Hello all,

DPCD made me up a terrific 9.3 barrel. Now I have a 7mm blank at his place and a 1909 bottom metal unit and want to get started on the 7x57 project. Seeking suggestions for a barrel contour for the 7mm.

One option is an exact replica of the 9.3 only scaled to size. However, since its primary duty will be Maine whitetail also thinking about a shorter barreled woods walker type rifle. Or perhaps another historical barrel replica like the 9.3.

Would love to hear suggestions and any pics would be helpful.

Thanks. Also, since it is a LH Zastava action I have had the factory stock reshaped but not checkered and I plan to sell that and likely the barrel which is a shooter. Of course, the last option may be to keep the barrel and sell the blank. will see. but would love input.

Thanks again.

Jeff

Whatever you do, dont make it a heavier contour. I made that mistake and have regreted it ever since and in fact that has been the primary reason I am selling mine on. If I was to do it again I would do a light sporter at 23 inches which is long enough to get the potential of the 7x57 and not too long for scrub country.

In Gun Digest #28 there is an article on Griffin and Howe. There is a picture of a beautiful little Springfield 7x57. The barrel is 23" and the contour much like a Model 70 Featherweight It is as pretty and trim a little rifle as I've ever seen. The rifle is also shown in the 5th edition GD Treasury and in "Bolt Action Rifles" by Frank de Hass.

My wife has a 22" on hers. Basic Mark X contour. Works great

I used a #2 Douglas, 24". I like it, 22" would be good as well. Will try and get a pic or 2 up in the next few days.

I don't have much to add.
if your gonna be moving around in a blind or getting in and out of stuff with the rifle 21" is nice and balances well on a slim stock.

just get a 139gr interlock to 27-2800 fps and keep your shots within 200-250yds and the rest of the stuff on the rifle is just for looking at.

Lamar has it pretty close. My two are forward mount pistol scopes ( Scout ) with slim 19" barrels. Fast handling , easy to carry and deadly out to at least 250 yards. roger

Do a google image search for 275 Rigby rifles. Original 275 Rigby's from the early days were made on Oberndorf commercial intermediate actions with a long front ring. If you want to go retro, you can have Steve build you a 275 Rigby clone. I don't know if he's willing, or how flush your pocket book is, but Steve can weld on a rear square bridge and install a claw mount on the barrel shank just forward of the front ring, like on many original Rigby 275's.

Im putting about a Doughlas no. 1 fwt. Lothar Walthar barrel on my G33-40 and its about perfect. the crown will be about .520 Im guessing after crowning.It will be a 7x57 long throat as the G33-40 is a small ring action but have 30-06 length action and magazine.

I like a 20 to 22 inch barrel in a fwt rifle...less than 20 inches in a 7x57 or 308? you have to pay a price in velocity. at 20 you lose about 25 FPS from a 24 inch it seems, Ill be going with a 22 inch this time.

Ray has it right on MD @.520- most are too damn heavy. Stick with one shot groups, the only shot that matters.

My Swede based 7x57 is appropriately lean.

quote:

Originally posted by Boxhead:
My Swede based 7x57 is appropriately lean.

You've posted that pic a number of times over the last several years, and I never tire of seeing it. Just amazing!

I had a Oberndorf 1916 rebarreled awhile back with a Shilen #2 taper 7x57. I like it a lot.

DPCD is also building a 7x57!for me as well. It is based on an early Rigby styled stock with a featherweight 20" barrel. Scoped in should weigh in at 7.5 lbs. No irons sights on this one, but it will have a barrel band a great piece of American Walnut.

On a 20-22 inch featherweight barrel, what rate of twist is recommended?

quote:

Originally posted by Jim@IMReps:
On a 20-22 inch featherweight barrel, what rate of twist is recommended?

Depends on what weight and more importantly, length bullets you want to shoot. I opt for faster, especially with lead free bullets becoming more popular.

Jeff I have MD's 257 Rigby barrel contoured like the old Win 70 FW. It is exactly two pound. He also has an aluminum tg whilst yours is a steel 1909 one so you have added weight there. His wood is very dense burl walnut so see there are many variables.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim@IMReps:
On a 20-22 inch featherweight barrel, what rate of twist is recommended?

Mine as I recall is a 1/9.5 twist. We're shooting for the 156gr Sierra bullets, but will also try the 150 gr Barnes TTSX. I'll use whatever shoots the best. This rifle will be my Mountain stalking rifle!!!

and i'll go against the grain -- for reasons -
1: fast twist - for heavy for caliber or monometal bullets
2: short and stiff - #3 or so, 18-20"
3: use faster powder - win748 or h335 for example
4: likely slightly longer forearm than usual, as it could be a little nose heavy

why short and stiff? it's been proven, repeatedly, that the SAME profile shorter is more accurate than longer .. well, more consistent.

"Mine as I recall is a 1/9.5 twist".

mdstewart PM sent

Correct; one in 9.5.

Thanks, guys. Boxhead any more pics and details of that one?

Experiences vary, I shot on a PH's Musgrave Mauser 98 in 308, and it had a 26 inch long fairly heavy 3 or 4 contour barrel.

I liked it a lot.

For a rifle not Afrika bound you ought to give some thought to a 22 inch #1 or #2.

That massive quarter rib obviates any weight savings from a light barrel. Just my take and that rifle is very nice.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
That massive quarter rib obviates any weight savings from a light barrel. Just my take and that rifle is very nice.

Of course, another way to look at it is that the lighter barrel and action allow you to add a quarter rib and not exceed the weight of a large ring 98 with a light weight barrel. You can have your cake and eat it too.

Awesome stick of wood laid out just right IMO....