What calibres would choose to future proof against ammunition supplies

Surely you just neck down .270 brass to make 25-06? Thats what I do with .280 (neck up) which is even harder to get.

Plenty of Norma .270 once fired out there, or new .270 choices.

The same for the 6.5-06, I’ve turned .308 into 6.5 creedmoor it just needs neck turning. And .243 for that matter which doesn’t need turning.

More bl0odyfaffing about ....
I see reloading as a chore not a hobby ...
I want brass for purpose / caliber without extra steps and neck turning etc etc
 
More bl0odyfaffing about ....
I see reloading as a chore not a hobby ...
I want brass for purpose / caliber without extra steps and neck turning etc etc

same!

it's a necessary chore for some of my calibres as they are rare (45/120 etc) but if i can buy ammo that works i'd rather be shooting than faffing
 
Or a wounded and charging Buff or lion eh Tim.

As I said Mr Lateral friend Bell even shot running lions at distance with his .256 Gibbs (6.5x54 Mannlicher). I believe they can be quite dangerous as can be our Spotted friend the Leopard. Prefer a 12 bore for the latter though in cover and up close.

I've seen video's of people shooting boar with a 22LR, but I wouldn't choose a 22LR to hunt boar, that would be stupid !

If ALL I had was a 7x57, and I was confronted by a lion, etc', it's what I'd use to try and protect myself ! But in that scenario, I'd hope I had a more appropriate cartridge.
 
Yes, Jura mentioned him a couple of posts earlier, followed by more info by 8x57.

So my question, is if YOU found yourself confronted with a lion, elephant, or buffalo etc', who was about to charge/attack, would a 7x57 be the rifle you'd choose to protect yourself, or those around you ?
Yes, I would if it meant that I had a fully loaded magazine with one in the chamber ready to shoot, as opposed to a .375 H&H M with two empty barrels and nothing to put into it.
Kindest regards, Olaf
 
The reason Bell is famous for his exploits is because he was an outlier. Not because it was the best plan for all

I don’t know a single PH in SA who would entertain you using a 7x57 on a buff or an elephant. In fact I would expect some laughter either before or after they put the phone down.
 
Yes, I would if it meant that I had a fully loaded magazine with one in the chamber ready to shoot, as opposed to a .375 H&H M with two empty barrels and nothing to put into it.
Kindest regards, Olaf
Factory loaded copper solids has been available for in 375HH and 458 Win for more than 30 years
 
The reason Bell is famous for his exploits is because he was an outlier. Not because it was the best plan for all

I don’t know a single PH in SA who would entertain you using a 7x57 on a buff or an elephant. In fact I would expect some laughter either before or after they put the phone down.
I would agree that it’s not the best plan for all but Bell is famous for how remarkably successful he was and supported by maticulus book keeping, the secret not only being shot placement but also unrivalled knowledge of each species anatomy. If a cartrige has the ability to penetrate the correct area of the brain (straight line), it will be fatal. Bell exclusively used steel jacket round nose so that penetration is maximised and expansion minimised.

One of the issues with modern expanding copper solids is the unpredictability of the shot path, for some reason they sometimes seem the turn at right angles inside the animal which is a bit disconcerting. (Unlike solid non-expanding copper used for dangerous game)
 
I would agree that it’s not the best plan for all but Bell is famous for how remarkably successful he was and supported by maticulus book keeping, the secret not only being shot placement but also unrivalled knowledge of each species anatomy. If a cartrige has the ability to penetrate the correct area of the brain (straight line), it will be fatal. Bell exclusively used steel jacket round nose so that penetration is maximised and expansion minimised.

One of the issues with modern expanding copper solids is the unpredictability of the shot path, for some reason they sometimes seem the turn at right angles inside the animal which is a bit disconcerting. (Unlike solid non-expanding copper used for dangerous game)

i believe a few tried to emulate Bell and got stomped for their trouble !
 
The reason Bell is famous for his exploits is because he was an outlier. Not because it was the best plan for all

I don’t know a single PH in SA who would entertain you using a 7x57 on a buff or an elephant. In fact I would expect some laughter either before or after they put the phone down.

Yet, probably more elephant and rhino shot in Africa each year with the humble 7.62x39 than all other calibres combined. And yes, sometimes the wildlife does have a win.
 
Yet, probably more elephant and rhino shot in Africa each year with the humble 7.62x39 than all other calibres combined. And yes, sometimes the wildlife does have a win.

There is a difference between a poacher with an AK and an ethical hunter though

Because while there are lots killed with AK there are also lots walking around with 123gr bullets stuck in them.

Also when you have an AK “quantity has a quality of its own” to quote Stalin or Napoleon depending on who you ask.

Though it seems more and more of the “professional” poachers are upgunning

The point being you could kill pretty much anything in Earth with a 22LR, but it’s not clever , ideal or ethical on many of them.
 
More bl0odyfaffing about ....
I see reloading as a chore not a hobby ...
I want brass for purpose / caliber without extra steps and neck turning etc etc
I’m the same, but it’s a necessary chore.
If you used .270 brass all you’d need to do is run it through your FL sizing die and load as normal, so no extra effort.
 
I’m the same, but it’s a necessary chore.
If you used .270 brass all you’d need to do is run it through your FL sizing die and load as normal, so no extra effort.
Fair point so that's brass sorted.... but im not aware of load data anywhere for 6.5-06 and who has a reamer ?
My .25-06 is a BAT HR leftie action ...
Think id be better utilising thst long action in 6.5x284.... still that "hammer" on deer and load data on tap.... lapau brass if need be

Paul
 
If this is about a supply question, I would say what’s popular in America seems to dictate a lot of the market elsewhere. Even when it comes to reloading.

But even over there, a lot of people may now be shooting a new 7prc etc but there’s still a lot of fans of their old .270 / .30-06 etc. Can’t really see an issue. You just may have more choice/options in some guns/calibers than others.
 
Yes 7x57 would be as good as anything. Seen some real attacks after using .416 450/400 and even .500. It's all about placing the pill in the rightspot.
I disagree with this, the 7x57 only works with surgical precision, whereas a bigger hammer may cause the charge to cease even with a slightly misplaced shot. If you want an example of this watch the video linked below. The second elephant that charges received two .500 Nitro bullets to the head by Buzz the PH that both missed the brain. The shots do not drop the cow but seem to slow its forward progress. The third shot from the clients .470 (?) from the ground turns the charge and saves lives despite it having missed the brain. I very much doubt that a shot with a 7x57 would have altered the direction of the cow and there would have been a nasty red smear left in the bush. If you can get hold of the Elephant hunting DVD by Buzz Charlton there are several examples where an elephant is dropped temporarily by a shot to the skull that misses the brain only to get up and attempt to escape to be felled by follow up shots.

 
Fair point so that's brass sorted.... but im not aware of load data anywhere for 6.5-06 and who has a reamer ?
My .25-06 is a BAT HR leftie action ...
Think id be better utilising thst long action in 6.5x284.... still that "hammer" on deer and load data on tap.... lapau brass if need be

Paul
I’m talking about making brass for your 25-06 primarily, just had a quick google you’ll need to trim after sizing but that’s it.

If you’re not shooting targets then there’s no point in moving from 25-06 to 6.5-06, as there’s plenty of .257 copper hunting bullets available.

If you’re going to the effort of rebarrelling then open the bolt face and fit a 6.5 PRC barrel. Then you have the option of various brass makes and factory ammunition for ultimate convenience.
 
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Yes, I would if it meant that I had a fully loaded magazine with one in the chamber ready to shoot, as opposed to a .375 H&H M with two empty barrels and nothing to put into it.
Kindest regards, Olaf

WOW, really....................... If I broke down, or ran out of petrol 100 miles from nowhere, I'd be pleased to have a push bike in the boot :rolleyes: OR, better still, a jerry can with extra fuel in !

And WTF would be out hunting DG, with any rifle, and have no ammunition :-| I'd be avoiding confrontation at all cost, but neither do I want to be the recipient of a DARWIN AWARD 👍
 
I disagree with this, the 7x57 only works with surgical precision, whereas a bigger hammer may cause the charge to cease even with a slightly misplaced shot. If you want an example of this watch the video linked below. The second elephant that charges received two .500 Nitro bullets to the head by Buzz the PH that both missed the brain. The shots do not drop the cow but seem to slow its forward progress. The third shot from the clients .470 (?) from the ground turns the charge and saves lives despite it having missed the brain. I very much doubt that a shot with a 7x57 would have altered the direction of the cow and there would have been a nasty red smear left in the bush. If you can get hold of the Elephant hunting DVD by Buzz Charlton there are several examples where an elephant is dropped temporarily by a shot to the skull that misses the brain only to get up and attempt to escape to be felled by follow up shots.


Sorry but that was not good shooting with big heavy calibres. If you miss the brain you've got problems. The PH's rifle was empty and even close in the brain was missed again. A solid from a reasonably light rifle would have been better as there was time to mount and shoot accurately.
Relying on a big hit instead of accuracy don't work for me.
 
Factory loaded copper solids has been available for in 375HH and 458 Win for more than 30 years
😂 I appreciate this and agree with you. you are quite correct in your point that the move away from lead in certain things/ places etc will not remove this superb cartridge from use.
My point, was in response to the question I quoted, namely, in that -heaven forbid- situation. If I found myself to be facing down an angry violent game animal with a 7x57, I’d rather do so and take my chances, as opposed to with two empty barrels of something chambered in a much better cartridge that I didn’t have enough ammunition for. Hence why this played a large part in Bell choosing to use the 7x57 on big potentially hurty dangerous game animals.
That said, I’d also quite gladly face down a big dangerous game animal with a .22lr as opposed to with a 7x57 with no smarties to feed it with.
Ive recently started to hunt with a 7x57 and am very impressed by its capabilities so far. with modern loads and copper it’s stats look very good . With my very limited field experience I’m also very impressed by its terminal performance so far.
I’m by no means someone with a problem with heavy recoil from a gun. I’ve shot lots of very snappy recoiling guns , they don’t bother me. But, the 7x57 is so efficient and pleasant and mild to shoot, its bite is much worse than it’s bark.. …..as a Hunting cartridge it’s rapidly growing on me , and lately, when I go to sit out at night for wild boar I take the 7x57 over my very nice to shoot .30-06 or .308. they definitely have their uses though, I’d sell them otherwise.
However, in response to the op‘s question, if I could only have one rifle, my choice would be the 7x57 for all 3 of his categories. …..At present… although this might change if I run into an angry elephant tonight in the wilds of a German stubble field whilst hunting wild boar 😂
Kindest regards, Olaf
 
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