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Joined: Apr 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I've often see the "W.D.M. Bell" legend mentioned when the discussion is about the 7x57 (aka "7mm Mauser" & ".275 Rigby"). While the legend is very probably true, that doesn't make the sweet 7x57mm an "elephant cartridge". Ya see, Bell knew a little "secret" about African elephants... that being that there's a small "channel" between and just above the eyes of an African elephant that is an open channel to the elephant's brain. Bell put a 7mm bullet into their "channel" and, due to his knowledge and excellent marksmanship, the elephants died instantly. This doesn't take anything away from Bell, but it does explain how a fine, medium-powered rifle cartridge can instantly kill the largest land animal on earth. One of my most favorite rifles is my Ruger #1 International (aka "RSI") in 7x57. With a full Mannlacher-style stock, after-market Kepplinger Single Set Trigger and my handloads (50.0 grains of H4350, standard Win. primer & 140 grain Sierra, flat-based ProHunter bullet in "accurized" Remington cartridge cases), it has given me 3-shots groups of .404 inches at 50 yards without any further modification other than allowing the short, relatively thin 20" barrel to cool down to "just warm" between shots. For extreme accuracy, I've mounted a 4-12x40mm scope on the rifle with an adjustable objective turret to eliminate parallax at all ranges. Even with this MAXIMUM LOAD intended for MODERN RIFLES ONLY, recoil is not objectionable, but is noticably greater than loads slightly lighter in nature. What's interesting is that the 7x57 cartridge is one of the (if not "THE") oldest smokeless powder cartridges (along with the 9x19 Parabellum) still being manufactured... dating back to the late 1800's... and it still MORE than holds its own compared to so-called "modern" cartridges like the 7mm-08 which almost (but not quite) duplicates modern loads in the 7x57... and the 7x57 does it at 50,000 CUP ("Copper Units of Pressure") as opposed to almost 54,000 CUP for the 7mm-08. Every time I take the little Ruger to the rifle range, I "smile" as a shoot it because I realize I've shooting the oldest, still-"modern" rifle cartridges in existance and it still slightly "out-steps" one of the most popular "new" cartridges (the 7mm-08). To me, it's kinda like a 50 year old fella out-running a 20 year old guy in a sprint or a marathon. With the right bullets & good handloads (the factory loads are weak), the 7x57 will take any game animal in the new world and most of 'em in Africa (as Bell proved). Of course, with the great bears & any dangerous game (lion, tiger, cape buffalo, etc.), I'd want my guide standing behind me with a .338 Win. Mag. or a .375 H&H Magnum (new world) or at least a .458 Lott (Africa). Like the .30/06 Springfield, the 7x57mm Mauser cartridge is one that is in the running for the title, "Best all-around medium power cartridge". Jus' my 2�... Strength & Honor... Ron T.
It's smart to hang around old guys 'cause they know lotsa stuff...
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,040
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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It is a great cartridge, but it was developed in 1892. There are other cartridges that were developed before it that are still being manufactured. It is not "THE" oldest. The 7.92x57 Mauser (1888), the 7.65x53 Belgian Mauser (1889), the 7.5x55 Schmidt Reuben (1889), 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser (1891), 7.62x54R Russian (1891) and the 303 British (1889). They are all great cartridges. I do agree with you that the 7x57 Mauser and the 30-06 are two of th best all round cartridges.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 238
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 238 |
I've been out a few days. I got my #1A for $550. I guess I got a good deal. It was made in 1979. The guy I bought it from has a #1AB in 7X57 he wants to sell also. Michiganroadkill, I'll try some RL-17 if I can find it. It's hard to get powder in Denver. Now I want to kill a big bear like Ingwe with it. Probably have to settle for an antelope next month.
Marc
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,915
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Sounds like a great rifle, now we just need pics!
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Now I want to kill a big bear like Ingwe with it. Probably have to settle for an antelope next month. Ingwe is not a big bear, he is a leopard. hehehe Randy
Praise the Lord for full Salvation Christ Still lives upon the throne And I know the blood still cleansess Deeper than the sin has gone Lester Roloff
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 106
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 106 |
Of all the old cartridges it is by far the most widley used and highly reguarded. The 8x57 is probaly second due to the ten million mausers out there and the 6.5x55 third though it has been produced in some sporing rifles.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Mi roadkill is right...you might have to monkey with the hanger etc, doesnt seem like you have to so often on later models, you mighta seen this cause I posted the pic before...but I enjoyed my 1a in 7x57.. Ingwe Randy, I think he was reffering to this that I posted earlier... Not a big bear at 6'1" but a Blonde one....and he had big feet! Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,008 Likes: 59
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,008 Likes: 59 |
I am off to the Blue Mountains in about three hours for a weeks hunting Fallow with my 08 DWM 7x57. Am using the GS Custom 120gn HV bullet over 51gn BL-C2 at 3235fps on this trip. Usually have the 160gn Woodleigh over 46gn H4350 for 2700 but wanted to try the GS bullet. Hope to see something as this is a heavily hunted area. This is what I will be hunting with,( some of you will have seen it before) Von Gruff. That's a beauty. No scope? Let's see a close up of the rear peep.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,512 |
Ingwe, that bear has some nasty looking claws as well.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Shot another, bigger bear with the 7x57..chocolate, that squared 6.5 feet....he had big feet, claws, and a big face full of big teeth! He got P.O.ed when I shot him and was chewing the hell out of anything he could reach...looked like a claymore went off in his AO... What fun! Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
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Hmm....oddly enough none of the bruins that I've shot with my .270 had enough time to get po'd and claw at things.....dah! Dober (enjoy your fishing trip there bud, taking the Ingwe dog along?)
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Dober...that just goes to show you the type bears I shoot...so monstrous and fierce even the 7x57 doesn't put lights out instantly... I'd hate to take one on with a measly .270...I'd be skeered!!! Fishing in MT next week...taking Ingwedog II with....#I dog is getting too old for an extended trip... Ingwedog II on "X" Creek with a bud.. Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965 |
The 7x57 is not the first smokeless military round. It came out in 1892 and was used with deadly effect by Spanish troops in Cuba, and by Boer Commandos in South Africa in models 1893 and 1895 Mausers.
I do believe that the 7x57 and the 1895 .30WCF, aka the 30-30, are the worlds first widespread smokeless sporting cartridges. The 7x57 caught on quickly in Europe, Africa, and throughout the British Empire.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,644
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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It's a great life if you don't weaken..
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Thanks! We killed all those fish with a 7x57..... Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277 |
Well at least we know that the 7X will knock the snot out of the brookies...grin When I first saw the pic I thought hmm...the guys taking a GHD (good healty dump) right next to where they laid the fish... Dober
Last edited by Mark R Dobrenski; 08/28/09.
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Not surprisingly, I shoot 7x57s a lot. Will be taking a 7x57 Serengeti to Wyoming this Fall to hunt antelope and mule deer. Am using a 140 VLD. Probably will not shoot too many prairie fish with it.
Steve
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
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Good luck in WY this fall! the 7x57 is an excellent choice...We will be needing pics after the fact! Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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ingwe,
Thanks for the good luck wishes. I'll be hunting near the Powder River where there is a lot of gas drilling going on. It has spooked the buck mule deer away from the area. The antelope don't seem to care. I'll be taking my 13 year old grandson antelope hunting for the first time. That really has me excited.
I just bought a digital camera, and don't know how to use it yet. I mention this as an example of a serious deficiency in my electronic skills. There probably will not be any pics. Even if I get the camera working, I have no idea how to post the pictures here.
Steve
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 17,147 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 17,147 Likes: 2 |
Even if I get the camera working, I have no idea how to post the pictures here.
Steve *Sigh* OK, we'll get together before you go and fix this problem. There will be pictures, they will be posted and technology will enable this!
If something on the internet makes you angry the odds are you're being manipulated
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