CZ 457 vs Tikka T1X vs Lithgow LA101 - First .22 Rifle

[Pyroteq]

I believe under Australian consumer law I'd be fine as all products must meet the expected performance. It should also be covered under warranty from the manufacturer, most good companies will honour the warranty still even after re-sale. Plan is to go out to the range right away after I pick it up and test it out.

[Mattraff]

Sounds like a decent price if the scopes ok. If you have trouble with the mag feeding there is an instruction page on the Lithgow site and I have also seen it posted on here if you search. Most report the Lithgow likes RWS subs or Eley, my preference is CCI subs as all my rifles shoot well with them. Enjoy the new toy!

[SCJ429]

I believe under Australian consumer law I'd be fine as all products must meet the expected performance. It should also be covered under warranty from the manufacturer, most good companies will honour the warranty still even after re-sale. Plan is to go out to the range right away after I pick it up and test it out.

Products must be fit for purpose, expectations of performance are not covered. Manufactures may make claims regarding performance which they may honour. If you are buying a Lithgow and feed it Eley Match you will probably be happy but feed it Remington plinking ammo it may not perform to your expectations.

[ClaytonT88]

Congrats on the purchase. I picked up my T1X this morning. Now to find some time to sight her in.

[byadbo boy]

All very good rifles - I own a Lithgow LA101 22LR and a CZ 22LR - love them both but they have their own plusses and minuses.
You will read a lot about feed issues with the Lithgow- which frankly are an over exaggeration in my opinion,
as both the CZ I own and an old Brno 2e we have in the family have feed issues with ammo they don't like as well.
If you buy a Lithgow - the ideal small arms Australian manufactured ten round polymer magazines work flawlessly
once the follower is modified as per their instruction to suit the LA101. They are only $45 each !
The Lithgow is a tad heavy - the negative, but the fit and finish, and particularly the cerakote is superb for an extended damp period in the scrub.
It also taken a few hits and dings, and is still unmarked ( both cerakoted workings and polymer stock )
I do love my CZ too, but I baby it as it is obviously timber and blued.
At the range, you'd toss a coin on either.
In the Scrub I would take the Lithgow ( but I have plenty of trees to rest that 3kg on ! )
Good luck with it all.

[ClaytonT88]

How'd you go with the 101 Pyroteq? Pick her up yet?

[Zeju]

I just ordered a LA101 in 22LR Walnut / Black myself. Apparently it literally came from the factory the day before I ordered it, so hopefully I avoid any of the old niggles it was having.

That said, how are you guys going with yours? Surely no one is still having problems with them these days.

[safeshot]

I have my Brno that I got in 1984 it cost ..$180.. It is s et up with strong light for night work; the older I get the better it shoots..!
and i have also a Lithgow 101 mainly for the range and it is an utter love. I had feeding probs with it when one round would stove pipe. In a correspondence with Lithgow we finally sorted out the prob. It was matter of altering the follower as they will point out to you.
The amount of altering was no more than thickness of the metal of the follower.
In my case with 10 shot mages after market and CZ as well I had to make a fine cut 1-2 mm into the side of the mag under the lug that secures the mag and then use devcon plastic 2 pack to build up or build down the lug and once dry proceed to file it away until the mages locked securely in place.
The cut is to give the defcon a better purchase.
Thus I lifted the mag apx .5 mm higher into the feed area.
another way would have been pull gun to bits and machine the underside of the metal work where it mates with the plastic by the same .5 mm but on a taper from .5 mm at the front to nil at the back end. This would be a gunsmith job of course and would blow your warranty so its not advised.
I find the 101 likes the HV or near HV ammo for target work. Best results being Fed HV match. Its doesnot like the HP with large 'hollows' as they still catch on the edge of the bore and will jam up.

[TassieTiger]

[quote="safeshot"]I have my Brno that I got in 1984 it cost ..$180.. It is s et up with strong light for night work; the older I get the better it shoots..!
and i have also a Lithgow 101 mainly for the range and it is an utter love. I had feeding probs with it when one round would stove pipe. In a correspondence with Lithgow we finally sorted out the prob. It was matter of altering the follower as they will point out to you.
The amount of altering was no more than thickness of the metal of the follower.
In my case with 10 shot mages after market and CZ as well I had to make a fine cut 1-2 mm into the side of the mag under the lug that secures the mag and then use devcon plastic 2 pack to build up or build down the lug and once dry proceed to file it away until the mages locked securely in place.
The cut is to give the defcon a better purchase.
Thus I lifted the mag apx .5 mm higher into the feed area.
another way would have been pull gun to bits and machine the underside of the metal work where it mates with the plastic by the same .5 mm but on a taper from .5 mm at the front to nil at the back end. This would be a gunsmith job of course and would blow your warranty so its not advised.
I find the 101 likes the HV or near HV ammo for target work. Best results being Fed HV match. Its doesnot like the HP with large 'hollows' as they still catch on the edge of the bore and will jam up.[/quote

Stupid question -it is generally advised that, it’s illegal to modify a firearm or components unless the work is done by a licensed gunsmith. Are Lithgow exposing themselves by advising owners to undertake work in their firearms?

[MUZZ]

Altering the bolt or chamber in some way would need to be done by a Gunsmith by law, but I don't think altering the way the magazine fits is classed as "altering a firearm".

Well done on the LA101 purchase. I have just sold my CZ 455 American that I was using for target shooting so that I could purchase a really sweet BRNO target rifle - but that deal fell through so now I'm looking at all the options. I can't really afford an Anschutz and I have a Lithgow 223 so I am drawn to an LA101 - but yes the new CZ's look good.

[Pyroteq]

How'd you go with the 101 Pyroteq? Pick her up yet?

I did! Got it back in April but I've only had one chance since to get to the bloody range so I've been a bit quiet. I was in Tasmania for 2 weekends and I've got my third kid on the way within the next month so I've had no spare weekends for the past couple of months while we rush around figuring out how the hell we fit 3 child seats in a car

I put 100 rounds through it at the range. It was so much nicer than the rentals, although I had some stove piping issues with the magazine.

I looked up the magazine fix and was actually just playing around with it now to get the feed right. Unfortunately my local didn't have any 22 snap caps to actually test cycling the rounds so I can't say if my fix worked yet.

I intend to go out shooting this weekend so I'll see how my modification goes.

Apart from the magazine issue though, she shoots as well as I expect a complete noob to shoot. The scope was a million times better than the ones I had tried on the rentals. Once I either fix or replace the magazine (I want a 10 round anyway) I can start learning how to shoot properly!

I'll post a few pics tomorrow and also some pics of the magazine and how the bullets are sitting if anyone can give me advice. I think they're sitting in the right spot now, however the rim of the top round sometimes gets "caught" behind the rim of the round below it if I don't load it carefully which is causing issues so I think I'll need to adjust it a bit more before it's perfect.

[in2anity]

Apart from the magazine issue though, she shoots as well as I expect a complete noob to shoot. .

If you can afford a spare, the cz mags seem to work. I used one while my factory mag boomeranged to the Lithgow factory under warranty. The replacement magazine they mailed me back has worked flawlessly ever since.

I adore my 101 - it has excellent form for target shooting. Good heft with high euro style comb. I took a break from my centerfire adventures just recently actually; here's an arbitrary 87/100 off the elbows (with a military sling). Admittedly I'm pretty rusty compared to my smallbore days, but still, not terrible.

SISC Cecil Park - 50m prone

IMG_9168.jpg (527.22 KiB) Viewed 27536 times

Cheap cci-sv ammo. (Unlike this rather average, elbows group) the 101 can shoot consistent 10s off the bench.

IMG_9169.jpg (374.97 KiB) Viewed 27536 times

Outside of benchrest shooting, the gun is easily more accurate than I am!

[ScottyD]

Congrats on the purchase Pyroteq, I'm watching with interest as you work through the teething problems with it.

This is a great thread for me as I'm sort of in the same boat, although a little ways behind you since I've still got to get my licence (pulling finger out in next few weeks).

I'm also tied on a decision between these three (after I've got my licence and first PTA), and also looking to use it mainly for target but also for pest control on my place. I've been leaning toward the 101, but I'm still undecided (FWIF I'm also contemplating the Styer Zephyr II)

Some great info here, and looks like a great forum in general. Looking forward to learning heaps.

[ramshackle]

My thoughts on the action were typical CZ with it feeling a little agricultural but it is new and covered in the anti rust oil so will be much better once cleaned and lubricated with decent oil.

CZ457 American is an excellent rifle that I was considering buying just yesterday. One of the things I like is the "Bobox surface treatment" which I have read is a form of nitride treatment, making the rifle very hard and rust resistant. Also the 24" barrel aids in sound suppression when you're using CCI Quiet. Plus 60° bolt action rather than the old 90° makes scope choice easier. You should be able to get one for about $975.

For composite stocks, avoid the "soft touch" variants AT ALL COSTS. They simply do not last, they get sticky. Browning was hit with a class action lawsuit over their soft-touch Dura-Touch plastic finish recently: https://www.classaction.org/blog/browni ... rm-coating

The class action was settled in litigants' favour: https://duratouchsupport.winchesterguns ... Notice.pdf

[deye243]

Pyroteq any more on this 101 yet .
Still waiting on the pics ......

Cheers D

[Charlie Luncher]

I'm in the process of upgrading from a 452 silhouette the 457 varmint with the option of running 2 calibres appeals, another options is the Ruger rpr as it can also take pre-fit IBI barrels. Anyone got feedback on the 457?

[Charlie Luncher]

Anyone picked up one of these? It is looking very good my Q is does it shoot good? For that price I could almost go German
"CZ
457 XRS CUSTOM
22LR, 5 SHOT
CARBON THREADED MATCH STAINLESS IBI BARREL
MDT PIC RAIL
MDT XRS CHASSIS / STOCK SYSTEM WITH TWO GRIPS"

[allan]

Another version:
https://www.thebarn.net.au/Products/CZ+ ... 22LR/94802
Who's assembling these rim fires?
All very well to collect some nice components but unless you have the ignition, head space, chamber etc. set up correctly, there's no guarantee the package will shoot IMO.
I've been down this road many times and I know from experience that the outcome doesn't always justify the expense and time involved!

[in2anity]

One of the boys in our club got an IBI on a CZ from a well known online shop. The thing wouldn't lock up with most 22lr ammo.

[bah!]

I have the tikka t1x with a Leupold 3-9x40 and it goes good. It has accounted for dozens of rabbits and a few feral quadrapeds in the 40-80kg class range.

Best thing is that it is very happy with cheap rounds. A guy at the same club has the lithgow and it seems to need the Sk for best results. Uploaded a sighter from 50m with minimag targets

[Charlie Luncher]

CZ457/IBIcarbon/MDT

22 LR resize.jpg (95.53 KiB) Viewed 5638 times

So I committed to the modified CZ now to find out how it shots and how expensive her tastes are or how fussy she will be!!

[Bugman]

Same great advice mentioned. BUT really what do want to use it for? "Horses for courses" as they say.

[InisBineest]

TLDR: Get the one you like best:)

A lot can be said about peoples preferences for rifles, and there are different reasons for each. I really think your best bet is to get to a shooting range and see if folks there would be willing to demo what they own (i can't think of anyone who wouldn't:D).

Also, go to a shop and handle as many different types you can. Most 22 rifles around the $700-1200 shoot pretty much equally when given an ammo they like (rimfires can be picky!). Shoulder them, see how they feel, cycle the action, DON'T dry fire them unless the dealer specifically invites you too (as a rule though, don't dryfire rimfires... though more and more modern rifles are exceptions to that) and try out any that might be mounted with a scope (not to try out the scope, just to get a feel for how it handles with glass on it.

And don't feel bad if you get one because it looks nice:) Nothing wrong with that!

Enjoy mate, getting a new rifle is a lot of fun, savor it!


EDIT: Didn't read enough to realise you already bought one:P How do you find it?

[deye243]

One of the boys in our club got an IBI on a CZ from a well known online shop. The thing wouldn't lock up with most 22lr ammo.

That's because they need shims plenty of threads about it on rimfirecentral

[bigrich]

any updates on any of these rifles with regards to accuracy ? anyone with a t1x willing to share their experience ?

[Charlie Luncher]

any updates on any of these rifles with regards to accuracy ? anyone with a t1x willing to share their experience ?

I can comment on my CZ457 with a CZ varmint and IBI carbon, Brotuned a CANUK on the tube has some comparison vids between Lithgow, Tikka, Begara and CZ

[bigrich]

i looked at some tikka t1x rifles this morning . a plastic ejector . beautiful handling , balanced, great trigger . but a plastic ejector killed that idea . sako's have a piece of wire for a ejector

looked at cz 457 not bad sort of a rifle . but a 16.5" royal is all i could sample . didn't seem like a bad thing , but a american with 20" barrel would be a good thing i reckon .

anyone know of a decent aftermarket stock for the lithgow 101 ? i don't have a lot of confidence in my synthetic as far as accuracy goes

[allan]

Hatcher's do a decent semi finished/inletted tactical style stock for the LA101'

https://imgur.com/z5JDueh

[bigrich]

Hatcher's do a decent semi finished/inletted tactical style stock for the LA101'

https://imgur.com/z5JDueh

thanks allan . not a big fan of the tactical stock thing , shame boyd's aren't making a rimfire hunter stock for the 101

[Latitude37]

My T1X does MOA at 50m with no problems. If I were more experienced, it'd be better. This is off the bonnet of my car with bipod & sandbag, and very little shooting experience. Smooth action, too. Best choice for left handed. For some reason, the lh tikka is same price as the rh, whereas the CZ is more expensive. I'd probably get the CZ otherwise. But both seem pretty good.