Internet myth says that the Hog Back CZs are not good for shooting with a scope due to the stock configuration and the claim that scopes must be mounted high on a BRNO/452/455 models to clear the bolt handle. I have not found that to be true, PROVIDED you select a scope (not too long, and not too large of an ocular bell) and rings that allow the scope to be mounted low. If needed, you can remove the tangent portion of the rear sight (it just slides out) to create a little more clearance for a longer scope. Some people like higher-mounted scopes where the scope is positioned above the rear sight, but I don't like shooting with that high of a scope mounting.
If you like low-mounted scopes, you can achieve the positioning on a CZ hog-back stock, but as I said, you can't just toss on a random scope and set of rings like you can on some guns. My favorite scope for the CZ hog-back guns is the Weaver Grand Slam 4-16x44 because it's compact enough to fit behind the rear sight, the ocular bell is small enough that it can be mounted pretty low and still not interfere with the bolt handle, it has side focus, and it has just enough power (16x) to be pretty decent for precision target shooting up to about 100 yards. I would prefer at least 24x on the top end, but the hog-back guns aren't my main target guns, so I can live with 16. Below is a 452 Lux with said scope. The scope is discontinued but they come up for sale on e-bay from time to time. It's a very nice scope and very versatile, they made them with three different reticles.
On the subject of scope mounting and fit, the hog-back 452s with low-mounted scopes actually fit me BETTER than the standard stock guns. When I bring the gun up to shoulder, my eye is perfectly aligned with the scope. Here's a comparison of comb height on a hog-back 452 with low-mounted scope vs. a straight-stocked 452 American with average-height rings. There's essentially no difference in the height of the scope centerline above the comb, but with the hog-back's greater drop-at-heel, the comb rises up higher above shoulder level and makes the gun actually fit better.
If you are okay with a 3-9 scope, it's easy to find good scopes that will fit low and behind the rear sight. The main challenge comes when you want to fit more magnification power back there.
If you like low-mounted scopes, you can achieve the positioning on a CZ hog-back stock, but as I said, you can't just toss on a random scope and set of rings like you can on some guns. My favorite scope for the CZ hog-back guns is the Weaver Grand Slam 4-16x44 because it's compact enough to fit behind the rear sight, the ocular bell is small enough that it can be mounted pretty low and still not interfere with the bolt handle, it has side focus, and it has just enough power (16x) to be pretty decent for precision target shooting up to about 100 yards. I would prefer at least 24x on the top end, but the hog-back guns aren't my main target guns, so I can live with 16. Below is a 452 Lux with said scope. The scope is discontinued but they come up for sale on e-bay from time to time. It's a very nice scope and very versatile, they made them with three different reticles.
On the subject of scope mounting and fit, the hog-back 452s with low-mounted scopes actually fit me BETTER than the standard stock guns. When I bring the gun up to shoulder, my eye is perfectly aligned with the scope. Here's a comparison of comb height on a hog-back 452 with low-mounted scope vs. a straight-stocked 452 American with average-height rings. There's essentially no difference in the height of the scope centerline above the comb, but with the hog-back's greater drop-at-heel, the comb rises up higher above shoulder level and makes the gun actually fit better.
If you are okay with a 3-9 scope, it's easy to find good scopes that will fit low and behind the rear sight. The main challenge comes when you want to fit more magnification power back there.
Last edited: