LILJA | MATCH-GRADE CZ RIMFIRE BARRELS
One Grade. Lilja's Best. A Barrel Worth Building Around.
Lilja makes one grade of barrel: its best. The 23-inch LJ457ST23 brings that uncompromising match-barrel philosophy to the CZ 455 and CZ 457, with a .900-inch straight-profile stainless barrel, hand-lapped bore, three-groove rifling, and Lilja 3 .22 LR match chamber. Available through Pete's Pillars, an authorized Lilja dealer with over six years of CZ rimfire experience and our own line of USA-made precision components.
There's a reason Lilja belongs on the short list when a CZ rimfire build gets serious. With over four decades of barrelmaking behind the name, Lilja builds its barrels from 416 stainless rifle-barrel-quality steel, then drills, reams, and rifles them in-house. Stress-relieving heat treatment and meticulous hand-lapping finish the work. This is premium barrel craftsmanship from a manufacturer that treats match-grade as its standard, not an optional upgrade.
The 23-inch LJ457ST23 pairs a full-length .900-inch straight bull-barrel profile with a 1:16-inch twist, three-groove rifling, and a target-crowned muzzle. It's a serious foundation for a full-length CZ 455 or CZ 457 match rifle—whether you're rebuilding a CZ 457 Varmint, developing a Varmint MTR competition rifle, or choosing components for a fresh precision rimfire build. This barrel keeps its substantial straight contour for the full 23 inches; confirm the barrel channel has room for a .900-inch profile.
Hand-Lapped Stainless Steel. Built for Precision Rimfire.
Lilja's reputation was earned inside the bore. Precise machining, stress relief, and hand-lapping are central to its barrelmaking process. In a market where shooters also consider factory CZ 457 MTR barrels and aftermarket options such as L3i CZ 457 match barrels, the LJ457ST23 offers its own compelling combination: Lilja craftsmanship, an 23-inch length, and a .900-inch straight profile. The choice is about the barrel you want to build around, not a claim that one design automatically outshoots every other.
This barrel is chambered for .22 LR. Prefer the same precision-focused construction in a shorter format? Compare our Lilja 18-inch .900 Match Barrel. For CZ 457 applications, the listing specifies Lilja's "Lilja 3" match chamber and the newer shim-kit arrangement. A headspace shim kit is included with the barrel, providing the components called for in Lilja's fitting system.
Complete Your CZ 457 Build
A Lilja match barrel is a centerpiece worth building around. When you're refreshing your CZ 455 or 457, start with our USA-made PP45748 Stainless Barrel Set Screws, supplied as a pair. For the bolt, consider our PP457SP2 Gen 2 Extractor & Holder Spring and PP457FP-T Reshaped-Tip Firing Pin for CZ 457 builds.
Trigger feel is just as personal as barrel choice. Complete aftermarket triggers from Timney and JARD are familiar options in the CZ 457 world. If you'd rather tune the factory trigger, Pete's Pillars manufactures the PP45708SP 8 oz Trigger Spring and PP45712SP 12 oz Trigger Spring for a properly tuned CZ 457 trigger assembly. Either route complements a serious rimfire build without making the barrel itself secondary.
Building a dedicated CZ 457 competition rifle around this Lilja barrel? The MDT LSS Gen3 Competitor, MDT ACC Premier Gen2, and flagship MDT ACC Elite give you premium competition-focused chassis options to complete the build. Confirm .900-inch barrel-channel clearance for your chosen configuration.
For optics, choose our USA-made PP45715 15 MOA Picatinny Rail, or step into an Area 419 CZ 457 30 MOA Scope Rail with an integrated level. Both are carried here at Pete's Pillars, alongside our own CZ rimfire components.
Exceptional barrels deserve knowledgeable support and the right surrounding parts. As an authorized Lilja dealer and an established manufacturer of CZ rimfire upgrades, Pete's Pillars brings Lilja's premium barrel craftsmanship together with the small components and competition-ready equipment that finish the rifle. We've spent over six years working in the CZ rimfire world. You can source the barrel and thoughtfully selected supporting parts in one place through our CZ 457 Parts & Upgrades Collection.
Product Specifications
Manufacturer: Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels
SKU: LJ457ST23
Application: CZ 455 / CZ 457
Caliber: .22 LR
Barrel Length: 23 inches
Barrel Profile: .900-inch straight bull barrel
Material: 416 Stainless Steel
Twist Rate: 1:16 inches
Rifling: Three-Groove
Chamber: Lilja 3 Match Chamber (CZ 457 application)
Muzzle: Target Crown
Bore Finishing: Hand-Lapped
Includes: Barrel and Headspace Shim Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Length, chamber, shims, barrel-channel clearance, and what to expect from the Lilja 23-inch barrel.
What is the difference between the 23-inch and 18-inch Lilja barrels?
This is the 23-inch LJ457ST23. It has a .900-inch straight-profile bull-barrel contour in stainless steel for CZ 455/457 .22 LR rifles. If you prefer a shorter configuration, we also carry the 18-inch version.
Will this fit my CZ 457 Varmint, MTR, or CZ 455?
Yes, this is a CZ 455/457 .22 LR barrel, including builds based on CZ 457 Varmint and Varmint MTR actions. The important check is the barrel channel: this Lilja is a .900-inch straight profile, not a duplicate of every factory Varmint or MTR barrel contour. Use Lilja's included shim system as directed for your action.
What's special about the Lilja 3 chamber?
It's Lilja's match chamber specified for its CZ 457 .22 LR barrels. The chamber is one part of the barrel's overall precision-oriented design, alongside its hand-lapped bore and three-groove rifling.
Does the headspace shim kit come with it?
Yes. A headspace shim kit is included. Lilja supplies the kit as part of its CZ barrel setup; follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific rifle.
Will the .900-inch barrel fit my factory stock or chassis?
Check your barrel channel. The LJ457ST23 has a .900-inch straight profile, so your current stock or chassis needs enough clearance along the barrel. Verify that clearance for your exact setup before ordering.
Is the muzzle threaded?
This configuration is specified with a target crown, not advertised muzzle threading. If you need a threaded muzzle, select a model that explicitly lists that feature.
What makes this a match-grade Lilja barrel?
Lilja drills, reams, rifles, stress-relieves, and hand-laps its barrels in-house. That manufacturing work, combined with the barrel's match chamber and stainless construction, is what you're buying. As with any precision rimfire build, ammunition choice and the complete rifle still matter.
Lilja's finest barrelmaking. Pete's Pillars' CZ rimfire expertise. One serious rifle build.
Pete's Pillars. Small Change. Big Impact.
