The CZ 457 Varmint Benchrest is built for one job. The heavy barrel suppresses heat mirage, the wide stock sits flat on a rest and the cold hammer forged bore holds tolerances tight enough to put five shots under half an inch at 50 yards.
That tells you something important about the scope.
A rifle this dedicated needs a scope that does not introduce error, and a hunting scope with a fixed 100 yard parallax introduces plenty of it at rimfire distances.
The CZ 457 Varmint Benchrest uses a Picatinny rail on the receiver, which makes mounting far simpler than the 11mm dovetail on older CZ designs.
Standard Picatinny rings fit, and you have a wide choice of quality options.
For benchrest use, start with parallax. You need an adjustable objective or a side focus parallax dial, and for the 457 VB the side focus is better because you can adjust it without breaking your position.
Then magnification. A heavy barreled bench rifle with sub half inch groups at 50 yards needs at least 16x to see what it is doing, and 24x is better.
At 24x a half inch group at 50 yards appears as a two inch group in the scope.
Turrets matter too. Exposed target turrets let you make adjustments without a coin, and half MOA or quarter MOA clicks let you move point of impact.
Finally, weight is not a concern. This rifle is heavy on purpose, and a big 50mm scope is right.
Add ring weight and stay on the bench, which is where this rifle lives.
Best Scopes for CZ 457 Varmint Benchrest Comparison
| # | Image | Name | Key Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6 24×50 FFP | 24x, side focus, FFP, exposed turrets, VIP warranty | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5 25×50 FFP | 25x FFP, premium Vortex glass, VIP warranty | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Athlon Argos BTR 6 24×50 FFP | 24x FFP, side focus, illuminated, transferable warranty | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Leupold Mark 3HD 4 12×40 AO | Premium glass, adjustable objective, lifetime warranty | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Primary Arms SLx 4 14×44 FFP | FFP, side focus, ACSS reticle, lifetime warranty | Check Price |
In Depth Reviews
Each scope below is judged on how well it suits dedicated benchrest use: parallax correction at rimfire distances, magnification, turret quality and glass clarity.
#1 Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6 24×50 FFP – Best Overall
The Diamondback Tactical is the scope that suits a dedicated benchrest rifle without requiring a second mortgage. It gives you the three things bench shooting needs: 24x, a side focus parallax dial and exposed turrets.
At 24x, the heavy barrel of the 457 VB can show you what it is doing. A half inch group at 50 yards looks like a two inch group at this magnification, and you can see each shot land.
The side focus parallax is the feature that earns its place most. On a rest, you can reach the left side knob without changing position, set the dial to the exact distance and shoot with parallax error removed.
Quarter MOA exposed turrets let you make small, precise adjustments without lifting a screwdriver. On a bench rifle, that is not a luxury.
Here is the number that ties it together. At 50 yards, a quarter MOA click moves point of impact about an eighth of an inch. That is a level of precision that matches what the CZ 457 VB is capable of producing.
The Picatinny rail on the 457 VB means you can use standard Picatinny rings. Choose medium or high rings based on the scope height you need to clear the objective bell.
Who should buy it: a bench shooter who wants precision features at a reasonable price. Who should skip it: a hunter who wants the same scope for field use.
It earns first place because it delivers every tool benchrest shooting needs, and it is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 6 to 24x |
| Objective Lens | 50mm |
| Reticle | First focal plane |
| Parallax | Side focus, adjustable |
| Turrets | Exposed, quarter MOA per click |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable |
Pros
- 24x shows every detail of what a heavy barreled bench rifle is doing
- Side focus parallax adjusts without breaking your position on the rest
- Exposed turrets let you dial adjustments without a coin
- The VIP warranty is unconditional, lifetime, and transferable
Cons
- Heavy, but that is a non issue on a bench rifle built to be heavy
- A 50mm objective needs high rings to clear the barrel
Our Take
If you want a scope that matches the CZ 457 VB’s purpose, the Diamondback Tactical 6 24×50 FFP is worth a closer look. It delivers 24x, true parallax correction and the backing of Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner. It is the natural partner for a bench rifle.
#2 Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5 25×50 FFP – Best Premium
If the Diamondback Tactical is where you start, the Viper PST Gen II is where you end up when you want more. The glass is better, the turrets are crisper and 25x gives you one more unit of magnification.
The image difference is most visible at the edges and in outdoor light on an overcast day. The Viper PST shows a brighter, cleaner picture across the whole field, and on a rifle this precise that clarity matters.
The turrets are a step up. The feel is more positive and the clicks are more distinct, which makes fine adjustments more confident. On a bench, confident adjustments improve your results.
Here is the direct comparison. The Diamondback Tactical does the job at a lower price. The Viper PST does it better, and the question is whether the improvement justifies the price gap. On a rifle that costs what a 457 VB costs, for most owners it does.
The side focus parallax knob works the same way: reach left, dial the target sharp, shoot. At this magnification, parallax error is a significant fraction of your group size, so removing it is important.
Who should buy it: a bench shooter who wants the best Vortex glass available. Who should skip it: anyone on a budget who does not need the glass upgrade.
It earns second place because it is better in every measurable way than the Diamondback, and it is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 5 to 25x |
| Objective Lens | 50mm |
| Reticle | First focal plane |
| Parallax | Side focus, adjustable |
| Turrets | Exposed, crisper feel than Diamondback |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable |
Pros
- Better glass than the Diamondback Tactical, at the image edges
- Crisper turrets for more confident adjustments
- 25x gives the most magnification here
- The VIP warranty is unconditional, lifetime, and transferable
Cons
- More expensive than the Diamondback Tactical
- The weight increase is negligible, but it is the most expensive scope here
Our Take
If you want the best Vortex glass on a bench rifle, the Viper PST Gen II 5 25×50 FFP is worth a closer look. It delivers better glass, crisper turrets and the backing of Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner. It is the premium Vortex choice.
#3 Athlon Argos BTR 6 24×50 FFP – Best Budget Pick
This is the scope for the 457 VB owner who wants every precision feature at the lowest price. The Argos BTR gives you 24x, FFP and a side focus parallax dial, and it does that at a budget price.
The illuminated reticle is a bonus. In outdoor light on a bright day, a lit center helps you find the aiming point, and on a bench where you are watching tight groups form, that clarity is welcome.
Here is the honest comparison to the Vortex. The glass is a step behind, and the turrets have a softer feel. Both are real differences if you compare side by side. Neither is a real problem if you only use the Athlon.
The FFP reticle scales with magnification, so your marks are true at every power. If you also shoot at different distances, that keeps your holdover consistent.
Athlon’s transferable lifetime warranty is a strong commitment at this price. The scope is protected even if you sell the rifle.
Who should buy it: a 457 VB owner on a budget who wants the precision features. Who should skip it: anyone who wants the sharpest glass.
It earns third place because the first two options deliver more, but the Argos BTR is capable and well priced, and it is backed by Athlon’s transferable lifetime warranty.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 6 to 24x |
| Objective Lens | 50mm |
| Reticle | First focal plane, illuminated |
| Parallax | Side focus, adjustable |
| Glass | Adequate for daylight bench use |
| Warranty | Athlon transferable lifetime warranty |
Pros
- 24x, FFP and side focus parallax at the lowest price here
- Illuminated reticle helps in bright outdoor light
- Reliable tracking for bench sessions
- Transferable lifetime warranty
Cons
- Glass trails the Vortex options
- Turret feel is softer than the premium scopes
Our Take
If you want precision features on a budget, the Argos BTR 6 24×50 FFP is worth a closer look. It delivers 24x, FFP and side focus parallax, backed by Athlon’s transferable lifetime warranty. It is the smart budget answer.
#4 Leupold Mark 3HD 4 12×40 AO – Best Premium Glass Under 16x
A bench rifle does not always need 24x. If you shoot at 50 yards and want the clearest image at a manageable magnification, the Leupold Mark 3HD gives you glass quality that the 24x scopes here cannot match.
At 12x on Leupold HD glass, the image is sharper and more detailed than most scopes at 16x. That is not marketing, it is what premium glass does, and it is worth understanding before you assume more magnification is always better.
The adjustable objective removes parallax at the distances you shoot. Rotate the front ring until the target is sharp, and the error is gone.
The scope is also compact and light relative to a 50mm scope, which is a pleasant change on a heavy bench rifle. The balance is better, and the eyepiece is closer to a natural head position.
The limit is real. At 12x, very fine targets at 100 yards are harder to read than at 24x, and in windy conditions you want more magnification to call your shots. Know which kind of shooting you do.
Who should buy it: a bench shooter who values glass quality over maximum magnification. Who should skip it: a dedicated 100 yard benchrest shooter who needs to see every hole.
It earns fourth place because the bench crowd will want more power, but the glass quality is excellent, and it is covered by Leupold’s lifetime warranty.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4 to 12x |
| Objective Lens | 40mm |
| Reticle | Mil based |
| Parallax | Adjustable objective |
| Glass | Leupold HD premium |
| Warranty | Leupold lifetime warranty |
Pros
- Premium Leupold glass is sharper than most scopes at higher magnifications
- Compact and light on a heavy bench rifle
- Adjustable objective removes parallax at rimfire distances
- Covered for life by Leupold
Cons
- 12x is limiting for fine work at 100 yards
- The price is high for a rifle scope below 16x
Our Take
If you want the best glass here in a compact package, the Mark 3HD 4 12×40 AO is worth a closer look. It delivers premium optics, true parallax correction and the backing of Leupold’s lifetime warranty. It is a quality first choice.
#5 Primary Arms SLx 4 14×44 FFP – Best Entry Level FFP
This is the scope for the new bench shooter who wants to start with a first focal plane reticle without spending much. The SLx gives you FFP and side focus parallax at the lowest price on this list.
Those two features are the entry point for serious bench shooting. Once you have them, you can learn what precision rimfire requires without an expensive scope limiting your ability to practice.
The ACSS reticle gives you ranging and holdover marks in a sensible layout. It is illuminated, which helps in bright outdoor light on a bench.
Here is the honest caveat. On a rifle this capable, the Primary Arms glass is the limiting factor. The image is good in full daylight, but it is not in the same class as the Vortex or Leupold options.
That said, for a first bench setup or a rifle you are still learning, it is more than good enough.
Who should buy it: a new bench shooter who wants to start with FFP and side focus at a low price. Who should skip it: an experienced shooter who wants the best the rifle can show.
It earns fifth place because the other four each give more, but the Primary Arms SLx is a capable entry point, and it is backed by Primary Arms’ lifetime warranty.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4 to 14x |
| Objective Lens | 44mm |
| Reticle | First focal plane, ACSS, illuminated |
| Parallax | Side focus, adjustable |
| Glass | Good for daylight bench use |
| Warranty | Primary Arms lifetime warranty |
Pros
- FFP and side focus parallax at the lowest price here
- ACSS reticle is a useful starting point for bench shooting
- Illuminated for outdoor use
- Backed by Primary Arms’ lifetime warranty
Cons
- Glass trails every other scope here
- 14x is limiting compared with the 24x and 25x options
Our Take
If you want to start with FFP and side focus on a tight budget, the SLx 4 14×44 FFP is worth a closer look. It delivers the key precision features and the backing of Primary Arms’ lifetime warranty. It is a smart entry point.
Did You Know? The CZ 457 Varmint Benchrest ships with a Picatinny rail already fitted, which is a direct improvement over the 11mm dovetail of earlier CZ rimfire designs. That rail means you can use standard Picatinny rings instead of specialty rimfire rings, which opens up a much wider choice of quality mounts.
Final Thoughts
If you remember one thing from this article, remember that the rifle is not the limiting factor. The CZ 457 VB can outshoot most scopes. The scope’s job is to not hold it back.
That is why the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6 24×50 FFP earns the top spot. It gives you 24x, side focus parallax, an FFP reticle and exposed turrets at a price that matches the rifle’s purpose. It is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty.
If you want better glass, the Viper PST Gen II is the Vortex answer.
For premium optics in a smaller package, the Leupold Mark 3HD is the quality choice.
If your budget is tight, the Athlon Argos BTR delivers every precision feature at a lower price.
If you are just starting on the bench, the Primary Arms SLx gets you in with FFP and side focus.
Here is the practical advice to finish. Get the mount right first, because a poor mount undoes everything above it. Then test at least three ammunition brands and keep your group records.
Precision rimfire is a discipline where notes beat instinct. The more data you have, the faster you improve.
The CZ 457 Varmint Benchrest is a serious rifle. The right scope helps you find out how serious.
Richard Brown is a long-range shooting enthusiast and competitive shooter with extensive experience in scopes across multiple disciplines. He hunts regularly across the Midwest and has built his expertise through years of hands-on testing in both competitive shooting and hunting. Richard also instructs youth rifle shooting, which has given him perspective on scopes at every price point and skill level. He combines technical knowledge with practical field experience to provide honest reviews – contact me