For more about these rifles and other new CZ products, visit CZ-USA.
CZ just announced two new Model 457 bolt-action rimfire rifles. Chambered for several popular rimfire cartridges, the new CZ 457 rifles are the Thumbhole and the LRP, or Long Range Precision.
The two new models are pretty divergent, although both are made for target shooting. The CZ 457 Thumbhole is a composed take with a charcoal and brown laminate thumbhole stock featuring a benchrest forend.
It has a 16- or 20-inch free-floating “varmint” profile barrel threaded for an included 1/2×20 UNF compensator. Despite the compact package, this isn’t a lightweight plinker. The stock and barrel are substantial, bringing the overall weight to just over 7.5 pounds.
The stock has two sling swivel studs, one on the stock and the other on the forend, doubling as a bipod mounting point. The Thumbhole is designed to be used with a scope and has receiver mounts and a turned-down bolt handle to better accommodate one.
Models with a 16-inch barrel will be chambered for .22 Long Rifle, while the 20-inch models will be available in .22LR, .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire.
The 457 LRP takes things in a completely different direction. The LRP looks like a counter-sniper rifle used by police and security forces decked out with an urban grey composite stock with black highlights and a barreled action to match.
Except it’s a rimfire rifle. The CZ 457 LRP will only be offered with a 20-inch fluted varmint profile barrel and will only be chambered for .22 LR. It also has 1/2×2 UNF threads, but like the Thumbhole will come with a muzzle device from the factory.
Purposely built for longer range rimfire shooting, the 457 LRP comes with a 25-MOA extended Weaver scope rail mounted to the receiver. It can also be shot fast with a generously oversized bolt handle.
The stock is fully adjustable, for length of pull and cheek height, and has a railed butt for use with a monopod in addition to a forend-mounted bipod. The stock has a nearly vertical pistol grip with stippling along the palmswells and the full length of the forend.
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Both new 457s come with 5-round detachable magazines as well as factory-installed adjustable target triggers. The more tacticool LRP will also ship with a 4M hard case for transportation.
CZ hasn’t announced the prices for these yet but they’ll probably be in-line with other 457-series rifles. The CZ 457 series is a step up in terms of price compared to many popular budget rimfire rifles out there but they’re also a step up in quality.
Most CZ 457 rifles run in the $500 to $700 range though it would be surprising if the LRP comes in that low. It’s possibly one of the most featured CZ 457 rifles to-date, if not all that fancy or ornate.
For more about these rifles and other new CZ products, visit CZ-USA.
Why don’t the manufacturers produce .17 WSM? It is a faster round than the .17HMR round.
Free float the barrel. But do not make it look like a woodwork project gone bad. Their has been a trend to make ugly forearms in many of the new rifles. Some shooters like them and some do not. I am among the do not like .
Agreed. I’ve never been a fan of the race-rifle look.
Is there a target date to have these available?
Is there a 22 Hornet in any future plans for these?