7x57 rechamber

[hornsurgeon]

i have a 98 mauser in 7x57. i know it is a fine round, but was considering rechambering to 280ai. by question is, would the steped military barrel work for this, or would there be any gremlins popping up. i would like to keep from rebarreling just to keep costs down.

[oneokie]

Will the 280 AI feed from the magazine?

[hornsurgeon]

that is not a problem, room to spare as long as i have a "normalish" throat and not long.

[Morgan Astorbilt]

I'm not familiar with the 280 AI (Ackley Improved?) But I've rechambered a 7x57 98 to 7mm/06 Improved with no problems. This is also an Ackley wildcat. I assume you're concerned with barrel diameter in the chamber area due to the blown out case and sharp shoulder.
Morgan

[johnly]

I have several 280 AI target rifles, and to save wear and tear on the barrels, I rechambered a 7mm step barrel and fitted to to a 98 action I had in my collection. It's worked just great.

[badgeredd]

I have built a 98 chambered for 280 and 2 chambered for 7x57 AI and love them all. My dad is a bit recoil conscious and has hunted with his 7x57 AI for 15 years so that kinda tells you about it's recoil. One does gain a little speed with it but it still isn't quite up to the 280 with the heaviest 7mm bullets. Although I haven't had any personal experience with the Improved versions of the 280 I'd guess that it would be a fine cartridge although I suspect it is getting into the overbore capacity cartridge group. I say this because according to P. O. Ackley's Handbook the 7x57 AI is at nearly ideal powder capacity for the 7mm bore. He also says that the velocities of the 280 AI show that there is little to be gained by going to a belted magnum. After I scaled my stepped military barrel on my 280 I personally don't see any reason for concern with the chamber length since the 280 brass is 2.580. Sounds to me like a dandy choice!

[ForneyRider]

For the past 2 April issues, Reloader magazine has had 7x57 articles.

These guys (7x57) are no slouches with modern load and neck shape. They are basically a 7mm-08 performer.

I imagine a 7x57 improved would net another 150fps. Not quite, magnum, but definitely a more comfortable shoot.

My Rem. 7mm mag (P-H 1200 m98 style) is a shoulder buster. Even with my 120gr @ 3500fps varmint loads, the recoil is rough.

I surmise from Nosler info, www.nosler.com, 280AI is halfway between Rem. 7mm Mag and 280.

7x57 120gr @ 3000fps
7x57 160gr @ 2600fps

280 120gr @ 3250fps
280 160gr @ 2800fps

280AI 120gr @ 3350fps
280AI 160gr @ 2900fps

Rem. 7mm Mag 120gr @ 3500fps
Rem. 7mm Mag 160gr @ 3000fps

Nosler offers a 280AI rifle and ammo. I think Norma does ammo as well.

What version of 7x57 model 98 are you working with?