.275 Rigby - Heart vs head

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west_scotland

Member
Hi all,

I am after some advice. After a break from stalking for several years for very dull work-related reasons, I find myself with the time and access to land needed to commit myself to it again.

Having been out for a few accompanied days and reminded myself why I love the sport as much as I do, I am now in the process of submitting my FAC application. Like so many folks, I am umming and ahhing over calibre selection.

What am I going to use the rifle for? Deer only, no comps, fox or pests. A versatile rifle in a calibre suited to Reds on the hill, that with an appropriate choice of bullet would also cover off smaller species. (NB I am Scotland based, so I am predominantly talking Reds, Sika, Roe and the (very) occasional Fallow)

I grew up in the south of England and had a .25-06 and access to a .243. Both calibres I am very fond of but in the interest of future proofing against the non-toxic legislation and to feel confident with larger species I am looking for a larger calibre.

The obvious choices?

.308 - speaks for itself. Accessible, proven and options aplenty in terms of both rifles on the second hand market and ammunition.

.270 - the traditional choice, flat shooting and a very common estate rifle calibre up here for good reason.

But… Here’s the thing. Since I was a child and I first read Jim Corbett books I have always wanted to stalk with a .275 / 7x57R / 7mm Mauser. Beyond that, it is a credible calibre that has taken medium/large game across the world, is kind to shoot and has lasted as long as it has for good reason.

I understand the drawbacks - ammunition is hard to come by and reloading seems like the sensible long term solution.

On this site alone, there are plenty of reasonably priced PHs and BSAs chambered in .275.

So here are my options as I see them:

1. Follow my head and by a second hand Tikka/Sako or similar in .270 or .308.

2. Follow my heart and by an older .275 and invest the money saved in better glass and in time the equipment and education i will need to reload for it.

It wont surprise you to hear that I am heavily leaning towards option 2 but am keen to hear your thoughts… I have learned a lot from these pages over the years and am grateful for any insight.
 
west_scotland said:
Hi all,

I am after some advice. After a break from stalking for several years for very dull work-related reasons, I find myself with the time and access to land needed to commit myself to it again.

Having been out for a few accompanied days and reminded myself why I love the sport as much as I do, I am now in the process of submitting my FAC application. Like so many folks, I am umming and ahhing over calibre selection.

What am I going to use the rifle for? Deer only, no comps, fox or pests. A versatile rifle in a calibre suited to Reds on the hill, that with an appropriate choice of bullet would also cover off smaller species. (NB I am Scotland based, so I am predominantly talking Reds, Sika, Roe and the (very) occasional Fallow)

I grew up in the south of England and had a .25-06 and access to a .243. Both calibres I am very fond of but in the interest of future proofing against the non-toxic legislation and to feel confident with larger species I am looking for a larger calibre.

The obvious choices?

.308 - speaks for itself. Accessible, proven and options aplenty in terms of both rifles on the second hand market and ammunition.

.270 - the traditional choice, flat shooting and a very common estate rifle calibre up here for good reason.

But… Here’s the thing. Since I was a child and I first read Jim Corbett books I have always wanted to stalk with a .275 / 7x57R / 7mm Mauser. Beyond that, it is a credible calibre that has taken medium/large game across the world, is kind to shoot and has lasted as long as it has for good reason.

I understand the drawbacks - ammunition is hard to come by and reloading seems like the sensible long term solution.

On this site alone, there are plenty of reasonably priced PHs and BSAs chambered in .275.

So here are my options as I see them:

1. Follow my head and by a second hand Tikka/Sako or similar in .270 or .308.

2. Follow my heart and by an older .275 and invest the money saved in better glass and in time the equipment and education i will need to reload for it.

It wont surprise you to hear that I am heavily leaning towards option 2 but am keen to hear your thoughts… I have learned a lot from these pages over the years and am grateful for any insight.
Click to expand...
Put in for 2 a .270 and get on with the deer and foxes then develop the .275 as you will have the land for testing and developing the loads.
All my farmers/landowners like to hear of results as I contact them about going so feel in is only fair to say.
When pigeon shooting if the wind is blowing towards one farm I get a phone call "lots of shots how you getting on"
Lots of people have a day to day car then on a nice dry day get the classic out for a run.
 
I don’t see the downside of getting a 7x57,
Other than you then don’t have a 270 which is also awesome. But for your job, the calibres will do the same thing.
270 is also available in classic-car type rifles just to make it more difficult!

Tim is right, put in for two and then you have the option to have one classic blue and wood and a weather warrior for when Scottish weather does what it does.

Ammo for 7x57 isn’t that hard to get, buy a few boxes when you find some and it will last you.
 
In the Sixties my dad was an RAF Master Signaller who had to retrain as a navigator. He needed a good watch, and decided to treat himself to a once-in-a-lifetime Rolex.

At the dealership he was shown two: The basic, hand-wound Oysterdate; and the more expensive and desirable automatic Pepsi-bezel GMT-Master. He could have afforded either, but really fancied the better one. He went with his head and bought the basic Oysterdate.

He regretted that choice until the day he died.

maximus otter
 
maximus otter said:
In the Sixties my dad was an RAF Master Signaller who had to retrain as a navigator. He needed a good watch, and decided to treat himself to a once-in-a-lifetime Rolex.

At the dealership he was shown two: The basic, hand-wound Oysterdate; and the more expensive and desirable automatic Pepsi-bezel GMT-Master. He could have afforded either, but really fancied the better one. He went with his head and bought the basic Oysterdate.

He regretted that choice until the day he died.

maximus otter
Click to expand...
And the prize, for the best ‘first world problem’ of all time, goes to….
 
Get a 7x 57!!!!!!

I really don’t see the ammunition thing as an issue tbh even for factory rounds. Just plan ahead and get your RFD to order in what you want in a large quantity…you’ll be allowed to hold 200 rounds or whatever how many years is that actually going to cover you for? Unless you are a professional and out every day I don’t see the problem. (Ed at Edinburgh Rifles holds 7x57 factory).

Also the answers are above are right, put in for 2 rifles a 7x57 (large deer open hill) and either .243 or 6.5creedmoor for fox/smaller deer/day night scope synthetic rifle then you’ll be able to buy ammo anywhere while still always using the 7x57.
 
The cartridge itself doesn’t really matter - they will all do what you want.

What it really sounds like is you want a nice RIFLE.

I’ve thought about this quite a bit. If I had the budget, I’d buy an older classic wood stocked rifle in whatever model I most liked (a Sako L62r or nice Mauser derived action of some sort), then get it rebarrelled and tarted up by someone who really knew what they were doing.

But I think I’d stick with a modern chambering: 6.5PRC being my current favourite for the open hill.

You get the best of both worlds then. Classic looks, modern factory ammunition.
 
Thank you everyone who shared their thoughts so far! Much appreciated, sounds like factory ammunition won’t be such an issue after all. Time to get looking…

I will definitely put some thought into the second rifle comments too - it has crossed my mind. Lots of good suggestions but my original thought had actually been a .223. Cheaper ammunition, especially with (as I understand it) lead remaining a long term option and great for foxes and Roe (north of the border).
 
I'm assuming you intend to shoot an unmoderated rifle: and the fact that your neighbours are enthused rather than unsettled by the sound of gunfire suggests you are able to. If so, I would make full use of that stroke of good fortune to acquire a handsome vintage rifle in 7x57/.275. Adverse weather needn't be the concern it is made out to be by the vendors of stainless/synthetic horrors, or their spokesmen in the sporting press, either (QED). For hundreds of years, sportsmen regularly took a thorough soaking yet kept their guns in good order with a little timely care. Indeed, plenty of people still take the finest English shotguns out for a day in the moorland drizzle, and I've yet to see anyone uncase a plastic- stocked double gun at their peg, regardless of the atmospheric conditions. Just maintain the finish on the steel and walnut, choose a rifle that lets you separate the action easily from the stock (almost all do), and dry the stock gently if it gets wet (no radiators!)
I have used rifles in 7x57R for a couple of decades now, as well as vintage rifles in several calibres, and they have been both effective and a consistent pleasure to stalk with.
For ammunition, I supplement handloading with factory loads bought at auction or picked up in passing at shops that cater well to stalkers; but the truth is that, once familiarised with a new rifle,l (and barring welcome visits from rifle-minded friends), my supply depletes at a rate that closely tracks the number of deer taken.
All in all, a long-winded way to say what others have already said: buy the rifle you yearn for, take deer with it, make life richer.
 
I've got a .270, a couple of .275's including a (pre-war) Rigby & a 7x57 so I hope I can be seen to be even handed here.

I've had no issues finding factory ammunition for 7x57 albeit .270 Win can certainly be more easily obtained.
Naturally reloading, if you should go that way, is easy for both.

As regards the actual rifle, in your position I’d certainly not be buying a basic s/h rifle in (in any calibre), I’d be looking for a rifle that was a pleasure to own, look at & use. One to add memories to.

I suggest you look for that rifle (be it .270 or a 7mm). Both the cartridges will obviously do the job but it would be nice to have a .270 Win & a .275/7x57 if you can manage - always handy to have a spare 😉
 
west_scotland said:
Thank you everyone who shared their thoughts so far! Much appreciated, sounds like factory ammunition won’t be such an issue after all. Time to get looking…

I will definitely put some thought into the second rifle comments too - it has crossed my mind. Lots of good suggestions but my original thought had actually been a .223. Cheaper ammunition, especially with (as I understand it) lead remaining a long term option and great for foxes and Roe (north of the border).
Click to expand...
I take the .243 or .270 as this covers me for anything which steps out also my set up lets me follow on from stalking for foxes as it extends the effort of the drive to the ground in one visit.
Good luck.
Tim
 
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