I voted for the 7X57, but either round would serve you well. I have multiple rifles in each chambering and wouldn't want to live without them both. However, on a shorter-barreled rifle, I have to give a slight edge to the 7X57.

My 20" full-stocked 6.5X55 gives up more velocity to my 23" 6.5X55 than does my 19" full-stocked 7X57 give up to my 23" 7X57. It's not a lot, but enough that it matters to me.

I have found the 6.5X55 to be slightly more accurate than a 7X57. Full-stocked rifles aren't known to be a hot bed for accuracy, so I discount this difference a bit.

Nostalgia favors the 7X57 on the Peruvian platform by a bit as well.

As close a race as it is, I'd have to go with the 7X57 (though the Swede is one of my all-time favorite cartridges). At the end of the day, you know you'll end up building one of each; so just pick the one you want to start with.

If you want to shoot 140gr bullets the 7x57 in standard barrel length manages 2,800fps with ease whereas the 6.5x55 is about 2,700fps. The 6.5x55 needs pretty slow powders for max velocity whereas the 7x57 is fine with for example IMR 4064/4320 which are likely to be a little more pleasent to shoot in a mannlicher style short barreled rifle.

The 6.5x55 also requires the bolt face to be eased.

I would go 7x57 in the mannlicher and keep the 6.5x55 for a standard style later.

What barrel diameter and length are you going to select? I have a 8-57 FS with a 20.5" tube on a small ring and it's pretty heavy. I think the diameter at the muzzle is over .600".

As to the cartridges just pick what you like.

So far I have owned 264's, a 6.5 jap, 6.5-54, and a 260 but never a 6.5-55. I have no interest in that cartridge but if a nice rifle came along I would not hesitate.

Don't know what your going to hunt with the rifle or carbine but I would rather have a larger bore in a carbine.

I voted for the 7X57 even though I shot my first deer with a 6.5X55. I think the 7 mm is a tad more effective on deer-sized game as it has a little more cross-sectional area to make a wound channel with larger volume.

I expect you will build both anyway.

Now I shoot a 6.5-'06 at deer, if I don't use the .280 Rem.

jim

I own multiple rifles in both calibers... I lean toward the Swedish caliber, not on function or superior ability... I think it has strictly to do with some of my Scandanavian routes...Drove a Volvo for years for the same reason.....I thank God I am not part Italian....Then I'd be shooting a Carcano and Driving a Fiat... with that sort of rationale...

IN the field, there is little difference, especially to a hand loader.... if the game isn't a bear weighting over 750lbs, I wouldn't hesitate to carry either one..

if you don't need the long range, what a heavy for caliber 6.5 or 7mm bullet will penetrate thru at low velocity is mindboggling!

cheers
seafire

I'd vote for the 6.5x57 [not one of your choices, tho] It fits the same action and gives you to most for the Mauser action. I've always waanted one for a Mule Deer, Sheep, 'bou type rifle.
MM

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
I lean toward the Swedish caliber, not on function or superior ability... I think it has strictly to do with some of my Scandanavian routes.

The fact that my Father is a full-blooded Swede has alot to do with my interested in the 6.5x55 Swede. I must own one - my heritage requires it. Aren't rationalizations grand!!

The history of the 7x57, or 275 Rigby as I learned on this Forum, in African hunting lore also caught my eye.

Yes, I want rifles in both of them someday. Other caliber suggestions, while welcomed, would probably not be in the running for this peticular rifle.

Well I would vote the 6.5 x 55, why it's just cool to say you have a blond in the safe when talking about guns I built one a couple of years ago and love it! it's looking though a transformation to an AI is in the future but hey it's all good. I had a 7 x 57 and it did just as good on deer so all in all I'd have to tell you to go either way! both of these rounds do a number on deer. My 6.5 x 55 is built on a M48 action with a what ended up being a 21" tube and while it's not a screamer it sure does a good job for what it was intended. Either can be found in factory loadings while loaded on the low side they will work in a pinch. It's a quarter flipping thing as to which would be better for ya. Later,

Kirk

I know you didn't ask, but the equally ancient 6.5x57 Mauser would be my choice.

I'm having the same issues. I'm planning a set of rifles for my boys and narrowed the choice to these two. I'm sorta leaning toward the 6.5x55 since I believe they can start using the rifles sooner due to the lighter bullets available. Primary usage will be NA game.

Just build one of each and get it over with.

Easy, 7x57.

7x57 I think of Africa.
6.5x55 I think Scandanavia and moose.

Both are tremendous cartridges and you cannot go wrong with either. Follow your instinct, you have to want one more than the other.

Of the two I would definately go with the 7x57.

However, if it was me it would be a 308....
But that is just me.

I think the 7x57 is more versatile, with basically the same recoil. The 7x57 is my everyday hunting rifle. The excellent history of the cartridge doesn't hurt a thing either.

You will be served just as well by either; however, I prefer the 6.5 because I have one. If your plan is to use a shorter barrel than the 7x57 will give up less velocity. To my mind the 6.5 needs at least 23-24 inches of barrel to really shine.

7x57, and to the Swede you've never seen a blonde German? A real kill! Realistically the differences are nil, a 175 7mm will penetrate as well or better than any 160 6.5 and they aren't all blunt too.

My first rifle was a 7x57, and I'm building a custom 8x57 now.

Riodot
Uuummmm...280 Rem.of course..
AK

Although millions of large ring 98 mausers have been turned into 7 x 57s, it just doesn't seem right to me. So if I were using the peruvian I would look at a larger case for that action and instead search around for a Small Ring Mex or a G.33/40 and go with the 7 x 57 in a nice light trim moutain type rifle (ForrestB has shown a few of what I mean on this forum)

However, those actions are scarce. Therefore, if I really wanted a 7mm caliber rifle, I would look for a nice Short Action Winchester classic lightweight in 7mm-08 and call it a day. Those little rifles are so nice and light to carry, and a 7mm-08 will serve you absolutely just as well as a 7x57 and they are still relatively readily available.

I just answerd A post about the 6.5x55, And in that post I said that the 6.5x55 is A great round,as for the 7x57 mauser, mine is not finished yet.and I have not used one before, but I don't think there is A lot of differance in them. you will no dout get both before long.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
I voted for the 7X57, but either round would serve you well. I have multiple rifles in each chambering and wouldn't want to live without them both. However, on a shorter-barreled rifle, I have to give a slight edge to the 7X57.)

Ditto! The 7X57 a "little" more adequately moves you up into the Elk rifle catagory. JMHO. enjoy.**roger

I have a heavy barreled 6.5x55 and a 7x57 that I am plan to stock with a Mannlicher stock sooner or later.

You could follow your heritage on this project and build a Swede. Then, if you don't like it, you could build another in 7x57; I don't think you could wrong either way. I am becoming more and more partial to the Swede though...

I'm partial to the Swede.

Although I have both of the Mauser cartridges listed.. I have to admit... for the guys that listed the 6.5 x 57... I follow that one the most...

My favorite round is a 6.5 x 57... just because it is an achiever, low recoil, great accuracy... and a big plus... YOU are probably the only other hunter toting one within a couple of hundred miles... and it is older than a 30/30 even....

I need to build another one, lighter than my only current one... which has a 28 inch heavy magnum barrel on a Model 70 Action....I use 257 Roberts + P brass from Winchester...for it....

cheers
seafire

I have both, a 6.5x55mm with a 22" Parker Hale barrel on a Brazilian 1908 (prefers 120gr Sierras with 47gr of AR2209/H4350)and a VZ33 with a 24" Swedish 6.5x55mm M38 barrel (prefers 129gr Hornadys and 48.5gr of AR2213/H4831) plus a Brazilian 1908 with the original barrel cut back to 24"(this one likes both Sierra 140gr Gameking and 51gr of N204 and the cheap Remington 150gr bulk bullets and 49gr of N204). Both calibres are very good, but I do prefer the the 7x57mm.

I have owned a 6.7x57, and I have no problems tro take any animal from deer to fox. Now I own a 7x57 and it works wonderfully. I think there is only an small difference when you shoot bigger animals, but in any case there are better options for this type of game

quote:

Ditto! The 7X57 a "little" more adequately moves you up into the Elk rifle catagory. JMHO. enjoy.**roger

Whilst the 6.5 mm Swede is far more popular in Scandinavia, the 7 mm Mauser is far more popular in South Africa, largely due to historical reasons. Fact remains, the the 7 mm Mauser is a notch up in terms of bullet mass that brings more momentum to bear on the target.

When the heavier bullets are used in each caliber, both calibers feature high SD bullets, and as such, the ratio of Mo/Xsa (momentum over cross sectional area)yield very good penetration in game.

You will be surprised when a heavy-for-caliber bullet, such as a 175gr Barnes-X in the 7 mm Mauser, is used on large game such as kudu or elk in your country - the penetration typically exceed those of bigger calibers with heavier bullets.

My choice .... a 7 x 57 mm .... the last caliber that I will part with for general deer sized game, even though I am fond of using it on kudu and blue wildebeest in the bushveld.

Chris

Both as soon as possible

I also like both rounds. but i will take the 7X57, My full stock CZ is a great hunting rifle, and with H-414 I get 2800 and great groups with 140,s and I get cloverleaf groups pushing 162 grain horbady bullets at 2650 with RL-19.
Good enough for any non dangerous game, and I want to build another 7X57 with a 24 inch tube.
I am aware of 2 nice customs one is a 7X57 improved built on a Commercial mauser with a model 70 style safty and the other is a standard 7X57 built on a sako.
I would love to come up with either but the timing is not right...tj3006

I guess this poll and your feedback has helped me - The 7x57 seems to make the most sense for this project.

Tha strange thing is, this rifle's barrel was marked "7mm msr" but was actually a 7.65 Argentine caliber. I found out the hard way - pinballing a 7mm bullet down a 7.65mm barrel. Not as accurate as I had hoped.

Now I have to decide where to get it re-barreled. I am considering E R Shaw. Any thoughts on them?

I'd use a pacnor barrel. I seem to have good results with them and my buddy who is a gunsmith says their delivery time is better than most anyone else.

Why not just do a Mannlicher on the 7.65?

That would definitely be a one-of-a-kinder!

Why not buy 7mm-08 made on a short action?

Here is a Peruvian 7x57.

Yes, that Dressel rifle is nice isn't it?

Woodjack,
Is that a standard army issue rifle?

It would be if it was my army.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodjack:
Here is a Peruvian 7x57.

Oh Yes !! That is Nice!!

I voted for the 7x57, because I already have a 6.5x55 in a "Sporter-ized" 1915 Norwegian Krag, and really enjoy shooting it. Lora has a Ruger Model 77 in 257 Roberts, and I would get a 7x57 for her as a step up in power with out going overboard. JMO

Well, the 6,5x55 is not a Mauser cartrigde, it was made by the United Kingdom of Norway and Sweden, so the 7x57 would be a more classy choice in a peruvian Mauser.

By the way: the "swede"designation is an indication of lower pressure ammo. The name of the cartrigde as it is loaded to modern pressures is simply 6,5x55

Why not a 7x64 Brenneke?