LILJA | HEAVYWEIGHT PRECISION RIMFIRE
6.74 Pounds of Lilja Match-Barrel Precision.
When you're building a CZ 455 or CZ 457 for serious competition, barrel mass becomes part of the plan. Lilja's 24-inch, 1.180-inch straight-profile match barrel brings an impressive 6.74 pounds of hand-lapped stainless steel to the rifle, backed by the match-grade craftsmanship that made Lilja a name precision shooters trust. Available from Pete's Pillars, an authorized Lilja dealer with over six years of CZ rimfire experience.
This is a heavyweight barrel for a heavyweight precision build. The full 1.180-inch straight contour puts substantial mass forward, giving shooters a substantial foundation for supported positions, barricade work, benchrest, NRL22, and PRS Rimfire. It's a deliberate choice for competitors who care about how a rifle settles on the bag, tracks through the shot, and balances from one position to the next.
Inside that massive exterior is the workmanship Lilja is known for: 416 stainless steel, precision drilling and reaming, three-groove rifling with a 1:16 twist, stress relieving, and individual hand-lapping. The barrel is finished with Lilja's Lilja 3 .22 LR match chamber and a clean target crown. Every detail works toward the consistency, tight-group potential, and high standards expected of an exceptional match barrel.
Heavy Where It Matters. Lilja Through and Through.
Lilja doesn't divide its barrelmaking into ordinary and premium grades. Every Lilja barrel receives the company's match-grade manufacturing attention. On this model, that craftsmanship is paired with 24 inches of substantial 1.180-inch diameter steel and a verified weight of 6.74 lb (approximately 107.8 oz). It's the kind of centerpiece that shapes the rest of a precision rimfire build.
Starting with a CZ 457 Varmint or Varmint MTR? This barrel brings a different level of mass and a much larger contour than the factory configurations. The same CZ 455/457 action platform can be the starting point, but choose a stock or chassis with a barrel channel that accommodates the 1.180-inch straight profile. A properly matched competition chassis gives this barrel the room and support it deserves.
Build Around the Barrel, Not the Other Way Around
For a barrel this substantial, premium chassis selection matters. The XLR Element 4.0 CZ 457 chassis brings an integrated ARCA-style support interface and adjustable rifle ergonomics to a dedicated precision setup. The MDT LSS Gen3 Competitor, MDT ACC Premier Gen2, and flagship MDT ACC Elite offer additional routes into serious competition builds. Choose the configuration with the necessary clearance for this oversized barrel profile.
Want to dial in your balance point even further? Our USA-made Pete's Pillars M-LOK exterior forend weights add 12.3 ounces per pair at compatible M-LOK mounting locations, letting you tune the rifle to the positions and support gear you use. With a 6.74-pound barrel already up front, weight placement becomes especially intentional: configure the rest of your rifle around the balance you prefer.
Precision optics deserve an equally serious foundation. The Area 419 CZ 457 30 MOA scope rail adds an integrated level and built-in elevation for extended-distance rimfire shooting. A strong optic mounting solution, well-chosen support gear, and this Lilja barrel make a compelling combination for the shooter building a rifle around accuracy and repeatability.
Complete the Build with Pete's Pillars
We do more than stock barrels. Pete's Pillars manufactures USA-made CZ parts that belong beside a premium Lilja: start with our Pete's Pillars stainless barrel retaining screws, then look at the Gen 2 extractor and holder spring and reshaped-tip firing pin for the CZ 457 bolt. These are the kind of small, carefully made components that round out a serious rifle build.
For trigger feel, our 8 oz trigger spring and 12 oz trigger spring are available to shooters tuning their factory CZ 457 trigger. Complete replacement triggers from Timney and JARD are also familiar choices in this space. Between the barrel, bolt components, optics rail, and trigger, Pete's Pillars makes it easy to build a cohesive precision rimfire rifle around equipment you actually want to run.
Comparing contours? Our Lilja 26-inch .900-inch match barrel offers a slimmer alternative within the same premium Lilja family. Moving even further into heavy-barrel territory, the Lilja 26-inch 1.000-inch model weighs 4.00 lb, while this 24-inch 1.180-inch Lilja weighs 6.74 lb. For broader industry context, a standard L3i 24-inch 1.180-inch heavy barrel is reported at approximately 8.75 lb. These are distinct barrels with different mass and balance characteristics—choose the profile that suits your build.
As an authorized Lilja dealer and an American manufacturer of CZ components, Pete's Pillars brings premium barrels and the parts that complete them together in one place. Explore our CZ 457 Parts & Upgrades collection. Building a centerfire precision rifle alongside your rimfire trainer? Our Remington 700 Parts & Upgrades collection supports that next project, too.
Product Specifications
Manufacturer: Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels
Application: CZ 455 / CZ 457
Caliber: .22 LR
Barrel Length: 24 inches
Barrel Profile: 1.180-inch straight bull barrel
Barrel Weight: 6.74 lb / approximately 107.8 oz
Material: 416 Stainless Steel
Twist Rate: 1:16
Rifling: Three-Groove
Chamber: Lilja 3 .22 LR Match Chamber
Bore Finish: Individually Hand-Lapped
Muzzle: Target Crown
Includes: Barrel and Headspace Shim Kit
Manufactured: Made in USA
Frequently Asked Questions
Barrel weight, chassis clearance, chamber details, and building a heavyweight CZ rimfire rifle.
How much does this Lilja barrel weigh?
6.74 pounds (about 107.8 ounces). That's the weight of the 24-inch, 1.180-inch straight-profile barrel itself. It's an excellent choice for a competition-focused rifle where substantial forward mass and a settled feel are part of the build.
Will it fit my CZ 457 Varmint, Varmint MTR, or CZ 455?
Yes, this is a Lilja barrel for the CZ 455/457 platform. The big consideration is room for its 1.180-inch straight contour. Choose a stock or chassis with enough barrel-channel clearance and you'll have the foundation for a serious heavy-barrel build.
What is the advantage of such a heavy barrel?
Mass up front can help a competition rifle settle into supported positions and feel steadier as you track through a shot. At 6.74 pounds, this Lilja is made for shooters who deliberately want that heavyweight feel for benchrest, NRL22, PRS Rimfire, or positional target shooting.
How does this compare with Lilja's 1.000-inch barrel or an L3i heavy barrel?
The Lilja 26-inch 1.000-inch barrel weighs 4.00 lb; this 24-inch Lilja 1.180-inch weighs 6.74 lb. The standard L3i 24-inch 1.180-inch heavy barrel is reported at about 8.75 lb. All three give shooters different choices in mass, handling, and weight distribution for a precision build.
What chamber and rifling does this barrel use?
Lilja's Lilja 3 .22 LR match chamber, three-groove rifling, and a 1:16 twist. Add the individually hand-lapped bore and precision target crown, and you've got Lilja's premium match-barrel package.
Does the headspace shim kit come with the barrel?
Yes. The Lilja headspace shim kit is included, giving you the components supplied for its CZ 455/457 barrel installation system.
Can I add Pete's Pillars M-LOK weights to a rifle that's already this heavy?
Absolutely, if your chassis has compatible M-LOK mounting points and you want to adjust the balance further. Our steel exterior forend weights add 12.3 oz per pair. The beauty of removable weights is that you can find the setup that feels right for your positions and support gear.
Small Change. Big Impact. Pete's Pillars.
