Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 7x57 and elk

I am beginning to put together an elk load in my 7x57 for one of my sons and am interested to hear some thoughts on bullet selection.

My initial work will be done using 160 gr. loads. Am I correct in thinking that with the modest velocity of the 7x57 that standard Sierra, Speer, and Hornady bullets will be just fine and there is no need for the premium bullets?

I did quite well with the 160 speer spitzer, wich by all means is extinct now, in my .280. Used the grand slam in the same weight in the .280 with very good results also.

Had some interesting outcomes with the horn 162 btsp. One failed to penetrate a coyote, They seemed to make LARGE entrance wounds not exit wounds on game. They shot very good, but lacked the 'deep' teminal effect But that has been at least 20 some years ago. When the sst came out in 162 7mm, I tried them and found those to be better than the regular btsp version terminally.

So if those bullets work good in the .280 even counting the regular 162 horn btsp, the 7x57 should really do good with 'plain jane' bullets

A friend of long ago use to shoot a 7x57 at everything. His load I did not find out till years later was the 139 gr horn btsp. He kilt EVERYTHING from ground squirrels, a 500lb black bear a couple pick-up loads of deer counting one Boon & Crocket whitetail, and assorted wapiti with the trim little gun.

The new 160 deep curl from speer, the thing that seems to have replaced there spitzer might be one to try, We are truly in the golden age of bullets

According to the Midway web site, Speer is re-introducing the 160 gr. Hot-Cor...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/61...-160-grain-spitzer-soft-point-box-of-100

PD: Ive used the 7x57 on more than a couple elk. 162 gr. Hornady was OK..175 grain Nosler Partition was stellar, as was 160 gr TSX
Shot lots of elk-sized African game with the 7x57 and those NPTs...always with predictable and excellent results..

If your rifle likes 160 grainers, you might also try 160 NPTs...

I lean towards the logic that with the small amount of shooting needed for elk hunting (even with load development), the cost of a box of Partitions or TSX is negligible compared to the potential frustration of tracking a wounded elk. 20 bullets at $0.65 is all it takes to develop a load (for the un-particular me anyway), and the remaining 30 from the box last me another 5 years.
There really are no drawbacks for using premium bullets, other than the cost and the unlikely possibility it won't shoot well in a particular rifle. The latter can happen with any bullet though.

I wish, the expected arrival date keeps moving up, for a couple months now

PastorDan,

The one and only elk I've ever lost due to bullet failure (the cow was found only after the meat had soured) was due to an ordinary bullet that didn't penetrate far enough. I was young and dumb, and because I'd killed plenty of deer with cup-and-core bullets thought I knew everything.

This doesn't mean C&C bullets won't do the job, but I can testify that one didn't penetrate deeply enough on a cow angling away at 75 yards some 35 years ago. I would still use the same bullet today, but the circumstances would have to be different.

Find a load that works with a 160 Sierra, then switch to the Partition and it will probably shoot to the same place. Or at least that's what happened with a LOT of my rifles. Then you can use the Sierras for sighting-in, practice and deer, and Partitions on elk--and an "expensive" box of 50 Partitions will last a long time.

I'm sure your 7X57 will do fine with any appropriate bullet. Find the one that shoots the best and have at it. The only thing limiting that round much like other 100+ year old veterans is the lingering junk still hanging around in that caliber. If you have a modern rifle have no fear. Although the old standard loads have killed all sorts of game including elephant when using solids.

I'd bet the 160 accubond would be a great bullet in your 7mm.

I'm a believer in stout bullets for elk. I want it to get a long ways through the bull. Good luck, Pastor Dan.

I appreciate the input. All things considered its probably a good idea to go with the 160 gr. Partition. The extra cost of premiums compared to how many I will need to shoot is pretty inconsequential. If the 160's won't shoot I have some 175 gr. Grand Slams for my .280 I can try.

I like the idea of the 160 Sierra's for deer (providing I can get enough velocity) and Partitions for elk.

I love Sierras for deer but I would go with a 160 gr. Partition in 7x57 for elk. Great piece of mind to know that bullet will penetrate at any angle. I shot my first elk years ago with a 165 gr Partition in a 30.06. Partitions are worth the premium for something as special as elk IMHO.

I have had mixed results with the TSX but have been using the Parttition for 50 years.

I've seen 4 different elk that thought they could just laugh and shrug off a single hit from a 7x57 loaded with hornady 154 gr interlocs.... They were wrong and hit the ground at the shot.
Also saw one that thought he was a real smart alec and could laugh off a hit from a 140 gr Sierra Gameking... He spent the rest of the winter getting barbequed in California...

I've seen enough of what the 154 Interlocks do on other critters, that I'd have no qualms using that bullet on elk at the < 300 yard distances that I'd personally engage them.

I believe my Dad used 140 & 175 NP's on elk - none were on their feet long enough to take a 2nd shot.

FC

I ran some 160 gr mag tips in my 7-08 and used them on deer. I had better luck with 139-145 gr bullets for deer. The 160's punched right through with little expansion on broadside through the ribs shots on whitetail.
In my eyes the 7x57 is a ballistic twin to the 7-08 or between it and the 280. Not a bad place to be. I have often thought of buying one and just might out of respect for a cartridge that is 120 years old and still knocking down game.

I havent shot an elk with my 7X57 yet, but have tested on cattle, and the 175 Partitions, and Speer Grand Slams, will blow your mind with there level of penetration at the modest 7X57 velocities.

Gunner

For elk and moose the insurance policy in the 7x57 is a 160 grain Nosler Partition.

Cattle

Now there is a test medium!!!

Not that unusual...Brentd shoots cattle.

LOL, Not to sound morbid or like a cast member from Texas Chainsaw massacre, but with a tractor and loader, chainsaw, axe, and a big knife, you can get all of the bullet testing you want from dead or sick and dying cattle.

And at weights from 100 to over 2200 lbs, and ranges from PB to 500 yards or so, and at any conceivable angle.

Gunner