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5 Best Scope for CZ 457 — My Top 5 Picks for Precision Rimfire Shooting

Finding the best scope for CZ 457 can transform your rimfire rifle from a casual plinker into a precision tack driver.

The CZ 457 platform is known for its remarkable accuracy, smooth bolt action, and modular barrel system, making it a favorite among small-game hunters, NRL22 competitors, and target shooters alike. But without the right optic, even this finely crafted rifle won’t reach its full potential.

After extensive testing on my CZ 457 Varmint MTR in .22LR, I’ve selected and field-tested the top-performing scopes that balance optical clarity, reliable adjustments, and rimfire-friendly magnification ranges.

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🏆 Top Product List

Here’s a quick summary of my top scopes for the CZ 457 before we dive into detailed reviews:

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

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Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 6-24x50 FFP⁠

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Arken Optics EP5 5-25x56 Rifle Scope FFP⁠

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Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 Rimfire MOA⁠

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Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire⁠

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Detailed Reviews: 5 Best Scope for CZ 457 of 2025

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

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The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 is a classic choice for any rimfire rifle and performs exceptionally well on the CZ 457. It offers a perfect balance between magnification, weight, and affordability. Its Dead-Hold BDC reticle provides holdover points for long shots, ideal for stretching your .22LR beyond 100 yards.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective Lens: 40mm

Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC (SFP)

Tube: 1-inch aluminum

Field of View: 34.1–12.6 ft @ 100 yds

Eye Relief: 3.8–4.4 in

Weight: 15 oz

Pros

Excellent clarity for its price

Long and forgiving eye relief

Durable one-piece construction

Lifetime VIP warranty

Cons

No parallax adjustment

Slightly heavy for compact rimfire builds

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Edge-to-edge clarity is solid, with minimal chromatic aberration. The BDC reticle matches .22LR drop fairly well out to 150 yards once zeroed at 50.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The generous eye relief made it comfortable to shoot from bench and prone positions without scope shadowing.

Durability

I ran this on a CZ 457 Varmint for over 600 rounds in varying humidity. It held zero perfectly and shrugged off minor bumps.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

1/4 MOA adjustments tracked accurately through a box test. Clicks are audible and tactile, though not as crisp as higher-end models.

Mounting & Accessories

I used a set of Vortex Pro 1-inch rings on a 11mm-to-Picatinny rail adapter—fitment was excellent.

My Experience

Zeroing took about 10 rounds at 50 yards with CCI Standard Velocity ammo. The image stayed bright even under overcast skies.

Online Comments

Many shooters on Reddit’s r/22lr call this the “sweet spot” optic for casual and competitive rimfire alike.

Verdict

An ideal mid-tier option for the CZ 457, providing dependable accuracy for small-game hunting and steel targets.

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➡️➡️➡️ Explore User Feedback and Current Pricing on Amazon⁠

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🥈 Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 6-24x50 FFP

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The Argos BTR GEN2 brings premium long-range features to an affordable package. Its FFP design and precision turrets make it a top choice for CZ 457 shooters pushing subsonic .22LR rounds out to 200 yards.

Specs

Magnification: 6–24x

Objective Lens: 50mm

Tube: 30mm

Reticle: APMR MIL FFP IR

Adjustment: 0.1 MIL

Parallax: 10 yards to infinity

Weight: 29.6 oz

Pros

FFP reticle perfect for variable-distance shooting

Side parallax adjustable for close rimfire ranges

Excellent turret tracking

Cons

Heavy for a rimfire rifle

Slight tunnel vision at low magnification

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Glass quality is superb for its class, with a crisp illuminated reticle and sharp edge-to-edge clarity.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

3.3 inches of eye relief works fine on the CZ 457; eye box tightens slightly above 18x.

Durability

Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope feels rock solid. I used it through light rain and fog—no fogging or shift in zero.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Tactile clicks with zero stop feature. Box test results showed 0.1 MIL accuracy per click, verified at 100 yards.

My Experience

Mounted using a 30mm Arken one-piece mount. Zeroed easily with 50-yard parallax. I achieved consistent 0.5-inch groups using Eley Match ammo.

Online Comments

Athlon fans praise its FFP value, often calling it the “budget Vortex Viper PST.”

Verdict

If you’re into precision rimfire competitions or long-range target shooting, this scope extracts the most from your CZ 457’s barrel accuracy.

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➡️➡️➡️ Explore User Feedback and Current Pricing on Amazon⁠

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🥉 Arken Optics EP5 5-25x56 Rifle Scope FFP

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The Arken EP5 is a powerhouse optic usually found on centerfire rifles, but when mounted on a CZ 457 MTR with a 20 MOA rail, it becomes a rimfire sniper’s dream.

Specs

Magnification: 5–25x

Objective: 56mm

Tube: 34mm

Reticle: VPR MIL FFP

Click Value: 0.1 MIL

Weight: 36.6 oz

Pros

Tremendous optical resolution

True zero stop system

Large elevation range for .22LR ballistic arc

Cons

Bulky on lighter CZ 457 models

Needs high rings for bolt clearance

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Outstanding clarity—contrast-rich and distortion-free at all powers. The illuminated FFP reticle remains fine at low magnification.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Generous 3.4 in eye relief, forgiving eye box.

Durability

This is built like a tank—shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof. After 500+ rounds, it retained zero perfectly.

My Experience

I ran this scope on a CZ 457 Varmint AT-One chassis. Zeroed at 50 yards using Lapua Center-X ammo. Even at 25x, the parallax adjustment let me stay sharp at close rimfire distances.

Online Comments

Rimfire enthusiasts on SnipersHide forums have reported exceptional turret tracking and value performance under $600.

Verdict

Overkill for plinking, perfect for extreme precision. The best long-range rimfire scope for those who push the CZ 457 to its ballistic limits.

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➡️➡️➡️ Explore User Feedback and Current Pricing on Amazon⁠

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Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 Rimfire MOA

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Leupold’s VX-Freedom 3-9x40 Rimfire edition is made specifically for .22LR rifles. It’s compact, extremely lightweight, and designed to deliver Leupold’s optical brilliance at a fair price.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective: 40mm

Reticle: Rimfire MOA

Tube: 1-inch

Weight: 12.2 oz

Parallax: Fixed at 60 yards

Pros

Crystal-clear edge-to-edge clarity

Lifetime warranty

Featherweight design

Cons

No side parallax adjustment

Limited max elevation range

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The glass clarity is exceptional; colors pop and edges remain tack-sharp.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Generous and forgiving, with no noticeable shift between magnifications.

Durability

It’s built in the USA and is fully waterproof and shockproof. I mounted it using low Leupold rings; fit and finish were flawless.

My Experience

Zeroed with SK Rifle Match ammo at 50 yards. I held consistent sub-MOA groups across 200 rounds.

Online Comments

CZ shooters frequently praise this combo, calling it a “perfect match” for the lightweight 457 Trainer.

Verdict

For those who prefer a premium yet traditional scope that balances the CZ’s aesthetic and precision, the VX-Freedom is a timeless pick.

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➡️➡️➡️ Explore User Feedback and Current Pricing on Amazon⁠

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Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire

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The Simmons .22 Mag series has been a budget-friendly classic for decades. It’s lightweight, clear, and ideal for those who want simple accuracy without breaking the bank.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective: 32mm

Reticle: Truplex

Tube: 1-inch

Parallax: Fixed 50 yards

Weight: 10 oz

Pros

Affordable and reliable

Clear optics for the price

Comes with rings

Cons

Basic construction

Slight image softness at 9x

Glass Clarity & Reticle

For the cost, it performs well—sharp center with minor edge blur.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Forgiving eye box, about 3.75 in relief—great for beginner shooters.

Durability

Not built for abuse, but held zero for over 300 rounds in my test.

My Experience

Perfect entry-level scope for youth or casual CZ 457 owners. Simple setup—mounted in 5 minutes and zeroed at 50 yards.

Online Comments

Many on rimfirecentral.com still recommend this as the “best bang-for-buck” optic for basic plinking.

Verdict

If you’re on a strict budget, this little Simmons still delivers surprising clarity and repeatability for the CZ 457 platform.

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➡️➡️➡️ Explore User Feedback and Current Pricing on Amazon⁠

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How to Choose the Right Scope for the CZ 457

When selecting the right optic for your CZ 457, consider these critical factors:

1. Magnification Range

The CZ 457’s .22LR cartridge typically operates within 50–150 yards effectively. A 3-9x range is ideal for general use, while 6-24x options shine in competition or long-range target work.

2. Parallax Adjustment

Because rimfire shooting often occurs within 25–100 yards, look for scopes with adjustable parallax down to 10–25 yards.

3. Reticle Type

For precision shooting, FFP reticles like MIL or MOA hash designs are best. For hunting or plinking, a simple duplex or BDC reticle works perfectly.

4. Durability

Even though rimfire recoil is light, solid construction ensures consistent zero and weather resistance.

5. Mounting Height

CZ 457s often need medium-to-high rings due to their bolt handle clearance. Always check your rail type (11mm dovetail or 20 MOA Picatinny).

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FAQs

Q1: What magnification is best for a CZ 457 .22LR? A: For most shooting, 3–9x is ideal. For precision shooting beyond 100 yards, 16–25x helps with precise holdovers.

Q2: Do I need an adjustable parallax for my CZ 457 scope? A: Yes, if you plan to shoot under 50 yards. Fixed-parallax scopes set for 100 yards will blur close targets.

Q3: What mounting rings fit the CZ 457? A: The CZ 457 has an 11mm dovetail rail. You can either use dovetail rings or a Picatinny adapter base.

Q4: Is FFP necessary for rimfire? A: Not mandatory, but helpful for precision shooters using holdovers or ballistic reticles.

Q5: Can I use centerfire scopes on a CZ 457? A: Absolutely. Many high-end scopes like the Arken EP5 work beautifully, provided you manage the weight balance.

Q6: What’s the best ammo to pair with these scopes? A: For accuracy testing, I used CCI Standard Velocity, SK Rifle Match, and Lapua Center-X—all consistent performers.

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