i am wanting to by a 22 rifle. It is a tossup between a 455 Varmint and a 457 Varmint. Is one any better than the other ? The rifle will be used as a bench toy. Thanks, Jerry
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CZ 455 or CZ 457
- Thread starter wonderdogroscoe
- Start date
I’m about to buy a 457 Varmint. I already have a couple 455s and I love them, but I’m putting a scope with a big ocular on the next one so the bolt lift of the 457 decided it for me. I also like that the 457 Varmint has forend checkering on the stock.
They’re basically the same though, mags and barrels all interchangeable, so if you really like one receiver design or look over the other grab that one.
They’re basically the same though, mags and barrels all interchangeable, so if you really like one receiver design or look over the other grab that one.
With the 457 CZ tried to fix all the things that everyone didn’t like about the 455 and I believe for the most part succeeded. While the 455 is a very nice rifle I think you would be more happy with the 457.
I love my 455 and wouldn't get rid of it, yet, lol. It is a shooter but took some minor tweaking to get things right. If I had the choice I would go with the 457 mainly due to the improvement in the trigger. My 455 trigger breaks at a clean 8oz and I love it but it took some work to get it there. As I understand the 457's improved drastically in that area.
Thanks guys, I had a 455 Varmint a few years back and sold it. Now I want to replace it. Well here soon I will do it. Thanks again, Jerry
I bought a 455 and had decent luck with it. Trigger spring kit, and all was pretty good. Until I ran into the lack of bedding problems. Mine wanted to be properly bedded. Bottom metal got fatigued running the 30in/lb and the thing wouldn't hold accuracy past 30 rounds. Ended up putting mine in a chassis, and that's definitely improved its consistency.
I got a 457 MTR and yeah, it solved most of the 455's issues out of the gate. Its pillar bedded (plastic/nylon) but much more consistent than my 455. The trigger on the 457 seems to be a lottery. Some guys report getting <1.5lb pulls without modifications. My factory trigger wouldn't go below 2 1/4lb. I ended up with a spring kit on this one, and 1 1/4lb is what I'm good with.
The finish on the 457 is more a coating than a blueing job, which is good and bad. I'd prefer the blued finish on my MTR (sticking with the walnut theme) but I'm not complaining too much.
Had I the choice between the 455 and the 457, it'd be the 457 any day of the week, just for the bedded action.
457 has many advantages over 455:
1) The side mounted positive bolt stop. Removed a huge problem on the 455.
The Bolt stop on the 455 is the trigger sear assy front edge and when the bolt, sear, or both start to wear on their connecting edges the bolt will pull right out of the action when ejecting a spent case, leaving you holding a bolt in one hand and your rifle in the other. This is aggravated with lighter trigger spring pressures, but will happen to all of them eventually, poor design. My 455 is almost worthless now as it does this at least once every 2-4 shots. Rifle has almost 3 cases shot through it, but is not a one off example as I personally know 4 other individuals that have had this same problem with 455's.
2) Factory threaded handle---allows easy change of bolt handle knob for user preference
3) 60 degree bolt throw---more scope bell clearance, easier bolt cycling
4) shorter bolt throw---easier bolt cycling
5) traditional right side mounted safety lever--- much easier to use and intuitive
6) same magazine system as the 452/3/5, can use my old mags in this one
Trigger was meh for me. Factory set at just under 3 lbs. and one the mushiest, carrot break triggers I've run across in while. But I don't use this for a benchrest rifle, it's a field rifle and class rules dictate a 2lb+ trigger pull so it has been ok so far.
All in all a very big improvement in features and safety over the 455 series
1) The side mounted positive bolt stop. Removed a huge problem on the 455.
The Bolt stop on the 455 is the trigger sear assy front edge and when the bolt, sear, or both start to wear on their connecting edges the bolt will pull right out of the action when ejecting a spent case, leaving you holding a bolt in one hand and your rifle in the other. This is aggravated with lighter trigger spring pressures, but will happen to all of them eventually, poor design. My 455 is almost worthless now as it does this at least once every 2-4 shots. Rifle has almost 3 cases shot through it, but is not a one off example as I personally know 4 other individuals that have had this same problem with 455's.
2) Factory threaded handle---allows easy change of bolt handle knob for user preference
3) 60 degree bolt throw---more scope bell clearance, easier bolt cycling
4) shorter bolt throw---easier bolt cycling
5) traditional right side mounted safety lever--- much easier to use and intuitive
6) same magazine system as the 452/3/5, can use my old mags in this one
Trigger was meh for me. Factory set at just under 3 lbs. and one the mushiest, carrot break triggers I've run across in while. But I don't use this for a benchrest rifle, it's a field rifle and class rules dictate a 2lb+ trigger pull so it has been ok so far.
All in all a very big improvement in features and safety over the 455 series
I have both 455 and 457 in Manners T4 stocks. Lots of after market: D.I.P and Anarchy! My CZ 455 has Timney Trigger and .866 CZ heavy barrel non tapered .17hmr. Antholon Midas Tac 6.5-24 MOA.
The 457 has stock trigger adjusted to 2lbs, and a .990 Lilija SS straight barrel. I have only shot this up to 50 yards, moving up to 100yrds soon at a different Rifle Range. I am totally please at the quality and accuracy. It’s better then I am. Groupings are tight at 50, shooting CCI SV 1080. Scope Antholon Ares BTR Mils, 4.5-27.
The 457 has stock trigger adjusted to 2lbs, and a .990 Lilija SS straight barrel. I have only shot this up to 50 yards, moving up to 100yrds soon at a different Rifle Range. I am totally please at the quality and accuracy. It’s better then I am. Groupings are tight at 50, shooting CCI SV 1080. Scope Antholon Ares BTR Mils, 4.5-27.
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Are 455/457 barrels interchangeable? Picked up an older lilja 455 bbl but before I get too much further along I'm thinking I'd rather have it on a 457.
Lilija shows 455/ 457 on their website for these two CZ’s, give them a call to confirm. I think the other question would be how old ? To my knowledge they are interchangeable.
Thanks, hadn't noticed that. By older its just one of the bbls before they started using shims to headspace.
I used shims on my 457, ended up at .043 headspace
You will need to measure your headspace on the the 457 to be sure. Best to consult with Lilija to verify.
You will need to measure your headspace on the the 457 to be sure. Best to consult with Lilija to verify.
would there be any problem fitting the action and 24" barrel from a cz 457 varmint At-One into an MPA BA stock?
I’m going to play a bit of a contrarian here. For me, barrels being equal, it’s all about the trigger. And a dude named Bscar makes a FANTASTIC two-stage trigger only for the 455. I’ve read about this trigger and amazingly, happened upon him at my local gun range! He had his set up for 2oz/2oz. I bought one and decided on 6oz/6oz. I don’t think there are any two stage triggers for the 457.
This trigger is better than my Kidd two stage and probably better than my Rem 700 Bix ‘n Andy TacSport Pro. It is at least the equal of the BnA. The “wall” on the Bscar trigger is so distinctive…anyway, I could wax poetic for some time. $200 http://triggersbyscar.com/
I realize there have been some improvements made upon the 455, but none of the 455 problems cited bothered me much. I have a later model 455 so the bolt had been factory modified (I bought new) so it didn’t hit the scope. I just bought a rubber ball thing that pops over my bolt knob…really nice during this Minnesota winter and cost ~$10. Makes bolt cycling a snap. Search for a silicone knob on Amazon or search my posts for a link.
The 457 is a better gun, except for the trigger situation. That, and the fact they don’t import the 457 28” barrel Ultra Lux, which mutes the report so well you don’t need a suppressor (or have to clean that suppressor). You would be correct in guessing I own a 455 Ultra Lux.
I have my eye on a Tikka T1x, however. What a slick bolt throw! Dunno about the availability of a two stage Tikka trigger.
This trigger is better than my Kidd two stage and probably better than my Rem 700 Bix ‘n Andy TacSport Pro. It is at least the equal of the BnA. The “wall” on the Bscar trigger is so distinctive…anyway, I could wax poetic for some time. $200 http://triggersbyscar.com/
I realize there have been some improvements made upon the 455, but none of the 455 problems cited bothered me much. I have a later model 455 so the bolt had been factory modified (I bought new) so it didn’t hit the scope. I just bought a rubber ball thing that pops over my bolt knob…really nice during this Minnesota winter and cost ~$10. Makes bolt cycling a snap. Search for a silicone knob on Amazon or search my posts for a link.
The 457 is a better gun, except for the trigger situation. That, and the fact they don’t import the 457 28” barrel Ultra Lux, which mutes the report so well you don’t need a suppressor (or have to clean that suppressor). You would be correct in guessing I own a 455 Ultra Lux.
I have my eye on a Tikka T1x, however. What a slick bolt throw! Dunno about the availability of a two stage Tikka trigger.
