Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters The Modern 7x57 - MD

Oh say it ain't so!

IIRC the ammo Bell obtained for his 7x57 was made by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) and he thought the world of that company. The powder tolerated a hot climate well - the brass was top quality - and the round nose solid bullets were sturdy and gave consistent performance.

I don't recall him saying whether DWM-manufactured 6.5x54 was available to him.

Yeah, I don't either--but appatrently he wasn't willing to risk paying for a bunch of ammo being shipped to Africa (the only way to make it economically feasible for a professional hunter) when he KNEW the 7x57 ammo worked.

Mine has a Wisner (now LaPour I believe) 3 position M70 style safety with a proper shroud also converted to cock on opening by Jim.

Sounds very sound. (Have seen you photos of the rifle, and it also looks great!)

Ya gotta be careful.. .

DF

Actually, one of mine is - although technically it is more properly a medium action: MRC M1999.

At this point I don't even remember what the question was...and I started the bloomin' thread! I think it had to do with using 7-08 data in a 7x57 case.

In all seriousness, though, I wonder why manufacturers don't just determine an industry standard throat length, since that seems to be the major variable with this cartridge, and be done with it. It wouldn't solve issues with older rifles, but it would going forward, even if production is normally very limited. Ironically, I was reading on another site the other day where guys were taking short throated 7x57s and having them lengthened in order to better handle 175-grain bullets seated out a little farther. That caught me by surprise.

Mike,

Standardization is what SAAMI chamber specs are all all about.

But following SAAMI specs is voluntary, even among SAAMI members, and would not solve the problem of the vast numbers of already existing 7x57's.

All of which is one reason the 7mm-08 appeared.

Similar to Ice in whiskey vs. No Ice...Beans in Chili vs no beans.. ( That last one is too easy to answer though...)

I don't know if folks are serious about that or just messing around. The Boddington thread became all about the 6.5CM, pro and con, and I woke up this morning to 50+ emails from just that thread alone. Frankly I think a lot of it is just friendly banter - sort of like folks do with dog breeds: "My redbone is a lot better coon dog than your bluetick" (yeah, I'm from the South; y'all can translate it into bear or cougar dog if you want).

My initial attraction to the 7x57 is purely nostalgic: not from the writings of Bell or Corbett or O'Connor, but from my Uncle Lewis who built a couple of 8x57 and 7x57 sporters out of military M98 actions. After briefly toying with a .260, I picked up my first 7x57 and have stuck with the cartridge for primarily that reason. I'm also into simplicity since my feeble brain is easily confused, and figure that having seven 7x57s (my wife says, "One for every day of the week") gives me a little variety, but also minimizes the need for a variety of reloading equipment, not to mention keeping the mixing up of components a lot less likely. If I started over I don't know if I'd change anything, although reloading for a 7-08 or .280 might make life even easier...albeit with a bit less panache.

I use the 250 Savage because I like it. That's all the reason I need. Acknowledging the fact that the 6.5 Creedmoor is a better mousetrap in several ways doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the 250 one little bit. The inability of some to separate emotional attachment from logic in these conversations is what I find interesting.

You may be onto something there, Rev.

The old 7x57 sure has the panache and history to make it a true classic. And, it is a great round.

But, strictly from a ballistic point of view, cartridge efficiency, uniform chamberings, etc. etc. the 7-08 advocates make a compelling argument.

I've had both, still have the 7-08. To me, a lot depends on the individual rifle. Never had a .280, although it's a good one.

DF

I’ve got both. A 7x57 on a G33/40 action built by Roger and Al Biesen (one of the last rifles that Al actually had a hand in), and a 7-08 NULA. I’ll be enjoying and keeping both.

Sentimentality is probably stronger than most of us admit.

I have no reason not to buy .308 Win rifles, & download them a hair to fit my sweet spot for muzzle blast & recoil. I just think it's cool that the .300 Savage had it figured out nearly a century ago.

FC

I love my 700 Classic in 300 Savage for similar reasons.

Sentimentality is a strong force in the life of Loonies, for sure.

Just can’t go too crazy chasing logic.

DF

Finally got the notice that I could download the new issue. Good piece, as expected, with the cursory, obligatory references to Bell, Corbett, and Old Jack, followed by good solid info and narratives about JB's experience with the "old warhorse" (an obligatory appellation, I believe).

Haven't owned one in decades; probably won't again, unless a nice old Mauser or other irresistible piece comes my way. A 7-08 would be my current choice in that niche, but with a bunch of .277 bullets on hand, and a rifle that eats them, it's a longshot. Looking, so far anyway, remains free.

While sentimentality may be part of the reason, there is another reason: I got what I need.

Hmmm, but no looney would ever say something like that.

Looneys have LD deer rifles, medium distance deer rifles and up close deer rifles - both rimmed and rimless. Similarly, they have several rifles for each animal that they hunt - even hardware for animals that they intend to, but have never hunted.

And different bullets (I hope) for different species and ranges of encounter.

And powders for different seasons, altitudes and humidities.

It goes without saying that different powders will mean different primers. And possibly different cases.

Cases made by different manufacturers, or by the same manufacturer, but a different lot, may have small differences in internal volume. Did using that case with 0.3 grain less water weight cause you to lose an animal? No doubt. Any velocity loss is not acceptable.

If it gets to be too much, give up your 7x57 and use a 303. Problem solved. The 303 has a solid reputation with animals from Aiwhas to Zakkegs, and everything in between. (Thanks Star Wars)

Rev M

I’ve not owned nor used either 7x57 or 7-08.
Now I have 2nd hand experience with a 7-08 a hunting pard liked/used to collect WT.

IN a “modern” Rifle it’s tit for tat AFAIC.

Yet I’d choose the 7x57 for magazine / seating flexibility.

Everyone will not agree but it’s MY choice.

Jerry