CZ 457 Scout .22 LR Beechwood Threaded Bolt-Action Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The CZ 457 Scout .22 LR Beechwood Threaded Bolt-Action Rifle is a short-stocked entry-level rimfire rifle purpose-built for training youth and new shooters with mechanical simplicity and suppressor-readiness. It features CZ's proven 457 action in a configuration that prioritizes fundamental skill development, starting with iron sights on a 12-inch length of pull stock. This design approach reflects a belief that small bore practice should focus on trigger control and breath discipline, not just hitting paper. The rifle ships with a single 5-round magazine and is ready for optics mount out of the box.
What is the CZ 457 Scout .22 LR Beechwood Threaded Bolt-Action Rifle used for?
Its primary use is introductory firearms training, specifically for smaller-framed shooters or youth under direct adult supervision. The 12-inch length of pull, compared to the standard 13.5 inches on adult-sized rifles like the the Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win, 20in Matte Black Synthetic, allows proper cheek weld and trigger reach for shooters as young as 10-12 years old. This rifle is ideal for 4-H shooting sports, Boy Scouts marksmanship programs, and foundational safety courses where reliability, simple manual-of-arms, and low recoil are non-negotiable requirements.
How does the CZ 457 Scout compare to the Ruger 10/22?
The Scout is objectively better for deliberate single-shot training and suppressor use due to its bolt-action operation and out-of-box 1/2x28 threaded barrel. The Ruger 10/22's semi-automatic action can reinforce bad habits like flinching and rapid, unaimed fire, while the Scout's bolt forces a reset between 2-lb trigger breaks. For teaching the fundamentals of marksmanship—sight alignment, breath control, and trigger squeeze—the manual action of the Scout creates a better, more intentional feedback loop for novice shooters, making that first 50-yard group a matter of disciplined mechanics, not magazine capacity.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 5.0 pounds unloaded, with an overall length of 32.76 inches and a barrel length of 16.5 inches. The beechwood stock has a 12-inch length of pull, a 0.75-inch thick buttpad, and a 1.4-inch drop at comb. These dimensions produce a compact package that is 6.2 inches shorter in overall length than an adult-sized rifle, making it easier to maneuver in a shooting booth and transport in a standard 36-inch rifle case.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for experienced shooters seeking a high-volume plinking platform or a precision .22 LR competition rifle. The 5-pound weight is too light for stable benchrest shooting without significant modification, and the youth-oriented stock dimensions will be cramped for most adult shooters over 5'8". If your primary use case is informal target shooting with a group of friends, a semi-automatic like the Ruger 10/22 offers more practical fun per dollar spent on ammunition.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one steel 5-round rotary magazine, a basic set of steel sling swivel studs installed in the stock, and the factory manual. The receiver arrives already drilled and tapped with 6-48 scope base holes alongside the 11mm dovetail, so no gunsmithing is required to mount a rimfire scope. Most competitors in this price range only include the dovetail, forcing an additional $15-$40 purchase for a proper Picatinny or Weaver-style optics rail before you can even sight in.
Is the CZ 457 Scout worth it at $601.99?
Absolutely, if you are investing in a dedicated training tool for a new shooter where suppressor compatibility and iron-sight fundamentals are priorities. The threaded 16.5-inch barrel alone would cost over $200 to have a gunsmith install on a non-threaded rifle, and CZ's Mauser-style controlled-round feed action is significantly smoother and more reliable than the push-feed designs on rifles like the Savage Mark II. At this price point, you are paying for a durable, mechanically sound foundation that a shooter can literally grow into, and later upgrade into a full-sized stock for adult use without replacing the core action—a flexibility its competitors lack.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Out-of-box 1/2x28 threaded 16.5-inch barrel eliminates $200+ gunsmithing for suppressor use.
- 12-inch length of pull fits shooters as small as 48-52 inches tall without modification.
- Factory-drilled and tapped receiver (6-48) saves $40 on an aftermarket optics rail versus competitors.
- Controlled-round feed Mauser-style extractor provides reliable extraction with subsonic and standard-velocity .22 LR.
Trade-offs
- 5-round magazine capacity is half the standard 10-round capacity of most modern .22 LR rifles like the Ruger 10/22.
- Non-free-floated barrel limits ultimate precision potential for competitive benchrest shooting beyond 50 yards.
- Beechwood stock requires regular oiling (every 6-12 months) to prevent drying and cracking in low-humidity environments.
Key attributes
| upc | 806703023359 |
| manufacturer | CZ-USA |
| manufacturer part number | 02335 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 16.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 1 |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 49.5 |
| magazine included | 1 x 5-Round |
| model | 457 |
| number of magazines | 1 Single Shot Adapter |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 8.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Two Position, Push to Fire |
| shipping weight | 7.0 |
| sights | Adjustable Iron Sights |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
| youth rifle | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- What suppressor thread pattern is on the barrel?
- The muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 UNEF, which is the North American standard for rimfire and .223 caliber suppressors. This direct compatibility means you can mount any 1/2x28 muzzle device or suppressor from brands like SilencerCo, Dead Air, or Rugged without needing an adapter, provided your tax stamp is in order and local regulations allow it.
- Does the receiver come ready for a scope mount?
- Yes. The receiver is factory-drilled and tapped with 6-48 scope base holes and also has an 11mm dovetail. You can directly install an EGW, DIP, or CZ-specific one-piece Picatinny rail using the provided holes, which takes about 5 minutes with a set of hex keys. No additional machining or gunsmithing is required.
- What is the trigger pull weight?
- The factory-set single-stage trigger breaks consistently at 2.0 to 2.5 pounds out of the box. It's adjustable for pull weight and overtravel via two hex screws accessible through the trigger guard, but I recommend leaving initial adjustments to a qualified gunsmith to maintain safe function and reliable ignition with .22 LR ammunition.
- How long is the barrel and is it free-floated?
- The barrel is 16.5 inches long, crowned at the muzzle, and it is not free-floated. The barrel contacts the beechwood stock along its entire channel, which is a deliberate design choice for a youth/training rifle to increase the fore-end weight and dampen vibration for a new shooter. Free-floating the barrel for match-grade accuracy would require careful stock inletting by a gunsmith.