The CZ 457 is one of the most accurate production rimfire rifles built at any price, with a cold-hammer-forged barrel and an adjustable trigger that delivers groups most centerfire rifles would be proud of.
Mounting a standard centerfire hunting scope on it is the fastest way to waste that accuracy: a scope set for 100-yard parallax introduces point-of-impact errors at 50 yards that no amount of zeroing will fix, and that is where the .22 LR does its hunting work.
The CZ 457 deserves a scope with 50-yard fixed parallax or an adjustable objective that can be dialed for rimfire distances, a reticle fine enough to use the rifle’s grouping capability, and glass quality that matches the platform’s precision intent.
Every scope on this list is configured for .22 LR hunting distances and precision use.
Top Picks at a Glance
- Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire – Best Overall
- Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire – Best Budget
- Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16×42 – Best for Precision Work
- Vortex Viper HS 4-16×50 – Best Premium
- Vortex Crossfire II 4-12×44 AO – Best Mid-Range
- Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24×50 – Best for Benchrest
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| Scope | Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire | Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire | Diamondback HP 4-16×42 | Viper HS 4-16×50 | Crossfire II 4-12×44 AO | Strike Eagle 4-24×50 |
| Magnification | 2-7x | 2-7x | 4-16x | 4-16x | 4-12x | 4-24x |
| Objective | 35mm | 32mm | 42mm | 50mm | 44mm | 50mm |
| Eye Relief | 3.1 in | 3.7 in | 4.0 in | 3.1–4.0 in | 3.1 in | 3.5 in |
| Glass Tier | HP | Standard | HP | XD | Standard | HP |
| Weight (oz) | 13.2 | 11.8 | 19.0 | 21.9 | 14.1 | 24.6 |
| Reticle | V-Plex Rimfire | Dead-Hold BDC | Dead-Hold BDC | HST MOA | Dead-Hold BDC | EBR-4 MOA FFP |
| Parallax | 50 yd fixed | 50 yd fixed | AO 25 yd–inf | AO 25 yd–inf | AO 25 yd–inf | AO 25 yd–inf |
| 22LR Optimized | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | Partial |
| Warranty | VIP lifetime | VIP lifetime | VIP lifetime | VIP lifetime | VIP lifetime | VIP lifetime |
| Check Price | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
1. Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire – Best Overall
The Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire is the scope that best matches the CZ 457’s dual role as a hunting rifle and a precision shooting platform.
Fixed 50-yard parallax keeps the point of impact honest at the distances where the .22 LR does its work: inside 100 yards for small game, out to 125 yards for varmint work.
HP glass is a genuine step above the Crossfire II standard tier and delivers a sharper, more contrast-rich image that lets the CZ 457’s grouping capability show at 75 yards on squirrel-sized targets.
The V-Plex rimfire reticle is calibrated for .22 LR velocities, with a fine center crosshair that does not cover a squirrel at 60 yards the way a heavy duplex post would.
At 2x the bottom end is wide enough for a shot that presents at 25 yards in thick cover.
At 7x the scope resolves enough detail for the CZ 457’s sub-half-inch groups to show at 50 yards.
Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- Fixed 50-yard parallax: correct for .22 LR hunting distances
- HP glass: best image quality in the fixed-parallax rimfire options
- V-Plex rimfire reticle calibrated to .22 LR velocity
- 2-7x covers close small game through 125-yard varmint work
- 35mm objective: better light gathering than 32mm option
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 7x ceiling limits shots past 125 yards
- Fixed parallax: no adjustment for shots inside or outside 50 yards
2. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire – Best Budget
Fixed 50-yard parallax, a rimfire-calibrated BDC, and the correct magnification range for .22 LR hunting are all present at the lowest price in this group.
Standard glass performs in good light for small game inside 100 yards, which covers the majority of .22 LR hunting applications the CZ 457 is used for.
The Dead-Hold BDC provides holdover marks that work at .22 LR velocities at 75 and 100 yards, though field verification before the season is worth the effort.
At 11.8 ounces the scope keeps the CZ 457 balanced and comfortable to carry across a full day of small game hunting.
Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable is the strongest coverage available at this price for any rimfire scope.
Pros
- Lowest price configured rimfire scope in the Vortex lineup
- Fixed 50-yard parallax: correct for .22 LR
- Dead-Hold BDC with working .22 LR holdover marks
- 11.8 ounces: lightest scope in this group
- 2-7x matches the CZ 457’s small game hunting range
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- Standard glass shows limits in low light compared to HP tier
- 32mm objective is the smallest in this group
- BDC marks require field verification at 75 and 100 yards
3. Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16×42 – Best for Precision Work
The Diamondback HP 4-16×42 is the scope for a CZ 457 used as a precision rimfire tool: benchrest shooting, small target work at 100 yards, and varmint hunting where the shots demand the most out of the rifle’s accuracy.
Adjustable parallax from 25 yards to infinity allows precise correction at every shooting distance, which is what the CZ 457’s grouping capability demands at 75 and 100 yards.
At 16x the scope resolves the CZ 457’s groups at 100 yards enough to call each shot before the next trigger pull.
HP glass provides a sharp, high-contrast image that matches the precision intent of the CZ 457 platform.
The Dead-Hold BDC provides working holdover marks, though precision shooters who use the scope at varied distances may prefer the fine MOA references of the HST reticle on the Viper HS.
At 4x bottom end the scope is less versatile for close-range small game hunting than the 2-7x options.
Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- 4-16x magnification for precision rimfire work at 100 yards
- Adjustable parallax 25 yards to infinity: precise correction at all distances
- HP glass: sharp image that matches the CZ 457’s precision capability
- Dead-Hold BDC with working holdovers at .22 LR distances
- 4.0 inches of eye relief: most generous in this group
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 4x bottom end limits close-range small game versatility
- 19.0 ounces: heavier than the rimfire-specific options
- Not calibrated for .22 LR: BDC requires field verification
4. Vortex Viper HS 4-16×50 – Best Premium
The Viper HS 4-16×50 is the premium configuration for a CZ 457 that splits time between precision shooting and field hunting where glass quality in variable light matter.
XD glass at 50mm produces the brightest, most contrast-rich image in this group, which shows its advantage in the dappled woodland light where squirrels blend into bark and precise identification at 75 yards requires more than standard glass provides.
At 16x the fine HST MOA reticle gives the CZ 457’s accuracy the aim point precision it deserves.
Adjustable parallax from 25 yards to infinity corrects for every distance the .22 LR is used at without the fixed-50-yard limitation of the rimfire-specific scopes.
At 21.9 ounces the Viper HS is the heaviest scope in this group and adds meaningful weight to a rifle that weighs around 6 pounds.
It is the right choice for a hunter who values maximum optical performance over minimum weight on a CZ 457 used across diverse conditions.
Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- XD glass with 50mm objective: best image quality in this group
- HST MOA reticle: fine enough for the CZ 457’s precision capability
- 4-16x covers precision benchrest through field hunting distances
- Adjustable parallax 25 yards to infinity
- Best low-light performance in this group
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 21.9 ounces: heaviest scope in this group
- Not calibrated for .22 LR rimfire trajectory
- Significant price premium over the rimfire-specific options
5. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12×44 AO – Best Mid-Range
The adjustable objective allows parallax correction from 25 yards to infinity, which is the key advantage over the fixed-50-yard rimfire-specific scopes when shooting at varied distances.
At 12x the scope gives enough magnification for precise shot placement at 100 yards on small targets without the weight of the 16x options.
Standard glass performs in good light for the CZ 457’s small game and varmint applications.
At 14.1 ounces the scope is light enough to keep the rifle balanced for a carried hunting application.
The Dead-Hold BDC provides working holdover marks that require field verification at .22 LR velocities before the season.
Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- Adjustable objective parallax: correct for variable .22 LR shooting distances
- 4-12x is adequate for small game and varmint work at 100 yards
- 44mm objective: good light gathering for the price tier
- 14.1 ounces: light for an adjustable-objective scope
- Dead-Hold BDC with working holdover marks
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- Standard glass limits performance in low light
- 4x bottom end limits close-range small game versatility
- BDC marks require field verification for .22 LR velocity profile
6. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24×50 – Best for Benchrest
The Strike Eagle 4-24×50 is the dedicated precision option for a CZ 457 used for benchrest, target shooting, or long-range rimfire where 24x magnification and a first focal plane reticle provide a real capability advantage.
At 24x and 50mm objective the CZ 457’s groups at 100 yards are large enough in the field of view to call each shot by the bullet hole.
The EBR-4 MOA FFP reticle stays accurate at every magnification setting, providing fine holdover references for wind correction and distance variation.
HP glass at 50mm delivers a bright, usable image in good to moderate light.
At 24.6 ounces the scope is heavy for a rimfire hunting application and is best suited to a rifle that lives on a rest or bipod.
Adjustable parallax from 25 yards to infinity covers every rimfire distance without error.
Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- 4-24x for precision benchrest and target work at the CZ 457’s accuracy ceiling
- EBR-4 MOA FFP: fine holdover references at every magnification
- 50mm objective for strong light gathering at high power
- Adjustable parallax 25 yards to infinity
- HP glass: good performance in daylight conditions
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 24.6 ounces: too heavy for a carried small game hunting rifle
- 4x bottom end limits close-range hunting versatility
- Best suited to a fixed-position benchrest application
What Each Vortex Glass Tier Gives You on the CZ 457
Standard glass (Crossfire II 2-7×32, Crossfire II 4-12×44)
In good midday light the standard glass image is sharp and adequate for small game at 75 yards.
In overcast woodland light where squirrels blend into gray bark at 60 yards, standard glass softens the target edges enough that confident identification requires the animal to move.
For hunters who shoot in good light conditions inside 75 yards, the limitation matter.
HP glass (Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire, Diamondback HP 4-16×42, Strike Eagle 4-24×50)
The same scene in overcast light shows a sharper target edge and better color separation between the squirrel’s coat and the bark behind it.
The CZ 457’s grouping capability becomes more visible at 75 yards because the aim point is more placed on a resolved target.
XD glass (Viper HS 4-16×50)
At dawn in a hardwood forest the XD glass advantage over HP is most visible: brightness and contrast that lets the CZ 457 be used earlier in the morning than HP glass permits on small targets at 75 yards.
Field Notes: Vortex Scope Selection for the CZ 457
Parallax matter more on the CZ 457 than on most rimfire rifles
The CZ 457’s grouping capability at 50 yards is tight enough that parallax error from a 100-yard fixed-parallax scope is visible in the group size.
Fixed 50-yard parallax eliminates that variable for hunters who shoot at standard rimfire distances.
Adjustable parallax eliminates it at any distance.
Neither approach is wrong, but using a 100-yard fixed-parallax centerfire scope on the CZ 457 wastes the rifle’s accuracy in a way that is solved.
The CZ 457’s interchangeable barrel system changes the scope equation
The 457 accepts barrel swaps between .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR with the same receiver.
A fixed 50-yard parallax scope is configured for .22 LR but introduces parallax error for .17 HMR shots at 100 yards.
Hunters who swap barrels should choose an adjustable parallax scope and set it for the distance of each shooting session rather than the cartridge.
Ring height on the CZ 457 affects cheek weld more than on most bolt actions
The CZ 457’s receiver profile is lower than many centerfire rifles, and objective lens diameter determines how high the scope must sit to clear the barrel.
A 50mm objective in standard rings may require a higher cheek weld than the stock provides.
Confirm cheek weld position before zeroing, and use a cheek riser if needed to maintain a consistent shooting position across sessions.
Final Thoughts
The Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire is the right scope for most CZ 457 hunters: fixed 50-yard parallax, HP glass, and a rimfire-calibrated reticle in a package that respects the rifle’s small game and varmint hunting role without adding unnecessary weight.
For a CZ 457 used as a precision platform where adjustable parallax and higher magnification matter, the Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16×42 delivers HP glass and a 16x ceiling that lets the rifle perform at its accuracy ceiling at 100 yards.
Budget-conscious hunters who need the correct rimfire parallax and a working BDC at the lowest price should not overlook the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire: it gets every fundamental right and carries the same VIP warranty as the premium options.
The CZ 457 is too accurate a rimfire to be held back by the wrong scope. Put the right Vortex glass on it and let the rifle prove what it can do.