7x64 Ammo

[Courtland Boland]

WilhelmBrenneke began producing his 7x64mm cartridge in 1917, basing it on the 8x64mm cartridge released in 1912. Brenneke's goal was to obtain ballistics better than the 8x64mm by reducing the neck of the case to a diameter of 7mm, though still using a charge and bullet of similar weight. The ballistics did improve just as he hoped, and the 7x64mm moved to the head of the class in terms of hunting cartridges in inter-war Europe. 7x64mm ammo was so popular, even the German Army took notice of its reputation for reliability and a flat trajectory. While they considered using the 7x64 to replace the 8mm Mauser, which their snipers used, logistical issues prevented this from happening.

The most common rifles that fire the 7x64 are Mauser-type bolt action, although there is a rimmed version also produced for rifles with break-open actions. Bullets most commonly weigh between 140 grains and 175 grains, with several configurations available including soft point, Nosler Partition and PSP Core-Lokt. Muzzle velocities range between 2,700 to more than 3,000 feet per second. Muzzle energy for these rounds reaches 2,800 foot pounds.

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer and is for informational purposes only. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

The first was 8x64 from 1912 which was designed in a an attempt to get a government contract for a more powerful military round than the 8x57. The attempt was in vain, but as the 7x57 was already popular Brenneke also constructed the 7x64 in 1917 - 40 years before the almost identical .280 Remington was introduced. Designed solely as a hunting cartridge the 7x64 is very widespread in Central Europe as several countries here have banned the use of military calibers for hunting.

A question that constantly arises as the hunting season approaches is which bullet is preferable. To answer that question, you should first ask yourself a few questions. At what distance do you expect to drop your game? Is the minimum possible flight distance or minimal meat destruction a priority?

Has the wild boar hunt gone well? Wild boar ham adds an additional dimension, a tasty one, to the Christmas table. And just like with successful hunting, it is important to plan well, but we all know how good the result will be. Click here to get to the recipe.

This golden and delicious dish is a classic, not least for hunters and others who enjoys to prepare game. Roasted turkey is easy to cook and makes you an instant favorite among the guests! Click here to get to the recipe.

Capercaillie is the bird that bears the clearest flavors from the wilds, which creates unique and delicious dishes with a lot of taste and aroma. It is not uncommon to also feel hints of the capercaillie's one-sided diet of pine needles and junipers. Click here to get to the recipe

Wild meat is an asset worth honoring. From forest to table it is often said, and we at Norma see that step one to a rich game stew, is when you squeeze the trigger. In this recipe, we offer a tasty stew with moose meat and funnel chanterelles. Serve with mashed potatoes and lingonberries. Click here to get the recipe.

In Sweden we are celebrating Midsummer this time of the year. A hearty midsummer lunch is the basis for getting energy for dancing and festivities with friends and family. Today we will share a recipe for a delicious buffet with venison as a basis. The buffet is of course good for any festive occasion.

Wikipedia says that:

" The 764mm is a popular hunting cartridge in Central Europe due to its 11.95 mm (0.470 in) case head diameter and 84 mm (3.3 in) overall length allowing it to easily be chambered in the Mauser 98 bolt action rifle that was once standard German military issue."

I do not understand how it is possible to chambers 7x64 into 8x57. Please explain.

The famous German cartridge designer Wilhelm Brenneke put an 8x64 together in hopes of getting a military contract to build a more powerful military offering to replace the 8x57. Although unsuccessful with the contract, but owing to the popularity of the 7x57, his 1917 offering of the 7x64 (the term ""Brenneke"" is often left off the name for some reason) quickly became a hit with hunters, particularly in countries that banned the use of military rounds. Its use is widespread in Central Europe.

The designation 7x64 means a bullet diameter of 7mm (.284 inch) and a case length of 64mm. Using a 7mm bullet gives the cartridge superb ballistics as the 7mm family of bullets carry some of the highest ballistic coefficients available in their bullet weights. These bullets shoot like they are on rails! With the larger case capacity, the 7x64 is capable of pumping out lead ranging from 130 grains up to 175 grains with muzzle energies approaching 2800 foot pounds and speeds closing in on 3000 feet per second! Pretty impressive performance, right? Using the proper bullets, this dandy cartridge is suitable for almost all North American game animals.

Made for hunters who truly believe in the values of traditional gun craftsmanship. This rifle features a highly durable walnut stock with an ergonomic design providing an extra secure grip when shooting. To summarize, this is widely considered by many the perfect major league all-around hunting rifle. Chambered in 7x64mm.

All variations of this weapon share their Shooting Skill and their Rank. This means that if you buy a variation, you will immediately have the shooting skill that you build with your previously owned versions. The harvests of all variations are added up to the according Hunter Score ranks.

All of this reloading information has been provided by Nammo Lapua Oy and Nammo Vihtavuori Oy. The data given here were obtained in laboratory conditions following strictly the CIP (Commission International Permanente) June 13, 1990 and November 9, 1993 rules. The listed maximum loads have been determined according to the respective CIP/SAAMI maximum pressure specification, whichever is lower. These test methods have been deemed to be safe throughout the world. Pressure is measured at the case mouth or from inside the case according to the CIP.

DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY EXTRAPOLATIONS. PLEASE FOLLOW THE DATA AS WRITTEN. IT IS A MUST FOR EVERY RELOADER TO READ THE RELOADING SAFETY RULES.

I am getting a 7x64 barrel for my Blaser R8 - and wanted to canvas any tips on reloading - use will be mixed but objective of reloading is an accurate, long range round that is reliable in a straight pull - (so FL sizing) and makes the best of a 23 inch barrel

I can get Lapua brass so that is a good start - the R8 barrel has a sensible twist rate (1/8.5) which is not always the case in Blaser barrels so I can run the heavier, higher BC ELD-X which is then multi purpose (I like to find one bullet/powder/charge weight combo per barrel/rifle and then focus on getting to know it and using it well)

The 7X64 is very close dimensionally and ballistically to the 280 Remington although neither brass nor loaded cartridge is interchangeable. (Actually, it's the other way round as 7X64 is very much senior to the US upstart near-copy!) The advice on loads is to use 280 Rem data and subtract 5% from the maximum for safety. So look up pet loads on the 280 if you don't find much on the Brenecke.

Redding Deluxe are standard non-bushing dies. Good quality IME. If the neck tension is too high, remove the expander in the sizer die and get or if you already have one use, a mandrel type expander die which allows interchangeable mandrels designed for expanding the neck before neck-turning. I use the Sinclair expander die body and the same company's 28E model expander on all my match sevens and the degree of neck tension is just where I want it. The K&M equivalent should be fine too. Lube the inside of the neck before use, or else shell out for a very expensive carbide mandrel.

I should have qualified my reply to say N560 which is very much slower burning than N160, and in fact often acts as a slower burning powder than N165. My experience is that it can be finicky and also need max pressure loads to perform consistently. In sporter length barrels, one symptom of it being unhappy is muzzle flash like I've never seen with anything else! Viht doesn't list this powder with any bullet weight in the cartridge.

N550 should be happier, but if you look at the recently revised Viht data, both N550 and N160 are shown for the 160gn Nosler Accubond, the nearest to what you're using. N160 perhaps a little surprisingly gives another 50 fps over N550.

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