I am 78 years old, and about 3 years ago I got interested I the 7x57 (aka 7mm Mauser) and all it's associated history. I eventually ended up with two 7x57s; a sporterized Mauser made in the Czech factory at Brno back in 1932 for the Peruvian Army, and a Ruger M77 MKII. Love the light recoil and the performance which seems to always exceed what the ballistic tables would lead you to believe. This classic old caliber has a great reputation and anyone that has "googled" 7x57 knows this to be true . It will handle up to elk sized game (especially with the 160 and 175 grain bullets). It's modern day ballistic twin is the 7mm-08. If I didn't have my 7x57s; that is the rifle caliber that I would be buying. It will handle most all your North American big game hunting needs; with the exception of the big bears of course.
CJ
