7x57mm

Guns Magazine, Nov, 2006 by Peter M. Cromwell

I've been a practicing gunsmith for 20 years now (hey--a few more and maybe I can stop practicing and actually get it right) and a "gun nut" for much longer than that. GUNS is the only magazine to which I subscribe, because of its well-balanced coverage and generally no-bull assessments.

I've never written you before, but I must respond to the September Q&A. You've got a fellow with a Remington Rolling Block in 7x57 who's looking for a good, smokeless powder cartridge suitable for hunting.

Well, gosh, how about 7mm Mauser? It has a longstanding and well-earned reputation for killing all out of proportion to its recoil (something about which the Sarge was concerned for bench shooting) is much more readily available in both loaded ammo and components than the .405 Win., and wouldn't even require conversion (although the trigger could probably use some work for the best accuracy).

Peter M. Cromwell

Friendly Neighborhood

Gunsmith/Guitarist