Custom 7X57 rifle

[Big Tom]

How would I go about finding a rifle to rechamber to 7X57?  :? I am totally naive to this process. To my knowlege, now that Ruger is discontinuing this caliber in the Model 77, ther are no factory bolt action rifles produced in this fine caliber. I have a #1-A Ruger in this caliber and love it.

[PaulS]

Big Tom,

While there are a couple of good choices for non-magnum 7mm's (280 and 284) I don't know of any that would allow a simple re-chambering to 7x57. You could get a medium length action and rebarrel to 7mm and cut any chamber you want or find an old military surplus rifle in 7x57 and sporterize it. You could also go the entire custom route and get a hold of one of the custom smiths in your area and have a rifle built from the ground up. If you're not in a hurry you can take your time and shop around at the gun stores and pawn shops for one in good shape it all comes down to how much you want to spend and how much time you want to wait for a new gun.

PaulS

[Yukon Jack]

Ruger is still listing the 7x57 in M77 Mark II Standard Walnut and Synthetic.  Also in the No. 1 RSI and A, at least it is still listed on their website.

If Ruger does discontinue their offering, Dakota or other semi custom shops will continue to offer the round.  Many of the European gunmakers will continue producing it too.  I haven't checked, but would bet CZ has it as part of their standard line.

I would imagine any competent rifle builder could build you one.

It is a grand old cartridge.  Properly loaded, it will approach 280 Remington ballistics and surpass the 7mm-08.  I'm sure a search on GunBroker, GunsAmerica, or any of the on-line gun houses would uncover a new or lightly used 7x57 for a decent price also.

[oneb]

I have one based on a Model 70 XTR FTW and it is the most accurtte inmy safe, besidses being light and easy recoiling.

I see them once in a while on the internet for around $500, allegedly in like new shape.

You can use as is or rebarrrel to 7x57 as all those actions are the same length with just spacers in the magazine.
 
Mine was rebarreled with a custonm twist, has a new Timney trigger, pillar bedding  and sits in a McMillan stock. Shoots like crazy, but it should at what it cost!

Good luck.

[blamethewind]

Find a Mauser 1908 or 1909 and sporterize it.  You won't find a finer deer rifle anywhere.  I have done several and my favorite deer rifle is my 1908 in 7x57.  It has never let me down.    

The problem with modern rifles is that the actions are either too short or too long.  No one makes an intermediate action which is what a Mauser 98 is.  

You will spend lots of money sporterizing one, but you will have a custom rifle when done.  Have you ever seen a Brinx truck at a funeral?  And don't let anyone tell you that a Mauser is not accurate.  Mine will all shoot subminute at 100 yards.  Blamethewind.

[razmuz]

I'm not a gunsmith, but here is an idea about making up your own 7X57.

Yugo M-48, This action is shorter than the M-98's (I think).
Boyd Stock made just for the Yugo.
Gentry three way safety and have Gentry put on a Douglass barrel and drill scope holes.  Some where around $600. all total.

See how easy it is.  I know some wit out there is going to shoot this theory all to hell.

[blamethewind]

Yugo 48's are not the most desirable, but one would work if that is all you had.  They are very common right now and cheap.  

I would stay away from Boyd stocks- at least until you have actually shouldered one.  I put a Boyd on my 1908 and was very happy with it until I began shooting it.  I needed about another inch on my trigger finger.  Other than that, it was a nice stock.  

Don't forget about a new bolt handle.  You will need to cut the old one off, and weld on a new one.  I have been using the Brownells cast bolt handles and filling the hole in the knob.  A bolt welding jig will really help.  

Blamethewind

[razmuz]

Blamethewind you must have really long arms.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't have to alter the bolt on the Yugo M-48.  Your the first one I've heard that doesn't think the M-48 is not as good as the 98.  Many 98's made during the War are crap.  The Yugo may not have the history, but it does have more modern steel.  SEE.

[razmuz]

I meant short arms.

[blamethewind]

The length of pull on the Boyd's stock was 14.75 inches.  That's a might long for most folks, I would think.  I like 13.5-13.75 depending on the grip.  The Boyd stock had a really long back sweep to the grip.  I just didn't like it.  I cut it off, and put the pad back on, but that only made the butt look short and out proportion.  I kept it, and maybe someday I will use on something else.  But, for now I am going to stick with Richards.  Their stocks fit me well and feel good in the grip area because of the palm swell.    

The Yugo would work fine.  It's just that there are quite a few others that are considered better in most circles.  Like we say up north, "Whatever floats your canoe."  Blamethewind.

[blamethewind]

Even if the bolt has been bent, you will have to use very high  mounts for it to clear the scope.  Plus they look like crap.  If you are just going to shoot it as is, then you won't have to do anything to it.  But, if you want a nice looking job, you will need to cut the old bolt off at the proper place, grind the stub appropriately, and well on the new handle.  A TIG welder will do the best job .  

Blamethewind