The 7x57mm... or 275 Rigby Part II

11/27/2022 – I don’t particularly care for putting in range time in the winter. No matter what gear I put on, sitting still at a bench results in numb feet, frosty fingers and a face wind burned into leather. Hunting in the cold is a different thing because, with the exception of posting, there is a good deal of movement and exertion. Although being in a tree stand may be challenging. I don’t know, I’m not a tree stand hunter.

I look forward to slogging through butt high snow and frosty winds to change targets and waiting patiently at the bench for breaks in the wind to shoot test groups. Most of all, after a thankful Thanksgiving, I am looking forward to a spiritual Christmas and better fortune in the coming new year. I wish the same for all of you… from Thanksgiving on, not the butt high snow deal.

The Facebookies…

Facebook seems the place for people to answer rhetorical questions. Mostly because those guys look at the pictures and don’t read the articles. Someone described 7mm cartridges as the new upstarts, then went on to say they offer no advantage of proven cartridges, brush hunters prefer heavier slower bullets, and they are more expensive as factory ammo. Okay, let’s see…

The 7x57mm has been with us since 1892, the 275 Rigby since 1907, the 280 Remington since 1957, etc..

The 7mm bullet has a naturally high sectional density and ballistic coefficient which allows them to retain relatively higher velocity and corresponding energy over longer distances than say proportional weight 22, 243, 270, and 30 caliber bullets.

I think the notion that some bullets shoot through brush has been debunked in decades past, as any bullet will be deflected by brush and fundamental hunting rules of safety suggest not shooting animals through cover.

Manufacturer and type for type, 7mm ammo is no more costly than other similar size ammunition, but all of it is outrageously priced… which is why this is a reloading article.

The results are in…

Some minor revision were made to the table while assembling handloads. All dimensional and all what I would consider trivial.

The 175 grain bullet offered better accuracy than anticipated. The Ruger has a 1:8.5″ twist rather than the more typical 1:9.5″ twist, which stabilizes longer bullets like the Berger and the heavy Remington Cor-Lokt.

Conclusions?

Ambient in the shop is 65°F, outside it is 22°F. Plank flooring is cause for aesthetic celebration, cold feet and a small heater running in my desk footwell. So I am cycling between frozen feet and haphazard thaw.

For me, there are loads on the table to cover everything from coyote to Maine moose. Certainly deer and black bear. The little rifle’s form is so comfortable to carry and light in weight. Yes, a bit of recoil, but nothing serious. Yes, a little barky, but that’s OK too.

Funny how a post to social media often leads to a critique. Not sure what makes people believe one person’s preference is an affront to another that must immediately be countered. The 7x57mm and light rifle is a good practical combination. Yes  I am a bit grumpy. It’s 5:30 AM.