Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7mm-08 to 7x57 comparison

If you look at the original specifications for the two cartridges, they are more different than you might suppose. Part of the lack of recognition for that here in North America is the situation where even if a maker chambers a 7X57, they use the same barrels that they use (or would use) for a 7-08. In Europe you see makers and ammunition sellers continuing to supply a market that was originally for an intermediate length Mauser action and a barrel with a faster twist and slightly different chamber dimensions than is "normal" here for the 7mm rifles.

There is a lot more history in the 7X57 than many realize. I have an EF Heym commercial Mauser rifle that was originally a 7X57 that seems to call out to be restored to that chambering.

jim

Hmm, I wonder why would they need a faster twist?
Remington uses a 9 1/4 twist for all their 7mm's. That should shoot a 175 straight.

" I haven't seen a 7X57 in a short action yet"

Short action is a relative term. MRC short actions will take the 7x57. Most short actions will not.

so will nula's.

If the 175 is a round nose or semi spitzer, but perhaps not a VLD or ULD rebated boatail at 7X57 velocity...

Any differences in capability between the rounds in modern actions is basically a rounding error and a way for gun scribes to burn ink. Either one is a near perfect rifle for deer sized game, and OK for elk with the right bullet, without kicking the snot out of you in a light rifle. What more can you ask?

I've loved all my 7x57s, and particularly like the commercial Mauser I have now. For some reason, I've never bonded that way with my 7-08, which is a M700. Its accurate, its killed everything its been shot at cleanly, but I really only keep it around as a loaner and spare. Go figure.

This 7-08 vs. 7x57 discussion is nice and all.

But what I'd really like to know is the .243 Win. faster than the 6mm Rem.?

heck no!

I can't understand why the 30X57 niche remains unfilled.

0r the 45x57 or 50X57. One of lifes great riddles;)

Kevin,

The Mauser factory standard for the 7mm cartridges was 220 mm (or 8.66"). I think Remington is using 9.5" now for the 7-08.

jim

I posted these pics awhile back, they seem appropriate for this thread.



7-08/140grNPT vs 7X57/175grSP

MtnHtr

I don't own a 7mm-08 (had a new 308 tube screwed on) but have two chambered for 7x57.

I and some others had a good debate over this very issue here locally. We concluded that the 7-08 was for "bean counter" types and the 7x57 attracted those who appreciated its historical significance. Both will do the job equally well.

I love the 7x57, but the 10pt buck my brother shot with it last year sure didn't.

an old 8mm mouser hits harder and the ammos cheaper at about 4.50 a20round pack so wile you can shoot a charging bear with a 7mm-08 a shoulder hit will proble piss him off wile the 8mm with cheap ammo will leave it stumbling a round on 3 legs woundering wat hit it the gun i have will punch through a tree a foot&a half thick and keep going the 7mm-08 my friend had bullets busted about 2 inchs inside the tree dont get me wrong wile a dear would be dear would die easy from that a bad shoot on a bear with out enuf punch can be lead to a very painful death for a hunter be careful hunt safe make shure you have enuf gun for the you dear you planed on and the bear you dent.

Next time try english.

Hmmn, maybe the 70's were good for him...

The first deer rifle I was going to use was a milsurp Mauser (can't remember what country or if it was a '98 or not) 7X57. Dad bought it for me and we couldn't hit squat with it. I believe the barrel was pretty much without rifling by the time he got it. So it went down the road. I had a soft spot for the 7X57 ever since. Short version is that the last two centerfire rifles I purchased were in 280 Rem (for me) and in 7mm-08 (for Dad). Oddly enough I worked up a very accurate handload in my 280 with 139gr Hornady SPs that is well....like a stout 7X57 load velocity wise. Guess I got what I wanted...so to speak.