Hi all Papa is looking to build a 7x57 for 15 year-old Granddaughter.

[8mm RUM]

I don't post much but I "look" everyday.
My son his wife and I shoot MANY different chamberings.
The Granddaughter has been shooting with us since she was 5 years old.
She has a 10/22, a savage 17 hmr a Phoenix arms 22 auto, and a Howa 20" mini in 6.5 Grendel. She is 5'2" and MAYBE 100 pounds. In her 10 years of hunting/shooting she has harvested MANY big mule, and whitetail deer. A lot of coyotes many 100s of prairie dogs and WAY plenty of gophers and rabbits.
That's the back story. She reads and researches her arsenal options. She likes to shoot and hunt but is not a fan of recoil. She has shot my 45 colt, 10mm, 3006, but does not enjoy doing it, she will not shoot the D-I-Ls 257 WB or 338/378 on my 8mmRM. She kind of likes my 6mm rem but it is very heave, and her moms 245ai is ok but up on the recoil thing.
SOOO!
What we are thinking is, a savage ( some kind) and chambering it in 7x57. We can start with something Like a 140 gr and as she works in to it, maybe move up to a 175 gr for thing like bear and such.
Here is the question What would be a good choice in the savage line as a "doner"?
The shell is the same length as a 6mm rem or 8x57 Mauser and with a 175 it is a bit longer. Weight is a factor.
Any insight what I need to be looking at?

[Blue Avenger]

One of the old 110 short actions would be perfect, bigger then current short actions, but harder to find. Otherwise a long action if your looking at long bullets in the future. If you reload, go Ackley and drop the charges to what she likes. But have a few hot loads if needed. As to exact model for a donor, don't worry. actions are basically all the same, buy the stock you want. Youth if she will stay short arms and be wearing a coat? Long second stock are common sales item.

[8mm RUM]

OK then That's what I'll be looking for. Probably a new one?
I'll check out our Walmart to see what they have, normally they have some kind of savage for $400.
Where would I find a barrel?

[8mm RUM]

I found a savage axis two in 3006. Would that work as a doner?
Where would I find a replacement barrel? would I have to ream the new barrel to the 7x57 or could it come that way?
$346.50 free freight.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/415011583/savage+axis+ii+.30-06+mossy+oak+bottomland

[Blue Avenger]

https://www.shawcustombarrels.com/sh...age-varmint/17
https://mcgowenbarrel.com/savage-pre-fit-barrels/
are a couple economy sites.
Google savage barrel and you will get a list. You will also need a tool kit to do it. If you are sure you will never want to change it again, get a quoit from a local smith.
You did mention prairie dogs.
.22-250 or .243 barrels, new take off could be an option.

[8mm RUM]

Well dang, about face!
I did not know Ruger Americans can change barrels the same way as Savage.
I have a brand new Ruger American in 30/06 that I inherited this year.
I have zero use for a '06 in fact I worked up a Varmint load with 110 bullets just so I might use it at all. Same bolt face same rotary magazine, just need a wrench, nut and barrel. It even has a Redfield 3X9 scope. I found a new Shaw Barrel chambered in 7x57 AI, 1x8 twist threaded muzzle blued,22 inch varmint taper, and shipped for less the the Savage.

PS do you think I need the "Deep" throat to take the Longer bullets?