I am putting a new Barrell on my old Model 70 and can't decide between 7x57 or 7x57 AI. Any input? I am aware of the issue of brass and having to fire form for reloading. I am not a velocity nut but if you can squeeze out a couple hundred fps with little increase in pressure/recoil, why not? Does anyone have any objections before I start?
7x57 or 7x57 AI
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DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Objections? No! Either qualifies as a cool cartridge. None other than P.O. himself said the 7mm Improved was one of his best efforts.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
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Nope, no objections but I did not know that there was a 7mm AI as it was not in my Ackley books? Why not just a .280?
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DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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The 7X57 is a great old cartridge, that's for certain.
Then too, with the new Long Range AB coming out,,,, they would give extra life to the 7x57 as is. But certainly nothing wrong with AI's. I like them a lot. Either the 150's or 160's would do well in either chambering,,,and have what's needed beyond what a good share can hold.
Thankful Otter
Handloader
- Oct 8, 2012
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For what it is worth, we have a 275 Rigby ( 7 x 57 ) and a 275 H&H, and feel we get more bang for our buck with the H&H
They are both old calibers but because of Bell the Rigby is by far a more recognizable caliber. If this was an older gun you were buying I would say do not AI it, but if your just having fun and putting something together, either/or would be fine. You already know about the challenges in reloading the AI and I dont have a clue which one would sell the best for you if you should decide to sell it down the road. Have fun
They are both old calibers but because of Bell the Rigby is by far a more recognizable caliber. If this was an older gun you were buying I would say do not AI it, but if your just having fun and putting something together, either/or would be fine. You already know about the challenges in reloading the AI and I dont have a clue which one would sell the best for you if you should decide to sell it down the road. Have fun
With the newer powders out there and even the old stand by's, the 7mm Mauser does pretty danged well as is. Not against AI'ing it, but it is a pretty awesome performer as is, so you can't really lose either way. My son's little 7mm Mauser will do mid 2700's with 160 PT's which makes it a pretty formidable elk rifle, to 300 or so. I imagine the new AB's will make it even better.
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Palouser":1mgtaxz2 said:
I saw that as well. It really is a cool round. Alot of performance, long neck for those heavier bullets and plenty of capacity to really run it. I like it alot.
Sounds like a cool project to me. If they both cost the same, the AI version would be pretty cool, and heck, what AI'ed cartridge doesn't look cool when it's done. That's gotta be worth a few points!! :twisted:
The 7X57 can be loaded a couple hundred fps faster in your modern action than the books dictate for 93 mausers. I believe Lapua will have that reference data. 7AI will certainly be a cool round with perhaps a bit more potential but I think the difference will be negligible. If you're going for nostalgia, go with the original chambering. Few game animals would know the difference. The ones that might would be better hunted with a 9.3X62.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
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I do not have a Mauser 7x57 anymore but do have a .257 Roberts (same case) and can get much better performance out of it because my rifle is a full length action with freebore, not the medium length action. Because of this, I am able to seat bullets way out in the neck and am able to squeeze another 100 fps out of this case through using more and slower burning powders like IMR 4350 and Hybred 100V. Just something to think about when building a custom rifle.
- Nov 4, 2004
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The 7mm Mauser is a classic as is.
If you are going to AI, do the 280 AI.
JD338
If you are going to AI, do the 280 AI.
JD338
elkeater2
Handloader
- Jan 5, 2009
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7x57 was my first rifle, and it served me very well. I got a couple boxes of the old Remington 175 round nose ugly bullets free, and that rifle and the ultra-cheap loads set me loose on the local jackrabbits. Whatever reactions and skill I developed for moving game I owe to that combo. That old 7mm was there for my first antelope, deer, elk, and bear. I didn't know what a magnum was, or that I was 'undergunned' anyway, with the 139 Hornadys I settled on. Now you've got me thinking about building another one!! :lol: :lol:
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nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
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That is a sweet round. You can't go wrong either way. But a 9.3X62 would be awesome too!
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
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Shoot, I have one older than that, a 9.3x74R.
Thankful Otter
Handloader
- Oct 8, 2012
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Palouser":3bqay1rt said:
My error, after re-reading your original post, forget my 275 H & H idea, However just so you know we do like that caliber. We had an opportunity to speak with a couple of gun builders last night and I posed the A.I question to them and they said you would probably get more for it if it was not A I d if you decide to ever sell it. However again I know you said you probably never will. We are currently in the middle of building a 7 x 64 Brenneke. My husband made a sign that says "families that build rifles together, stay together". I am pretty sure that was not the words used by of the person who first came up with the that saying.
Also to the member who thinks I should "quit cluttering up the forum with my nonsense" If I ever get a pm from you again, I will post it on the open forum, as I am not as nice or tolerant as Aleena. You may be right and perhaps everyone here agrees with you, but it will be out in the open and not hidden via pm. And for the record I dont care if someone uses a Dachshund to hunt with, it is their choice. We prefer the Boykin and will continue to use the breed.
