Alf,

While I generaly agree with you and do myself decry the faster is better 'my 7x57 gets 2700fps with 175gr and H414' etc I don't think it's fair to overly denigrate the lighter bullet loadings for 7x57.

Whilst 175gr is perfect in the 'veldt it is not where it's at on the Scottish hillside. Here a 139/140gr loaded to CIP pressure levels leaves the barrel at 2,800-2,900fps shoots plenty flat enough and is a lot more pleasant than a 270.

Likewise the 6.5x55/57 with 100s or 120s. It patently is not what they were designed for but oh they shoot SO well when so loaded. The modern equivalents would be 260rem (huge pressure to get same or 25-06/270 both of which are considerably louder for very little gain.

1894, I pretty much agree with what you say. As a matter of interest, while I have stated what the 7X57mm cartridge is capable of, velocity-wise, with current powders and in modern strong actions, I believe you will note that nowhere have I made the satatement that "faster is better". I have merely described what is possible. As a matter of fact, I generally maintain
that when a bullet has reached the velocity of say 2200 to 2300 FPS, it is going plenty fast enough for most applications, except or course that if it is going faster, it shoots somewhat flatter. However, often that difference is a matter of a mere two or three inches at 300 yards or so, which isn't a whole lot!