We were impressed with some new varmint/tactical rifles we saw at the CZ-USA SHOT Show booth. Our Assistant Editor Jason Baney favored the brand new CZ-USACZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer (VPT). This rifle should prove ideal for tactical rimfire games and small-bore cross-training. The new-for-2012 CZ 455 VPT features an .866″ diam. heavy barrel, in a very rigid, high-tech Manners Composite stock. The 455 VFT’s list price is $899.00.
Manners Rimfire Varmint/Tactical Stock Sold Separately — Special 5% OFF Promo
The Manners’ stock used on the CZ 455 VPT can also be purchased separately and used with other barreled actions: Sako Quad, Savage Mark II, CZ 452, CZ 453, along with the 455. Inletting is complete, so this will be a drop-in solution if you already own one of the listed rimfire rifles.
Regular price for the Manners MCS-T4 rimfire stock is $475.00. However, if you mention AccurateShooter.com, Manners Composite Stocks will take five percent (5%) off that price through the end of January. That reduces your cost to $451.25 before options.
New CZ 527 Precision Varminter
CZ also makes excellent, affordable centerfire rigs, such as the new-for-2012 model 527 Precision Varminter. This gun is offered in .204 Ruger or .223 Remington chambering, and it is well-suited for the varmint fields or “tactical” style shooting from bipod. What sets the new 527 Varminter apart from most other CZ offerings is its high-quality Bell & Carlson fiberglass stock. This stock features an ergonomic grip section, comb height suitable for scopes, and a nice, rigid fore-end that’s plenty solid for shooting from bipod. The external finish is a handsome green/black blend with some texture. Our reporter Kelly Bachand reviews the CZ 527 in the video below.
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Hodgdon Powder has introduced a new spherical (ball) powder called CFE™223. Hodgdon claims that this new powder “greatly deters copper fouling” compared to other propellants. Originally developed for U.S. rapid-fire military systems, CFE™223 incorporates a proprietary chemistry named “Copper Fouling Eraser”. Based on tests with extended shot strings, Hodgdon claims that, by using CFE™223, match shooters, varmint hunters, and AR shooters can maintain accuracy for longer periods, with less barrel-cleaning time.
Load Data Now Available Online for CFE™223
Reload data for CFE™223 is available for 27 different cartridges with 147 loads. It is suitable for loading in many popular chamberings including: .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, 22-250, 6mmBR, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem, 7mm-08, and .308 Win. Maximum velocities are obtained in the .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, 22-250, and .308 Win with load data found at Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center. CFE™223 is a spherical (ball) powder, so it meters well. The new powder will be available in one- and eight-pound containers starting in January, 2012. For more info, call (913) 362-9455 or write to: Hodgdon Powder, 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.
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Sierra Bullets rolled out few new products for SHOT Show 2012. The one new bullet is a .30-caliber flat-based bullet, the 125gr OTM (open-tip match HP) MatchKing, item #2121. This unique flat-based bullet was designed in conjunction with AAC (Advanced Armament Corporation) and Remington for the new .300 AAC Blackout (BLK) cartridge, a relatively small cartridge based on the .223 Rem necked up to .30 caliber. The bullet length is tailored to correctly fit and feed from AR-15 platform magazines. The relatively light weight of Sierra’s new 125gr MK allows it to reach fairly impressive velocities even with a modest powder charge. Of course it can also be used in subsonic mode, running at sub-Mach velocities. However, it is more typical for .300 BLK shooters to run a heavier bullet, such as the 240gr SMK, for subsonic applications (the heavier projectile delivers much more downrange energy at subsonic MVs).
The projectile’s Open Tip is pinched for greater uniformity in the same manner as Sierra’s Palma Competition bullets. The G1 BC is surprisingly high for a relatively short, flat-based bullet: 0.310 (below 1600 fps), 0.330 (1,600-2,000 fps), 0.338 (2000 – 2650 fps), and 0.349 (above 2650 fps). Though it will perform well at low velocities in the .300 BLK, this bullet can handle the higher velocities produced by common .30 cal mid-sized cartridges, such as the .30-30.
The new 125gr Matchking is now being loaded in factory ammo, including Remington’s Premier Match, which retails for $34.00 for a 20rd box. These 125gr bullets are available now from MidwayUSA for $34.99 per hundred.
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