CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR Review: Most Underrated Bolt-Action .22?
The CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR is a charming mix of modern features and old-school cool. It might just be the perfect do-it-all rimfire rifle.
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- CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR Specs & Features
- CZ 457 History
- Shooting the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR: Accuracy & Reliability Analysis
- Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
- Improvements We’d Like to See
- Who is it For?
- By the Numbers
- Upgrades & Accessories for the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
- How We Tested the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
- Final Verdict on the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
Pros
- Outstanding accuracy
- Sturdy, old-school sniper rifle feel
- Still feels short with a suppressor
Cons
- Uncommon 11-millemeter rail
- You can get a good centerfire rifle for this money
The Bottom Line
The CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR is a match rifle dressed like a truck gun. Shoot competitions, hunt prairie dogs, have fun at the range – all with the same rifle. I’d never advise owning just one .22, but this wouldn’t be a bad rifle to make your one and only.
I recently shot some of the best .22 LR rifles you can buy – precision rifles, ARs, lever guns, you name it.
One that stood out was the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR. It’s part old-school DMR, part match gun, part hunting rifle, and all fun.
Today, let’s take a deep dive into what makes this rifle so special. By the end, you'll know if it has a place in your life.
Table of Contents
- CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR Specs & Features
- CZ 457 History
- Shooting the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR: Accuracy & Reliability Analysis
- Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
- Improvements We’d Like to See
- Who is it For?
- By the Numbers
- Upgrades & Accessories for the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
- How We Tested the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
- Final Verdict on the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
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CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Bolt action
- Capacity: 5+1
- Stock: Polycoated wood
- Barrel Length: 16.5”
- Overall Length: 38.62”
- Weight: 7.3 lbs
- Country of Origin: Czech Republic
Features
- Threaded, heavy-contour barrel
- Dual extractors
- Grippy Polycoated wood stock
- Adjustable trigger
CZ 457 History
The CZ 457 dates back to 2019, when it replaced the 455. Notable changes included a push-to-fire safety, a 60-degree bolt throw (down from 90 degrees), and an improved, adjustable trigger.
Today, the 457 family has grown to include 14 variants, plus left-handed options in certain cases:
- 457 American (left hand available)
- 457 American Synthetic SR
- 457 At-One
- 457 Hunter Veil
- 457 Lux
- 457 Manners MTR
- 457 Premium
- 457 Pro-Varmint SR
- 457 Royal
- 457 Scout
- 457 Target
- 457 Varmint (left hand available)
- 457 Varmint MTR
- 457 Varmint Precision Chassis MTR
These models cover plinking, high-level competition, and – clearly – a lot of varmint hunting. The bones, as they say, are good.
The 457 Pro-Varmint SR stands out to me as a nice blend of precision-focused features, competition-worthy accuracy, and a price that’s still attainable for average shooters who are serious about rimfire performance.
But what's it like to actually shoot?
Shooting the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR: Accuracy & Reliability Analysis
Between my original testing and personal use since then, I’ve put hundreds of rounds through the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint.
That includes hundreds of rounds of match and plinking ammo. I’ve shot bullseyes for accuracy and steel targets for fun, instant feedback. Distances ranged from 50 to more than 300 yards – far enough to practically have a conversation while you wait for the soft tap of a subsonic 40-grain bullet on steel.
This rifle has a few things going for it when it comes to a pleasant shooting experience.
For one, .22 LR is about as close to recoil-free as you can get. Factor in a wood stock and a thick barrel, and the scope’s reticle hardly twitches with each shot. The trigger is equally good, but more on that in a minute.
I love objective data, so here are some groups and ballistic figures from the chronograph.
| Accuracy | Average Muzzle Velocity | Extreme Spread | Standard Deviation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eley SABP | 0.30" | 1,072 fps | 53 fps | 14 fps |
| Eley Tenex | 0.50" | 1,074 fps | 26 fps | 8 fps |
| Lapua Polar Biathlon | 0.30" | 1,094 fps | 18 fps | 6 fps |
| Winchester Super-X | 0.50" | 1,254 fps | 38 fps | 16 fps |
During my precision .22 LR roundup, the 457 Pro-Varmint SR led the pack with 1-MOA or better groups from all four loads.
Eley Tenex and Winchester Super-X put five shots in exactly half an inch from 50 yards. Eley Semi-Auto Benchrest Precision and Lapua Polar Biathlon tied with repeated 0.3-inch groups.
Shooting tiny groups at 50 yards is satisfying, but so is stretching a rifle’s legs at longer distances.
With a little help from the chronograph and Goballistics app, I was able to get personalized data and go five for five on a 10-inch gong at 313 yards with the 457 Pro-Varmint SR.
If you’re curious, I dialed in 20 MOA of elevation and held another 25 with the reticle for that string of fire.
Engaging multiple targets with elevation holds was also a hoot with this rifle. Crank up your volume and check out this run of 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 yards on mini silhouettes.
This was with Eley Tenex, but I’ve also become partial to Lapua Polar Biathlon. It’s extremely accurate, and it smells like crayons. (Bonus!)
Unfortunately, it’s also difficult to find. Keep an eye out for it online, and load up whenever you get a chance. That goes for most .22 LR match ammo.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
Overall Feel
A lot of rimfire rifles feel cheap, but that isn’t the case here.
The heavy stock feels high end, and has some functional advantages. The weight practically eliminates recoil. The thick, vertical grip fills the palm like a precision rifle and keeps the shooting hand in a natural position. There’s even a notch on the bottom of the buttstock that I’ve found useful for pulling the rifle into my shoulder with my support hand when shooting with a rear bag.
CZ also gave the 457 pillar bedding. Metal tubes around the action screws allow them to be fully tightened without compressing the stock for improved accuracy.
By contrast, the only thing the free-floating barrel touches is the receiver. That prevents external pressure from the stock or muted barrel harmonics from interfering with your shots.
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Controls
The 457 action is smooth right out of the box. After a few boxes of ammo, it felt incredible. These days, cycling the bolt feels like running a hydraulic piston.
Factor in the short, 60-degree bolt throw, and getting the next round in the chamber is a breeze – even with a large scope up above.
The bolt’s dual extractors are a nice touch. Rimfire ammo is notoriously dirty, so having a little extra grip on spent brass helps the rifle cycle more reliably.
A two-position safety on the right side keeps things simple. Move it back for safe (white dot visible), forward for fire (re dot visible). You can cycle the bolt with the safety on, and a red chamber indicator on the rear of the blot let's you know the action is cocked.
The trigger is adjustable for travel and pull weight. According to CZ, pull weight can be set anywhere from 1.8 to 3.4 pounds.
The five-pull average for this one was actually 1.45 pounds from the factory. The break is perfectly clean with minimal travel; I’ve been perfectly happy to leave it alone.
CZ ships the 457 Pro-Varmint SR with one five-round magazine, but you can also order 10-, 15-, and 25-round OEM magazines.
Ease of Use
Despite feeling quite chunky and substantial in the hand, the 457 Pro-Varmint SR is a surprisingly nimble little rifle. That's due to the 16.5-inch barrel. Even with a suppressor, it’s about the same size as a lot of other .22 LR rifles.
CZ was also kind enough to install three sling studs; one at the rear, and two on the forend. That lets you mount a sling and a bipod simultaneously.
A rifle this accurate absolutely deserves a bipod, so this is a very welcome feature. If you don’t need both, they’re not in the way.
Improvements We’d Like to See
My only complaint about the 457 Pro-Varmint SR involves the 11-millimeter rail on the receiver.
CZ offers a Picatinny mount for it, but I wish that came standard from the factory. I suspect that just about everyone who buys this rifle (in the U.S., anyway) is mounting their scope with a Pic rail.
Who is it For?
If you’re looking for a budget plinker, this isn’t it. The 457 wasn’t intended to compete with entry-level Ruger 10/22 or Savage MkII models.
The CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR is for people who want to squeeze every last bit of accuracy out of the .22 LR cartridge in a practical setting. It achieves high levels of precision with excellent components, manufacturing, and features – and the price reflects that.
At the same time, it’s not a benchrest gun. This is a varmint rifle, after all. You’re meant to drag it through the woods, shoot off the hood of a pickup, and get it dirty.
If you can stomach the price, it’ll probably become the rifle you shoot the most. I bet it’ll be your favorite, too.
By the Numbers
Reliability: 10/10
To date, I have not experienced any malfunctions with this rifle. The refined bolt action keeps things simple, and I’ve gotten to enjoy everything from hopped-up varmint rounds to subsonic match ammo without issue.
Accuracy: 10/10
We reserve a perfect accuracy score for rifles that consistently demonstrate match-grade accuracy. After shooting roughly quarter-inch groups with multiple kinds of ammunition, I’d absolutely take the 457 Pro-Varmint SR to a match.
Ergonomics: 8/10
I think the 457 Pro-Varmint SR is an extremely comfortable rifle, and the stock is just about perfect for me. That said, it’s not adjustable. If it doesn’t suit you, modification isn’t easy. The trigger is great, though.
Customization: 7/10
The 457 is a well-established platform, so aftermarket parts are available. It's not as easy to modify as some rifles, though.
Value: 8/10
At north of $700, the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR costs more than many people want to spend on a rimfire rifle; however, considering that it keeps up with top-shelf competition rifles, that’s kind of a bargain.
Overall: 9.5/10
If I could only keep one .22 LR firearm – rifle or handgun – this would be it.
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Upgrades & Accessories for the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
The CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR has very few flaws, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room to accessorize!
First and foremost, CZ built this rifle to be suppressed. It demands a can. I picked up a Dead Air Mask, but there are a lot of great options out there.
Check out our guide to the Best .22 LR Suppressors if you need some inspiration!
The stubby barrel (for legal reasons, I won't call it short) keeps the rifle small and agile even with a suppressor, and the bolt action keeps volume to an absolute minimum. Shooting subsonic ammo out of this setup is a delight.
While you’re waiting for your ATF paperwork to clear, you’ll have time to install a scope. This rifle can take advantage of some surprisingly serious glass, so I mounted up a Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44 that I’d been saving for just such an occasion.
This scope’s magnification range suits an accurate .22 LR rifle surprisingly well, and I love the first-focal-plane reticle. All those elevation and wind holds are great for engaging multiple targets and varying distances and in shifting wind.
If you want to keep costs down, check out our guide to the Best Rimfire Scopes.
I’m a fan of Harris Bipods. They’re stable and user friendly, without going overboard on price. For this rifle, I chose the 1A2-LM.
Height is adjustable in 1-inch increments from 9 to 13 inches, and it mounts to a sling stud rather than M-LOK or ARCA.
Last but not least, you know I can’t talk about bolt guns without recommending a WieBad Fortune Cookie. These bags are useful as a rear bag or for turning a questionable rest into a rock solid one.
Check out all the options to find the right size, fill weight, and color for you.
How We Tested the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
I first got my hands on the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR during my comparison of the Best .22 LR Precision Rifles. While it’s billed as a varmint gun, the 457 Pro-Varmint SR had the trimmings of a precision rifle so I gave it a shot.
Testing included five-shot groups at 50 yards for accuracy, which is a good benchmark for .22 LR ammo that gets blown around by the wind more than centerfire cartridges. I used four types of ammunition to see if the 457 had a preference.
- Eley Semi-Auto Benchrest Precision
- Eley Tenex
- Lapua Polar Biathlon
- Winchester Super-X
In addition to evaluating accuracy, I used a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph to lift the hood and gather ballistic data on each type of ammunition.
If you’re curious about that kind of thing, check out our Garmin Xero C1 Pro review!
Throughout testing, I kept an eye out for any malfunctions or anomalies. This rifle ran like a champ.
Finally, I considered who might buy one of these, how it might be used, and what kind of ergonomic concerns buyers might have.
Meet the Experts
This article comes to you from Pew Pew Tactical editor and senior review analyst Scott Murdock. Scott got his start shooting in the Marine Corps, and has written for several leading publications in the firearm industry. His experience includes testing and evaluating firearms using accuracy standards, chronograph data, and market analysis. Prior to writing this review, Scott shot the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR alongside many of the best .22 LR rifles available today.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and edited this review. She is an NRA-certified Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Verdict on the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR
Part of me thinks there’s no such thing as a bad .22 LR rifle. Another part of me is surprisingly picky.
I want something reasonably priced, unreasonably accurate, and tough enough to bounce around on the floorboard while I drive miles down desert roads looking for a fun impromptu shooting venue; something that’s equally appropriate knocking out varmints and match stages.
Right now, I don’t think any rifle does that job better than the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR. It puts a smile on my face every time I take it out of the safe.
If you can take the financial plunge, it’ll do the same for you.
What do you think of the CZ 457 Pro-Varmint SR? Leave a comment to let us know. Looking for something else? Check out our guide to the Best .22 LR Rifles!