Some help please on choosing which action to use.

We are building a .275 Rigby looking/styled 7x57 rifle for my wife. Long throated to shoot 175gn bullets in the 2600 to 2700 fps range.

I was planning on using the 1909 Argentine action. But the more I think about it, I have a very clean Small ring 1910 Mexican. It would weigh about the same but would look very trim, the barrel shank could be a bit smaller that would save some weight.It will have a slender 25" LW barrel.

So, 2 questions:
1. Will the 3.118 Mexican box be long enough to fit long COL 175gn loads to get the desired velocity?
2. Which would build up to look more like a .275 Rigby (like the pictures of Bells rifles posted recently) a Small Ring 1910 Mexican or the Large Ring 1909 Argentine?

Of course the barrel will be stamped .275 Rigby!

Allen

two things

1. You might be a bit disappointed in the 2,600-2,700'/sec goal with 175s

2. I'd use the Mexican Mauser and have it throated just for the 175 as seated for that magazine.

Save the Argy for a 30-06 length cartridge.

If you decide to go with the Mex you might consider using Yugo 24/47 or 48 bottom metal. Receiver screw spacing is the same but the length is a bit over 1/8" longer, 3.232" .

I'll also have to agree with Vapo on your velocity goal. If you reach 26-2700 with a 175gr bullet, I think you will have a "hot load" goin' on.

I like the idea of the Mexican action for the looks, but I also like the idea of the longer bottom metal.

I also think 2700 FPS with the heavy bullets is going to be stetching it. I had mine built on a VZ24 action with a 24" barrel and it absolutely loves the 173 gr. S&B load. However it only runs at 2413 FPS average. My best load with the Hornady 154 gr. bullet runs 2665 FPS with a near max load of Rel 19. I've not tried handloading it with anything heavier.

Of course you can tell by the images which action matches up with the Bell rifles.

I think you'll be very pleased with the 7X57.

I have safe loads of 2600 fps with a 175 in the strong, VERY long throated Ruger 77 I have. I wont say 2700 is absolutly impossible, but I'd sure hate to abuse my rifle to try and reach it.

I'd use the Mex Mauser opened up just a bit.

The 160 grain Partition will do everything (and more) than the old 175 grain cup and core bullet would do.

THat particular rifle owned by Bell was a large ring, so you would need to use the '09 if you are looking to recreate it.

I have killed a wide variety of game with the 7x57-most of it with the 160 gr Nosler Partition. I use a load of WW 760 that FInn Aagard posted in an article back in the mid-80's when I wa sstill in high school. I have used it with no problem for years, but both of my 7x57's have long throats. I am not one to "hot rod" my loads, and hope this one is not too hot. I may send soem to White's to have them pressure tested one of these days.

Anyway, I have taken a couple of moose with that load and would tackle any non-dangerous game with it. And it would work on dangerous game, but would be light.

Forget getting anywhere near 2700 fps witht he 175 gr bullet. 2600 will be a stretch with anything under a 26" barrel.

I shoot 175gr bullets for bear over bait. It will really not do anything that the 160 Partition will not do, but I just like using heavy for caliber bullets. My old load was 175 gr Hawk RN, 3.085 OAL, and was running 2476 fps @ 15' from muzzle. There are powders that give slightly higher velocities, but I have never chased every last fps and prefer to keep my powder supply at a minimum.

Swapped bullets and powder this year (started using a powder in 2 calibers, so I tried it in the 7mm too). It has a 175 gr Woodleigh, OAL of 3.135, and I have not clocked it yet-but hope to do some chronographing in the next 2 weeks.

Have loaded Hornady 175 gr RN to an OAL of 3.053".

For reference, the 160 gr Partition is loaded to an OAL of 3.180 and runs 2717 fps @ 15' from muzzle.

All of these are seated to fit a custom 7x57 that I made myself. It has a 60 cm (23 5/8") barrel. I always cut the throat seperate from th echamber so I can fit it any way I like. These loads also fit very well in a BRNO 21H that I use from time to time. Don't know how long that throat is, but it is longer than the one I made.

As you can see, a very long loaded 7x57 will easily fit in even the mExican magazine. YOu will gain nothing by seating the bullet out even farther. Literally-you will gain nothing. If you stick the bullet out much farther than what I am doing, you will have precious little in the neck of the case. FOlks think there is a magical velocity increase as the bullet is seated each .010" farther out. If yoy loaded it .100 farther than me, you might gain 20fps if you are very lucky. That is nothing, and you are adding expense and risk to the action to chase 10 fps in the real world.

Sounds like you will have a nice rifle when you are finished. Will it be a take down? Will you be able to post a pic of a babe standing beside a dead elephant with your rifle? Who will you have build it? Will you have the Rigby QR scope rings?

I was going from memory about the FPS I guess that should be between 2500to 2600 fps.

We have decided to go with the 1910 Mexican for Heather's .275 Rigby.
With the small ring the 25" barrel (LW #5130 scaled down) shank and rear sight boss can be scaled to the action, should make for a nice trim rifle for her.

Will use NECG banded rear sight w/ 1 standing 2 folding, banded front sight & barrel band.
Jim Dubell will cut down either a Sunny Hill or Blackburn bottom metal to fit the Mexican action.
A 7" forearm and no cheek piece stock.
Not doing a takedown.

Either Smithson or EAW Quick-lock QD ring and bases.
Any thoughts on these two ring & base choices?

Heather may not be standing next to an Elephant but she sure will be standing next to something dead with her rifle!

Allen

Sounds really nice.

The EAW mounts are going to look clunky on that trim action. I'd go with the Smithsons or have Jim make some sculpted bases and use Talley rings. If she's going to use the scope almost exclusively, I'd use the Talley rings with a screw lock and cut down a hex key to fit in a trapdoor grip cap. That'll keep everything very neat and clean.

I like the standard Talley rings with two screws at the top. They need a little file work and polishing to make them look nice and to get rid of the "Talley" logo on them. On nice rifles, I swap out the torx screws for slotted screws.

EAW's are also very high. I Like fairly high mounted scopes, but know low ones are en vogue these days. SOmething else to consider when picking your mount.

I used a 1909 Peruvian mauser

Of course "275 Rigby" on the barrel

PS: a tiny "7x57" on the other side of the barrel in case i ever got it to Africa.