Old Number Seven a classic cartridge

For a cartridge that began life more than 100 years ago, the 7x57 still refuses to fade away. Granted there has been the revived interest in older ‘classic’ cartridges that also include the 6.5x55, but there is something about the old 7mm that makes it hold its place.

It tends to make you think a bit. All these flash new ultra Magnums mostly hung well with four-letter acronyms have not reached the level of popularity in this country many would have expected. Stand-by cartridges like the .308 and the .243 will probably continue to please most shooters, but why does a 100-plus-year-old round still retain a solid following?

Seven mil enthusiasts will wax lyrically about how many elephants that dean of hunters, WDM Bell, shot with his 7x57. Although he used a Rigby rifle that was a .275 Rigby, it was still a