Scope + Rings Reccomondation for CZ 457 Canadian?

Northern Shooter

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I'm starting to weigh my options for the ideal scope and rings setup for my CZ457 Canadian.

It will be used primarily for small game hunting and plinking out to 200m max.

I would also like to eventually get into Mapleseed and PRS so if there is such a thing as a dual function hunting/long range scope that would be ideal. If not I could throw my 6-24x Diamondback on it for those purposes.

Criteria:
Scope Budget - $500
Weight - The lighter the better
Magnification - sufficient to hit targets out to 200m. Would a 3-9 be sufficient? 4-12?
Rings - What do owners of the Canadian style stock prefer for height? Can I get away with low rings or will I be interfering with the bolt throw? Also are the rings for the CZ propriatary or could I use the likes of Vortex?

Also in terms of ammo and as someone who has only shot bulk CCI/Blazer, what are some more premium options to get better accuracy out of a bolt gun?

Cheers,
 
I have the same rifle and I really enjoy it. That being said I use mine differently, generally mostly at the 25 yard range often off hand or bench rest shooting 25yards at tack driver targets. So on mine I run it compact and light with Burris signature rings and a Bushnell Prime 3-12x40 scope, And for my use that’s optimal I find as it keeps this rifle light and compact and just fun to shoot. I will say mine shoots pretty well but not as well as my savage rifles so for longer range stuff I mount the higher magnification optics on my Savage A22 and Savage MKii FV.

My Savage MKii FV I have and continue to setup for eventual longer range shooting/ORPS hopefully. On it I have mounted a Riton Conquer 1 6-24x50. I would say 24x would likely be the minimum for 200 yard but I don’t have access to a 200 yard range myself. I do have a 20moa rail on route for my savage to allow a bit more reach. Not required for my range as we only have a 25 yard and a 100yard but eventually I want to work towards trying production class ORPS and CRPS

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If the plan is to use that rifle for PRS type shooting go for a MDT rail and a scope with a FFP reticle. Will work just fine for small game and plinking too
 
Mostly AR500 plates from 6" to 24". I haven't shot this yet so I'm not sure how accurate these 457 rifles are without the match chamber. I'm not expecting clover leafs at 200m.

Every rifles different but my 457 Canadian is good for about 1.5” groups at 100 yards. So not quite MOA but not bad by any means. I’m sure with some trigger work, even more ammo testing and a better scope, I could get it to MOA. I was tempted to go that route. But my savage is already an MOA rifle so I decided to just keep the CZ light compact and more fun to shoot off hand. My savage is very front heavy and miserable to shoot off hand.

For shooting steel like you’re saying you can likely get away with a lot less power on your scope. So maybe even a 4-16 or even a 4-12 May be sufficient. But for paper and tight groupings your going need more power
 
Not sure how zoom has anything to do with group size (assuming you can see the target). You just need to aim at the same place every time!

I'm guessing just having the ability to see your hits on paper targets at distance. Any reccomondation for seeing holes in paper at 100m? At 200m?
 
Not sure how zoom has anything to do with group size (assuming you can see the target). You just need to aim at the same place every time!

More to do with helping with having the same hold. Since lower magnification the retical can wash out the target and make holding the same hold more difficult. At least that’s how I see it when I used lower magnification at 100yards.
 
If you're looking to get into PRS, light and compact won't be in the picture for your scope. I used an Athlon Argos gen 1 6-24x50 for my first few matches and it worked pretty good. I ended up buying a Helos though, because it's got more travel with the 34mm tube and it's 10 mils per rotation instead of 5, so less chance of getting lost while dialing for long distances. The Helos was a bit more than your $500 budget though, and 34mm rings are quite a bit more than 30mm ones. The Argos will have plenty of elevation to reach 200m though, as long as you have a 20-30 moa rail, or Burris rings with the offset inserts. Lots of magnification can hurt when you're looking for targets during a match, and I very seldom have mine set higher than about 16x unless I'm shooting at a single target way out there. Our matches sometimes go past 400m for a prone stage.
Kristian
 
If you're looking to get into PRS, light and compact won't be in the picture for your scope. I used an Athlon Argos gen 1 6-24x50 for my first few matches and it worked pretty good. I ended up buying a Helos though, because it's got more travel with the 34mm tube and it's 10 mils per rotation instead of 5, so less chance of getting lost while dialing for long distances. The Helos was a bit more than your $500 budget though, and 34mm rings are quite a bit more than 30mm ones. The Argos will have plenty of elevation to reach 200m though, as long as you have a 20-30 moa rail, or Burris rings with the offset inserts. Lots of magnification can hurt when you're looking for targets during a match, and I very seldom have mine set higher than about 16x unless I'm shooting at a single target way out there. Our matches sometimes go past 400m for a prone stage.
Kristian

Interesting, are you saying 16x is sufficient for 400m targets or are those the scenarios you crank it up to 20-24x?
 
rings

Hey Northern

Which ever scope you mount try the OEM CZ one piece rings
I have them on both of my MTR's , they are solid , low and
very sanitary looking .

... skwerl
 

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Interesting, are you saying 16x is sufficient for 400m targets or are those the scenarios you crank it up to 20-24x?

When I had the Argos on my 22 I had to dial the magnification back to even see the target in the bottom of the scope. With the Helos I'll run it at 24x when I'm just plinking or testing ammo, but during a match when I have to move between targets and stuff I don't run it that high. Keep in mind that a target at 400m is going to be fairly big, like a full size IPSC, so fairly easy to see without crazy magnification. It is nice to have the option though.
Kristian
 
I shoot my rifles from 40m to 100m, unsupported and supported, and I use a fixed 36X scope. My targets at 100m are 3/4 inch dots on white paper, and bullet holes are easily seen. If I use a lotsa black bullseye-type of target I can still see the impacts . . . but they are not as immediately obvious with some searching. I chose the high power because I don't like lugging around a spotting scope.

If I wanted to see .22 bullet holes on a 200m target - particularly on a black bullseye - I would use at least a 45X scope. Variable power scopes give you greater flexibility in choice.
 
I shoot my rifles from 40m to 100m, unsupported and supported, and I use a fixed 36X scope. My targets at 100m are 3/4 inch dots on white paper, and bullet holes are easily seen. If I use a lotsa black bullseye-type of target I can still see the impacts . . . but they are not as immediately obvious with some searching. I chose the high power because I don't like lugging around a spotting scope.

If I wanted to see .22 bullet holes on a 200m target - particularly on a black bullseye - I would use at least a 45X scope. Variable power scopes give you greater flexibility in choice.

Would 45X be a spotting scope? I'm not aware of any rifle scopes with that high of magnification.
 
Would 45X be a spotting scope? I'm not aware of any rifle scopes with that high of magnification.

There are a number of scopes with 45X or more. Sightron, for example makes a fixed 45X scope as well as several variable power models that go up to 50X. Other manufacturers such as Nightforce makes a 15 -55X model and March make models witheven higher magnification. I don't know if Leupold still makes them, but they had/have a 45X Competition scope. Weaver also has a 45X model. No doubt there are others as well.
 
I'm starting to weigh my options for the ideal scope and rings setup for my CZ457 Canadian.

It will be used primarily for small game hunting and plinking out to 200m max.

I would also like to eventually get into Mapleseed and PRS so if there is such a thing as a dual function hunting/long range scope that would be ideal. If not I could throw my 6-24x Diamondback on it for those purposes.

Criteria:
Scope Budget - $500
Weight - The lighter the better
Magnification - sufficient to hit targets out to 200m. Would a 3-9 be sufficient? 4-12?
Rings - What do owners of the Canadian style stock prefer for height? Can I get away with low rings or will I be interfering with the bolt throw? Also are the rings for the CZ propriatary or could I use the likes of Vortex?

Also in terms of ammo and as someone who has only shot bulk CCI/Blazer, what are some more premium options to get better accuracy out of a bolt gun?

Cheers,

The DB is working for some shooters. It is not the best option but if it tracks, can be a starter useage for PRS games. Ideally, you want a scope geared for the needs of PRS but if this is a game you MIGHT play vs hunting which you will do lots, then focus on main application.

Mapleseed - same scope you hunt with will be fine.

SFP is likely where you will find the lower pricing and lighter options. All sorts of options from all major brands. I am biased towards Athlon and Sightron. For hunting, pic the specs you want and have at it.

If you want to play PRS games, then FFP, mil, Xmas tree reticle and better specs help a bunch.

Today, quality FFP scopes like the Athlon helos btr G2 easily let you see and engage gongs at 400m and beyond at 16X (no issue engaging an MOA sized target at 1mile). Remember, targets are scaled for distance and we aren't trying to see the eye of a fly at that distance. Field of view, depth of field and contrast are far more important - gotta find the steel to hit them

Rings are like shoe size... whatever fits you and your physique. If you want to play rimfire games, you will likely end up sending lead a long ways out... so a canted pic rail is helpful. Then you can add whatever suitable ring that will fit on the rail. If you want light and simple, then grab some CZ rings and clamp on.

Ammo - SK rifle match or LRM are great starting points. Maybe Lapua CenterX if you want to see what is possible. And of course, Eley equivalents.

Consider proper bedding of the action/stock for peak performance.

If you want to see bullets holes at 200m and going with a low mag scope for hunting, then consider a remote camera... or a spotter... but then you are adding WAY more funds then just upgrading your scope ... but the scope will be neither light nor small.

Enjoy

Jerry
 
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