The BoreBuddy CZ 457 barrel is the latest addition to their highly-regarded Apogee line. Available in 22LR as well as 17HM2, this barrel fits both CZ 455 and 457 models. Options for the .22LR version include 1:12 or 1:16 twist rates, while the HM2 is only available with a 1:9 twist. All three are 16.1″ in length and threaded 1/2×28.
What sets them apart from CZ factory barrels is deep fluting, which cuts a lot of weight without sacrificing stiffness. My test barrel weighed just 1.7 pounds (27.2 ounces) compared to well over two pounds (about 50 ounces) for the original 20″ and 24″ barrels. The result is a lighter rifle that’s better suited to hunting or plinking, without giving up any accuracy.
BoreBuddy CZ 457 Barrel full specs
This barrel is made from premium steel just like the other barrels in their Apogee line. In this case, it’s 41v50 with a beautiful black nitride finish. Its 0.865″ diameter coupled with the fluting lets it hit that sweet spot between stiffness and weight, while still fitting in a factory stock.
Regardless of the caliber or twist, all barrels receive the same treatment. After being button rifled, they’re stress relieved and air gauged with a precision-cut Bentz chamber. At the opposite end is an 11-degree target crown and a knurled thread protector. All this is a proven formula for reliable feeding and impressive performance.
A note about aesthetics
This is the 8th CZ 457 barrel I have used. The only other aftermarket barrel I tried was stainless, so it’s unfair to compare the finish to that one. But the BoreBuddy CZ 457 barrel has a nicer finish than CZ’s barrels do, in my opinion. My MTR barrel has a blued finish that’s a bit grey in tone, which lacks the luster of the BoreBuddy. Neither completely matte nor shiny, the Apogee’s black provides a nice contrast to the receiver and looks better than the barrel that came with my rifle.
Installing the Apogee Barrel
CZ makes barrel swaps for their 455 and 457 rifles very simple. With the barreled action out of the stock or chassis, you can see the two grub screws which hold the barrel in place. Although that magwell does need to be loosened to swap the barrel, it’s those two grub screws which need to be backed out for the swap. Back them out a few turns, and the OEM barrel should pop right out. Install the BoreBuddy barrel, and torque the screws to 30 in/lbs. Carefully snug down the magwell screws and install it back in the stock or chassis.
Range time with the BoreBuddy CZ 457 Barrel
This barrel saw quite a bit of range time over an extended review period. My initial plan was to shoot some CCi SV and Norma Tac22 before moving on to SK. After zeroing the 4-16x scope I had on my rifle, I went out and cleared my KYL rack at distances of 35-40 yards. Then I’d switch to targets, and I was a little disappointed with my groups. That’s despite hitting the 1/4″ steel target quite consistently.
Switching to a 6-24x scope, I was able to repeat my results on the KYL rack, while still not being super happy with my groups. Finally, I swapped a 5-25x scope for another half dozen range trips. Results started to improve, but for a while, I struggled to get groups under 1 MOA at 50 yards.
More range time
At this point, I was a little frustrated. I’d passed my usual timeline for completing a review, and knew something was off, just not sure what it was. My targets are peel-and-stick and are custom-printed by a neighbor. With either bright orange or green, they have plenty of contrast. But it wasn’t until I tried plain black on white that my groups got smaller.
Not sure why that made a difference, since raw steel on a dirt background isn’t exactly high contrast. But my groups dipped into the 1/2 MOA range with a bit more consistency. The smallest groups were achieved with SK Rifle Match, which cost me about 17 cpr. Yet I could get about 1 MOA with the CCi (about 6 cpr) and Norma (7 cpr) pretty regularly. Those prices are based on some discounts I get, but illustrate why I prefer CCi and Norma over SK most of the time. I’m just shooting for fun, and I like to shoot a lot.
What about suppressed use?
I can’t imagine not suppressing a threaded rimfire bolt action whenever possible. While adding a suppressor can affect the POI, that’s a function of baffle design, ammo, and, of course, barrel harmonics. My TacSol Axiom caused no noticeable shift in point of impact, regardless of the ammo used.
Although there’s no guarantee you’ll see the same results, I’d say this barrel is stiff enough that an extra six ounces or so probably won’t cause unwanted harmonic disturbances.
So, who is the BoreBuddy CZ 457 Barrel for?
For most competitions, heavier barrels are the trend for balance and harmonics. So this isn’t going to be the first choice there. And CZ factory barrels rarely disappoint. If I had to make a use case for the BoreBuddy CZ 457 barrel, it would be based on the weight and the fact that it’s threaded.
If you’re updating a Scout’s little 16″ pencil barrel, it’s a solid choice. At the other end, my At-One’s barrel was 24″, and unwieldy. My Pro Varmint with a fat 16″ barrel is one of my favorites, yet with a 5-25x scope, heavier than most would want to carry. Pretty much any CZ 457 would be lighter and handier with this barrel. And there would be no drop in accuracy over most factory barrels. At $325, it’s not cheap. But if you want less weight without compromise, it’s worth it.
As always, I’d like to thank BoreBuddy for giving me the opportunity to try out their new barrel. They make excellent products, offer outstanding customer service, and they’re enthusiasts just like us. Check out their full product line at BoreBuddy.com.