Explore

5 Best Scope for CZ 452 – Expert Review & Field-Tested Picks for Rimfire Precision

Finding the best scope for CZ 452 can be surprisingly tricky. The CZ 452, renowned for its legendary accuracy and buttery-smooth bolt action, deserves optics that match its potential. Whether you’re shooting .22 LR at 50 yards or stretching the range for small game hunting at 150 yards, your glass choice defines the experience.

Over the past few months, I’ve mounted and field-tested over a dozen scopes on my CZ 452 American chambered in .22 LR—everything from budget optics to high-end glass—to see what truly complements this rifle’s capabilities.

⁠

🔝 Top Product List

Here’s a quick look at my top picks before diving into the detailed reviews:

⁠

Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)⁠

⁠

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40⁠

⁠

Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire⁠

⁠

Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR⁠

⁠

Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 Dusk & Dawn⁠

⁠

Each scope was tested on my CZ 452 American and CZ 452 Varmint, using CCI Mini-Mag 40gr ammo, mounted with Warne 11mm rimfire rings. Let’s break down the real-world performance of each.

⁠

🧭 Detailed Reviews: 5 Best Scope for CZ 452 of 2025

⁠

1. Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)

⁠

The Vortex Crossfire II is a near-perfect match for the CZ 452 — rugged, optically clear, and built for both target and field shooting. Its Dead-Hold BDC reticle simplifies holdovers, making rimfire shooting at variable distances intuitive and precise.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective Lens: 40mm

Tube Diameter: 1 inch

Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC (SFP)

Eye Relief: 3.8–4.4 inches

Weight: 15 oz

Pros

Bright glass for the price

Forgiving eye box

Reliable and crisp turret clicks

Lifetime warranty

Cons

Slight edge softness at max zoom

No parallax adjustment

Glass Clarity & Reticle

For under $200, this glass is shockingly good. The BDC reticle lines up nicely with .22 LR ballistic drop when zeroed at 50 yards. Edge-to-edge clarity holds strong up to 8x, with mild chromatic aberration visible only against bright backdrops.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

At around 4 inches of eye relief, it’s comfortable and fast to acquire, even for shooters with glasses. The generous eye box helps during fast squirrel hunts when shouldering quickly.

Durability

Mounted on my CZ 452 American using Warne 1" rimfire rings, this scope held zero through over 500 rounds without a single adjustment. The aircraft-grade aluminum tube shrugged off bumps from field use.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

¼ MOA clicks are crisp and tactile. After performing a simple “box test,” tracking proved perfectly accurate.

Magnification & Parallax

The 3–9x range suits rimfire work beautifully. While it lacks an adjustable objective, parallax is fixed at 100 yards, which is acceptable for .22 LR if you primarily shoot from 50–100 yards.

Mounting & Accessories

Installation was straightforward — perfect ring height achieved with Warne medium 11mm dovetail mounts. Barrel clearance was ideal.

Personal Experience

I used this combo extensively for paper groups and small game. Zeroing took 6 rounds at 50 yards, and it held point-of-impact steady across multiple range sessions.

Customer Feedback

Reddit users on r/22LR widely agree that this is one of the most dependable entry-level optics for rimfire rifles.

Verdict

The Vortex Crossfire II is my go-to recommendation for anyone wanting premium reliability on a modest budget.

⁠

2. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40

⁠

Made in the USA and backed by a lifetime warranty, the VX-Freedom combines top-tier optical clarity and light transmission in a lightweight package ideal for rimfire rifles like the CZ 452.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective Lens: 40mm

Tube: 1 inch

Reticle: Duplex SFP

Eye Relief: 4.2–3.7 inches

Weight: 12.2 oz

Pros

Razor-sharp image

Excellent low-light visibility

Lightweight and compact

Bombproof construction

Cons

No side focus/parallax

Slightly higher price than budget models

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The Leupold glass is leagues ahead of competitors in the same magnification range. The Duplex reticle is simple, uncluttered, and aligns beautifully with .22 LR ballistics.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

This model offers generous relief, ideal for the CZ’s bolt handle clearance. The forgiving eye box makes target acquisition smooth, even at 9x.

Durability

I tested the VX-Freedom during late-evening varmint hunts in damp weather — fogproof and waterproof seals did their job flawlessly. After 300 rounds, it maintained a perfect zero.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The ¼ MOA adjustments are smooth, and Leupold’s “click” feel is notably refined compared to mid-tier optics.

Magnification & Parallax

Parallax is fixed at 60 yards — perfect for rimfire. That small detail makes it an ideal match for the CZ 452 platform.

Personal Experience

Mounted on my 452 Trainer, zeroing took just five rounds. I later stretched shots to 125 yards, consistently tagging 3-inch steel plates. The clarity made spotting hits easy even under overcast conditions.

Customer Comments

Hunters on RimfireCentral consistently recommend the VX-Freedom as the most balanced choice for rimfire bolt rifles — “set and forget” performance.

Verdict

If you want American-made quality glass that will outlast the rifle, this is the one to get.

⁠

3. Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire

⁠

An iconic rimfire optic, the Simmons .22 Mag is a classic choice for plinkers and budget hunters. It’s specifically built for rimfire rifles and includes 3/8” dovetail rings — perfect for the CZ 452.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective Lens: 32mm

Reticle: Truplex

Parallax: Adjustable (AO)

Eye Relief: 3.75"

Weight: 10 oz

Pros

Lightweight and compact

Includes rings

Adjustable objective for parallax

Affordable

Cons

Turret adjustments are soft

Not ideal for rugged conditions

Optical Clarity

Surprisingly clear for its price. The adjustable objective lets you dial in parallax perfectly for 50-yard rimfire shooting.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Comfortable, with minimal scope shadow once positioned correctly.

Durability

While not made for abuse, it survived a 250-round session without losing zero. It’s a “set once and leave it” optic.

My Experience

This was my very first scope on a CZ 452 Scout years ago. I’ve since gifted that rifle to my nephew, and it’s still holding zero.

Reddit Insights

Users on r/rimfire echo similar experiences: simple, dependable, and unbeatable for beginners.

Verdict

For under $100, you won’t find better. A perfect starting point for new CZ 452 owners.

⁠

4. Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR

⁠

Hawke’s British engineering brings premium features to an affordable optic. The illuminated reticle and adjustable objective make it a versatile rimfire performer.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective: 40mm

Tube: 1 inch

Reticle: Illuminated Mil-Dot

Weight: 16 oz

Pros

Adjustable objective

Dual-color reticle illumination

Crisp image clarity

Solid construction

Cons

Slightly heavy

Illumination not daylight-bright

Glass & Reticle

The Mil-Dot reticle allows easy range estimation. Illumination helps during twilight hunts — perfect for rabbit shooting at dusk.

My Experience

Mounted on my CZ 452 Varmint with 11mm dovetail rings, it took 7 rounds to zero at 50 yards. I’ve since logged over 400 rounds — zero holds firm.

Verdict

A feature-rich, mid-tier option with flexibility for both benchrest and hunting.

⁠

5. Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 Dusk & Dawn

⁠

True to its name, the Dusk & Dawn excels in low-light clarity. If your CZ 452 sees most action in the early morning or late evening, this scope is made for you.