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

The loads I reported from the friend of mine in her book are her loads, fired in a Steyr Professional. I also reported loads that my father loaded for my brother's Ruger (Tang Safety).

Those of you that have not read JB's article on the 7x57, and the loading there of, really should. It's not only a very good peice on the 7x57, but if you really read and understand how he works up loads for the 7x57 it will give all you "never exceed max listed loads" guys some new insight on handloading developing of loads. Its the way I've always developed loads for all my guns. The "max listed load" changes from data source to data source. The expected safe velocity/pressure level for a given burn rate of powder/bullet wt./bbl length is much more consistent. Loaded to the same pressure levels, a 7x57 with its higher powder capacity, will out run a 7-08.

To compare apples to apples from the Alliant reloading site:


7x57, 24" bbl: 160Sptz BT, 49grs R-19, 2665 at 45.5K psi.

7x57, 24" bbl: 139 SP, 51.8grs R-19, 2835fps at 49K psi.

7-08, 24" bbl: 160Sptz BT, 48.5grs R-19, 2675 at 56.7K psi.

7-08, 24" bbl: 139 SP, 52grs R-19, 2850fps at 57.9K psi

The 7x57 runs virtually the same velocity at 9K-11K psi less pressure. The same actions being used for rounds such as the 270, 280, 30-06, etc running 60K-65K psi will handle the 7x57 running at similar pressures. It's not hard to see how the data in this thread is within those modern, but safe pressure limits. I know from looking at QL data for my .280Rem, that a 10K increase in pressure fron the low 50K's to the low 60Ks is good for about 100-120fps with powders like R-19 and others similar in burn rate. So, it wouldn't be unreasonble to assume nearly that same gain by loading the 7x57 up to @57-60K psi. Which would put that 160gr load up around the mid 2700s and still well under 60K psi. Likewise the 139 at @ 2950 right at 60K psi. I've watched my dad and brother put more than a few 139s/140s down range from a 22" Ruger 7x57 at 2950+fps with no problems and good brass life. I know the lady that I posted about, and her husband that loads for her. He's very experienced and knowledgable in loading and shooting. She's used that gun and those loads for over 2 decades to take countless heads of game. No problemo! In her gun, I'll trust they must safe.

Bean Counters special or not...I really like the 7-08 and enjoy the accuracy and killing power of the "yuppie round", which can't be said for the many deer that the cartridge has killed with aplomb! Never had a 7x57, although I must admit that a Ruger #1 Light Sporter in that calibre would be fine...but better in 7-08!

Paul

According to Jon Sundra the 154 grain Hornady IL is a very tough bullet, any comments? He apparently has used it in Africa.

My 20-inch barrel 7mm-08 gets pretty good velocity
2,850 fps for factory 120-gr loads (3,000 fps from 24 inch)
2,700 fps for factory 139-gr loads (2,800 fps from 24 inch)

Do any of you shoot a 7x57 in a 20-inch carbine (Brno 22, Steyr, Interarm Mark X), and what kind of performance do you get?

interesting comment, I am experimenting with lower velocity loads in a .270 now. The 7 x 57 is intriguing as it is a somewhat "slower" round but one that can shoot heavier bullets I think and might have the ability if you can figure it out to shoot these heavier bullets reasonably fast(er) than a 7-08.

FWIW, I'm one of those people who are happy with the book velocities and the low pressures in my 7x57 handloads. I knew, going into it, that I wasn't going to look for more than that.

Also knew, that if I wanted more velocity from 7mm bullets, I would go with a .280 or a 7mm Rem. Mag.

I don't fret it. And I suspect there are others who are content with it, too.

- Tom

Lee,

My main 7x57 is a FN Venezuelan with a 18" barrel. It loves (legitimate .5 groups loves) 120 gr TSX's and 49 gr R15 at about 2950. At an OAL of 3.13 I get the Kismet of a full case of powder and .05 land jump in my rifle.

GE

I took a 7x57 and a 7mm Remington out culling side by side over a period of years. The 7mm Mauser racked up the highest number of instant kills using standard cup and core bullets.

Because these bullets are made generically to suit all cartridges within the caliber, they tend to work more as a premium bullet with the reduced stresses associated with the lesser, but still adequate to expand velocity ranges, of the 7mm Mauser.

It is simple really, and the same applies to the .308 Winchester, 6.5 X 55 Swede and the 7mm/08.

The classic history of the 7mm Mauser adds a little more in pride and perceived prestige which has nothing to do with efficiency or performance, it's just that little something more that most hunters gain a little extra satisfaction from.

JW

I think you hit the nail squarely on the head. It's about satisfaction. A lot of calibers will do the same jobs strictly speaking. It's the same reason I load my own ammo and mount my own antlers and build my own arrows. The last few deer I've killed with my longbow were killed with arrows that are fletched with feathers from turkeys I've killed. One of these days I'm gonna carve-out my own self bow and arrows and go kill deer with that. Effecient use of time? No, but it sure is satisfying to me to do these things. Call me a caveman.

-

Think it has been well established in this forum thread that the 7 x 57 is a fine cartridge with no shortcomings worthy of further discussion.

Now, is there anything the new-fangled yuppie 308 Winchester can do that isn't better handled by the 30-40 Krag ?

.

Not much inside 300 yards.

My Remington 700 Mountain Rifle gets 2930 fps with 50 grains of H4350 under a 140 grain Nosler Partition,I think that's about as perfect as it gets.The 7-08 is a good cartridge,but the 7x57 has more history and more class.