Purchase question

[kombi1976]

I'm approaching buying another rifle for medium game. I'd been considering buying a new Handi-Rifle in 280 Rem for a few reasons:
1. I like the cal.  :-)
2.The ballistics are good & the cartridge is flexible.
3. The 280 Rem Handi-Rifle comes with a 26" barrel.

Now I know you guys are biased but my other option is a bolt gun in 7x57 Mauser(yep, .284 cal again) which would have to be 2nd hand for the same price but has the undeniable advantage of quicker follow-up shots, would possible have a better build quality(although not necessarily) & more easily available brass for reloading(which I already do).

Having taken this into consideration & also understanding that since I live in Australia I have ZERO access to the Barrel Accessory Program which makes NEF rifles such a great proposition, what do you think would be my best option? And lets try not to be too sentimental..........
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[MSP Ret]

If you can buy a good quality, good condition 7x57 bolt for the same money as a new Handi I say buy it!! If not, another option would be the 7mm-08 Handi. I have a shortened .280 Handi barrel (19")  and it is a great deer, moose  and black bear gun. I as you, like the .284 and have a 7x57 Handi and love it, it is a real tackdriver and more than capable for deer hunting to 250-300 yards. The accuracy is up to me not the gun, since the gun is easily up to the task. Tough decision you have there, good luck....<><.... :grin:

1) used bolt in 7x57  

2) Handi in .280

3) Handi in 7mm-08

4) what to do, what to do!  List the pro's and cons, expense, recoil, requirements for new caliber (what your going to use it for), bullet weight and rate of twist, availability of brass and loaded ammo, and last but not least, WHAT YOU WANT!!!

[Ditchdigger]

I have a 280 in my ultra and I really like it,but if you're going to need extra shots in a hurry I would go with the bolt gun. I would consider the 6.5 X 55 Swede round also. I have a M 38 Swede thats extremly accurate and can be loaded pretty warm. Digger

[Mac11700]

Sorry to here you can't get in on the barrel program...that being the case...go for the bolt gun in 7 X 57...unless you have a good supply of componets already for the 280...or factory ammo is available...

Mac

[Donaldo]

I would vote for the 7x57 in the bolt rifle, considering the importing problems.  If the 7x57 is in a 98 or equal, it is the equal of or more than the 7mm08.  If I remember, the 57 mm case has slightly more capacity than the 308 case.  Besides I just like the sound of a 7x56.  No, not the report from the barrel.  :wink: I like it because it is like me, OLD.

[Paul5388]

Kombi,

For some reason that sounds like a 2.0 liter VW camper!  :grin:

I'm not real sure about the availability of various components down under, but it seems that a case that is easily convertible from one chambering to another may be a consideration.  

The military cases seem to be in abundant supply in most places.  With the 7.62 NATO being easy to obtain and probably the .30-06, I would think a chambering based on either case might be better than the 7X57.  It's a pretty simple task to fireform .30-06 into .280 cases and there isn't much to making 7-08 out of 7.62 NATO cases.

Most of the military 7X57's are on '92, '93 and '95 actions that aren't the strongest in the world.  That's the reason SAAMI has the pressure reduced on the 7X57 to 46,000 CUP.

[kombi1976]

If I buy a 7x57 it'll be either a BSA or Parker-Hale in all likelyhood as they are the most numerous in terms of 2nd hand sporter 7mm Mausers. Since they're basically a 98 action there wouldn't be a problem with loading the cartridge to its potential. I'd love to pick up one of the Sakos that float to the top now and again but they are really expensive for a 2nd hand rifle, although granted you get your money's worth. In fact if I hadn't decided to get a sporting rifle I could pick up a military 7x57 for half the price of a Handirifle.

The reason I want to get a 7x57 is that the round is so amazingly flexible. It doesn't have the bullet length limitations that the 7mm-08 does as you get into the heavier bullet weights. The other thing about the 7mm-08 is that it's just as hard to get cases for over here as the .280 Rem & I don't look forward to having to resize a whole stack of cases. I already have to do that for another centerfire I own.  :?

And for the record, up until recently I drove a VW 2.0l Bus daily, hence my handle.  :grin:

[Paul5388]

Kombi,

The last one I had was a 1971 1.6 liter dual port.  They were amazingly versatile, but couldn't stand the Texas heat too well.

I had no idea the 7X57 would be plentiful ammo, since I don't believe Australia ever used it as a military round.  

The BSA or Parker-Hale would be a good choice, given comparable price with a Handi.  The 7X57 is indeed a fine cartridge, if it can be loaded to its potential.  It seems like I just read recently, its other name is .275 Rigby.

[MSP Ret]

You are correct Paul5388, .275 Rigby is the British name for the 7x57 Mauser....<><.... :grin: