Which would be the better choice, a G33/40 or the MRC action? I've heard the MRC short action is perfect for the 7x57.

Strengths and weaknesses of both?

We built a 7X57 on a MRC action for my son. Gun is heavy for caliber but for the kind of deer hunting we do he likes it a lot. The G33/40 would be my choice for a lite rifle. My son is left handed so we didn't have a lot of actions to pick from.

Another vote for the G.33/40 but just beware how much money you can sink into one in order to make it into a nice custom. If your budget for the complete project is less than $5000, I would say to use the MRC but they take some work too.

Another great option would be to find a BRNO 21 in 7X57 and use it as-is until you want to work over the metal and restock it. The small ring BRNO is a wonderful action and will require less work than the G.33/40. The factory barrels are worth using on a budget conscious custom project.

How old is your son?

257 lightweight was one criteria, but not the deciding factor

Forrest- funny you should mention the 21H as I recently took delivery of a Dennis Erhardt custom .30-06 on that action.

BTW $5000 is not over budget

I saw a nice mannlicher 7x57mm "work in progress" over the weekend, on a clean Polish Mauser.

I know..I know... small ring large thread.

Rich

Interarms Mark X made a few in 7 X 57 using a blocked long action......so did Winchester....look for one of these

quote:

Originally posted by nyrifleman:
BTW $5000 is not over budget

In that case, find a good G.33/40 or small ring BRNO and go to town on it. The 1909 Peruvian is also a great place to start; it's a large ring/small thread intermediate length action that is just perfect for something like a 7X57 - you could really pour some money into one of these.

I have been working on one built on a 1908 Brazilian action...the best thing? It feeds flawlessly!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by richj:
I saw a nice mannlicher 7x57mm "work in progress" over the weekend, on a clean Polish Mauser.

I know..I know... small ring large thread.

Rich

Rich, was it a Radom? If so, how do they stack up as far as modern ammo (7x57) used in them?

I like the "crest"

I forget which one. just letters on the crest.

quote:

Originally posted by nyrifleman:
257 lightweight was one criteria, but not the deciding factor

Forrest- funny you should mention the 21H as I recently took delivery of a Dennis Erhardt custom .30-06 on that action.

BTW $5000 is not over budget

Could you please post some pictures of your custom Erhardt 21H?

Just for the heck of it consider the 7-08 and take a look at the Winchester Classic Short Action. You won't have to spend super amounts to get that action ready for a fine custom rifle, and the 7-08 cartridge provides all that the 7 x 57 does. It is definitely more readily available than a g.33/40 or a BRNO 21.

The 7x57 is not a very long cartridge, even when using 175's seated way out. FN and Oberndorf often used intermediate length actions for this chambering. I believe Mauser called it their Model C, and FN thier Model 24 or 30.

If you are using a standard length action, large or small ring, consider the 7x64. It is the standard medium bore cartridge for just about every country except this one.

MHC- I can take a few if someone here will post them.

The reason I was looking at the MRC was I've read that its action/box sixe was perfect for the 7x57.

I'm not interested in building on a long action Winchester (I'd do a .280) nor the 7mm-08, it just doesn't have that "classic" appeal that I'd build a $5000+ rifle on.

Forrest- the G33/40 was my first choice, just wondering how the MRC compares.

BTW Lee Helgeland will be the primary on the rifle.

IMO, the Mexican Mauser makes the nicest custom 7x57. If you don't want to spend a bundle but still want top quality I'd look for a Brno 21/22.

Roger Ferrell has the 1910 Mexican action I picked up on gunbroker.com a few weeks back. He received it and did an inspection for me that day. All is well with it and in a couple years, assuming the Obamanator doesn't throw a stick in the spokes, it'll be a 7x57 built along the styling of an early 1900's british such as Rigby or H&H. This is the action that Roger recommended.

David

BRNO 21/22 series action is a standard length action and would be my first choice. Forrest is right about the quality of the action and factory barrel. I have never had one that shot bad and I have had a lot of them. MRC has an intermediate length action that is perfect for the 7x57. It is a mauser-winchester-pre64-m70 cross breed. Taking some of the positive qualities from these two designs makes a nice action. Be prepared to do a little clean up work on the MRC to make it suitable for a $5000+ custom.

quote:

Interarms Mark X made a few in 7 X 57 using a blocked long action

I've owned two MKXs in 7x57. One is my wifes current rifle. Both used the std MKX action with a 3.4" box. My 22-250, 243, 308 used the long action with a block in the back of the magizine and a shorter follower.