The CZ 557 American is now discontinued.

TomTeriffic

Active member
Joined
Dec 26, 2021
Messages
388
Location
SW Oklahoma
Where they might have blown it in that model line was by not offering .223 or 5.56. It looked like a pretty bolt-action rifle for the price. They still offer a similar-looking 457 American in a number of rimfire calibers. They missed the 22-bore centerfire market completely. Their new 600 Lux does offer .223 but it has weird checkering and an ugly bolt handle. We don't get a centerfire 22-bore woodchuck/small varmint gun from CZ with all the prettiness of 557/457 models.

Why 5.56 for small varmints/furbearers? All that cheap Chinese/surplus ammo.

PS - I just got rid of a new unfired Ruger American Ranch rifle in 5.56 last summer. The action operation was atrocious!
The dilemma: a cheap 5.56 bolt gun is probably not going to function nicely and a decent varmint-grade AR or bolt gun
in .223 or 5.56 might be $1K or more. The price points and looks of a CZ 457 American .17 HMR rimfire is what has me
obsessed with it right now.
 
Last edited:
Bummer. I bought a 550 about 7 years ago. So glad I got it when I did.
A CZ 550 in .22-250 by any chance? I just peeked at the price of ammo online. About $1.70 to $3.25 a pop, it doesn't seem too feasible for pest control or recreational varmint shooting. Again, CZ shied away from practical and cheap varmint CF calibers like .223 and 5.56.
 
A CZ 550 in .22-250 by any chance? I just peeked at the price of ammo online. About $1.70 to $3.25 a pop, it doesn't seem too feasible for pest control or recreational varmint shooting. Again, CZ shied away from practical and cheap varmint CF calibers like .223 and 5.56.

No they didn't. A .223 was available in the 527. It was a micro-length mauser style action. They chambered .223s in both sporter and varmint styles.
 
Back
Top