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ammo question

Tom Lee A
Ok, this may sound stupid, but I have never really understood the difference between .38 Special and .38 Special +P. I have had only a limited amount of experience with a .38 Special for starters. I guess I just need to know what the difference between the two is, does +P have to be shot through a "special" type of .38 revolver and can I shoot +P through a .357 revolver?

Thanks!
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  • Tom Lee A
    Can someone give me the difference between Sellier@Belliot 7x57 and 7x57R ammo? I have bought a rifle that is configured with the 7x57R caliber, and I would like to get a couple of boxes to have, but would actually be putting the gun up and not firing it, as it is unfired now.

    There are some 7x57 available on the auction side now.

    Thanks.
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  • 284 Fan
    7X57 is a rimless case the 7X57R has a rimmed case. To simplfy, the rimless is similiar to a 30-06 case while the R version is similiar to the 30-30 case. The rimless cases are usually shot is a bolt action rifles while the R version could be used in a drilling or break action single shot. Performance should be the same.
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  • nononsense
    Tom Lee A,

    7x57R Mauser

    7x57r.jpg

    This, rimmed version of the 7x57 Mauser, was developed for use in breechbreak combination guns, circa 1892, shortly after introduction of the rimless 7x57 Mauser. This type of gun is very popular for all-around hunting use in central Europe. Most of these comparatively weaker break-open designs require loads that generate somewhat less than typical bolt-action chamber pressure. Similarly, because these designs often generate modest extraction force, rimmed cartridges and modest pressures, to ensure positive extraction under all circumstances, are preferred.

    This cartridge was designed for and is loaded to meet these requirements and is a popular choice for this application. Since many of these rifles are necessarily very lightly constructed, in order to keep weight reasonable, despite the existence of three or four barrels, and to minimize wear and tear on the intricate and often delicate required lockwork, loads must not generate high recoil forces or chamber stress.

    As with most rimmed cartridges of this genre, the 7x57 is therefore necessarily less powerful than the rimless parent cartridge. However, since such guns are usually used at short-to-medium ranges, this represents no practical limitation and the 7x57R is generally suitable for hunting the same species as is the 7x57. In Europe, this is close to being an ideal all-around chambering. It is sufficiently powerful for moose hunting in Scandinavia and is almost perfect for hunting roe deer and is certainly sufficient for use against any lesser species.

    Since it was specifically designed for use in break-open rifles and combination guns, it is seldom seen in the US. However, for those who prefer such guns and modest recoil, this is a superior choice for most North American hunting, on almost any species, with the exception of the largest bears.


    7x57 Mauser

    7x57.jpg

    This is one of the best-balanced cartridges ever designed. This is particularly remarkable since it was introduced in 1892. It was a military development and was adopted by Spain and several South American countries. It was used with brutal success against the British in the Boer War in South Africa and against US troops in the Spanish-American War.

    In the hunting field, it has proven to be one of the best all-around sporting cartridges of all time. It combines a relatively flat trajectory, moderate recoil, a wide selection of bullet weights, and sufficient energy to cleanly dispatch most species, worldwide. It has been used successfully for the harvest of every species of big game on Planet Earth!

    In Great Britain it was called the 275 Rigby, after that famous gunmaker adopted this chambering in 1907, in connection with import of other Mauser products. Many other British gunmakers have also chambered this round.

    In Europe, this is still a very popular choice for all-around use. It does not usually generate a lot of damaged meat on smaller species, such as roe deer, yet it is powerful enough for use on larger species. With proper bullets, careful shot selection and placement (and a hunter who is willing to pass up shots at too great a range) it is sufficient for hunting all North American species.

    However, most experts would consider it on the light side for moose and the largest bear. Nevertheless, this was "Karamojo" Bell's favorite chambering; he used it, with FMJ bullets, for hunting all African game - including hundreds (perhaps thousands!) of elephants, all cleanly dispatched with brain shots. (Shot placement and proper bullet performance always trump brute force.)

    Best.
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