CZ457 Upgrades.

MadMardigan

MadMardigan

Antagonist
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Life Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
5,323
Location
Gaston County NC
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
So I have a 457 Pro Varmint, 16" threaded barrel and the Boyds stock, Timney Trigger, 419 20moa rail and using a Athlon Ares 5-25x

So heres what i am thinking:
MDT XRS or KRG Bravo
Lilja 21" .9 barrel

The other part of my brain thinks of keeping it the way it is, buying a Bergara barreled action and then going full custom on it. Monacam in Denver NC supposedly has a fix for the terrible bolt throw on them.

But that would end up being a 2k build with out a scope, where the lilja and chassis for the cz is all I need.
 
MadMardigan said:
So I have a 457 Pro Varmint, 16" threaded barrel and the Boyds stock, Timney Trigger, 419 20moa rail and using a Athlon Ares 5-25x

So heres what i am thinking:
MDT XRS or KRG Bravo
Lilja 21" .9 barrel

The other part of my brain thinks of keeping it the way it is, buying a Bergara barreled action and then going full custom on it. Monacam in Denver NC supposedly has a fix for the terrible bolt throw on them.

But that would end up being a 2k build with out a scope, where the lilja and chassis for the cz is all I need.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I had never heard of these guys and they’re right down the road from me.

mcr-rifles.com

Home - Modacam Custom Rifles

mcr-rifles.com mcr-rifles.com
 
MadMardigan said:
So I have a 457 Pro Varmint, 16" threaded barrel and the Boyds stock, Timney Trigger, 419 20moa rail and using a Athlon Ares 5-25x

So heres what i am thinking:
MDT XRS or KRG Bravo
Lilja 21" .9 barrel

The other part of my brain thinks of keeping it the way it is, buying a Bergara barreled action and then going full custom on it. Monacam in Denver NC supposedly has a fix for the terrible bolt throw on them.

But that would end up being a 2k build with out a scope, where the lilja and chassis for the cz is all I need.
Click to expand...

I will watch your results carefully, as I gauge what to do (if anything) to my very similar setup.
Hopefully you'll post what happens.

I was thinking the Oryx chassis and a Sightron 6-24x50.
On the fence about the Lilja as it's $$ and they have developed an attitude.
But, I do want to keep a threaded end for the Dead Air Mask.
 
Another possible source on the Lilja barrel is Bullet Central. However I think they only have the 16.5" version but it is threaded. See above photo.

bulletcentral.com

Lilja Barrel - Drop-In CZ 455/457 22LR .900 X 16 3/4″ Threaded 1/2 X 28″

Upgrade Your CZ 455/457 with a Lilja Barrel - Chambered in .22LR, .900 X 16 3/4â, and Threaded 1/2 X 28â for Enhanced Performance.
bulletcentral.com bulletcentral.com

Wow! the price is crazy now. I paid a little over $450 for mine. Yikes.
 
Last edited:
mostly22lately said:
I will watch your results carefully, as I gauge what to do (if anything) to my very similar setup.
Hopefully you'll post what happens.

I was thinking the Oryx chassis and a Sightron 6-24x50.
On the fence about the Lilja as it's $$ and they have developed an attitude.
But, I do want to keep a threaded end for the Dead Air Mask.
Click to expand...
I do like the KRGs, but that is the drawback is losing my threaded barrel for my Rugged Oculus.
 
Got2hav1 said:
Another possible source on the Lilja barrel is Bullet Central. However I think they only have the 16.5" version but it is threaded. See above photo.

bulletcentral.com

Lilja Barrel - Drop-In CZ 455/457 22LR .900 X 16 3/4″ Threaded 1/2 X 28″

Upgrade Your CZ 455/457 with a Lilja Barrel - Chambered in .22LR, .900 X 16 3/4â, and Threaded 1/2 X 28â for Enhanced Performance.
bulletcentral.com bulletcentral.com

Wow! the price is crazy now. I paid a little over $450 for mine. Yikes.
Click to expand...
Strong consideration, I like 18" and 20" barrels though. and yeah, 600 now.
 
Here is my CZ 457 with the Lilja 20.5 in the MDT XRS. No need for a threaded barrel. Set the head space for the ammo you prefer and it is very accurate. Most of the precision 22 lr gunsmiths don't thread the barrel. Work with what you have and avoid the B14R. IMO

20230701_114438.jpg
 
Eric F said:
Here is my CZ 457 with the Lilja 20.5 in the MDT XRS. No need for a threaded barrel. Set the head space for the ammo you prefer and it is very accurate. Most of the precision 22 lr gunsmiths don't thread the barrel. Work with what you have and avoid the B14R. IMO

View attachment 714469
Click to expand...
Good looking setup. Got the same chassis, and action. Saving for the barrel now!

Edited: how do you like that scope? I’ve got a Vortex Viper but looking at switching up to a Riton. Don’t have my mind made up yet though.
 
Last edited:
So many options out there right now in lower cost scopes. I don't have a YouTube gig, so I have tried out Vortex, Athlon and just got a DiscoveryOpt that did not break the bank. I have not tried Arken or Riton. Most of my 22's are 6 x 24 x 56 FFP to get my old eyes on target at 50 to 200 yds. The glass is fine for that range. Find a reticle that suits your shooting style. The single dot center are nice but hard for me at times. I have Sightron scopes on my long range rifles that definitely have better glass, but are a bit more money.
 
Eric F said:
Here is my CZ 457 with the Lilja 20.5 in the MDT XRS. No need for a threaded barrel. Set the head space for the ammo you prefer and it is very accurate. Most of the precision 22 lr gunsmiths don't thread the barrel. Work with what you have and avoid the B14R. IMO

View attachment 714469
Click to expand...
I hit Modacam in Denver to custom fit a Kreiger barrel for mine, and stick with the KRGs since I have used them on other rifles.
 
Last edited:
Kenny has dedicated a lot of time on CZ's, as well as other rifles. Trueing the receivers and fitting custom barrels. If you are dedicating a lot of time to precision 22lr competition and have the $$, then it is worth the wait. I try to squeak out the most I can without the custom build. That is the challenge. Check out X-Ring on YouTube and his competition using a CZ 457 MTR. His skill and experience won the day over many high end builds.
 
Eric F said:
X-Ring CZ MTR in production division is a 38 minute video, but proves the point that time at the range developing your skills is as important as the equipment.
Click to expand...
Spent MANY years shooting with Ray, his skill is absolutely amazing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom