Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7x57 v 7-08

I keep reading where, when handloaded with the same bullet and components, the 7x57 will outperform the 7-08. Assuming a modern rifle (M70, M700, M77, MRC1999, etc.) and a 140-150 gr. bullet, identical barrel lengths, etc., what has been y'all's experience? Or all-y'all's if you're from the Deep South?

I'm just curious since even some of the "modern rifle" data I've seen for the 7x57 doesn't seem to be able to touch the 7-08.

The 7x57 is an obsolete cartridge that, when chambered in an obsolete (but cool and very reliable) mauser, makes perfect sense. Otherwise, not so much. Let's say you COULD get another 50fps out of the 7/57 (you can't), WGAS? What difference would it make.

Loaded to the same pressure as the 708 I will outperform it. The edge in powder cap will show with heavier bullets.. With lighter bullets not so much.

Rev,just looked in the Nosler reloading manual #7 and nosler uses a 22" barrel for the 7mm Mauser and a 26" barrel in the 7/08. Now when you subtract 25f ps per inch of barrel,the two cartridges are two-peas-in-a pod.

Lets use the 150 gr NBT as an example: For the 7/08 it's top load is 2869 fps,subtract 100 fps(4" longer barrel) and it's 2769 fps. Now in the 7mm Mauser,the top load is 2831 fps with 22" barrel.

Does this help you Rev?

Physics are physics. Larger engine i.e. more case capacity and the more FPS one is going to get, assuming the same pressures and barrel specs, period. Simple as that. So, an experienced handloader would be able to squeeze more out of a 7x57 than could be had from a 7/08 in a modern rifle. Same way a 30/06 will always outrun a 308, and a 308 will always outrun a 300 Savage etc. etc. This is assuming the barrels and pressure caps are the same, and THAT is the rub. Because there are so many 7x57 '95 Mausers and Rolling Block single shot as well as other 7mm Mauser rifles out there the ammunition manufacturers and the reloading manual writers are NOT going to step on the gas as hard with 7x57 loads or data as they will with the 7/08. The differences become greater when one gets into heavier bullets. With light for caliber bullets the differences can be pretty minor, but the differences are there. It is up to the individual shooter whether the relatively modest gains in velocity are worth the greater difficulty of finding brass for a 7x57 VS a 7/08 or how hard they want to push the old war horse. I just happen to now be in the possession of a really pretty 7x57 Custom built on a nice sturdy Yugo '48 Mauser action, and if I don't re barrel it to something else, I may have some fresh, real world real time data on what this round will do, in my rifle sample of one, anyway. (although the smart money says this rifle will become a middle weight 22/243 or 22 6mmAI)

One last point, the 7x57 is FAR from Obsolete. It is still a reasonably popular cartridge, and as capable as it ever was or more so.

50 extra FPS in the x57 version? Oh hail YES you can, especially with 150's to 175's. Just can't show it in the major manuals, as they will not generally print data that runs in the same pressure ranges as they will run in an /08 based cartridge that will not be seen in a '95 Mauser or old Rolling block left over from the Mexican wars.

It will and does..........

This is all good information. Too bad the lawyers for the powder companies don't trust us to be able to distinguish between a Featherweight and a Rolling Block.

As for obsolescence, that doesn't bother me much one way or the other. The only time obsolescence is a problem is when one can't get components anymore. I don't think that's an issue in this case.

Do any of you know of any sources for reloading data that would wring the potential out of the 7x57?

Elk: yep.

I stand corrected. I still say it doesn't make any sense chamber in anything other than a mauser. If you've gotta go LA, then why not chamber it in 280?

Why are you inserting LOGIC into the discussion?

He isn't.

The 7x57 has a case capacity of ~59.0 grains of water.
The 7-08 has a case capacity of ~56.O grains of water.

Like the fella said above, it's physics and platform.

I've handloaded for both cartridges in several modern rifles.

As a rule, I can get the same velocity with a 140 gr bullet in the 7x57 as I can with a 130 gr bullet in the 7mm-08.

Important difference in the game fields? That's for you to decide....

What BD said! If you don't like his view, ask 'Gwe

You have a point there, for sure. If I was building on a long or medium (30/06 length) action, and wanted a 7mm, I would not pick the 7x57. I would go with one of the belted or unbelted uberfast 7mm's. Inn the case of my '48 Yugo which is too short to fit 7mm Mashburn Super cartridges through the 7x57 makes pretty good sense, I think. Turned out to be a quite lively AND lovely little rifle.

I have seen 7x57's built on true short actions with good success. After all, they are the same case as the 6mm Rem which is often housed in a short action. I don't think those will run with 175's aboard, but with todays bullets I don't know many who would consider a 175gr bullet neccesary in .284 caliber.

7x57 is and would be my choice. I've got each caliber, but if I had to get rid of all my Hunting Rifles, except for one, my keeper would be my M70 FW in 7x57.

Are you referring to a Mauser intermediate length action?

Want another one? I know where there is a really pretty short Mauser with wonderful wood, (ebony and nicely figured and checkered Walnut) and a checkered steel buttplate with the widows peak for sale.....

I have a Rem. 700 Classic in 7x57 and a Ruger77 MKII stainless in 7mm08... best of both worlds( don't know why but I like the 7x57 best)

Yes, he was. The logic is, if you are going to have a long action, why not get a 280. Which has significantly more capacity. And physics is physics.

But if you WANT a 7x57, logic is not important.

It was a joke.