Best stock trigger on an affordable bolt gun?

[chuck d]

The Anschutz 64 action is just too big of a step down, even below the CZ in some respects.

I am curious-
Are you saying the CZ is a better gun than the Weatherby XXII?

I have owned both, and find the Weatherby more accurate, easier to shoot, and much better finish. Won't even talk trigger.
like I said, just curious.
chuck

[_Shorty]

You'll notice I said action.

[chuck d]

I find my Weatherby action to be smoother than the CZ-
How is it better?
chuck

[BlauBear]

It may just be a personal preference, but I would still tke the Weatherby XXII over the CZ 453 any day. This is not knock on the CZ since it is the undisputed value champion in 452 or 453, but the XXII has it all - and it shows in the price. Both rifles are steals at their price points!

[_Shorty]

Well, I guess I/you should keep in mind that I'm basing my opinion off of just one example of a 64 action, as well as what I've read other people saying about them online. I've just shot one 64 action rifle, which was a CIL 190. Fine accuracy in that one, but it's a definite step down from the 54 action. From what I've read, and naturally a grain of salt is in order, the barrels that come on the 64 action-based rifles are not always up to the standard that you expect to see coming on the 54 action-based rifles. You might get a really good one, or you might just get a good one, which is kind of on par with the CZ's typical barrel anyway. But as I recall, and as I've heard others mention, the 64 action isn't as beefy as the 54's, nor the CZ's. And, though I could be mistaken, I believe the CZ's lock time is actually better than the 64's, though still a far cry from the 54's. CZ does cheap out a bit on some parts so they can provide a decent barrel while keeping the rifle's cost down. Let's not forget they are a tight bore, lapped barrel. Not 1712 quality, but still a pretty darn good barrel. The 452's trigger is typically bad, the 453's is much better, while still no 1712 trigger. I suppose when it comes down to it, I may be nitpicking a bit much. I still think 54>CZ>64, but that's just me. And frankly, I went CZ first so I could save for the 1712, and still shoot a good rifle until then. I still enjoy shooting the CZ.

[BlauBear]

You've got some valid points, and you're right that the 64 is a long way from the 54 action in the 1712 in all ways, especially price. No problem in getting a CZ and saving for the 1712 - that's a good strategy! My point is that the XXII has a good price point between the CZ and the 1712, and that it's easy to see where the money is - and isn't.

I like the XXII stock far better that anything Anschutz (or CZ for that matter) uses, both in looks and fit, but all three are good rifles.

[Chattcatdaddy]

Here is another good buy with an excellent trigger.

Biathlon Basic

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/SAI-22LR.aspx

Around $350

Cool toggle bolt like thingy!

I`ll be picking one of these puppies up in a couple of months. I think I have become a Russian rifle fanboy as 75% of my rifles are now Russian and growing.

[BlauBear]

They're a little heavy - 7.7 pounds - but probably pretty good value. Do you know if the barrel is tapered? It looks pretty chunky.

[Chattcatdaddy]

I believe the Biathlon Basic has a very slight taper and I mean very slight. So a standard class rifle is where it might be, so maybe not a good choice if you can only have one rifle. They are tack drivers. The weaver rail makes mounting a scope easy if that the route someone might go, but I prefer peep sights. Gonna use my Toz-78 for hunter and the BB for standard.

Here it is in peep sight form.

http://www.mtguns.com/pdfs/Biathlon7-4.pdf.pdf

[Jason]

Just a quick comment. I highly doubt that the CZ has a faster lock time than an Anschutz 54. The CZ is a mini-Mauser design, which means that it is amazingly reliable but also has a very slow lock time. I can shoot my CZ for a few shots and then shoot my 1712 and the difference in lock time is enough to actually detect it while shooting. I don't have a 64 action rifle, but I've shot several of them. Even when shooting them at matches where I shot my 1712 immediately before, I've never noticed them having slower lock times. In fact, the only difference that I noticed was that the receiver seemed a little thinner and the fit/finish wasn't quite as nice. The best rifles for their price points are CZ 453, any Anschutz 64 rifle (including the Weatherby-branded one), and the 1712. The Rem 541/581 rifles can be made good, but I really don't like the factory triggers. That's more a personal thing, though.

[timfinle]

I agree with Jason. I have both 64 and 54 actioned rifles. The accuracy is a bit better with the 54 but I attribute that to the lilja (i don't know how to spell it) barrel more than the action. The 54 trigger is a little better, but, all in all, as steve said, a used or new 64 is an excellent choice. I like my 54 better because Evelio set it up perfect for me, fits like a glove and that makes my mental game much better.

[_Shorty]

I said 64.

edit - And I may not even be remembering what I read correctly...

I highly doubt that the CZ has a faster lock time than an Anschutz 54.

[Jason]

My bad, Shorty. I knew you said 64 and I meant to type 64 there. See the later sentences for the reason why.

[edgehit]

Those are interesting comments about the russian rifles. I've shot biathlon basic and was immediately impressed. You just can't easily find one to purchase.

As for CZ 453 Varmint vs 64, it doesn't matter what trigger is in the Varmint, the stock is poorly suited for off-hand shooting.

I've owned a CZ Silhouette, then traded to a Varmint. I shot the silhouette well, high AAA scores. Got the Varmint thinking the heavy barrel will improve things. I was wrong. Then I bought a 1712. It took a full 2 years to get back to where I could shoot a AAA score again, but I won't go back to the 452 and aftermarket trigger.

I now think the Weatherby XXII is the perfect starter rifle. You pay more, but you get a properly shaped stock. You could even drop a 1712's trigger into the XXII and not be longing for better trigger.

I've debated what has better lock time and concluded it doesn't matter too much because I think the brain adjusts to what you're shooting.

[_Shorty]

For you, perhaps. Everyone's different. I've been shooting my 1712 FWT exclusively since I got it, but I still prefer the CZ's stock. Everyone's different. Everyone's built different. Everyone feels different. Everyone works different. Everyone has their own preferences. What works well for one may not work well for another. You can certainly make some generalizations about what seems to work well for a number of people, but that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone's going to feel the same way. You know was well as I do that when you go to the next shoot you're going to see a variety of people, with a variety of equipment, and even those with the same or very similar equipment are still going to exhibit differences. They'll all have varations in hold. They'll all have variations in stance. Even with the same gun/action in the same stock.

As for CZ 453 Varmint ... the stock is poorly suited for off-hand shooting.