Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7x57 bullet question for Mule Deer

I've used them with terrific results in 250gr .338 (in a .338 Win Mag), 145gr and 160gr 7mm (in a 7mm-08 and .284 Win). As mentioned, my buddy uses the 145gr 7mm for everything out of his 7x57...great performance every time.

I think they've gone out of favor since Federal acquired Speer, but I'm not sure why. the bullets just keep on working.

I've used the 130gr bullet out of my 270 with excellent results on deer. Have nothing but good to say about them. Also load 145gr 7mm in a 284 for a buddy and he raves about their performance. It has always seemed like the Grand Slams have flown under the radar for some reason.

Take note of the price difference between Grand Slams and the regular Hot-Cores. Actually even between GSs and Nosler Partitions. IMHO the GS is a way over priced cup core.

The HC though seems like a good option. I may try them out this Fall.

And how many animals have you killed with Grand Slams?

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That bullet is my favorite , by far, in the 7mm-08 and 7X57.

The Grand Slams have varied considerably in construction since the 1970's when they first came out.

The originals were way too soft, but within a few years they were toughened up and tended to act very much like Nosler Partitions.

Then a few years ago the dual core (rear hard, front soft) was changed to one lead alloy throughout. I suspect it's the same as in the Hot-Cores, but the Grand Slams have a much thicker jacket toward the rear.

Would you view the current Grand Slam as a more streamlined Mag Tip?

Yeah, I would. I suspect the jacket is thicker in the rear than the Mag-Tip's as well, but must confess I haven't sectioned a Mag-Tip to find out (I have sectioned Grand Slams).

My Speer manual says the shank of the Mag Tip is roughly 45% thicker than the same area in the equivalent Hot-Cor bullet.

None, and I never will. Actually there will never be a Grand Slam ever hit my reloading bench because "I" do not think "I" will be getting my moneys worth. I have and still shoot many Speer bullets, just not the GS. I think they are a great bullet manufacture and have good luck with their other products.

The Mag-Tip is another fine hunting bullet. I just wish they were more streamlined. Maybe we could talk Speer into cramming a plastic tip in the mag tip. Maybe they could call it "Plasti-Mag-Tip." Then again, maybe not.

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I use a 6.5x55 Swede with 140gr. NP. Velocity? 2700!

although I love the 6.5 x 55 I tend to grab my model 70 Featherweight in 7mm Mauser when heading out the door to deer hunt...

must be getting old, but the 154 grain RN and the 175 RN are appealing more and more, since where I am hunting, 150 yds is a long shot..

40 grains of IMR 3031 and the 175 RN is supposed to have an MV of 2400 fps... however my chronograph consistently thinks it is doing 2650 fps MV instead...

guess my chronograph is calibrated by our local police dept...
you know, the ones that write you up for doing 50 in a 35 mph zone, even tho your speedometer read 35 mph at the time...

I bought a thousand Nosler 150 gn partition seconds 12 years ago 46 gn of h4350 and 3/4 inch groups, great load for pigs. Very good calibre.

I haven't read all the posts, but I'm wondering if some of your 7x57's have the same problem as my Ruger 77 ts. That is it will not group anything under the 154 Hornady in bullet weight. The 154 and 160 grs are reliable and and accurate. I have loaded many loads and seating depths and different 140's and I cannot get any consistency with them. I know it's not the end of the world, because the heavier bullets work perfectly, but it irritates me that the 140's will not.

luke, dude, relax! There is nothing you can kill with a 7x57 that isn't killed deader with a 160 grain bullet than with a 140 grainer.

[What did he say?]

Abominably dead.

In my 7x57's, I use either Norma factory ammo (the 150 or 154 gr. bullets), or handloads with 150 gr. Partitions. Husqvarna 7x57's seem to be particular about bullet weight. The same rifle that shoots sub-MOA with 150's will keyhole 175's.

When Eleanor O'Connor considered her 7x57 too small for the task, she stepped up to her big rifle, a .30/06 which she shot up to elephant using 220gn Hornady solids.

Theres your answer Steve, get a .30/06 for back up and stay with your 7x57 for the other 99%.

Mule deer,
Your post to me "your eyesight is better than mine"..Nope, my math tells me your deer are 2 times bigger than mine..that has to be a plus!