Thank you!
Still considering a 7x57 if the right one comes along!
cpr0312,
I apologize for being almost a year late to the ball.
My mind is no longer as sharp as a military grade laser.
Now it’s more like a second hand store flashlight.
Anyway, I’m with you on settling the question by owning both the 6.5x55 and the 7x57.
Great minds think alike.
My present day rifle in the Swede caliber (Sold my old uncut military Swedish Mauser) is a late model CZ 550 FS / 4x Kahles scope, in Alaska brand lever rings.
It is surprisingly accurate for such a handy little full stock carbine, with 160 grain round nose softs (Hornady) and all brands of factory loaded 140 grainers that I have tried in it, so far as well.
And my 7x57 is a Venezuelan Model 98 Mauser, as issued, with 23.something inch stepped barrel and typical sleeved tangeant rear sight plus “barleycorn” front blade.
I bought it at a gun show, many years ago, as only a barreled action, packed in grease that had turned partially solid, like varnish.
And, it was wrapped in paper that, in places cracked off like potato chips as I unveiled my $250.us dollar prize.
It has a bent down bolt handle, in a military arsenal type of bend (not the Gunsmith type of bend/grind for a scope).
After many hours of careful cleaning, it appears to have never been fired or even been in a stock.
Local (Anchorage) Professional Gunsmith, Andy Hawk is presently stocking it in American black walnut, Schnauble forend tip and “hog’s-back” / Bavarian” style stock, with enough drop at the heel for the issue iron sights.
I’ve no plan to scope this one.
I believe it was made in the 1930’s and so likewise has a long throat and fast twist rifling, for the long, heavy round nose military bullets of the day, typically around 173 to 175 grains.
I’m intending to use the stripper clip guide for what it was intended, as I do have a supply of stripper clips that, came with a quantity of surplus 8x57 ammunition that I had bought many years ago.
Parting Shot as it were:
Since the well over 100 year old 7x57 is as close to flawless as it can be, I see no earthly reason for the 7mm-08 to have made it past the trailer park work bench wildcat stage.
It is the ballistic twin of the original Mauser version with 140 grainers and lighter bullets but, too short of magazine in factory repeaters to readily use heavy bullets when needed (large boar, black bear, deer/elk combination hunts and dreaded African “plains game”).
A lot of people dig on the 7-08 / 140 grain so, I guess I’m just destined to remain a confused old man about this one.
Blah, blah, blah, out,
Velo Dog.
