CZ 557 Sporter Short Action

A Line Extension to Include .308 Winchester

- John Haviland

Since CZ of the Czech Republic introduced its 557 Sporter bolt-action rifle in 2012, it has expanded the rifle’s models to include the Lux, Sporter Synthetic, Urban Counter Sniper, Carbine and Varmint. The newest 557 is the Sporter Short Action chambered in .243 and .308 Winchesters. CZ-USA imports the rifles, and for the last couple of months, I shot a Sporter .308 Winchester that has proved to be accurate.

The 557 is an up-to-date rifle design containing fewer and simpler parts compared to CZ’s older and more traditional Model 550 bolt-action rifles, although it is still “old school.” Most notable is the receiver that requires an extensive amount of machining. It is relatively large with a receiver ring and bridge 1.37 inches in diameter. The metal of these two rings remains thick leading up to the scope mount bases and in the side rails that extend a short way down the sides of the magazine well. The 557 has an integral recoil lug machined from the bottom of the receiver ring, instead of a plate simply sandwiched between the barrel and front of the receiver, as with most new actions. At the rear of the cut in the stock for the recoil lug set is an aluminum “barrel insert” that absorbs recoil shock. The bottom of the receiver ring is further machined to include a flat-faced bedding lug threaded to take the front receiver screw. The sides of the receiver ring are angled leading up to the flat. Tightening the receiver screw wedges the receiver ring tightly into the stock.