7mm Mauser?

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The_Shootist

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Anybody still MAKE 9as opposed to the surplus models out there) a model in this calibre? Doesn't seem like any of the major companies have a production model out there.
 
Last time I checked, Ruger makes a 7x57 Mauser. That was a few years ago, though. Lemme check: nope. Nothing on their web site.

A search of Gunbroker turned up a CZ 550 American; a subsequent search of CZ's web site turned up nothing.
 
I guess if no-one is chambering for it that means there is very low demand, right? I'm sure the 7mm Mauser has its fans but hasn't it always had its competition from the .257 Roberts to the .270 and more recently 7mm-08 and .260. What might be the reasons for someone choosing the 7mm Mauser today?
 
What might be the reasons for someone choosing the 7mm Mauser today?

Well, the 7x57 has a bit more case capacity than the 7mm-08; that could be taken advantage of in modern rifles. The disadvantage (if you choose to look at it that way) is that the 7x57 is chambered in long actions, as opposed to the 7mm-08 being chambered in a short action. Weight savings? Measured in ounces.
 
Personally I like the more upmarket .275 Rigby, that's how I had a custom rifle chambered a few years ago. Actually it's marked .275 Rigby or 7x57, that way I don't get in trouble in those countries where the ammo headstamp has to match the rifle chambering stamp.

The 7x57 is a great cartridge, but it's been largely replaced by the 7mm-08 in modern rifles. To be honest none of the more modern cartridges has anything on the 7x57, but someone has to buy all the new stuff or the manufacturers wouldn't have anything to build. It's just another one of the highly effective medium bore rounds. It does shoot the 173 gr. loads with a little more oomph than a 7mm-08, but most people choose a 140 gr. load or so where it's really a non-issue.

I chose the 7x57 because there is no more effective round in it's class, with the right bullet it works for Coues deer to Elk with minimal recoil.
 
I am also a great fan of the 7x57mm Mauser cartridge. It's probably my second most favorite cartridge, immediately following the 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser.

I must admit that, 30 years ago, I would never have thought that we'd see the day when several American rifle manufacturers were chambering rifles in 6.5x55mm and none were chambering in 7x57mm...

Then again, if I was good at predicting future events, I'd be a wealthy man.

A fairly large number of rifles were sold in the US in 7x57mm not that far back in time. If you keep your eyes open, you see them come up for sale every once in a while.

I have a Ruger M77 Mark II in 7x57mm. Many years ago, Ruger ran a short production run of M77/MKII RSI rifles in 7x57mm. They were very nice rifles and, being somewhat stupid, I failed to buy one. A friend of mine (being somewhat smarter than me) did pick one of them up, something he manages to remind me of every once in a while :).

For a while, Winchester offered their Model 70 Lightweight in 7x57mm. I've never been a fan of the W70 Lightweight stock, which had a fore-end that was too short to my eye. I did pick up one of the Winchester Model 70 Featherweights in 6.5x55mm, and was waiting for Winchester to offer a standard Model 70 or a Featherweight in 7x57mm. If they did do that, I certainly missed the boat. Bummer...

Even farther back in time, Interarms offered the Yugoslavian Mark X in 7x57mm, both in standard rifle and fullstock versions. They even offered a fullstock version with a butterknife bolt handle. Of course, I didn't buy one of those either. Bummer, again...

Over the years, several other rifles were offered in 7x57mm in this country.

I guess that my point is that the 7x57mm Mauser cartridge is a great one, and one that will beat many of the more recent offerings if loaded to it's full potential in a modern action. As browningguy says, many of the more modern 7mm cartridges just allow manufacturers to sell people additional guns...

And, if you keep your eyes open, 7x57mm rifles are there to be found. However, you do need to keep your eyes open because anyone with a 7x57mm rifle will have probably realized what a gem they have and will rarely part with it...

Forrest
 
Back when I was a kid, lots and lots of Alaskan homesteaders had 7x57mm rifles. That was back when they cost $19-$35 from the back of a gun magazine or from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. And they were in really good shape.
The 7mm Mauser is great for smaller folks and those who are recoil sensitive.
Most of those homestead rifles had their stocks whacked off with a saw and a medium rasp. Being semi-sporterized for the kids and wife during moose season.
Back in the 1960 and early 70s, you were more likely to see a bunch of 7 Mauser ammo on a store shelf than any 308 ammo. Although 30-06 was the King...

My first 7x57mm was a 1935 DWM made short cavalry carbine with side sling swivels. I learned reloading with that rifle and hunted with it in full military condition from the age of 12 until I was old enough to drive. Then I went nuts and installed a Douglas barrel and a Fajen thumbhole stock. (I was a gunsmith wannabe and hung around the smith shops)

I still have that rifle. 40 years later...

BTW, I have hunted and harvested every game animal in Alaska (except Buffalo) with the 7x57mm...
 
Nod

Well, no surprise but the Mauser Company DOES still chamber rifles for it. They look nice, but bet they are pretty pricey through their American Distributors.
 
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