M98 in 7x57 suited for heavier bullets ?

[ActionBob]

I have read on here that the Rigby Highland Stalkers aren’t throated or suited to shooting the heavier 175 grain bullets and are intended for the 140’s. Does anyone know if that’s the same truth for the plain M98 rifles in 7x57?

I would assume the barreled actions are exactly the same as what’s shipped to Rigby but didn’t know if there is a chance that Rigby spec’d theirs that way and the regular Mausers aren’t.

You are correct. However if you order a new rifle you can order it opened up for the heavier 7x57 clambering. And they will mark the rifle as a 275 Rigby/7x57 if you request it. This is what we are doing on the Anniversary special we ordered.

The one I bought used went to J.J. and was opened up. It would not chamber a 175 grain round.

The 275 Rigby is intended for a 140 grain spire point. It is designed as a deer stalking rifle. The 140 grain spire point bullet is not a good choice for general African hunting. The 173 or 175 grain standard loading for the 7x57 or 7mm Mauser makes it an excellent choice for Africa.

 

[RichieG]

I bought one from the Mauser dealer in SA so assume it’s a standard rifle. They appear all marked M98 and HV (which I think means for the 140gr spire point) 1:8.6 twist and 275/7x57 as standard. I think the latter is standard because the interchangeability of the brass and the issues it has caused at borders where the rifle says 275 and the brass is 7x57.

When I next handle my rifle I’ll let you know what else chambers in it in addition to the 175 eldx and send a pic of the markings.

Magnificent rifle as is light to carry and packs a punch with limited recoil. Shot a few impala at Easter at 200,220 and 250m off sticks and in spite of some 2 being quartering to, all bullets exited and left very impressive blood trails. I will be testing the 160gr Safari Bullet Company 7mm round soon. Fantastic African hunting bullets.

You are correct. However if you order a new rifle you can order it opened up for the heavier 7x57 clambering. And they will mark the rifle as a 275 Rigby/7x57 if you request it. This is what we are doing on the Anniversary special we ordered.

The one I bought used went to J.J. and was opened up. It would not chamber a 175 grain round.

The 275 Rigby is intended for a 140 grain spire point. It is designed as a deer stalking rifle. The 140 grain spire point bullet is not a good choice for general African hunting. The 173 or 175 grain standard loading for the 7x57 or 7mm Mauser makes it an excellent choice for Africa.

 

[Frederik]

I bought one from the Mauser dealer in SA so assume it’s a standard rifle. They appear all marked M98 and HV (which I think means for the 140gr spire point) 1:8.6 twist and 275/7x57 as standard. I think the latter is standard because the interchangeability of the brass and the issues it has caused at borders where the rifle says 275 and the brass is 7x57.

When I next handle my rifle I’ll let you know what else chambers in it in addition to the 175 eldx and send a pic of the markings.

Magnificent rifle as is light to carry and packs a punch with limited recoil. Shot a few impala at Easter at 200,220 and 250m off sticks and in spite of some 2 being quartering to, all bullets exited and left very impressive blood trails. I will be testing the 160gr Safari Bullet Company 7mm round soon. Fantastic African hunting bullets.

You won't be dissapointed in those 160gr bullets !!!

 

[Shako Badhan]

Not a 275 Rigby/ 7x57 question, but does anyone know if the Highland Stalker would need to be opened up for heavier bullets in 30/06?

I have been debating getting a Rigby HS in either 275 or 30/06. If I went for a 30/60 I would want the ability to shoot 220 gain bullets. Would there be the same issue there?

 

[ActionBob]

Not a 275 Rigby/ 7x57 question, but does anyone know if the Highland Stalker would need to be opened up for heavier bullets in 30/06?

I have been debating getting a Rigby HS in either 275 or 30/06. If I went for a 30/60 I would want the ability to shoot 220 gain bullets. Would there be the same issue there?

I don't know and would also like to know. From a practical standpoint, there cannot be a better caliber for the Highland Stalke Probably why I don't have one, yet.

My guess is is it will be just fine. My reasoning is that the standard old specs on a 30-06 should accommodate 220 grain bullets.

The issue with the 275 Rigby is that those standards are for the 140 grain spire point bullet. The 275 Rigby was not specked for heavier bullets. The 7x57 was.

 

[Shako Badhan]

I had the same thought that they should work without issues and I had never heard about it being a issue but you never know.

I know 275 is the classic caliber to own a HS in, but the versatility of the 30/06 is hard to argue with. If I remember correctly Bell said that if it had been more available in his big hunting years he would have used it.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

If you look at the earliest John Rigby & Co. catalogs, then you will observe that the .275 Rigby rifles of that era were all designed for use with 173Gr bullets by default. This is because (back in those days) a .275 Rigby was originally identical to a 7x57mm Mauser in everything but name. These were the .275 Rigby rifles made famous by the likes of the great Jim Corbett & WDM Bell (always employing 173Gr bullets).

Later, John Rigby & Co. came out with the .275 Rigby Hi Velocity. This possessed a shortened throat and was designed exclusively for use with lighter bullets in the 140Gr-150Gr range (being intended exclusively as a tool marketed for the British deer stalking community). These rifles would not permit the bolt to close over cartridges employing the heavier bullet weights (170Gr +). For a few years prior to the Second World War, Rigby offered rifles chambered in both the original .275 Rigby (designated as the No.1 in their catalogs) as well the .275 Rigby Hi Velocity (designated as the .275 Rigby HV in their catalogs). Eventually, Rigby only began to offer rifles chambered in .275 Rigby Hi Velocity after the Second World War.

The rifles designated “.275 Rigby” which are currently being manufactured by Rigby… are actually their .275 Rigby Hi Velocity models. The throats are optimized for 140Gr-150Gr bullets. I have personally seen a newly manufactured Highland Stalker chambered in .275 Rigby, which experienced a great inconvenience when the owner attempted to load 175Gr Federal Power Shok soft points into the rifle. When he pulled back the bolt, the projectile got separated from the cartridge casing and got stuck inside the barrel. Propellant powder from the cartridge casing spilled all inside the action. The correct course of action for running the heavier weights of bullets through these .275 Rigby Highland Stalker rifles, is to have the throats lengthened by a competent gunsmith. Which in effect, turns the rifle into a .275 No.1 (in reality a 7x57mm Mauser).

Original German Mauser Model 98s have longer throats that are optimized for the original 170-175Gr loading in the 7x57mm Mauser. This also applies to the currently manufactured Mauser Model 98 rifles.

 

[RichieG]

Habib thanks for your detailed answer. My gunsmith agrees with you! The throat is cut slightly differently on the 275HV. I can still get a 175 Eldx to chamber perfectly but suspect a blunter bullet or one with an ogive that is “more forward” won’t chamber. The 30/06 chamber will be standard spec. It is only the 275 HV throat that is a little different.

 

[PerH]

And the other resist can use the Exellent 177 TIG also and heavier than that if loaded .

 

[Shako Badhan]

I appreciate the good information, I had always wondered why Rigby set up the new production rifles the way they did. It makes perfect sense that it’s for the 275HV. As always good answers on AH!