Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Is the 7X57 mouser the campfire cartridge of 2016?

nifty -

I'd not argue with you. All I can say if the 308 had that kind of popularity 'AROUND' here I didn't see or hear it.
I remember that it was a long time before I ever saw someone hunting a 308.

? Different Place/Area ? maybe? The first deer hunter that I 'know of' hunting a 308 was in 1974.


Jerry





So VERY Nice **** I'd have a hard time letting that one leave even being manufactured wrong!


Jerry

The list of military cartridges that become popular for hunting isn't that long, but commercial rifle versions have boosted their presence. With new powders and bullet designs, they have become even more adaptable.
Because of that, it would be easy to build a life long, worldwide battery just from military based cartridges.
Probably something Mule Deer could tackle?

Jerry,

I agree with you that different areas certainly show different acceptance of rifles and chamberings.

My experience was in Northern California. I worked part-time in a gun shop in the late '60s.
308 Winchesters were selling well at the time, and my brother and I were both using 308's as our first deer rifles. So my observation may be a bit biased.

Shortly thereafter, I also did appreciate the 7.62x51 mm version of the 308 Winchester cartridge that the Marine Corps provided to me in the form of an M-14 rifle. Being an experienced shooter, I found it rather easy to qualify as Expert with that rifle.

To say I was less impressed with the M-16 and its puny cartridge is an understatement. I still qualified Expert, but with definitely more effort.

"You can tell it's Mattel. It's swell!"
(advertising jingle from the 1960's for Mattel Toys).

Humorously, It wasn't long before I obtained a Springfield 30-06 and a 300 Sav. M-99, and the 308 went down the road, and I haven't felt the need for a 308 Win since. But I still like the cartridge and its offspring.

nifty -

We agree. THE reason I know about 1974 is that I moved to NW Ark and met a friend who had the 1st 308 that I'd seen anyone hunting.

We still are friends and hunt together. The 308 ? ? don't know where it wound up. He's a 270er now. <G>


Jerry

Honestly -- seriously-- no joking.

I'm 67 yo and have been around guns/rifles since I was a kid. I've never known anyone WITH or WHO OWNED a 7X57.

No dig-not critical-just true.

Jerry

Edit to Add: I've been a member of 2 large Deer Leases with many members. NONE owned/used 7X57

I've have and have had friends in many locals (areas) and NONE owned/used 7X57.

I am NOT trying to put it down at all. I'd choose the 7X57 over many cartridges available today. I actually seriously considered getting a 7-08 NULA (same/same performance)

I have 3 7 X 57's in the fold right now. First one is a '98 sporting rifle. I bought this one because it matches up with a couple of JP Sauer sporters I have in 9 X 57 and 8 x 57...

Then there is the 1A Ruger. I carried this for 12 yrs, It killed about 18 whitetails and lord knows how many pests. It was supposed to be a nice mild rifle for mama and I even loaded it as such....140 Game Kings @ 2500. Every time she sat it down I picked it up and killed something so eventually she gave up. Now it sees safe duty....I should move it along.

Last one is a 700 Mountain Rifle I stumbled across. I didn't like the throating so I spun the barrel off and set it back a bit and recut the chamber. I bedded it back in the wood stock and it shot lights out. A couple years later I set it in a Ti take off and it made it balance even better. It will shoot anything from 175 PT's and Horn's on down...and I expect it's in the running to be my old age do all rifle....excuse the crappy pic

This one is available.

When you pry it out of my cold dead hands.

Geeez, I will be watching the obituaries. Nice!

Oh Yes! I could make either one (preferably both) of those work very easily.. Nice!

One with lots of honest wear.....

Thanks Dan - just take that UNbalanced scope w/you.


Jerry <Grin>

Full disclosure here, two rifles standing...one on left is Eleanor O'Connor's 7x57 built by Tom Burgess and on the right Eleanor's "Big Rifle", a 30-06 built by Lenard Brownell.

Bottom pic...the 7x57.

Rev Mikes Got mine!

Holy Buffalo Chips !!

R U serious?

More, tell me more !


Jerry

Not much of a pic but a simple offering of an un molested ZG-47....

That's a 7x57!

Well, you are not Eleanor O' !!




Jerry

That Mauser is the pick of the litter.

And Jack was happy for it!!