I finally couldn't stand just looking and ordered a CZ 457 American in 22lr. I've heard a lot of great things about the 457 and decided I needed to find out for myself. I've already ordered some parts to help the rifle out. Different trigger spring, although I have Wolf spring kits I normally use for triggers, an extra used trigger to play with, a steel cocking indicator, and some upgraded screws. I'm sure I'll replace the plastic pillars with aluminum ones we use in the shop, and of course a bedding job.
Next will be a Varmint stock unless I can find a 17HM2 sporter barrel.
So, who to blame for this addiction. Not me of course. bsa?, Penndog? Drover? and a host of others.
I am seriously considering getting a 457 American sporter in 22 LR, a local farm store has a new one priced at $600 and have 10% off sale going on.
I have looked at the 457's numerous times and two things have kept me from buying one yet -
#1 is the horrible mud colored finish on the stock and #2 is that I can't believe that it will group as good as my Tikka T1x MTR. I also am not a fan of the nearly 25" barrel.
But, I keep telling myself that it would give me a project for the winter. I am going to take another look at it on Monday, maybe by then I can convince myself that those things are not really important.
drover
Picked mine up today and you are right about the mud colored finish. Appears
Dad's and I will be spending some time together soon.
K22, can you post some pics of your rifle, please? The ones I saw, and almost bought, were very nice rifles. The finish was pretty nice. Damn near as nice as my 52 sporter. Thanks..
Yes I can. Mine would certainly not fit into the catagory of "finish was pretty nice". It is somewhat hard to see the wood grain for all the varnish stain. And I agree with 1minute on the trigger. From the factory mine broke at 4.25lbs. Take up was not bad, overtravel will need attention. After adjusting the pull weight screw all the way out with only 2 threads holding it in, the trigger broke at 3.5lbs. The trigger will require spring changes, that is for sure.
The stock feels very nice, so that is a big plus, the bluing is nicely done. The bolt is a bit gritty in the action, but no more than say the Ruger American is. Thankfully the safety operates correctly, LOL, and the bolt throw doesn't end up on the other side of the action. Overall I like it.
The plastic pillars had to be a bean counter idea. Why even bother to put in pillars especially if you are not going to add bedding. In opinion, pillars do not necessarily add to the accuracy of a rifle if that is what mainly supports the action. And plastic pillars do and will crush if action screws are torqued down in the plus 35 in.lb. settings. When I reassembled the 457 it was quite noticeable that the action was not sitting on the wood but mainly on the pillars. I had to use a .25 shim on both sides of the barrel to keep it straight in the forearm. Not a biggy, but would not be a necessary step if bedding compound had been used. So I'll drill out the plastic pillars and install aluminum ones then bed the action, something I would normally do to any rifle. Exceptions to that were with my Kimber K22's, Mauser 201, and KDF K22.
Now to find out if this rifle will feed and shoot.
