New rifle

[Tomme boy]

So I ordered a new CZ 457 American 22lr to play with. I am hoping it shots as well as everyone say they do.

I made a decision that I am not going to hunt anymore. So I got rid of my 350 Legend. My dealer gave me almost what they go for new for it. So that worked out well. I spent today pulling apart about 150 rounds to reclaim components. The primers will be used on range blasting ammo in the 556 rifles. The lead bullets will be melted down. Not sure what I will do with the jacketed bullets. And the 900 rounds of once fired brass.

 

[RicinYakima]

Sorry you reached the point that you quit hunting. I did that years ago when I couldn't walk for still hunting, and if I shot an animal, I couldn't carry it back to the truck. There is life after hunting!!!

 

[Tomme boy]

I can't walk more than 100yds at a time now. My body is trashed. I need both knees replaced and a hip. And back surgery in 3 locations. I am fighting it all off as long as I can. I had trigger finger surgery on all of my fingers on both hands. And carpal tunnel on one wrist. This has allowed me to still shoot. Both hands would lock in a fist and I could not open it without help from the other hand. They don't lock up anymore but they hurt all the time.

It was just time for me to let go. I got the 350 as I was planning on getting back into hunting again. But that never happened. And I did not shoot the gun as much as I thought I would. I just did not like the cartridge from the get go. It was just way too picky on having everything perfect. I did find 71 brand new cases and about 200 primed 1x fired cases tonight. They were not in the same place I thought I put them. Seems every time I reorganize stuff I find stuff I forgot about.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have a CZ 457 Lux, basically the same rifle as the American but with a different stock and iron sights. I removed the sights and put a scope on it but wanted the ability to revert to iron sights. If I had to do it over, I would just buy the American.

CZ uses good materials; the rifle is well made, and it is accurate.

The rifle comes with a plastic magazine that is entirely serviceable, (and maybe even better than the steel ones for their rust resistance) but CZ did offer metal ones as well. I was able snag a steel CZ mag when they were available, but I don’t think they are around anymore. (see correction below)

There are a lot of little features that make the CZ stand out. For example, many bolt-action rim fire rifles use the sear to retain the bolt. The CZ has a separate bolt release that is like a little Mauser bolt release. This allows for a more precise sear and prevents damage to the sear. The safety now operates in the correct direction (an old complaint of previous CZ models). I doubt the barrel would ever need to be removed from the receiver, but the design does allow those parts to be separated. The parts that need to be well machined and fitted are exceptionally well fitted. The quality is evident throughout the rifle.

My example will put standard velocity ammo in the same hole with monotonous reliability.

A good, basic, bolt action, .22 rimfire rifle should be in everyone’s personal collection. I have long been impressed with the quality and value of CZ firearms. The 457 is worthy of CZ’s reputation for quality and value. In the realm of current production rifles, I don’t think you can find a better bolt action .22 rimfire rifle for the money.

 

[Glaciers]

So I ordered a new CZ 457 American 22lr to play with. I am hoping it shots as well as everyone say they do.

I bought one used 5 or 6 years ago and mounted a Mueller 4.5 x 16 on it and it’s a tack driver. And that’s with run of the mill ammunition. I haven’t tried it with any quality ammunition yet.
Like the rifle, popping golf balls at 75 yards is fun.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I just checked Midway and the steel 5-round magazines are availble but at $50/each

As for optics, the receiver has the 11mm European style grooves, which is NOT the same as the American grooved receivers. So do yourself a favor and buy the correct rings. I used Leupold rings and a fixed, 4 power Leupold RF scope. (cry once and get it over with)

Here's a prior review I posted:

CZ 457 review

There is nothing spectacular about this model 457 Lux. It is about as plain vanilla as a bolt action 22 gets. Iron sights, tapered barrel, 5 round magazine, matte finish; nothing to write home about. However, the details, in my opinion, add up to a sum greater than all its parts. The finish on...

www.artfulbullet.com

 

[Glaciers]

Yeah the grooved 11mm receiver is a pain as not many options out there. I put the 3/8 clamp on rings and mounts and made them work. But I need to get the correct rings.
I used what was in my stash box of rings and mounts, as there wasn’t anything available in town.
Midway has the magazines, I need to check that out as I hate not having a spare. But, they are spendy.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Yeah the grooved 11mm receiver is a pain as not many options out there. I put the 3/8 clamp on rings and mounts and made them work. But I need to get the correct rings.
I used what was in my stash box of rings and mounts, as there wasn’t anything available in town.
Midway has the magazines, I need to check that out as I hate not having a spare. But, they are spendy.

The steel magazines are spendy. I have ONE steel magazine and I suspect that will the only steel one I will have unless I find a deal on a used one. The plastic.....er sorry "polymer" ones are not too bad. The plastic mags will not rust (well, at least not the magazine body) and they don't need oil, so that may actually be a plus. I like to have at least 1 spare magazine for a .22 rifle because those things tend to walk away.

As for the groove spacing, 11mm works out to about .433" and 3/8" is of course .375". They are close but not the same. In my opinion, it's worth the time and money to get the 11mm rings, do it once and do it right.

I have 2 of those fixed 4 power Leupold scopes, one is over 30 years old. I wouldn't trade them for anyting. Best little fixed power scope I've ever used.

 

[Rick]

I bought one used 5 or 6 years ago and mounted a Mueller 4.5 x 16 on it and it’s a tack driver. And that’s with run of the mill ammunition. I haven’t tried it with any quality ammunition yet.
Like the rifle, popping golf balls at 75 yards is fun.

Ah ha, I knew there was a useful purpose for golf balls.

 

[JWinAZ]

@Tomme boy A great rifle to have. If I had only one .22 rifle (gasp) it would be my 455 Training Rifle. I have a Leupold 2-7 rimfire mounted with Talley rings, very satisfactory. Shoots great.

 

[Gary]

I have a 452 Trainer that's a shooter, much more so than I am (cataract in shooting eye).

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Sorry ta read Tomme!

I thi k ya gonna like the CZ. Three close buddies have them and enjoy the heck outta them!

 

[Tomme boy]

I ordered a CZ made scope base with 15MOA built in. I did not want to go the ring only way. I do not like the ring set up. Still debating on the scope I will use.

Yah I seen all the mags and the cost. Did not check that before I ordered this. I found a few places that have the plastic 10rd ones for $38 each.

 

[Mainiac]

If ya sell the brass, i might be intrested.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The 5 round magazines are far less obtrusive when shooting from a rest or when just carrying the rifle. For small game hunting, 5 rounds are plenty. For target shooting, it takes 2 seconds to swap mags. Some folks like the 10 round mags but for me, they destroy the handiness of the rifle. YMMV.

The plastic mags work fine, the steel ones are just more traditional.(and you pay for that tradition )

I always try to get the scope close to the receiver but I’m using a fixed power scope with a relatively small objective lens. If you like to put lots of glass on your .22 rifle (some target shooters do) then ring height becomes an issue.

 

[Rockydoc]

I ordered a CZ made scope base with 15MOA built in. I did not want to go the ring only way. I do not like the ring set up. Still debating on the scope I will use.

Yah I seen all the mags and the cost. Did not check that before I ordered this. I found a few places that have the plastic 10rd ones for $38 each.

Back a few months ago when most guns were difficult to find I was looking for a CZ .22LR but couldn’t find one. A Steyr Mannlicher Zephyr was available, probably because it was so expensive, and I grabbed it. No regrets there.

I think the magazines for the CZ and the Zephyr are interchangeable. Where did you find the 10 round ones for $38?

 

[Jeff H]

I've never had a 457, but I had two 452s and they were the nicest/best 22s I ever owned.

One was a "Trainer" model with a 25" barrel and the other was a "Scout," with a 16" barrel - both ends of the spectrum. The trainer was easy to shoot well, hitting rabbit-sized silhouettes off-hand at a hundred yards using the very nicely done military open sights. Much more difficult to shoot, the Scout would still do under half an inch for three shots* at fifty (bench) with peep/post Tech Sights. Both shot using 90s era Federal "Value-Pack" ammo I got for $10/550 years ago.

*The GUN would have done five in half an inch, but my nerves, patience and eyes would become fatigued by the time I was able to get three off, so I juts stopped trying to shoot five shots with that one.

There are so me good very threads on Rimfire Central regarding these guns.

 

[Rockydoc]

I can't walk more than 100yds at a time now. My body is trashed. I need both knees replaced and a hip. And back surgery in 3 locations. I am fighting it all off as long as I can. I had trigger finger surgery on all of my fingers on both hands. And carpal tunnel on one wrist. This has allowed me to still shoot. Both hands would lock in a fist and I could not open it without help from the other hand. They don't lock up anymore but they hurt all the time.

It was just time for me to let go. I got the 350 as I was planning on getting back into hunting again. But that never happened. And I did not shoot the gun as much as I thought I would. I just did not like the cartridge from the get go. It was just way too picky on having everything perfect. I did find 71 brand new cases and about 200 primed 1x fired cases tonight. They were not in the same place I thought I put them. Seems every time I reorganize stuff I find stuff I forgot about.

Tomme, you and I have been sailing the same boat.. I have 2 titanium hips and one knee and walking on rough ground (which is what one finds most places we all hunt) is difficult, dangerous and exhausting.

I have not had to stop hunting yet because I have a large family of hunters and we hunt on family land. My son and grandsons are happy to help me get and from the stands and to collect game taken.

When hunting is no longer practical, I still hope to cast, load, and shoot targets.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I grew up with the use of one decent .22 rimfire rifle (my father's) and a whole bunch of cheap ones. I learned a LOT about .22 rimfires, some of it the hard way.
Some of the older "economy" .22's were actually very good rifles and capable of excellent accuracy with ammo they liked and a good shooter behind the trigger.
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good .22 rifle but I will say some are better than others.
In today's world of bolt action .22's, I think the CZ is one of the best deals out there.

 

[Jeff H]

...You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good .22 rifle but I will say some are better than others.
In today's world of bolt action .22's, I think the CZ is one of the best deals out there.

When I bought my 452s the Trainer was under $300 new, which was a steal for what you got. A couple years later, the Scouts, which had been going for under $200 were up to almost $300. STILL a bargain. By the time they discontinued them, people had finally woken up to the quality and prices had become much more in line with what they were actually worth in terms of quality and performance.

My youngest daughter has a Marlin 15Y, youth, singe-shot, bolt-action 22, which is almost as accurate as the CZs and I got that Marlin for less than $100. I'd have to be having a really good day shooting to tell the difference between them.

Ithaca 49, inexpensive single-shot, lever-action from the mid-sixties - I swear it was the most accurate 22 I've ever shot. I never wasted ammo on paper to "prove" it, but I never missed what I was shooting at with that gun. As a kid, I seriously believed it had special powers.

"Upgraded" to a pricey 10-22 Deluxe in 77 or 78 and, while it was very accurate, it wasn't quite as accurate as the cheaper single shots my brother and I messed with in leaner times.