Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7x57.How versatile and what is the biggest game you have taken with it

The 7x57 is one of my favorite cartridges. I like 150 to 175 grain bullets and have yet to find a bad one yet. Favorites are Noslers 150 grain Ballistic tip and Sierra's 160 grain Gameking. Extremely honorable vention going to Hornady's 175 grain Spire point and round nose bullets. I use the rifle for Texas Whitetails and feral hogs and have been 100% satisfied with the results. H414 and AA 4350 are my propellants of choice.

Tom,how would you rate the 162 grain bullet in the 7x57 with a 165 grain 30.06 bullet.Also on the whole would the 7x57 be a more versatile than the 30.06 with closely similar bullet weights.Which is better in the recoil area.

Raj,

The 7x57 is pushing a long slender bullet of 160grs at @ 2500fps. The '06 is pushing a bullet with more frontal area at close to 3000fps in some guns or atleast 2800fps usually..more than 10% faster and up to 20% faster. Its apples and oranges.

However, like I said before, loads and bullets matched to the game in the 7x57 have taken game up to Grizzly and Rhino.

Recoil is very mild...especially compared to the '06 you mentioned.

The 7x57 is a great caliber but IMO there will never be another caliber more versatile with a wider variety of bullet configurations, factory ammo and worldwide availability than the venerable '06.

160gr Partitions @ 2815 fps is pretty strong out of a 275 Rigby...

I'm thinking you might be loading a bit warm.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

My favorite cartridge. I've owned as many as five 7X57's at one time, but am down to 2. I've mostly used them to shoot deer and antelope, but have taken 5 elk. My favorite load is a 139 gr. Hornady Interlock or 140 gr. Nosler Accubond with Reloder 19 @ 2800 fps. I have accumulated reloading data since 1978. PM me if you need data.

If handloaded, it can be used almost exactly like a .270 Winchester, but factory loads are usually anemic. In any case, it is no charge stopper, and is far from ideal for very large and/or dangerous game.

I would think there is more to the 7x57 than a .270 Win.Even Jack OConnor's wife is said to have used the 7x57 more than she ever used the .270 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.Plus most people would think very long and hard before taking the .270 for grizzly,rhino or elephant.

Raj: I do not own a .30/06 and will not compare the 7x57mm with it. In fact, I'm not much in favor of comparing one cartridge to another because each has its own good points and bad points and no matter which way you go, someone is going to walk away from the thread with a bad feeling. I will say without hesitating that the 7x57mm is right for me, it may not be right for you. I load my CZ 550 American up and yes, it is a stout load, however, Cheaha, it is not exhibiditing any observable signs of high pressure. If I load up to 51 grains I get a sticky bolt and extractor marks. As far as my 160 grain load, I use just the 160 grain bullets in my rifle. Accuracy is not as good with 139 grain bullets or 150 grain bullets. My load is 48.3 grains and the bullets are seated way, way out to about .025 inch from the lands. Good luck ... Tom Purdom

I got a 7X57 in Winchester M70. It will kiil anything up the hill we may see, So what might it be?? A Bear, No,no.no. There is danger with him being here, Find the one woud will be willing to find out those who wish to distroy use,

I like the 7x57 as my medium duty rifle. I don't load it to the highest velocities, if I need velocity I use my 270. If I am after game of elk size an up I use a bigger gun. It's sort of my pleasant rifle that goes deer and hog hunting and I generally don't shoot at anything past 300 yards or even that far very often.

My 7x57 is built on a VZ-24 action. It likes the 139 grain Hornady SST. I use H414 but found Win 760, gave me greater velocity and less pressure.
All in all one great chambering.

How good is the 7x57 regarding meat damage.Some say a particular calibre can really damage a lot of meat.How has the 7x57 fared for you.
Tom those are good comments.Appreciate that.With the 160 grain bullets,would you feel very comfortable with elk.

I've shot a lot of deer with a 7mm-08, and other than one that I took with an early Ballistic tip, meat damage has always been minimal. The 7X57 / 7mm-08 are darned near perfection! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Raj I've not noticed the meat damage from the 7x57 being any better or worse than thing else.

7x57's all the way!!!!
I've got one and my kids have a few. I started my boys off with 7x57's 25 years ago, and they still use them.
It's more than adequate for Michigan Deer, which our staple.
We all use Nosler 140 grain partitions. We've had trouble anchoring Deer with Ballistic tips, so we went with partitions.
H-414 is THE powder for our 7mm Mausers.
The 7x57 has lots of benefits, like low recoil, and they are accurate.
I know the 7-08 would deliver the same results, but I started the boys off with the 7x57 before the 7-08 came out. So, why change horses now??
We be happy hunters.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Don

I have A 98 mauser that is being put togeather, And it is going to be the 7x57 Mauser. I have never had one before, but by reading the posts, I think that I will like it.

This is to say a special THANK YOU to, .280REM.He had mentioned a book written by a lady.She has used the 7x57 extensively.I told him I was interested in the book.He sent me 2 websites which had info on the book.But they did not have any for sale.So on his own he searched and found a place where the book was available and he informed me about it.I got the book and finished one chapter.It is vey interesting (so far)..280 Rem is indeed a very fine gentleman and has made being a member of this forum a vey pleasant experience for me.
Back to the topic,this lady has taken 4 of the African big 5 with the 7x57.The only one she did not take,she left it to WDM.Bell <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.so the 7x57 is quite a versatile caliber.

Raj,
That is very nice of 280 Rem. to provide you that! Kudos to him!

I wish you the best of luck with your 7X57. It is truly one of my favorite calibers, and, I am just a few more month's away from having my custom 7X57 in my hand's so that I may return to enjoying this truly versatile carridge!

Huntr

.....The fact that the venerable 7X57 is so often compared to the 06 is itself high praise. Also the 7/08 is often brought up in talk of the 7 Mauser round,but loaded to the modern presure levels of the 7/08,the Mauser round is superior in performance to the 08 based 7mm. The 7 Mauser has excelent claim to the first really flat shooting high velocity centerfire cartridge,and led to American developement of the 30/06 Springfield! .....If a fault is demanded in discussion of the 7 Mauser,it is the derth of quality factory loads that do it's case justice. The century plus rifles still out there scare the loading outfits into loading the old Mauser round to 42-48,00psi levels (similar to lever loadings),when loaded to 55-60,000 psi the old Mauser round is pretty much the equal of the .270 Winchester,maybe better for heavy bullet availability.....This old round is better today than ever. With the better bullets of 2006,the 7 Mauser is still a thoroughly MODERN round,Fast/Flat/Accurate/with relatively mild recoil,and great punch,it deserves greater popularity than it garners these days.