Monthly Archives: March 2025

New Vortex Venom 5-25x56mm Tactical MRAD FFP Riflescope Review – Out of The Box

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The $494 dollar Vortex Venom did not disappoint me Out of the Box! It boasts an excellent light gathering 34mm tube. I purchased medium Vortex rings too which worked very well.

I “bore-sighted” my CZ457 MTR 22lr rifle and Venom scope.today at 50 yards easily and set my elevation for 50 yard zero with Wolf Match Extra bullets.

Once complete, I set elevation’s and tested for 100 and 150 yards. I was impressed again with clarity of the crosshairs and overall brightness for the price of this competition type scope.

Below, my last 150 yard Wolf Match Extra group for the day. It is a 2 inch group with a little wind. If I discount the flyer, the group is 1.25 inches. The Wolf Match lot has an SD of 7 and a faster bullet at 1135 fps. 

I had a great day today largely because of very little wind, say 5 mph crosswind and my CZ shot well. I am ready…

A day later, I shot a 0.71 inch 5 shot group at 100 yds with SK Match Ammo. Nice! I settled on SK Match for competition. Average velocity 1091 fps SD 5.4

Good Shooting!

 

 

Competition 22LR Bullet Chrono Tests for SK, Wolf Match Extra, Eley Match

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I purchase bricks of ammo and test by Lot #. Using my Garmin chronograph, I test 5 shot groups at 50 yards for speed (MIN MAX AVG) Extreme Spread and of course Standard Deviation.

 

Product          

SK Match Lot 004

Min          Max       Avg         ES        SD

1081       1096.7   1091       16.7      5.4

SK Match Lot 002

Min             Max       Avg         ES        SD

1077.2       1104.2   1089.2       27     10.8

As you can see there is some ES/SD variation of SK Lots.

Wolf Match Extra Lot 135

Min             Max       Avg         ES        SD

1135.9       1156.8   1146.2      20.9     7.3

Eley Match Lot 143

Min             Max       Avg         ES        SD

1125.2       1137.2   1130.1      12        4.2

Serious Competitive Shooters like low SD’s like the SK Lot 004 of 5.4 and Eley at 4.2. Ammo cost goes up dramatically with low SD’s. 

Good Shooting!

 

 

 

 

My CZ 457 Varmint MTR Upgraded With A Timney Trigger

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Honestly, If you want to win 22LR Matches, then you will need to upgrade components of your rifle. As good as the stock trigger may be, it can’t be set where serious competitors go.

The CZ 457 Timney comes from the factory set at one pound, and can be adjusted. Trigger pull is a key part of ultimate accuracy and Timney folks are expert. Over the years, I have literally replaced almost all of my rifle triggers with a Timney. They are world class! Retail cost is $192.00. A Bargain!

Good Shooting!

 

22 Rifle Scope : MRAD vs MOA

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I am afraid the 22 rifle bug has bit me.

The remedy is to shoot often with friendly competition. I am in week 2 of the disease and spending cash like a silly kid in a candy store. I am buying another slightly better tactical scope in mill radians known as MRAD. For target shooters, MRAD, or “MIL” for short, once learned, is more helpful in point of aim detail among many target shooters. It is divided finer than MOA. If you already know MOA, you do not have to learn MIL. I am going to see what changes in ease of mental calculations. Stay Posted…

I spent most of my life as a hunter and used MOA (Minute of Angle). So “MIL” is new to me. Calculation differences below. 

Calculating in MRAD
100 yards (91,4 m) 1/10 MIL= 0.36″ = 0.91 cm
100 yards (91,4 m) 1 MIL= 3.6″ = 9.14 cm
200 yards (182,8 m) 1/10 MIL= 0.72″ = 1.82 cm
200 yards (182,8 m) 1 MIL= 7.2″ = 18.28 cm
300 yards (274,3 m) 1/10 MIL= 1.08″ = 2.74 cm
300 yards (274,3 m) 1 MIL= 10.8″ = 27.43 cm

 

Calculating in MOA
100 yards (91,4 m) 1/4 MOA = 0.26″ = 0,66 cm
100 yards (91,4 m) 1 MOA = 1.05″ = 2,67 cm
200 yards (182,8 m) 1/4 MOA = 2.1″ = 1,33 cm
200 yards (182,8 m) 1 MOA = 2.1″ = 5,33 cm
300 yards (274,3 m) 1/4 MOA = 0.79″ = 2,00 cm
300 yards (274,3 m) 1 MOA = 3.15″ = 8,00 cm

 

Good Shooting!

Day 2 Ownership of CZ 457 Varmint MTR and SK Match 100/150 yds Groups

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If you read my last article, you know the CZ 457 Varmint MTR is brand new to me from Midway.

I equipped it with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6 – 24x50mm first focal plane EBR-2C (MOA).

Sorry no rifle pics of my setup yet. 

At 24x, I shot my first two groups at 100 and 150 yards on Day 2 with SK Match ammo (No Wind).

SK Rifle Match 22LR Ammo 40 Grain Round Nose

I used a black magic marker to create aspirin size dot targets. Yes, I will compete in aspirin shoots.

100 Yard first ever groups below at 1.17 inches left and 0.73 inches right. Average is 0.95 inches.

150 yard first ever group below at 1.2 inches if I discount the lower left flyer. I could not shoot more groups as it was starting to rain. I was also guessing how much to turn up the turret. 

What did I conclude from this test?

First and foremost, my CZ 457 Varmint MTR is a real shooter with the Vortex Diamondback Tactical Scope!

Secondly, the SK Match ammo performed outstandingly well. 

Am I pleased? You could say I’m “Shut The Front Door” Pleased!

Much more to come…

Good Shooting!

© Copyright 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A CZ 22LR Rifle Build for Fun and Competition – UPDATE UPDATE

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I consider myself a pretty good rifle shot but have rarely competed. I am bored from the winter and hope to get outside and shoot. My club holds Aspirin shoots and I will endeavor to give it a try.  Accordingly, I purchased a cost effective competitive CZ 457 Varmint MTR Match Target Rifle with a 20 inch bull barrel based on my research.

CZ 457 Varmint MTR Bolt Action Rifle 22 Long Rifle 20.5" Blued Barrel Blued Frame Walnut Fixed Stock

 

Specifications

Product Name CZ 457 Varmint MTR
SKU02345
Firearm Type Rifle
Purpose Hunting/Target
MSRP$899.00
Chambering.22 LR
Twist Rate1:16 in
Magazine Capacity 5 (can get 10 later)
Magazine Type Detachable
Weight 7.5 lbs
Stock Circassian Walnut, Target-Style
Length Of Pull13.75 in
Sights No Sights, Integrated 11mm Dovetail
Heavy Contour Barrel Cold Hammer Forged 1:16 Twist
Barrel Length 20.5 in
Trigger Mech Fully Adjustable 
Safety Two-Position, Push-To-Fire

I will receive the rifle. While waiting I have ordered a Vortex Scope/Rings and Picatinny Rail.

UPDATE Additionally, I researched some  CZ accessories and ammo. Also for testing, Timney will send a competition trigger to see if better than stock trigger.

In the coming weeks, I will write about this build and see what it can do at the range. 

AT THE RANGE 

March 14, 2025

Weather was sunny and a cool 47 degrees. Cross Wind was 5-10mph. I fired the first bench groups of SK Match 22LR ammo at 50 yards. Stock trigger was a crisp 3 lb. 5 oz. Upper left best group was .25 inch worst group lower left .75 inches. I noticed that the trigger was firmer than I liked ending in visible lateral dispersion.

Accordingly, I will need to determine the best weight for me. Time will tell…

 

My research shows that experienced 22lr bench shooters like a lighter trigger. 

 If I get bit by this competition bug, I may be owning more of these kinds of .22LR tack driving rifles. 

IT’S GREAT FUN!

 

Good Shooting!