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From: ke4zv!gary@gatech.edu (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Mauser 7x57 for Deer
Message-ID: <532@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
Date: 13 Apr 91 12:27:27 GMT
References: <504@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
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In article <504@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> djg@flammulated.rice.edu (David J. Grimme) writes:
>
>I was looking at the reviews of the surplus Mausers here and in a couple
>of magazines, and was considering getting one for deer hunting.  How is
>the 7x57 mm round in a '95 Mauser for deer?  I like the idea of using a
>historic rifle, but would I be better off getting something else?  Has
>anybody else used one of these for hunting or are they inappropriate?
>The deer around here are rather small and I know of some hunters who use 
>.270 rifles.  I think the velocities are similar, but the 7x57 does have
>lower kinetic energy.  Would a later model ('98 for example) be better?
>What about the other calibers?  This would be my first surplus rifle,
>and I'd like actually to use it for hunting and not just for target
>practice.  Any comments?

The 7x57 is one of the finest rifle calibers ever invented. It is
suitable for all North American game, though I'd prefer something
heavier for bear or elk. The 7x57 has been used on all African game,
again though, using it on elephant or rhino requires a brave expert
and it is now illegal for the big five in Africa. The 7x57 has the
best mix of ballistics and power of any of the medium calibers, I
wouldn't hesitate to use it on deer. In fact, I *have* used it on deer
many times. The 98 Mauser is a much better rifle than the 95, but the
95 is an ok rifle.

Gary