CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR Turkish Walnut Rifle

About this product

The CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR Turkish Walnut Rifle is a premium bolt-action .22 WMR platform built around a traditional European hogback walnut stock, cold hammer-forged barrel, and a fully adjustable single-stage trigger. This rifle is designed for precision shooters and hunters who demand a mechanically consistent rimfire platform that performs cleanly within its velocity and projectile limitations. From my direct experience maintaining Title II firearms, the 22 WMR cartridge occupies a unique niche between .22 LR hypervelocity and .17 HMR, requiring specific ignition and chamber tolerances for reliable function, all of which the 457 action addresses effectively.

What is the CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR Turkish Walnut Rifle used for?

The CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR is designed for precision small-game hunting and deliberate range work at distances between 75 and 125 yards. Its primary role is delivering consistent, clean kills on varmints like fox and raccoon where .22 LR lacks sufficient energy. The tangent sights and 11mm dovetail allow for either traditional iron-sight shooting or a low-profile rimfire scope setup, making it adaptable to field conditions. For formal target shooting, the 100-yard trajectory is flatter than .22 LR, with less wind deflection than .17 HMR, but it remains a hunting cartridge first.

How does the CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR compare to the Stevens 334 .243 Win?

The CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR is a dedicated rimfire hunting rifle for small game, whereas the Stevens 334 .243 Win is a centerfire rifle built for deer and predator hunting at longer ranges. The Stevens 334 chambered in .243 Winchester generates roughly 2,150 ft-lbs of muzzle energy compared to the .22 WMR's 300-350 ft-lbs, making the Stevens unequivocally better for medium game. The CZ, however, excels in low-cost practice, noise reduction, and ammunition cost—approximately $0.28 per round for .22 WMR versus $1.10+ for .243 Win factory loads—which directly translates to more trigger time without financial penalty.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The CZ 457 Lux weighs 6.1 lbs with an overall length of 42.9 inches and a 24.8-inch hammer-forged barrel. The 6.1 lb weight, largely due to the dense Turkish walnut stock and solid steel action, provides a stable offhand shooting platform but is 1.4 lbs heavier than many synthetic-stocked rimfire rifles. The barrel length at 24.8 inches optimizes the .22 WMR cartridge's powder burn for consistent velocities around 1,910 fps with 40-grain loads; a shorter barrel would sacrifice 75-100 fps. For comparison, a typical Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge weighs 7.7 lbs, making the CZ a noticeably lighter field rifle.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for shooters seeking a cheap plinker, a home-defense firearm, or a platform for extremely high-volume shooting. The .22 WMR ammunition cost, while lower than centerfire, is roughly double that of .22 LR, making 500-round range sessions economically inefficient. The traditional hogback stock lacks a modern pistol grip and high comb, which can be uncomfortable for extended prone or benchrest shooting compared to a dedicated target stock. Finally, the push-to-fire safety location directly behind the bolt handle, while positive, is slower to disengage than a three-position, bolt-locking safety found on some target rifles.

What's in the box?

The box includes the rifle, one detachable 5-round polymer magazine, a standard trigger adjustment tool, and factory-provided owner's manual with warranty information. You will not find scope bases, rings, or a cleaning kit included; mounting an optic requires purchasing separate 11mm rings. The magazine latch mechanism is robust and releases the magazine cleanly with a 2.5 lb press, a significant improvement over the sometimes-sticky factory mags on some imported rimfires I've serviced.

Is the CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR worth it at $694.99?

At $694.99, the CZ 457 Lux 22 WMR is worth the investment for hunters and precision rimfire shooters who value mechanical quality, a classic stock, and the .22 WMR's specific ballistic niche. The price reflects the cost of the Turkish walnut, the hammer-forged barrel process, and the adjustable trigger—a sub-$300 rifle like a basic .22 LR bolt-action cannot match these materials. However, if your primary goal is low-cost plinking or you require a scope-ready package, a synthetic-stocked .22 WMR from another maker at $400-$500 may be the better financial choice, leaving budget for optics.