Review of my CZ 16" varmint in .17 hmr

[RURALRIMFIRE]

Well, after waiting for a long time before jumping in and buying a .17 hmr, here are some first impressions of the calibre and of CZ.

First off, what a fabulous round for pest control! I've only used the 17 grain Hornady V-max so far but can't honestly see the point in trying anything else! They are absolutely devastating on rabbits, crows and magpies etc. have also taken the odd fox when a chance has arisen with no problems at all.

Secondly, the rifle itself. I chose a CZ Varmint with the 16" barrel as I have a Sako Finnfire in .22 with a short barrel and I love it to bits! I've put a Schmidt 8x56 on the top and a Parker Hale sound moderator on the end of the barrel, as I had one knocking about. I will shortly be getting a SAK to try, as i've heard these are pretty quiet.

How CZ produce a rifle of this build quality for so little money, I don't know. It's very well made, the trigger on mine is acceptable though, the addition of a trigger kit would make quite a difference, apparently.

I've zeroed it at 35 yards, which means it is also zeroed at 125 yards. it is absolutely spot on. I tend to use the stalking sticks which I use with the .243 on deer and am very confident taking rabbits out to around 150 yards with it.

The accuracy is awesome and is very, very consistant.The super sonic crack doesn't seem to bother the rabbits unduly and it is quite possible to shoot a magazine full of rabbits without moving off the spot! And [this a HUGE consideration in my opinion], there are NO ricochets to worry about. I have not had a single round go whizzing off into God knows where!

So, why pay any more for anything else? I am just left wondering why I didn't buy one of these years ago! My .22 has not seen the light of day since I bought the .17!:) All in all, I am extremely pleased with the rifle.

[fooknmissed]

Good review;)

[nico243]

Glad to hear you zeroed @ 35yds, you know it makes sense;)
good review by the way:)
(oh and I have a SAK on my 16" CZ varmint .17hmr and have to say for the £27 I paid it is superb)

[snock]

Now I have got my FAC back with some variations; I can't wait to buy one of these and get out into the field.

I'll buy this before I buy the .22.

;)

[gran]

Now I have got my FAC back with some variations; I can't wait to buy one of these and get out into the field.

I'll buy this before I buy the .22.

;)

Buy the HMR first & you won't buy the .22 :D

Gran

[snock]

I kind of expect that, Gran. I hope it's not the case..:o

;)

[DaveK]

Buy the HMR first & you won't buy the .22 :D

Gran

Second that.........great cal, though 22 does have its moments

[snoj]

Have just fitted a Brooks trigger kit to my Varmint, the difference is incredible. Did a couple of drop tests on it, ended up using the medium spring and red sleeve. Didn't take long to fit, and was so easy even I could do it.

[suomi]

Snoj

I.ve a mate who is looking for better trigger on this CZ .17 hmr.

Where are you getting the brooks trigger kit from and how much? If you could let us know how you get on with it, I know my mate would be interested.

Cheers

sumoi.

:)

[jamie g]

Snoj

I.ve a mate who is looking for better trigger on this CZ .17 hmr.

Where are you getting the brooks trigger kit from and how much? If you could let us know how you get on with it, I know my mate would be interested.

Cheers

sumoi.

:)

try www.rimfiremagic.co.uk m8 :)

[suomi]

Cheers for that jamie g. I will have a look.

[jamie g]

Cheers for that jamie g. I will have a look.

no problem m8 :) ;)

[Scotland rifles]

very good review, thank you.

just be careful you don't run out of rabbits, i have on one course near Winchester, but they will be back soon enough,

bob. ( another proud cz 17 carbine owner.)

[suomi]

Bob

Is that a wild dog stock?

Cheers

[RURALRIMFIRE]

very good review, thank you.

just be careful you don't run out of rabbits, i have on one course near Winchester, but they will be back soon enough,

bob. ( another proud cz 17 carbine owner.)

Yes, nice looking stock....

i'm very selective as to which bunnies I shoot and make sure that there are plenty left on the ground. It's not a hard-hitting pest control exercise on the two local farms where i shoot, to be honest. If myxy strikes [as it invariably does at sometime in the summer], then I leave the bunnies alone for a month or two.
if the farmers start complaining, then I have to take a few more out.:)

[Scotland rifles]

Bob

Is that a wild dog stock?

Cheers

hi soumi.

if the above was about the rifle in my siggy, sorry for the confusion, the rifle in that picture is a steyr pro hunter mountain 20" .223 loopy 6.5/20x50 lrt varminter and a load of home grown ammo, lapua match brass 52 gr Amax heads and 25 gr blc-2 powder all set alight with ccI srp's. all for charlie and hiS bedroom pals.

the CZ is undergoing a skin change later ;) so i will post the pics when back from swimming.

[jamie g]

:) hi soumi.

if the above was about the rifle in my siggy, sorry for the confusion, the rifle in that picture is a steyr pro mountain 20" .223 loopy 6.5/20x50 lrt varminter and a load of home grown ammo, lapua match brass 52 gr Amax heads and 25 gr blc-2 powder all set alight with cc srp's.

the CZ is undergoing a skin change later ;) so i will post the pics when back from swimming.

what length is that barrel on your 223 bob looks nice and compact :)

[Scotland rifles]

hi Jamie.

from the face of the breach to the tip of the crown its just 20",

i have to say i have shot a couple of tikkas in the last few weeks and they are nice, but i just fell in love with the steyr, and a couple of mates found the head/hand position on the rifle to be so go, they all have them in .243 that's 4 people that i shoot with from time to time,
;)
Say's something about its quality, and i for one will not be changing this for a wile, she is 1 shot short of 500 rounds and you would not be able to tell in the way she operates, smooth as silk.

bob.

[jamie g]

hi Jamie.

from the face of the breach to the tip of the crown its just 20",

i have to say i have shot a couple of tikkas in the last few weeks and they are nice, but i just fell in love with the steyr, and a couple of mates found the head/hand position on the rifle to be so go, they all have them in .243 that's 4 people that i shoot with from time to time,
;)
Say's something about its quality, and i for one will not be changing this for a wile, she is 1 shot short of 500 rounds and you would not be able to tell in the way she operates, smooth as silk.

bob.

be nice to cap off the 500th shot with a nice fox m8 ;) :D

[Scotland rifles]

be nice to cap off the 500th shot with a nice fox m8 ;) :D

will let you know later.:D

[snoj]

I purchased my trigger kit direct from, cost less than £10 delivered. Probably easier to get one from a UK supplier.

[bolted]

My varmint .17 being p/exd for an Anschutz 1517DBG. Just fancied a change and like the 64 series trigger. But it won't be any more accurate. The CZ is a superb piece of kit which will last absolutely years. The 16" sounds just the ticket, loses an insignificant amount in MV. Be interesting to see how the new gun compares to the old from a sandbag rest.

[gran]

My varmint .17 being p/exd for an Anschutz 1517DBG. Just fancied a change and like the 64 series trigger. But it won't be any more accurate. The CZ is a superb piece of kit which will last absolutely years. The 16" sounds just the ticket, loses an insignificant amount in MV. Be interesting to see how the new gun compares to the old from a sandbag rest.

I chrono'd mine at Minsterley & it was just over 2500ft/sec. Mines a 16in & I was using Hornady 17grn V-max.

Gran

[jamie g]

will let you know later.:D

did you go shooting last night bob m8 with the 223 :)

[Sako Kid]

Rural rimfire - you really are a bit of a To**er! I dare say that liddle ol' CZ could shoot a whole lot better if the scope weren't put on without the crosshairs being at 45 degrees to the horizontal!! Don't worry, come this Thursday evening I'll show you how to shoot!

[RURALRIMFIRE]

Rural rimfire - you really are a bit of a To**er! I dare say that liddle ol' CZ could shoot a whole lot better if the scope weren't put on without the crosshairs being at 45 degrees to the horizontal!! Don't worry, come this Thursday evening I'll show you how to shoot!


Well, well! look who it is! Stand by for some prime BS from this newbie!
Welcome to the BBS Dave!:):)

i could tell some stories.............................but I won't! [yet!]:)

[Sako Kid]

Well now RR - looks like you've got a BIG portion of humble pie to eat haven't you!! Just remind me again - how far was that Bunny? I would'nt want to boast but it does make your 159yds look a bit silly doesnt it!

:eek: = the look on your face!

[Scotland rifles]

did you go shooting last night bob m8 with the 223 :)


hi Jamie.

took both the 17 and the .223, the 17 claimed another 9 fur-balls, but the dark destroyer was kept warm in the gun bag all night,

still looking at a 500th round for a charlie, i have plenty of time,

bob.

[RURALRIMFIRE]

Well now RR - looks like you've got a BIG portion of humble pie to eat haven't you!! Just remind me again - how far was that Bunny? I would'nt want to boast but it does make your 159yds look a bit silly doesnt it!

:eek: = the look on your face!

well dave, it would have been a good shot if you'd managed to hit it first time..............:):)

[roger]

I had my first go woth a .17 HMR this evening. A new CZ that my friend has purchased. The quality is excellent. Very quiet with the moderator and the sonic crack is not exactly loud. Very impressive, no noticable recoil, I could watch the bullets hit the target............very impressed

[growler]

Just got a cz in 17hmr whats the best range to set the scope too????

[jamie g]

Just got a cz in 17hmr whats the best range to set the scope too????

i hear that some people set them at 35 yards on here m8

[growler]

yeh ... i was also told 100 mts

[RURALRIMFIRE]

yep, 35 yards. It should then be spot on at 125 yards as well :)

[gran]

Just got a cz in 17hmr whats the best range to set the scope too????

I zero at 35yds & holdunder at anything up to 100yds.

Gran.

.17hmr 17grn V-max @ 35yd zero

range yds H-traj ins
35__________0.0
40__________0.2+
45__________0.3+
50__________0.4+
55__________0.6+
60__________0.7+
65__________0.7+
70__________0.8+
75__________0.8+
80__________0.9+
85__________0.8+
90__________0.8+
95__________0.8+
100__________0.7+
110__________0.5+
115__________0.4+
120__________0.2+
125__________0.0
130__________0.2-
135__________0.5-
140__________0.8-
145__________1.1-
150__________1.5-
155__________1.9-
160__________2.3-
165__________2.8-
170__________3.2-
175__________3.8-
180__________4.4-
185__________5.0-

Any good to you ? Not my work it was copy & pasted off here.
__________________
__________________

[peter pounds]

Nico 243
Why do you adcocate zeroing at 35 yards? I do so at 60 yards. Why would 35 yards be better? Am I wrong? Thanks.

[RURALRIMFIRE]

Nico 243
Why do you adcocate zeroing at 35 yards? I do so at 60 yards. Why would 35 yards be better? Am I wrong? Thanks.


i would have thought that the table posted by 'gran' would be self explanatory? Certainly works for me!

[growler]

i will try 35 yards and ive got a sack mod on it but ive been told to buy a acs ultra.... are they much better ???

[jamie g]

i will try 35 yards and ive got a sack mod on it but ive been told to buy a acs ultra.... are they much better ???

just keep the mod you got. then ask dm80 on here to make you one of his m8;)

[growler]

are they good and how much ????

[growler]

DM80 get in touch when ya not busey mate.

[gran]

DM80 get in touch when ya not busey mate.

http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=124906

DM80...for you sir.:)

Gran.

[growler]

PM me when ya can as i am after a mod for my rimmy and 17hmr

[gran]

The chances of Dave seeing this thread are pretty slim,thats why I posted the link to his profile. Private message him from there & he will work permitting get back to you.

Gran

[growler]

cheers Gran, ive sent him a pm.

[snock]

Having just bought my first HMR, this review and the info in the thread has confirmed to me that I've made a good choice.

I just can't wait to get the barrel warm!:o

[roughcoat]

I've just bought one myself ,I got hold of a sirroco silencer but I have,nt fired it yet as I've done my back in. The silencer I bought because of the write up this years What gun hope it's as good as they say. My other rifles are S410 classic .22, CZ no1 .22lr and Bsa 100 semi auto 12 bore

[falconairrifle]

hi there people i have one of these too 17 hmr cz bruno varmit heavy duty barrel it is 100% spot on takes down anything amded at best shot so far 154 meters rabbit
v-max