NRA Gun of the Week: CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer Camo Rifle

by
posted on May 19, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Militaries around the world have relied on rimfire training rifles for more than 100 years, and the reason is very clear—providing use of inexpensive and readily available ammunition at closer ranges to hone the shooting fundamentals of the rifleman sent to battlefields both near and far. As such, firearm companies have produced full-stocked, heavy-barrel rimfire rifles for the task, and this week we are featuring a modern trainer from CZ—the 455 Varmint Precision Trainer Camo Rifle. The model 455, an enhanced version of the company’s 452, is a magazine-fed, bolt-action rimfire rifle. The Varmint Precision Trainer Camo is also a switch-barrel design like its predecessor— aftermarket barrels are available from CZ with chambering options to include: .17 HMR, .22 Long Rifle and .22 WMR. This week’s feature rifle utilizes a cold-hammer-forged, 0.866”-thick barrel and a camouflage, Manners T4 carbon and fiberglass composite stock—and both the 24” and 16.5” barrel options are suppressor-ready. To learn more about the CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer Camo and to see it in action, check out our NRA Gun of the Week video.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Česká Zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod
Importer: CZ-USA
Chambering: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: bolt-action, rimfire repeating rifle
Receiver: cnc-machined steel, switch-barrel capable
Barrel: 16.5”, cold-hammer-forged steel; heavy-contour, threaded 1/2x28 TPI
Stock: Manners T4, composite
Trigger: single-stage, adjustable; 2-lb., 10-oz. pull
Magazine: five-round detachable box
Sights: none; integral 11 mm dovetail rail
Weight: 7 lbs., 10 ozs.
MSRP: $940 

Additional Reading:
How NRA Trained America’s Snipers To Fight “Over There”
American Rifleman Guide: Precision Rifle Series
The Genesis Of Sniping, Part 6: Soviet Sniping, 1939-1945
Sniping From Below: Periscope Rifles in World War I

























 

Latest

FN 309 01
FN 309 01

New For 2026: FN 309 MRD

For 2026, FN is seeking to bring its handguns to a wider market with the FN 309 MRD, a no-frills affordable pistol that the company says is “easy to shoot, easy to use and easy to own.”

Handloads: A Cheap .38 Special Target Load

These times of sparsely available handloading components require scrimping here and there in order to continue shooting, and the .38 Special provides a lot of bang for the buck.

Jack O'Connor Guns, Books & Art Up For Auction

A number of books and firearms, along with some art pieces, that have a direct connection to famed outdoor writer Jack O'Connor are up for auction at GunBroker.

Building Christensen Rifles: A Hands-On View

A cutting-edge enterprise takes on the lightweight-hunting-rifle market with models that defy expectations—all without flinching.

New For 2026: 25 WBY RPM

The 25 WBY RPM is the 17th proprietary cartridge developed by Weatherby, a company whose name is synonymous with magnum cartridges and bullet speed.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 12, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.