Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger 7X57

What do some of you Hunters think of this caliber . It would be used for Whitetail deer hunting . What bullet weights would You use. Thanks

Navarro,<BR> IMO the 7x57 is a darn fine little cartridge, but it needs to be reloaded to reach its full potential, also it kinda falls in the middle of short/long action, one might say it is kind of a ******* round, the 7-08 which will function wonderfully in a short action does everything the 7x57 does, and can be had in lighter, handier rifles,,if i REMEMBER right it does pretty good with the heavier bullets because you can seat them out pretty far,,BEARHUNTER

Navarro .... Definitely one of the best ever for deer, imo. (A grand old *******!), but like BEARHUNTER says, it's really a round for the handloader. There are many 7x57 rifles in circulation that are nearly 100 years old, so factory ammo is loaded to very moderate pressures. Handloaded, it will surpass the 7mm-08, but by so little that it is hardly worth mention .... and the 7x57mm requires a standard length action. The 140 gr. and 150 gr. bullets are fine for deer, and you can go up to 175 gr. for bigger stuff. Very pleasant to shoot,too. I currently own 2 rifles in 7x57mm that I wouldn't easily part with, but also plan to have a Win. Model 70 Classic Compact in 7mm-08 in the not too distant future. They're all good! LC<p>[This message has been edited by Loud Cloud (edited March 30, 2001).]

It is my favorite light caliber and as a matter of fact, I have killed some really big mean things with it...The 175 Gr. Noslers are deadly on big stuff and the solids work on Cape Buffalo. Bell killed many elephants with it and were I have one on an elephant hunt I wouldn't feel too uncomfortable with the solids, but it would not be my choice....<P>I have never been able to tell any difference it it and my 30-06 or 300 up to 300 yds. as far as killing power....<P>------------------<BR>Ray Atkinson<BR>atkinsonhunting.com<BR>208-326-4120

I have a 7x57 and I like it. The only thing I use it for is deer hunting.

I have at hand two pieces of paper related to this cartridge. One is a target I fired several years ago at 100 yards with a Ruger No. 1 in 7X57. The load was 46.5 grains of IMR 4350 in R-P brass, CCI 200 primer, Hornady 154-grain round nose. The five bullet holes almost fit under a quarter. Velocity was 2,496 -- just loafing along, really, but I'd hate to be a muley or a whitetail on the wrong end of the load. The other piece of paper, in an envelope dated Oct. 1, 1977, bearing a 13-cent stamp and a Lewiston, Idaho, postmark, is a note I received from Jack O'Connor. "The 7X57 and the .375 are two of my favorite calibers," Jack wrote, "with which two a man could hunt anything, anywhere."<BR>For more of O'Connor on this great and historic cartridge, read the chapter "Big Punch, Little Case," in his classic book, "The Hunting Rifle." Also listen to Mr. Atkinson, for his good sense and experience. The 7-08 is no doubt just as good a cartridge; it simply lacks the history and the romance of the Mauser design.

7x57mm (handloaded) with the 175 grain bullet, be it round nose, SP or H-frame, RULES.

I used to own a 7x57. It was a fine rifle and one of the biggest regrets of my brief sporting career was to sell it to raise some cash for a new custom 6.5 Swede.

The 7x57 is a great deer round. Both my wife and myself shoot the mauser for deer. We load 140 grain Nosler Partitions. Loaded up to its full potential it is treading on the heels of the .270 and .280. In fact, you would be hard pressed to tell any difference in the field. The 7x57 works, and it has class!<P>Ringneck<p>[This message has been edited by Ringneck (edited April 07, 2001).]

I would like to thank all of you for the information that You have given me on the 7x57. Thanks again Navarro

Hi Navarro,<P> I just found your post in the 24 hr campfire regarding the Ruger 7 x 57. <BR> You did not mention if this was a new Mark II or an old M77. If yours is the old M77 I have some information to share. <P> I discovered an old 7 x 57 Ruger M77 a 3 months ago. It had the most beautiful laminated stock that fit sooooo well. I couldn't resist it. The gunshop knew the previous owner and said it was not shot that much either. The rifle was made in the early to mid 70s.<P> Now for the interesting stuff:<P> This gun was a standard(30-06 length) action. This old M77 had a VERY long jump to the rifling. It appeared to be in the .300" or more vicinity. I figured that a round nose or a semi round nose would be necessary to work well with such a long jump. I ended up shooting the 175 Speer mag tip and still had difficulty getting it close to the rifling. The bullet darn near fell out of the case and it still did not touch the rifling! Apparently all those early Rugers had this excessive free bore to accomodate the old 175 round nose bullets, which by the way you cannot find. The closest was Sierra's 170 RN which they just discontinued! <P> I tried all sorts of combinations. I floated the barrel, bedded the action, with poor results. I finally had the barrel rechambered for 280 rem and solved all my problems. Ended up with the 160 mag tip and the 160 nosler partition.<P> I have no idea that you are working with the rifle I am talking about, if so and you have problems you may have to resort to this solution. I had posted some questions like you did on hunt america way back when... and one guy rechambered his to 280 and got his to shoot just as I did.<P> FYI: Nosler is having a sale on the 160 gr 7mm partitions out of their pro-shop till the end of the month.(phone: 1-800-285-3701) They are asking $9.25 per bag of 50!!! You will end up paying some shipping but that still is a very low cost. These are called seconds, but I have yet to discover what the heck is "wrong" with them. I shoot the 120 and 140 ballistic tips in my two 284 wins and the 160 in that 280 with sub MOA results. I also shoot the 210s from my 338 same deal...excellent accuracy for such a premium bullet. I believe the 160 may be the perfect bullet for that 7 x 57. Please don't tell everyone about the pro-shop, I may need more bullets in the future. ;-) <P> Hope you can use some of what I have shared....Ross<BR>

Ross...I had an early M77 in 7x57 that suffered the same malady as yours...<P>It's the only hunting rifle I've ever had that I could not get to group decently..<P>I sold it to a woods hunter who did not care if he had a rifle that grouped like a smoothbore.........

Hi Pigmy,<P> I would address you by your real name, but I forgot. I am thinking of using a handle soon. If I do I will probably use "Cut". My wife nicknamed me that because I always seem to have one or am getting cut.<P><BR> So how are you doin? Fishing starting to pick up? I sure miss fishing lake ontario. Will have to settle for some fishing on Lake Powell soon. <P> The 280 is a great chambering, glad I could repair that 7 x 57. I have a 160 partition going 2870 and it is quite accurate with far less recoil than an 06 with a 180. I believe an elk would not know the difference either! This load only uses 54 grs of H4350.<P> Really nice to see another familar face on the 24 hour.... let me know what you are up to...how you are doing.....see ya...Ross<P>I tried your e-mail address, did not work<P>

Hello. I have a 7x57 mauser too. It is a remington, so I wouldn't know about problems with the Rugers. I use relatively hot handloads and 140 grain ballistic tips. This is a 7-08s equal, without trying to reload for a short action. If you do get a 7x57, don't get it in a short action. Get a 7-08 in a short action. If not, enjoy the mauser. It is a great round for deer. I should know, I use it.