7x64

Wilhelm Brenneke was a brilliant German cartridge designer. He is still quite famous, worldwide, for development of superior shotgun slugs. He also created a modern line of cartridges, for use with the most popular bullet diameters (from before 1900) but with generally increased case capacities, compared to the then-standard cartridges, which were mostly 57mm in length.

In an effort to win a government contract for a more powerful military round, to replace the 8x57, his first development was the 8x64, in 1912. This effort was in vain but since the 7x57 was so popular, in 1917, Brenneke necked the 8x64 down to 7mm, thereby creating the 7x64. This occurred almost 40 years before introduction of the similar 280 Remington. Designed solely as a hunting cartridge, the 7x64 is widely used in Central Europe, partly because several countries there have banned military chamberings for hunting use.

The handloader will find the 7x64 a very versatile cartridge with readily available bullets ranging from 80 to 180 grains in weight. However, owing to an unusually long throat, best accuracy occurs when using heavier bullets. One could think of it as the European equivalent of the 270 Winchester. Since bullet diameter and usable powder space are so similar, differences in performance are insignificant, when using similar bullets. However, since significantly heavier 7mm bullets are routinely available, the 7x64 has a decided edge for applications where a heavier bullet is useful.

This chambering is adequate for any species in the Northern Hemisphere – including the biggest of bears – providing one uses and properly places a properly constructed bullet of sufficient weight. There is no surprise in that.