I have a surplus (to my current needs) Zastava Mauser action that I was planning to make into a 6.5x55 or a 7x57. However, lately I have been thinking that perhaps a 7x64 would be a bit of fun. I plan to hunt medium sized game in Australia, Africa and perhaps Europe with the finished rifle. I have plenty of larger calibres, so finding the most powerful or flattest shooting cartridge is not the driver for this project. I would be interested in your thoughts on this topic.

quote:

and perhaps Europe

I believe that both the 6.5x55 and 7x57 are illegal in France, if you are planning on hunting there. Due to being old military calibres.

Fergus,

I don't have any experience with the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser but in the past decade or so it has become a very popular cartridge in the States. With a good rifle, componets and loads it has the reputation as being extraordinarily accurate, mild shooting cartridge.

I've 2 7x57's, (one a 7x57R) and it is a very good cartridge, period. Even my wife who cringes at anything above the power of a .22 LR, shoots both rifles comfortably. If one was to compare recoil vs. game-taking power it; like the .308 Winchester is probably one of the best balanced & powered cartridges in existence in my opinion; especially when loaded with long-g-g-ish heavy for caliber weight bullets. They simply bore through pretty much anything, I've taken lots of game with it and it remains one of my all-time favorite combinations of rifle & cartridge; the 7x57R and my Blaser K-95.

I'm in the middle of a current love affair with the 7x64. For the past several months I've been loading this cartidge for a hunting buddy and continue to ask myself why I waited so long to discover the joys of this cartridge. Very popular here in Europe, a great cartridge shape that verges on an improved design - it is everything the .280 Remington should have been originally, mild recoil and is accurate. I really like it. If I had an extra left-handed action laying around at the moment this one would get the nod; to the point where I'm already considering a new barrel for the R93!

Have fun with your new project!

Fergus,

Seems to me 7x64 would be a nice choice for that action and would meet your needs well. I happen to really like the round. It has a nicely balanced look to it and in my mind a touch more class than a 280 Remington. Here in Switzerland I can pick-up almost unlimited amounts of once-fired RWS brass at the range for my use. Not sure whether brass and reamer availability comes into your decision equation.

Of course 270 Win, 280 Rem or 30-06 would do an equal job, as would the other two you already mentioned. Choices…..


Cheers,
- stu

Just another thought, what about 6.5x57 Mauser? No real reason other than “becauseâ€.

Go for the 7x64. An absolutly fantastically versatile caliber for Europe and Africa. Not military so OK in France + Belgium.
Load her up with 139gn ballistic tips @ 2950 fps and you have a great long range flat shooting rifle. For Afica and heavy European reds/wild boar try 175gn round nose SP at 2600 fps.
In fact I shot a nice fallow buck yesterday as part of my cull plan, and in December I will take it to Germany for the wild boar.

Mark

7*64 is the only way to go!

Aleko

Guys

Thanks for the input. You made my decision very easy

I use a 6.5x57 and a 7x64 for general hunting.
The 7x64 gets out more often.
I recommend LAPUA Brass for this caliber.
ozhunter

When you talk about medium sized game in Africa, what sort of game are you talking about?

I am a fan on .30 or 8mm or larger for African plains game. Too much walking following up game over the years to not want to drop them quickly.

Nitro

The 7x64 will be the smallest bore I own, other than varmint or target rifles. I already have plenty of bigger bores and to be honest, would be more likely to use these for the majority of my hunting. But the idea of something like a 7mm appeals and should handle game like most pigs in Australia or many of the plains game species if I decide to take it to Africa. And I pretty much only use a premium bullet when hunting, so think I should be right on most game with the 7mm.

Fergus, I sent PM.

Fergus

You are 100% right. A 7x64 will be a very nice calibre and pleasant too for Aussie and pretty good on most African plains game too.

Another vote for the 7x64. I love mine, even though it is harder for me to find brass here in the U.S. than it is for hunters in Europe of Africa. I have confidently killed game up to North American Elk (Wapiti) with the 7x64 or its twin, the .280 Remington.

Fergus, you have hit on everyones favourite discussion topic - the best calibre to choose! Almost everyone has their own preference. I have used both 6.5x55 and 7x57. Both are fine cartridges, and will certaibly do admirably on most European game. Both of these calibres are well behaved and easy on the shoulder. I don't have any experience of 7x64

I`m sorry to wee on everybodys fire but isn`t the 7x64 a 280 rem????
soorrryyyyyyyyyyy

7x64 is not a 280, but they are pretty close in terms of size. A 280 in metric would be 7x63, 270 is 6.8x63.

The real difference is that the 7x64 in European factory loads is loaded to its full potential, the US factory loads for the 280 are at lower pressures as the round was initially designed for autoloaders.

I have a 275, 375 and couldn't find 475 (no 2) so made do with 500

The .275 I am massively impressed with and would shoot anything up to and including Kudu with it (170g Nosler Partition)

It is the African PG cartridge as the Boers and many hunters since have demonstaretd time and again - it punches well above its weight - a bit like a 375 does

If you get it stamped 275 (as mine is) you wont have a problem in France