Trading my 6.5x55 for a 7x57?

[andym79]

Hi guys I am thinking of trading my 6.5x55 M96 for a 7x57. The Swede would do well at velocities below 1700 but was a pain above that.

The 7x57 seems to have a lot of things going for it as a cast bullet round versus the 6.5x55, firstly its got a longer neck and secondly a bit of a slower twist.

I would like to hear from people who have experience with the 7x57 or better still with both of the cartridges, what do you think, should I trade?

Thanks

[Petrol & Powder]

I cannot give you a lot of info on cast bullets in 7 x 57 BUT it is an excellent cartridge with jacketed bullets.

[kens]

The military mausers were all fast twist guns.
Cast bullets are by far 'easier' to shoot good groups with a slow twist.
If I was wanting to shoot cast, and ready to trade, then I would look to trade for a slow twist gun. It's just easier to shoot cast slow twist.
.30-30, 1:12
or any of the .35 cals. 35Rem, 358Win, 35Whelen, all of the .35's are 1:14 pretty much standard.

I think the difference between 6.5x55 and 7x57 military for cast, is a moot point. If you really want to shoot cast, you need to slow down the twist by 5" not just 1" of the 7mm.

[runfiverun]

run it with loads at 80% of the 30 cal rifles.
it's that bore volume thing.

[andym79]

I have been slowly trying to move toward slower barrels, of the rifles I currently have my 35 and 38 cals shoot cast best though my 14 twist 30 cal is doing very well.

I recently order a 1:17 twist 408 barrel from Krieger for a 40-70 as the only 408 barrel available down here was a 13. So I fully appreciate that slow is usually better, unless you want to go big and slow!

I should have added that the 7x57 I am looking a trading has a non original barrel, with a 10 twist versus the m96s 7.8 twist!

[fourarmed]

Most of the military 7x57 Mausers are throated for a big, long bullet. I have a Venezuelan that shoots very well with an oversized 180 gr. LBT mold. If you go 7 in a military rifle, I'd say forget about anything .284. or .285.

I have been working with a '94 Swede cavalry carbine, which is hopeless with .264 jacketed. I got some fair groups using the Lee cruise missile, and just got a box of the Hornady Carcano 160s. I blew a couple of primers before I got the charge and the OAL low enough for safe pressure. It looks promising, but velocity is not going to be very high there either.

[15meter]

And if you want to confuse people you can call it a 275 Rigby......

[rond]

If you have room in the throat try heavy, longer boolits. The 96 is better quality in my opinion.