6.5x55mm Swedish
Fans of 6.5s simply must appreciate the magic of the Swede’s 6.5x55mm round. There’s a reason those early Swedish Mausers still find their place in shooting competitions and hunts to this day. Not only were the rifles well-built gems, but the round itself has stood the test of time (since the 1890s, in fact), seeing military service in both Sweden and Norway.
Related Review: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 Swede – New Kid on the Block Challenges 130-year Veteran
It’s a flat shooter and quite gentle on the shoulder, yet can easily handle the biggest deer. The rimless cartridge may be wrongly overlooked today, but do yourself a favor and take this aging darling out for a test drive. Ammunition is still offered by multiple manufacturers, including Remington, Nosler, Hornady and Federal.
Early Original: Original Swedish Mauser
Modern Production: Tikka T3X Hunter, Mauser M18, Sako 90
7x57mm Mauser
Another military cartridge hits the list, this one from 1892 Germany. The Peter Paul Mauser brainchild excelled then and still does, given the opportunity. Don’t forget: the 7x57 Mauser launches the same projectiles as other newer, now more popular rounds like the 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm-08 Rem. As an aside, the 7x57 essentially moonlights as the .275 Rigby on British soil.
Avid readers of classic adventure writers will equate the round with storied Karamojo Bell and his African elephant harvests. There’s far too much history to the round, from early smokeless powder to horrors of war, for this snippet. Though very capable on much larger and more dangerous game, the 7x57 still, and perhaps most, excels on deer. Ammunition is still offered by multiple manufacturers, including Norma, Sellier & Bellot, Federal, and Nosler.
Early Original: German Mauser
Modern Production: Ruger No 1, Winchester Model 70, Ruger 77
.257 Roberts
One thing is certain: if you meet a hunter shooting .257 Roberts, you should take notice. Far too few shooters today recognize one of the gentler shooting, overshadowed, yet terribly useful rounds out there. Where it lacks the ability to upsize and downsize like some others on this list, the “Bob” is just right in terms of whitetail medicine.
Still, it remains the most obscure on this list in terms of both guns and ammo, yet refuses to be forgotten. Itself a 7x57 casing necked down to .25 caliber, the .257 Roberts may not be the fastest or flattest of its kin, but this throwback quarter-bore carries its nostalgia with class while simultaneously bagging bucks.
Ammunition continues to be offered by multiple manufacturers, including Hornady, Remington, and Nosler.
Early Original: Remington Model 30, Winchester Model 54
Modern Production: Kimber 84M, Ruger Hawkeye, Remington 700 Classic
.300 Savage
The .300 Win Mag is more potent. So is the Weatherby. The H&H a do-all classic. But what of the one that came first, the .300 Savage?
It defined generations of hunters, is the most recognizable chambering of the magnificent Savage Model 99 lever actions, and – oh yeah – it’s also a buster of a deer round. As an added bonus, the .300 Sav is plenty capable on larger game, and does it all with more manageable recoil than many of the other younger .30-calibers.
Call it slow and underpowered if you must, but I’ll keep using it on deer. The bullet selection may be limited to 150 or 180-grainers, but that’s all one really needs. Uncomplicated. Practical. Nostalgic. Few rifles today are chambered in .300 Savage, but a Savage 99 is all you need. Ammunition is still offered by multiple manufacturers, including Hornady, Federal, and Winchester.
Early Original: Savage 99
Modern Production: Remington 760, Remington 700 Classic, Remington 722
