This week I got a phone call from my local FFL dealer that a very special SP had come in. I am now the proud owner of a "Thor" in 6.5x57R by Tanfoglio. This is the blued version. I have 100 rounds of RWS brass and Redding dies. I have determined AOL with a 142 SMK and have 100 rounds primed and ready to stuff powder and bullets for load development. It is sporting a 3-12 Burris LER currently but will wear a Mark IV 8.5-25 Leupold LR/T with TMR for load development. This is the first European cartridge chambered for the Thor in the US, but it is a standard chambering for the Thor/Raptor and can be available here. RWS brass is on the same quaklity line as Lapua. The 6.5x57R is simply a rimmed 7x57 Mauser case necked down to 6.5 with a rim. It's performance level will be somewhere between the 260 Remington and the 6.5-284. Since it's throating is longer than I expected (to my joy) I will be able to take full advantage of the case capacity even with 142 SMK's. After SHOTS, I should have a real good feel for the Thor. I will take pics soon. The case and the accessories it comes with is so professional-I'm impressed.
Bill Hicks Company is a distributor for the Thor.
They stock every chambering that E.A.A lists. The man to contact if you are a FFL holder is Matt Taschner:
1-800-223-0702 (Ask for Matt)
Some of the chamberings he has in stock is:
223
270 Win.
308 Win.
44 Mag.
45-70

XP, how has the Thor been shooting? Curious to know what game you have taken as well

Sean,
Sorry for so long to reply. After some very initial load development I have put over 100 rounds through it @ ranges out to 600 yards doing some prone field shooting with a Harris Bi-Pod on steel targets. Accuracy has been great and I intend to use it on deer in this upcoming season. My elk season got knocked out this year so I also intend for the Thor to be one of the SP's I use to do some LR PD shooting.
Ranges will be from 600 yards to the one mile mark. Although I do not plan to use the 14 inch 6.5x57R for one mile PD's, I am positive it can take one out to 1k. The next time I go to Pella, IA 1000 yard match I also intend popping some clay pigeons at 1000 yards with it too.

Here is a pic of the 6.5x57R Thor and a custom Savage Striker in the field. Notice how compact & field practical the Thor is.

Ernie, when is the next match in Pella? I hope to have a new 3x12 Burris soon after working all weekend doing storm restoration in central OK. Got a little OT.
Did you ride in the bike race in Bethany this last weekend? I was just North of Bethany at Piedmont putting power lines back up.

MIke

Yes, I did the ride @ Bethany but it rained the whole time and they ultimately closed the course. I did get in 65 miles though.
Labor day weekend (Actually, Thursday, Friday & Saturday) is the next match but it is the Nationals. The next one after that is September 23-24 (Friday is a practice day). I doubt if I am going to Nationals, but I may get to go to the match on the 24th.
There will be no Handgun Class @ Nationals.
If I go, one of the kids will go with me and I will be shooting the Thor some @ 1k.
Here is what Kristen and I shot @ Pella @ 1k in the spring.

Mike,
BTW--When we were almost into OKC last week the storm hit so hard on I-35 we had to pull over and wait it out

Here is the newest pic of my 14 inch 6.5x57R Thor

Now the other side.