Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Who likes the 7 x 57?

I understand it takes a long action so why not just a .280 or .270 instead?

Why use a 280 or 270, why not a 270 Weatherby or 7mm RM?


I run several 223 in short actions, but the would handle a 22/250 or 220 Swift.


Going out on a limb here but sometimes enough is enough and less is often times more.

Because I didn't want a .280 and already had a .270 when I had my 7x57 built. Not that I needed a reason. Besides, I'm pretty sure my 7x57 will tip over anything I decide to shoot with it. And there's something nostalgic, one might say classic, about the 7x57. Something that in my opinion the .280 lacks.

I don't like it - I love it!


For me, the 7x57 was Great Grandad's cartridge. And Grandad's. And Dad's. All the animals on all the walls in all of their homes fell to that cartridge. I didn't start out with one, but once I got one... I understood.

There are rumors of certain strains of Gun-Loony sickness that will completely take-over a guy: 1911 sickness, Savage 99 sickness, Pre-64 M70 sickness, et al. Not everyone is susceptible to a sickness, but once you're bitten - it's all over. The 7x57 can definitely be a sickness.

I'm sure the animals couldn't tell the difference between a 223 and 458 Lott if I were able to shoot them all in the ear. Even behind the shoulder, there's not enough difference in effect to truly justify having more than a couple of cartidges: 1 tiny, 1 huge. Trying to pick between 2 cartridges that are adjacent on the cartridge continuum is foolish: witness the ".270 vs. .30-'06" threads...

So, get whatever you like. But if you try a 7x57, you've been forewarned!

FC

I have one in the shop because my wife is going to shoot it, just a little less than the 270/280.

Already own a .280, but I'd still buy a 7x57. In fact, there is not much in 7mm that I would not own like 7RM,7-08,7SAUM, etc. IMHO, nothing not to like about .284 cals.

As a rifle nut, 7x57 is just something you have to own. YMMV.

CLB

Scott hits the essence of it.....some like just enough, but no more.

In general I've chosen a 270 or 280 (and often a 7 mag) on a 30/06-length action,but as I understand it,at first the 7x57 was made by Mauser on "intermediate-length" Mauser actions designed specifically for the cartridge;and other wonderful stuff like small ring G33/40 and VZ33 actions.

But these dry up,a guy is lucky to have them,and actions morphed into 30/06 which is what is available to most of us,so lots of 7x57's wound up on 30/06 actions.Neither here nor there really as they work well,and differences are trifling.

If you feel you need the additional velocity of the 270 or 280 it's there if you want it;but given that most BG falls this side of 300 yards,the 7x57 does just fine,and I have seen it kill considerably further.

The 7x57 is an extremely high performance cartridge.

It achieves this by providing a good trajectory, uses bullets of superior performance for the majority of game hunted, demonstes penetration levels out of proportion to its paper ballistics and is one of the easiest to shoot, low recoiling cartridges with moderate muzzle blast that can be put into a lightweight mountain or plains rifle configuration.

Now if you bed it into a nice chunk of walnut, add a buffalo horn forend tip, red rubber recoil pad, some express sights to help contribute to upfront balance and a the now mandatory barrel band sling swivel and it has no peer for coolness.

No .270 or .280 can match that, and worse still, no rifle manufacturer has the marketing skills to put it all together. They just don't have the manufacturing capability to meet the demand that would be created.

There are just so many Corvettes and trophy wives a seasoned hunter can use, but a nice 7x57, that is something else.

JW

I've got a 270, 280, 6mm, 243, 257AI, 25AKI, and a herd of 30 calibers in the safe. I also have stuff on both ends of this list. However, the 7X57 usually gets the nod. It just plain works well.

I'm a big fan!! I have a Remington Classic that's taken around 15 deer. I have a lot of rifles to choose from so it doesn't go every year. I have to give the newbies their chance! LOL!

I have to second what the members are saying about the 7x57. It has its own magic that can't be reduced to numbers. I've been through 3 of them and settled with my CZ FS. It is fun to carry and shoot and every kill has been clean. And it has a little class. Mine has been easy to reload for as well. It loves 4350 behind 139 Hornadys. I have a couple of new loads with H414 that I hope to try Friday if it's not pouring down rain.

"Who likes the 7x57?"

Apparently a lot of folks, given the quantity and popularity of 7x57 threads here on the 'Fire.

Nothing compares to the 7x57. Nothing. Not a 280 or a 270.

It's like what has been said of the Jeep: "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand." My vehicle 'thing' is for my Suburbans, but that's another story.

As an aside, I shot a big-ol' tom turkey last night (with a 12 gauge, not a 7x57).

The 7x57 is a classic, and for me there need be no other reason. The fact remains that it is very capable as a hunting round so nothing is lost there. Many in North America decry any cartridge not from this continent, and miss out on a great opportunity.

Randy

I don't disagree, the 7 x 57 is interesting as a "gives" more for less cartridge. The .257 Roberts got me thinking about it.

257 being 7x57 baby brother. I am fond of both
Randy

Jimmy,

Take a look at that thread going on now "7x57 Zastava" you'll see why you need a 7x57.

The 7x57 is my second favorite caliber, next to the 257 Roberts.
It's kinda like riding a Harley, if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand. :-)

Actually, the 7x57 doesn't require a long action. It fits in what might be called a mid-length action, with a 3.1" magazine. There aren't many of these around, but those that exist are pretty classy, such as many kinds of small-ring Mausers the "short" Montana 1999. Which is why I had my 7x57 built on a Montana 1999 action.

It also fits nicely in a really short action, the Ruger No. 1.

Truth be known, I am a .280 Rem fan, but I am always on the look out for a nice 7x57. I think if I ever found one, I would probably not buy another rifle. I have owned several different .284 cal rifles, but a 7x57 has always eluded me.

The other cartridge that's a leader in the more-for-less category is the 6.5x55. Gotta love 'em both. I've taken quite a few deer with both at ranges from 30 to 200+ yards and excellent is the only word to describe them. Getting my new/old 257 Roberts tuned up for deer season and looking forward to seeing how it performs.