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David Gregory from "The Kingfisher" wrote me a most interesting letter which I am repeating here:
Good morning Andries,
I came across your website whilst doing some Googling and I have to say it’s been a thoroughly interesting read! Firstly on shot placement, I was taught to come up the back of the front leg on a broadside animal to the elbow bulge to hit the heart. Interesting to see your placement being more the middle of the front leg.
I’ve also enjoyed the 375 Ruger series and preparing it for Africa, hopefully it ends well.
7x57 Musgrave
I currently have a 7x57 Musgrave K98 Light built in the early 90s in the original factory and it’s a beauty. I love the calibre and wanted to ask for your thoughts on bullets to use. I have just started reloading and used to use Federal Powershok 175gr or PMP Pro-Am 170gr as this was what my gun shop had.
I am thinking of a bonded or monolithic bullet to give me the biggest margin of error on larger animals (zebra, blue wildebeest, gemsbok and eland) as I’m not sure how the previous 2 bullet would perform particularly if thicker bone is hit. I also want to ensure sufficient penetration on these bigger animals out to a max of 300m – most of hunting is under 200m but I want to know I have the right bullet if I need to.
On the monolithic bullets, I’m looking at the 140gr to 150gr to give me sufficient speed to be able to open up at the extended range as most seem to have a requirement of 1,600 to 1,800 f.p.s.
On the bonded side I’m looking at the Interbond 154gr (Biggest they make it seems) or Accubond 160gr or Partition 160gr.
To be honest I’m running in circles a little trying to make up my mind and would like to ask what you use in your 7x57?
9.3x62mm / .375H&H
I am thinking of a larger calibre to give me more margin for error on bigger animals and looking at these 2 calibres. I like the 9.3mm for its size, slightly cheaper running costs and recoil (I haven’t had the chance to shoot a .375) but if I ever get the opportunity to hunt a buff, I don’t want to be caught short legally. Similar parameters to my 7x57 is that I would like to know that I am able to reach out to 300m with sufficient penetration on the larger animals.
I see you have had extensive experience with both and wanted your thoughts?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you again for a superb website, with a ton of useful articles.
Regards,
David Gregory
The Kingfisher
"I need to make a final call about the 9.3 or 375 at some point."
Even though I now want a 9,3x62 having used the impeccable .375 H&H since my first buffalo at age 17 with a post WW II Winchester M70 in .375 H&H I may stay with the principle my grandfather was adamant about: he was wise to even in those years knew that there is no difference in bushveld hunting on the animal whether you used a 30-06 or .303 Brit, or a 7x57 or a 7,9x57 or 6.5x57/58.
His advice to me was to look the rifles over that were standing on the shelves - and ask to hold that one which appeals to you without…
Thank you for your response Andries, I'm on the same page with everything.
Going to look at the VLRD4 and VRG3 in 140gr and 150gr (Leaning towards this for your reasons) and Interlocks 175gr (Have on hand) to start with.
I need to make a final call about the 9.3 or 375 at some point.
My apologies, somehow the following got lost in action :-)
1) "Regarding the Interlock (175gr - heaviest in 7mm) and the Pro-Am (170gr - heaviest in 7mm), what would your max distance be from a 7x57 to ensure sufficient penetration and ability to break heavy bone? Or the better question, what should the impact speed be of the bullet at that distance?"
Ignoring bullet drop (most shooters know their bullets' trajectories and have a rangefinder - so bullet drop is not an issue any more) the 175 gr Hornady Interlock / 170 gr ProAmm) will penetrate to at least the opposite shoulder at 250 meter, even if the on-side humerus is broken. At 250 meter the 175 / 170 g…
Andries, you are a wealth of information and your response is greatly appreciated!
So it seems either or stock shape wise in those 2 calibres so that's good news. My Bavarian stock shape is nothing but preference and I have never shot any other shape stock than a straight stock. Probably something I should do as see.
Thank you for your explanation on the Partition, you make a very good point there.
2 questions which you may have missed: 1) Regarding the Interlock (175gr - heaviest in 7mm) and the Pro-Am (170gr - heaviest in 7mm), what would your max distance be from a 7x57 to ensure sufficient penetration and ability to break heavy bone? Or the better question, what should…
I owe you an explanation about my negative view of the revered Nosler Partition.
Because the rear end of the bullet is virtually an enclosed, thick jacketed partition with a almost locked in lead insert, and the front end is the same but with a very thin jacket (like the Ballistic Tip) the front end invariably and immediately breaks off when the bullet hits bone at high impact velocity. The rear end has enough integrity to tumble forward and penetrate well and even exit.
Up to the point of divesting itself of its nose the bullet causes unacceptable meat damage with slivers of lead and copper sideways and all over into the meat. The rear end tumbles all the wa…