Rimfire optics and mounting: Tikka T1x Picatinny vs CZ 457 11 mm dovetail, best FFP scopes for NRL22
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11 mm dovetail or Picatinny: which should I use?
The dovetail is simple and light, and fine for hunting and plinking with quality rimfire rings (Talley T1x steel rings, Talley CZ rings). A Picatinny rail gives a hard recoil stop, lets you move scopes between rifles, accepts any Pic ring, and can add MOA cant. It's the norm for NRL22 and PRS rimfire.
T1x mounting options
| Mount | Price seen | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EGW HD T1x Pic rail | $69.99 | 0/20/30/40 MOA; RH and LH; T1x hole spacing |
| Talley T1x Pic rail | $69.95 | Manufacturer direct |
| MDT T1x Pic base | $69.99 | 20–50 MOA |
| Mountain Tactical T1x rail | $69.99 | Receiver length |
| Area 419 T1x rail | $60.00 | 15 or 30 MOA |
| Talley T1x lightweight mounts | $58.95 | Integral ring-mounts |
CZ 457 mounting options
| Mount | Price seen | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EGW HD CZ 457 one-piece rail | $89.99 | 0 or 20 MOA; LH option |
| Talley CZ Picatinny rail | $79.95 | 0/20 MOA |
| MDT CZ 457 Pic base | $69.99 | 20–50 MOA |
| Area 419 CZ 457 base | $100.00 | Clamp-on, 15/30/50 MOA, bubble level. Owners say it sits tall and pairs with low rings |
| CZ OEM Weaver/Pic rail | $99–$109 | 0 or 25 MOA |
| CZ OEM 11 mm rings | $38.45 | 1 in or 30 mm |
The CZ 457's 60° bolt throw gives more room for larger eyepieces at lower ring heights than the older 90° 455 [1].
Our range results (coming soon)
This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.
How much MOA cant do I need?
.22 LR drops a lot. CCI Standard Velocity is about 7.6 in low at 100 yd with a 50 yd zero (maker data), and much more beyond. If you shoot past about 150–200 yd, a 20 MOA rail helps you use more of the scope's elevation travel. For 25–100 yd NRL22, 0–20 MOA is typical. Too much cant can stop you zeroing at 25–50 yd, so check your scope's total travel first. Drop data: zeroing and drop.
What ring height do I need?
Use the lowest rings that clear the objective bell and barrel, the bolt handle through its full throw, and any rail-mounted levels. Measure height above bore (bore center to scope center) and enter it in your ballistic app. A tall mount usually needs a cheek riser.
Best FFP scopes for NRL22
Pick parallax down to 10–15 yd, FFP, matching reticle and turret units, and a 4–16x to 6–24x zoom. From our scope picks (published specs; not tested hands-on):
| Scope | Price seen | Min parallax | Base-friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24x50 FFP | $288.99 | 10 yd (manual) | Yes (MSRP $429.99) |
| Arken EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP | $299.99 | 10 yd | Yes (Arken list $374.99) |
| Primary Arms SLx 4-16x44 FFP | $399.99 | 10 yd | Yes |
| Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP | $449.00 | 10 yd | Usually (list $649.99) |
| Vortex Venom 5-25x56 FFP | $499.00 | 15 yd | Check MSRP |
| Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30x56 | $649.99 | 15 yd | Bushnell list $899.95: tight |
NRL22 Base counts the scope's maker MSRP toward the $1,650 cap, while rings and bases don't count [2]. See Base builds.
Mounting step by step
- Degrease the screws and receiver holes. Use thread locker only where the rail maker specifies it.
- Torque the rail screws to the rail maker's spec (rimfire rails are often in the 15–25 in-lb range, but use the maker's figure).
- Set eye relief in your shooting position, level the reticle to the rifle, then torque the rings in a cross pattern.
- Zero at 25 yd, then confirm at 50 yd (.22 LR) or 100 yd (.17 HMR).
Torque specs and tools: T1x gunsmithing · CZ 457 gunsmithing.
Common mounting mistakes
- Too much MOA cant. A 30–40 MOA rail can stop you zeroing at 25–50 yd with some scopes. Owners report this with 30 MOA T1x rails (see our T1x parts notes).
- Wrong hole spacing. T1x rails aren't T3x rails: EGW lists a 2.508 in center spread for the T1x vs 3.245 in for the T3x.
- Over-torqued ring caps that dent tubes. Use the scope maker's limit, often lower than the ring maker's.
- Canted reticle. Level the rifle first, then the reticle, using a level on the turret cap or a plumb line.
- Inconsistent eye relief between prone and positional. Set eye relief in your most-used position.
Scope height and your ballistic app
Measure from the bore centerline to the scope centerline, not from the rail. At rimfire distances, a 0.2 in error in scope height shows up in your 25 yd and 100 yd dope, so measure carefully with calipers.
Mounts on other popular .22s
Factory mounting differs widely. The Savage Mark II FV-SR includes an EGW rail. The Ruger Precision Rimfire has a 30 MOA Picatinny base. The Ruger American Rimfire has a machined 3/8 in dovetail and is drilled for Weaver #12 bases. Anschutz 1761s use an 11 mm dovetail:
| Rifle | Action | Barrel | Trigger | Magazine | Optic mount | Weight (lb) | MSRP (source, date, confidence) | Aftermarket depth | NRL22 fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savage Mark II FV-SR | Bolt; thread-in headspace | 16.5 in heavy fluted, 1/2x28 | AccuTrigger 2.5-6 lb | 5-rd box | EGW one-piece rail included | 5.5 | $329 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | High (Boyds/MDT stocks, triggers, rails) | Base: leaves ~$1,321 for scope |
| Ruger Precision Rimfire | Bolt; adjustable bolt throw (rimfire or short-action stroke) | 18 in cold hammer-forged, 1/2-28, 1:16 | Marksman Adjustable 2.25-5 lb | BX-15 / BX-1 (22 LR); rotary (17 HMR / 22 WMR) | 30 MOA Pic base | 6.8 | $629 Ruger MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AR grips and stocks fit) | Base: leaves ~$1,021 for scope |
| Ruger American Rimfire | Bolt; 60-degree throw | 18 in 1/2-28 threaded (8305); other lengths by model | Marksman Adjustable 3-5 lb | 10/22 BX-1 rotary | 3/8 in rimfire base machined in; drilled and tapped for Weaver #12 | 5.5 | $509 Ruger suggested retail $509 (model 8305; other RAR models vary). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (some stocks; uses 10/22 mags) | Base: leaves ~$1,141 for scope |
| Savage B22 Precision (70248) | Bolt; MDT one-piece chassis | 18 in heavy threaded, 1:16 | AccuTrigger 1.5-5 lb | 10-rd rotary | One-piece Pic (20 MOA per Gun Tests) | 7.38 | $749 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AICS-style chassis accessories) | Base: leaves ~$901 for scope |
| Anschutz 1761 AV threaded 18 in | Bolt; 3-lug; 60-degree throw | 18 in heavy threaded 1/2x28 | 5061 single stage | 5-rd | 11 mm dovetail | 6.17 | $2,595 Anschutz North America price (other 1761s $2,495-$2,995). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Low | Open only (over cap) |
MSRPs from the maker where available, otherwise labeled retailer listings, checked Oct 2026. Aftermarket depth and NRL22 fit are our editorial summaries (NRL22 Base: rifle plus scope MSRP up to $1,650). Specs are published figures, not our measurements.
FAQ
Does the Tikka T1x have a Picatinny rail?
It ships with an 11 mm dovetail and is drilled and tapped. Add a T1x-specific Picatinny rail such as EGW or Talley ($69.95–$69.99 seen).
What rings fit a CZ 457?
11 mm dovetail rimfire rings, such as Talley CZ rings or CZ's own aluminum rings. Or fit a Picatinny rail and use any Pic rings.
Do I need a 20 MOA rail on a 22?
Only if you shoot past about 150–200 yd or your scope has limited elevation. For 25–100 yd NRL22, 0–20 MOA is typical.
What is the best budget FFP scope for NRL22?
On published specs: the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24x50 ($288.99 seen; MSRP $429.99) and Arken EPL-4 4-16x44. Both focus to 10 yd and are FFP.
Sources
Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.
Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · contact@rimfirebuilds.com