I’m sharing this Boyds Rimfire Hunter Stock upgrade for the CZ 457 on Father’s Day, because it may resonate with a few dads out there. The rifle in question is CZ’s little Scout. This has most of the same basic features as other CZ 457 rifles, but it’s been scaled down a bit. So the length of pull is just 12 inches. Simple iron sights top a 16.5″ threaded barrel, and it ships with a single shot adapter, rather than a magazine. CZ markets it as being the ideal first rifle for young shooters, and I certainly agree with that. Thanks to the CZ 457’s modular design, the stock and barrel are easily updated as the shooter grows.
Which brings me to the Boyds upgrade. This is a rifle I want to use for teaching safety and marksmanship fundamentals. Yet the LOP was a bit shorter than ideal for most of the new shooters we invite to the range. With a few upgrades in mind to make it more suitable for teens and women, we started with a new Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock. Increasing the length of pull by over an inch was the first order of business. Laser-engraved checkering was chosen for visual appeal while adding a little grip texture. Though there are 14 color option (plus walnut), I find that nutmeg has a classic look, emphasizing the warmth of a traditional wood stock.
Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock details
Boyds offers several stock shapes for the CZ 457, but I chose the Rimfire Hunter for this rifle. I wanted to keep it light and simple, so no adjustable LOP or cheek rest. The comb height is perfect for iron sights or a compact scope mounted on low rings. Its overall shape is pretty standard, and therefore functional with good comfort and ergonomics. While the length of pull won’t fit everyone perfectly, the iron sights partially make up for that. No need to worry about eye relief issues that accompany a scoped rifle. Though I won’t be using them, I do appreciate that the stock includes three swivel studs – two for a sling, and third up front for a bipod.
Why laminate for the Boyds Rimfire Hunter?
Boyds stocks are renowned for their exceptional rigidity and stability. Their secret lies in the unique construction: 37 layers of laminated hardwood. This meticulous process involves pressing thin wood layers together under immense pressure, ensuring the adhesive penetrates every wood cell. The result? A stock that’s virtually impervious to temperature and humidity changes, maintaining consistent performance in any environment. And unlike most factory stocks, Boyds caters to individuality. Boyds Rimfire Hunter stocks, like all their stocks, are custom-made to order. This means you get to choose the exact features you desire, from length of pull and comb height to color and finish. Boyds then machines the stock from a blank to your specifications, guaranteeing a perfect fit for your firearm.
Installation of the Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock for the CZ 457
Boyds does a really good job of inletting their stocks, and I have only had one minor fitment issue in over a decade of working with them. This one was no exception. After removing the magazine and bolt, and checking to make sure the chamber was empty, I removed my barreled action. At the rear of the stock is a steel lug that needs to be transferred to the new stock. If it doesn’t fall right out, some pliers and a tiny bit of effort is all it should take. Drop it into the Boyds, and give it a tap or two with a mallet to make sure it’s fully seated.
The barreled action should drop right in. That two-piece bottom metal that’s new to the CZ 457 allows for any tiny variances, which is nice. Using the appropriate Torx driver, tighten the two action screws. CZ specifies 25 in/lbs, and if you don’t have a torque wrench, keep in mind that’s not “gorilla tight”. Snug it down firmly, and you should be good to go. There’s not really anything to interfere with the magazine, but make sure it goes in and comes out easily. Install the bolt, and make sure that it runs smoothly, with no binding. These steps are pretty standard any time I take apart a rifle, the stock itself shouldn’t cause issues.
Fit, function, and aesthetics
With the new Boyds Rimfire Hunter, the CZ 457 Scout is now much more comfortable for shooters who aren’t kid-sized. This “starter” rifle has now grown up a bit. While the stock itself looks fantastic, there are a few minor items of concern. First, the stubby little 16.5″ barrel sticks out past the forend about 2-3/4 inches. That’s easily rectified with the addition of a 6 inch tube (suppressor) threaded onto the end of the barrel. Now it looks perfect and sounds better too. The barrel channel itself is designed to accommodate thicker barrels, so there is a bit of space on either side. It’s not so much that it’s awkward, so I don’t mind it. And it’s good to know that with the CZ 457 designed to make barrel swaps easy, a larger diameter barrel will drop right in.
My bigger concern, not related to the stock itself, but more apparent with the new stock, was the sights. The long, hooded front sight really accentuates how short the barrel looks in the stock. And the mid-barrel mounted rear sight was fine for youths shooting at 25 yards or so. But the sight radius was right around ten inches or so. I’m going to cover the fix for that in a future article. My solution nearly doubles the sight radius, so stay tuned for that.
Final thoughts
The CZ 457 rifle is a great platform for everything from plinking to competition. And there’s no question that Boyds is a good match for this rifle – they are the OEM stock providers for both the CZ 457 Pro Varmint and CZ 457 At-One models. I think they should offer a Boyds Rimfire Hunter option from the factory as well. This one certainly turned out great. From a financial standpoint, the stock upgrade makes a lot of sense too. With the extra $64 laser engraving, the total cost was $253, so it’s possible to get a stock for under $200. Compare that to the current price of at least $549 for a new rifle, if you can find one in stock, and it makes sense in today’s economy. Best of all, you can still drop it back in the factory stock when the grandkids are big enough.
As always, I’d like to thank Boyds Gunstocks for providing their Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock for the CZ 457 for my testing and evaluation. Their continued support of recreational and competition shooters, as well as hunters and other enthusiasts, underscores their commitment to our 2nd Amendment rights. Also, happy Father’s Day!