I am thinking of adding a 7 x 57 to the 30:06 that I have been using for the past years. The first estate rifle I used was chambered in 7 x 57 and I have fond memories of using the round on Hind. I am sure that it would work just as well on woodland Fallow.
Finding a new rifle in 7x 57 (or even a 2nd hand one for that matter ) is proving to be more of a challenge than I imagined it would be. Seemingly very few producers are offering rifles chambered in this calibre now. For instance Sako, Mauser, Tikka, and Sauer no longer offer this calibre. I believe that CZ and Heym still do.
Apart from the limited choice of rifle manufacturer, I am concnerned anout the availablity of factory loaded ammo becuase I do not hand load. What is the experience of 7 x 57 users regarding the availability of factory produced ammunition?
Viewed in the round, am I better off going for one of the 6.5mms. 6.5 x 55 appears to have experienced a resurgence in popularity judging by the number of posts and .260 also seems to have a sizeable following.
For sentimental reasons, 7 x 57 would be my first choice but what of the practicalities of chosing it over, say, a 6.5 x55. All the manufacturuers produce rifles in 6.5 x 55 which tells me something!
Any comments /advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Longshot
Finding a new rifle in 7x 57 (or even a 2nd hand one for that matter ) is proving to be more of a challenge than I imagined it would be. Seemingly very few producers are offering rifles chambered in this calibre now. For instance Sako, Mauser, Tikka, and Sauer no longer offer this calibre. I believe that CZ and Heym still do.
Apart from the limited choice of rifle manufacturer, I am concnerned anout the availablity of factory loaded ammo becuase I do not hand load. What is the experience of 7 x 57 users regarding the availability of factory produced ammunition?
Viewed in the round, am I better off going for one of the 6.5mms. 6.5 x 55 appears to have experienced a resurgence in popularity judging by the number of posts and .260 also seems to have a sizeable following.
For sentimental reasons, 7 x 57 would be my first choice but what of the practicalities of chosing it over, say, a 6.5 x55. All the manufacturuers produce rifles in 6.5 x 55 which tells me something!
Any comments /advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Longshot