My First Proper Rifle

[Major Khan]

Poton
No , you simpleton ! No more shooting ANY deer with buck-shot !

Until we manage to stock up on at least 100 cartridges , Kawshik ... Might l suggest that we reserve the 7 × 57 mm Mauser only for sambhur deer and bears ?
Perhaps , you should continue to use the .22 Winchester magnum rimfire on the lesser specimens for at least this year .

 

[BeeMaa]

Bee Maa
I can ask my relatives from the United States of America to bring me any ammunition brand which l desire .
Since you gentlemen are more experienced than l with modern munitions , l will pay heed to your advice and ask my relatives to bring me Norma Orynx soft nose cartridges .
Is the 156 grain bullet better than the 175 grain bullet or my time ?

I know "Elk" calibers will float from 6.5mm/.26caliber to 8mm/338caliber moving around the 2700-3000FPS mark.
With corresponding bullet weights from 140 grains all the way to 230+ grains.
Normal loads for 7mm Mauser are 140 to 175 grains with the 156 grain Norma load right in the middle.

I understand that availabity is an issue, so you should use what you have.
Just know that many American Elk have fallen to a 270WIN shooting 140 grain Remington Core-Lokt.
And that was a simple cup-and-core non-bonded bullet design.
The Norma Oryx is a much more current bonded bullet design that is absolutely capable of taking Elk at a resonable range.
Combine your shooting skills and shot placement with the Norma bullet...dinner is served my friend.

 

[mark-hunter]

Mark Hunter
Sambhar deer are extremely large . They are similar in size to an American elk.
That is where l wonder if the Norma Orynx 156 grain bullets will be adequate. I have zero doubt that it will prove adequate for a Chital deer.

In sweden, one of their favourite calibers is 6.5x55. And they use it to hunt moose.
If you chose good premium bonded bullet, as heavy as possible, like norma oryx,and make a good shot placement, at teasonable distance, moose, elk or sambar should go down. Just aim true!
I am looking fwd to your story of that sambar hunt!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Mr. Rahman I am curious as to the availability of reloading components. Are any imported or will you have to get them the same way you do ammunition. Reloading really brings the 7x57 to life.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Also what model leupold scope did get? I find them to be a good bargain. And with the dovetail receiver on a zkk mounting is easy

 

[Major Khan]

Mr. Rahman I am curious as to the availability of reloading components. Are any imported or will you have to get them the same way you do ammunition. Reloading really brings the 7x57 to life.

I believe that l can answer that , Master Smith. I used to work as an assistant supervisor in the Bangladesh Ordinance Factories. So , l can get him a reloading press. Various kinds of smokeless powder are widely available , as . Only primers , cartridge cases and bullets need to be brought in

 

[cagkt3]

@Kawshik Rahman the 156gr Oryx should be just fine placed in the correct spot. My wife took zebra, kudu, blue wildebeest - all with a 140gr Oryx from her 270 Win.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

@Kawshik Rahman @Major Khan too witness you to gentleman banter back and forth is a testament to sportsmen everywhere.
It's a lesson we all can learn from although these to gentleman are half a world away from us the same conversation could well of been had anywhere hunters gather. To me atleast it reinforces some of the best parts of our community.

 

[cem rona ergin]

Norma Oryx, i have experience with in 308 win. Is excellent! (roe, fallow, boar)
For federal, I cannot say - I never tried.

There is however, a claim, that american makers for some reason produce ammunition in medium Mauser calibers like 7x57 and 8x57, with lighter loads. Reduced velocity. I never tried, or never checked by chrony.

But for Norma oryx, i can confirm. Bonded bullet, excellent quality. Good accucarcy from lot to lot. Does not change point of impact with different lots
Check what are the heaviest bullet in 7x57, and it should be OK. I think sambar is big deer, so bullet as heavy as possible.

Same here .. Norma oryx in 308 my favorite..

 

[cem rona ergin]

Guys .. mr Rahman here bought one shotgun and a rifle since he became a member in this forum .. .. I bet next year he is going to Africa for some plains game ) this forum is a money pit ) .. congratulations Mr Rahman you are officially addicted.. by the way you should be thankful your country does not allow any big bore rifles to be sold .. )

 

[Major Khan]

@Kawshik Rahman @Major Khan too witness you to gentleman banter back and forth is a testament to sportsmen everywhere.
It's a lesson we all can learn from although these to gentleman are half a world away from us the same conversation could well of been had anywhere hunters gather. To me atleast it reinforces some of the best parts of our community.

That is what unifies us all , Skinnersblade. We all may live in different corners of the earth , but we are all united in our love of fine fire arms and shikar.

 

[Major Khan]

Guys .. mr Rahman here bought one shotgun and a rifle since he became a member in this forum .. .. I bet next year he is going to Africa for some plains game ) this forum is a money pit ) .. congratulations Mr Rahman you are officially addicted.. by the way you should be thankful your country does not allow any big bore rifles to be sold .. )

But , Mr. Ergin we do have owners of big bore rifles in our country . There are many people who own rifles chambered in .375 Holland & Holland magnum , .458 Lott , .500 Jeffery and many other cartridges .
A citizen without a criminal record can own any rifle , except 1 that is chambered in .303 British ( This law actually goes back to the time when Bangladesh and Pakistan were all a part of India ) .
A citizen can apply for a licence to own and use such a rifle and then go to a foreign country and purchase it and ammunition to bring back to Bangladesh. However , on every trip back to Bangladesh , they can only bring back 250 cartridges.
The issue that commercially available calibre choices sold locally , are limited :
.22 Long Rifle , .22 Winchester magnum rimfire , .32 ACP , .32 Smith & Wesson and 12 calibre . The government authorized imports of .22 Winchester magnum rimfire calibre fire arms and cartridges in 2015 . In 2023 , they will authorize the import of .30-06 Springfield , .45 ACP and 20 calibre fire arms and cartridges .
The laws and availability are still nothing to be proud of . However , for a 3rd world country less than 50 years into it's independence , l think that at least we are going in the right direction . Many members of Bangladesh Shooting Federation are active political figures , and so they are slowly, but steadily pushing to have the fire arms laws more relaxed and having more varieties of imported fire arms brought to the country . Our previous government was the worst . They only allowed new license holders to own 1 long arm and 1 hand gun . After our current government came to power , they reverted back to the original law so that a citizen can own up to 6 fire arms again . So , l am hopeful that things will slowly get better .

And yes , both Kawshik and l have plans for Africa . Kawshik wants to shoot a bull elephant and a gemsbok . I dream of shooting an African lion and a blue wildebeest . I should have my funds ready in 2 years ( l hope ).

We shot some targets with the 7 x 57 mm Mauser calibre Brno zkk 600 this morning and Kawshik has a photograph of the target. I believe that he will post it here tonight .

 

[cem rona ergin]

That is good to hear Major Khan .. then I bet after your first visit to Africa you will be looking for a big caliber rifle to purchase .. and immediately start making plans for the second Safari ..
Africa is addictive..

 

[Major Khan]

That is good to hear Major Khan .. then I bet after your first visit to Africa you will be looking for a big caliber rifle to purchase .. and immediately start making plans for the second Safari ..
Africa is addictive..

Oh , yes. It has always been my dream to own a .416 Remington magnum calibre Winchester Model 70 , Cem Rona Ergin .

 

[BeeMaa]

Oh , yes. It has always been my dream to own a .416 Remington magnum calibre Winchester Model 70 , Cem Rona Ergin .

Yes, a pattern has definitely been established for you Major.
Keep it up and there will be little worry about using a 140-175 grain bullet for Sambar Deer.
You will simply pull out the 416RM with a 400 grain soft chambered and smile as you look through the scope.

I think I speak for most members here in saying that we are honored to be a part of your firearms enthusiasm.

@Kawshik Rahman should be getting you the cartridges soon.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[7x57Joe]

7 × 57 Joe
Thank you so much for your kind words and support. Are the 156 grain bullets adequate for Sambhar deer ?

I cannot think of any factory load that would be more adequate than these as long as the range is kept reasonable. Let me explain what I mean by reasonable. I do not take long range shots at game animals as I have a self imposed max limit of 200 yards on unwounded game, as a matter of fact, I haven't shot a deer or elk at over 125 yards in 52 years! As an old friend of mine use to say: "I prefer to do all my hunting before the shot."

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

Gentlemen ( and l address everyone here ) , l have successfully fired my first shots from my new 7 millimeter mauser .

Here are the details . Our dear Major Khan took the first train to Sylhet today and met me at 10 : 00 AM in the morning . He successfully acquired for me , an entire unopened box of 7 millimeter mauser cartridges . I am already using the photograph which he posted on this thread for convenience .

These are made by the American firm, Winchester and are soft nose cartridges weighing 175 grains . Using iron sights , at eighty yards , l fired the first shot . The first shot hit the eighth circle of the target . I really liked the balance and the feel of this rifle . Taking aim again , l fired a second shot and then a third . As you can see both the shots hit the inner most circle . There is about a 1.5 inch gap from one bullet holes to the other. I am highly impressed with the accuracy . I am taking the firearm to Ahmed Hossain Arms tomorrow to have it configured to accept a telescopic sight made by the firm , Leupold . Also , there are some small spots on the hatch of the rifle's magazine floor plate which will need removing .
Mr. Mahir Hukil of Ahmed Hossain Arms
has volunteered to help remove the spots.

I see that @Shootist43 , @cem rona ergin , @BeeMaa , @cagkt3 and @7x57Joe and @mark-hunter are all advocating the 156 grain Norma Orynx soft nose cartridge to use in my zkk-600 . The reasonable man listens to those who are more experienced than him . Therefore , l have decided that the factory loaded cartridges which l am going to use for my new zkk-600 will be Norma Orynx soft nose cartridges .
I am most pleased with the handling properties of this fine rifle . The bolt operates very smoothly and the stock is completely unmolested in any way. The metal parts are virtually flawless , save for the few small spots on the magazine floor plate hatch .
I shot free hand with iron sights and at eighty yards , the standard range at which Sambhar deer are shot by rifle users in Bangladesh , l am impressed by the way the second and third bullet shot so close to each other .
Poton and Shootist43 both told me that lest l intend to shoot 156 grain bullets from this rifles , then l should re-adjust the sights.
I am already restless for this March and cannot wait to blood my rifle with a beautiful Chital deer .
At eighty yards , l also fired at two empty bottles of Old Monk Rum ( my favorite liquor ) and both bottles were broken to pieces .
I could not be more happy with this rifle . I shall keep everyone updated about what telescopic sight , l have chosen for this rifle . Verdict , gentlemen ?
I have fifteen cartridges remaining , enough to fill three magazines . That should last me for this Chital season , l think.

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

Guys .. mr Rahman here bought one shotgun and a rifle since he became a member in this forum .. .. I bet next year he is going to Africa for some plains game ) this forum is a money pit ) .. congratulations Mr Rahman you are officially addicted.. by the way you should be thankful your country does not allow any big bore rifles to be sold .. )

Cem Rona Ergin
It is like you can read minds ! I do have a safari planned with old Poton in 2022 . I wish to shoot a Gemsbok ( those horns look magnificent and l hear that their meat is excellent ) and an African bull elephant . The Gemsbok , l hope to secure with my 7 millimeter mauser calibre bolt operation rifle . My dream would be to shoot the bull elephant with a .460 Weatherby magnum calibre rifle ( it has been my life long dream since the last five decades to shoot a .460 Weatherby magnum calibre rifle , as you already know )

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

Mr. Rahman I am curious as to the availability of reloading components. Are any imported or will you have to get them the same way you do ammunition. Reloading really brings the 7x57 to life.

Wyatt Smith
In two months , l will acquire all the necessary re-loading components to develop my desired hand-loaded cartridges . And then , l will bother all of you a great deal to help guide me in tailoring the perfect load for this calibre , my young American friend.

 

[mark-hunter]

Our dear Major Khan took the first train to Sylhet today and met me at 10 : 00 AM in the morning . He successfully acquired for me , an entire unopened box of 7 millimeter mauser cartridges . I am already using the photograph which he posted on this thread for convenience .

This was fast!!!!
Congratulations sir!