7x57 rifle for junior?

[7mmstalker]

My son will be joining me for some deer hunting in the not to distant future. I'm considering the long guns available and we need a medium power rifle.
He will start with a 243Win. but if all goes well, will be able to use something bigger in the following years.
Do you people see hunting ammo in 7x57 commonly available in your area? I've had several 7mm-08 rifles; it seemed that not many places had ammo in stock.
A quick survey of a couple local gunshops found 3 choices in soft-tip loads for the Mauser.
The irony is that there doesn't seem to be very many commercial bolt-action sporters made in this Euro caliber. If I had a magic wand, we would get a Rem. standard length action, 20-22" barrel, built something like their mountain gun, but not as compact/lightweght as the Model 7 SA. Can't justify the expense to "custom order" from the factory. Did Rem. offer this chambering in the past? Maybe in the 700 classic model? Wondering if the factory built rifle (if available) would be short (308) or 30-06 length action?
There is a local 'smith that could re-barrel something if all other efforts fail.

 

[CB900F]

7mm;

Went through the same decision process a few years ago with my own son. I wound up getting him a 6.5 X 55mm Swede on a modern bolt action platform. There seems to be no problem getting that ammo in any decently stocked store. That was his first centerfire hunting rifle & in retrospect it was a great choice.

Good enough that I'm now having a custom LHB 6.5 Swede built for myself.

900F

 

[Offfhand]

Get him a a rifle in .260 Rem caliber and you won't need to get him something else later.

 

[Bwana John]

I have a factory Rem 700 Mnt Rifle in 7mm Mauser.

I love it, and its killed more than 20 mule deer, and 2 cow elk.

I think it was the "special caliber of the year" around 1991.

I know they made Rem 700 in the 50's and 60's in 7mm Mauser also.

You can currently get the Mnt Rifle in 280 Rem and 270 Win, either of these would be essentially the same thing.

 

[7mmstalker]

All good ideas, though my personal preference for 7mm limits the choices. Had a 280 some time ago, let it go. Regretting that decision now, just a little. Not enough difference in the 280 and my '06 to keep me interested at the time. Altough 99% of our shooting is homebrewed ammo, a cartridge with good availabilty of factory ammo is important; in the event that a box of shells is needed while away from home.

 

[marktx]

Got a couple of rifles in 7x57 and just from casual observation it's not a particular available round. The major chain sporting goods stores in my area don't have it on the shelf and most gun shops don't seem to either. I see boxes of Remington and Prvi occasionally at gun shops which I will usually pick up if reasonably priced but it's not plentiful by any means. At this point I have more or less accumulated a lifetime supply of ammunition for my 7x57s which is largely driven because you can't really count on it being available.

Probably some better choices if you think it might be necessary to pick up another box of shells on the road.

 

[Runningman]

Do you people see hunting ammo in 7x57 commonly available in your area? I've had several 7mm-08 rifles; it seemed that not many places had ammo in stock.

Ammo for 7x57 is less common than 7mm-08 around here. Seems like 7mm Rem Mag ammo is the most common 7mm around here.

 

[Walkalong]

The 7X57 is an under appreciated round for hunting. Great sectional densities and penetration, assuming you use the old standard heavy bullets it was designed to shoot. Much like the 6.5 X 55.

 

[ArmedBear]

7x57mm (aka .275 Rigby) is very common in much of the world, but in the US, there is very little factory support for the round. I believe that Ruger offers a single shot, and that may be all, in the US. Even CZ catalogs a 6.5 Swede, but not a 7x57mm AFAIK.

You can certainly get it, but I doubt it will be any easier to get than a 7mm-08, particularly since there are many more 7mm-08 rifles for sale in the US than 7x57mm.

Handload. That's the best answer. Then you won't care.

It's a great round. It almost might as well be a wildcat, though, for how much support it gets in the US. Handload, and go with the 7x57AI. It's even better, if you are going to have to order a custom rifle and load the ammo yourself anyway.

 

[7mmstalker]

Bear, that sounds like the winner-get a chambering done in Ackley Improved. One factor in getting out of the 7-08 owners club was the want for a bit more. A 'smith in Anchorage did the Ackley chambering in my 30-06, love it. That rifle is an older 700, before and after rechambering, it's the only one that will put 3 shots in the same hole for me.
I can only hope that history may repeat!

 

[Maverick223]

If you are willing to handload (not necessary, but will certainly help), I would suggest the .260 Rem. or 6.5x55 Swede. They offer a good step up in power (over the .243 Win.), without unnecessary recoil. I really favor the 6.5s for practical hunting, as well as target shooting.

 

[Float Pilot]

When I turned 13, I bought my first hi-powered rifle. A DWM made 1935 Brazilian cavalry carbine in 7x57mm. It cost me 35 bucks. Later when I started working at a gunsmith shop while in high school I sportized it. I still have that rifle almost 40 years later.
That rifle and caliber taught me about hunting, reloading and how to appreciate the historical value of classic cartridges and classic firearms.

And as you can see from one photo, it still shoots tight groups.....

The 7x57mm is better than the short necked 7mm-08 for hand loading, particularly with longer heavier bullets.
The 7x57mm was fairly popular here in Alaska back during the 50s, 60s and 70s. It is still readily available here.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

7mm

I still have my 7mm mauser I built in High School,Yes High School.Fortuna Union High Ca,in the 70's before it was so evil for a teen to have a gun.
[Safty was paramount]. Handloading is a joy,if using a sporter w mil twist,140's will work;and 175's will amaze you.A 175 at 2200 is just fine,0 at 100,-7 at 200,-24 at 300.At those velocities bullets will stay togather,and penetrate.
Then He may be old enough to find the 45-70.
I have a 95 mauser,I also have an old Styer98 waiting for a project

 

[Uncle Mike]

Shooting factory ammo, variety in rifles...get the 7mm-08.

Reloading, the 7X57 offers a broader spectrum, but it doesn't overshadow the 7mm-08, it does offer some nostalgia.

 

[SaxonPig]

I think the 7x57 is one the greatest cartridges ever designed. Great sectional density and trajectory with heavier bullets.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

I have a Zastava M70 (Interarms Mark X, Charles Daly, Remington 798) barreled action in 7x57mm. For the moment, Zastava actions are scheduled to be sold through Midway Arms.

Ruger #1 light sporter and international are the only current domestic production rifles. Blaser, Mauser and Zastava all make sporters in 7x57mm if you can find or afford them.

Factory ammo is available at any full service gun store in my area (southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky) and the online availability is very good.

 

[41magsnub]

What Uncle Mike said, 7x57 would be great if you are a reloader, otherwise 7mm-08 is a better choice.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

7x57 is an excellent choice for deer and more. I've owned a couple of 7-08 Rems and several 7x57s and didn't see any advantage of the newer cartridge in a hunting role. B etween the two I choose the 7mm Mauser.

 

[Matrix187]

I would go for a 7mm-08 or 6.5x55 Swede. Both are more common.

 

[Quoheleth]

7x57 rifle for junior?

When is junior season? Is there a bag limit?


Q

 

[Maverick223]

For the moment, Zastava actions are scheduled to be sold through Midway Arms.

LOL, it is scheduled alright...and seems that every month the "date expected" moves up another month; hopefully they will actually receive some within the next year or so. It really is a pretty decent action. I have played with a few, and all are fairly smooth and pretty well finished (nothing fantastic, but good for the price).

 

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for those Zastavas -- and I'm not going to believe that they're all that great until I get to hold one, either.

I keep thinking about having the grease-covered 24/47 I have in the closet turned into a custom 7x57 AI... That gun has an intermediate-length Mauser action.

If only I had the cash at the moment...

 

[SaxonPig]

This caliber is nearly ideal for about 95% of North American hunting and I find it seems to kick less than the 308 or 30-06 even with similar bullet weights.

I've had numerous 7x57s over the years. Here are the ones currently hanging around the house.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Zastavas...currently being imported and sold by USSG/EAA-
U.S. Sporting Goods / European American Armory

 

[Maverick223]

Zastavas...currently being imported and sold by USSG/EAA

True, but I don't believe that they sell the bare action (or barreled action), Midway claims that they will eventually get some, but who knows when. Meanwhile, I look for a decent, inexpensive 375H&H Mauser in wood furniture with a barrel band sling attachment point (that consequently doesn't exist).