeding issues with anything other than the OEM stock.

I don't know how much of that is true, but the bottom line is that I want something reliable and accurate enough with the right ammo out to 100 yards, and hopefully something that can shoot bug holes at 50 on a calm day.

Regarding the lineup from CZ, is there any fundamental difference between these three rifles other than the stock they come in?

1.) CZ 547 Varmint
2.) CZ 457 AT-One (this one has a 20" barrel threaded for a suppressor)
3.) CZ 457 Varmint MTR

If my plan is to ditch the stock right away and I don't care that much about using a suppressor, do I gain anything from either 2 or 3?

Definitely buy what you want the first time. Always my advice.

On the feeding issues: every 700 clone 22 I've seen dropped in an MPA chassis has needed some fidgety bullshart to run right. The RimX seems less picky but they still typically need the higher mag latch. My whiskey 3 has no issues with the b14r and we tested it with a friend's rimx action since he wanted to go KRG as well. Worked fine with stock mag latch. Ymmv. The RimX has adjustable mags, so it has a significant advantage before you even consider the sliding plate extractor design. Short version is that chassis and 22 clones don't seem to play well in all cases. I have NOT tested my xylo with any rimfire clones but I suspect it will run as well or better than the KRG stuff due to the unusual mag latch design. Which, by the way, is awesome in centerfire. Bye bye mag rattle.

On the cz stuff: budget for a stock unless you can locate one of the old ones.with the manners stock already on them. They were nice. Varmint Precision Trainer was the designation, IIRC.

CZ 457, Bergara B14R, or....?

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