Reviving The Classic 7x57mm

WHEN the 7mm-08 appeared in 1980 loaded with a 140gn bullet at 2860fps, it kinda set the cat among the pigeons. Compared to the newcomer, the 7x57 appeared an anaemic old has-been. Yet the 7x57 continues to be commercially loaded by most European ammunition manufacturers and is still a popular choice with jaegers for all-around use.

The 7x57mm Mauser (a.k.a .275 Rigby) has proven sufficient for hunting all North American big game species, but most experts would consider it undergunning on moose and bear. A particularly good choice for a mountain rifle, it delivers good killing power with moderate recoil with precise shot placement and the proper bullet.

I've tested a number of European rifles in 7x57, and had a custom rifle built on a Turkish Model '98 Mauser back in 1997, for which I did considerable reloading, but it saw not much field use.

I last worked with the 7x57 20 years back, but although powders for it haven't changed much there are a good many new bullets available. Now I wondered if the 7x57’s performance