Henry Rifle Forums

Did a preview of this CZ 457 MTR Varmint/Target rifle, awhile, back and finally got a chance to see if rifle lives up to its MTR (Match Target Rifle) billing. By way of review, the 457 MTR certainly looks like a match rifle with its benchrest style stock and heavy 20" bull barrel.


Scope, today, was a Bushnell Banner 6-18x AO. Even with the scope a little higher than I usual go, the very high comb on the MTR made for a comfy cheek rest. The higher scope mounting worked out well, also, for ease of loading using the CZ 455 singe shot adapter. (The 457s use 455 mags.)


Love the wood on this one.


I adjusted the trigger down to about 18 ounces using nothing more than than the factory supplied adjustments. No creep, whatsoever. As crisp a trigger as I've shot.

So, what do I mean by a "match" rifle? For me, personally, any rifle that advertises itself as a match rifle must be at least a one/half MOA shooter and preferably less. That's a tall order in a 22 LR rifle. We're talking five shot groups at 50 yards that get down and break into that magic .25" ballpark. I've only had two other 22 LR rifles that would do that on a consistent basis and both of those were Anschutz rifles. Needless to say, then, I was thrilled to shoot these two groups, back to back, with this brand new CZ 457 MTR, even using different ammo. The one on the left was shot, first, and I'd rank it as probably my best ever 50 yard 22 LR group. Actually measured a touch under .19", but I called it good at .19".



Passed the rifle over to Bill and he went to work, smiling after every shot. Note, too, that we had another change of ammo, here. This rifle is not picky about ammo.


Nest time out I'll do some tweaking to center those tiny groups in the bull, but the important test, today, was all about group size. No doubt in my mind that this CZ 457 MTR is truly a match rifle.

Nice shooting NCG. You and Bill done well with that CZ being a brand new edition to all the other nice rifles you both have. Some folks hate that stock with out even knowing why it was designed that way. That one has some nice grain to it. The match chamber should help to be a great shooter. I'll bet it lays on bags really well. I have some pictures from my last couple times shooting but kind of lost interest in the computer and posting pictures lately. Enjoy your new toy.

Wow! Beautiful gun and great shooting by both of you.

Thank you, both.

Yes, the MTR lays on a bag almost effortlessly and provides a nice high cheek rest so you don't have to get down and scrunch the way you do with a sporter stock. Rear bag under the butt anchors everything, nicely. This stock really was well-designed and thought out for bench work. I give CZ a lot of credit on this feature.

And I also I give credit to the match chamber. CZ cuts it to tightest possible specs allowed by CIP (European version of SAAMI). This MTR is our most accurate CZ rimfire, to date, and, in fact, probably our most accurate 22 LR, period. That's saying something.

Excellent shooting from both of you. I know nothing about those rifles other than what you have posted, but that's some fine marksmanship no doubt.

Thanks, RR. That's high praise from a shooter like you. Appreciate it.

Looks like it will shoot, interested to see what it does once you find what it likes.