Peter, the screws are standard slot type with very shallow and thin slots. I dropped the CZ off at my gunsmith's antique shop today. He said that a number of the CZs have had the wood to swell tightening the bedding screws and pressing on the barrels of the "free floated" HB varmints. He further informed me that the CZ 452 HB Varmint in .22LR is the most popular silhouette rifle in our NRA matches as it meets the weight limits for "Hunter Rifle" class. The CZs are out shooting the Remingtons, Kimbers, and Anschutzes. Of course, the clunky old Marlins and Savages sometimes do too. Some of the CZs are getting .75" groups at 100 meters with the .22 LR Wolf ammo on calm days. I have no doubt he can get the inherently more accurate 17 HMR to do as well. He will adjust the trigger pull to 2 lbs and free float the barrel. I have already cleaned the bore (did it at the range). As an old match shooter myself, I am familiar with lapping barrels and the moly trick. The high power boys do it more than the rimfire shooters, but it has been done. I always start with the simple easy stuff first when sorting out a new rifle. Often, that is all it takes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The last thing I try is rebedding the action, but sometimes it takes that.