One of the main differences between various CZ 457 rimfires is the barrel. There are two types: light American barrel and heavy Varmint barrel. Which one to choose?
CZ 457 models by barrel
The latest production of CZ rimfires have almost 50% models equipped with light American barrel and 50% with heavy Varmint barrel. As the table below shows:
| American Barrel | Varmint Barrel |
| CZ 457 STAINLESS | CZ 457 AT-ONE |
| CZ 457 SYNTHETIC | CZ 457 MDT |
| CZ 457 ROYAL | CZ 457 VARMINT SYNTHETIC |
| CZ 457 PREMIUM | CZ 457 THUMBHOLE |
| CZ 457 AMERICAN | CZ 457 LRP BLACK |
| CZ 457 LUX | CZ 457 VARMINT |
| CZ 457 TRAINING RIFLE | CZ 457 MTR |
| CZ 457 JAGUAR XII |
All the models equipped with Varmint barrel come without iron sights and are expected to be mounted with scope. Also rimfires with heavy barrels are made in shorter versions mainly. On the other hand, rimfires with light American barrel have longer barrel and often sights from production. That is because the longer barrel allows larger sight radius for aiming. We go into further detail of barrel length comparison in this article.
CZ 457 Varmint barrel in detail
Main advantage of the heavier Varmint barrel is higher consistency. You will be able to hit the same spot regardless of if you are shooting the first round, or the 20th. The barrel does not heat up and thus keeps the accuracy much more consistent. If you are fast shooter, you will see the difference soon.
On the other hand, Varmint barrels are considerably more heavy. For example, CZ 457 Synthethic with 16″ American barrel weights 2.5kg, but CZ 457 Synthethic Varmint with 16″ Varmint barrel weights 3.0kg.
That is 500g difference in weight for the same length of barrel. But if you do not intend to shoot from stand, the negative aspect of higher weight falls off.
CZ 457 American barrel in detail
American barrels are more long in general. Although CZ makes some CZ 457 also with 16″ light American barrel, most of the production is longer – from 20″ up to 28″ lenght.
The main advantage from longer barrels is extended sight radius, as the position of front sight and rear sight is further from each other. That is to be noticed only when using iron sights though.
Another positive of the longer American barrels is the increased velocity. Higher velocity means that you can shoot at more distant targets with higher consistency.
Also big positive thing is the light weight of the barrel. As further explained above, on 16″ long barrel you will save up to 0.5kg of weight when using American barrel instead of Varmint.
The negative is faster heating of the barrel and subsequent opening up of the target. You will simply not be able to shoot so consistently as the heat from the barrel negatively influences the precision.