which would make a better rifle for my girlfriend for deer, antelope, and an elk thrown in there every once in a while.

Whichever one comes in a rifle she likes. They're both great for what you have in mind. Ammo availability might make me lean toward the .270, though. You're on the right track, though.

Good luck,
Scott

If you are a handloader,it's a toss up. If you rely on factory ammo,the 270 just about chooses itself.

I have both,have killed stuff with both,like both,the 7x57 prolly is a touch more pleasant to shoot with any given bullet weight because it uses less powder and generally operates at lower pressures. That is why the late Jack OConnor selected a 7x57 for his wife to use as her primary big game rifle.

For practicality go with the 270.

For user friendly style and class get her the 7mm Mauser.

Not trying to be a wise guy but if you truly have to ask this question (meaning you don't hand load) just go with a 270 or 7mm-08 and don't give it a second thought.

Me, I'm still waiting on my 7mm mauser build to come back from the smith

If you have both now, let her shoot each one and see what she prefers. If you are making a decision to purchase, you will find many more options with the .270Win.. If she is afraid of the .270, then buy a 7-08 (modern version of 7x57). While the 7mm Mauser is a great round, your rifle options are a little limited.
Good luck.

This is easy.

While she's your girlfriend, a Savage in .270 will do just fine.

After 15 years of marriage, a Ruger #1 in 7x57.

Travis

Owning both, and another one of the two recommendations I'd suggest for females...

I'd consider the 260 Rem First.. less recoil without giving up much capability if any...

the 260 is equal to the 7 x 57 in most scearios... also the same could be said for a 7/08....

the performance of all are so close together with little positives for this cartridge in this scenario or that cartridge in that scenario...

the last recommendation would be the 270, strictly because it is for a female.. longer action, heavier rifle...

you might think about a 6.5 x 55 if you are thinking 7 x 57 also..

if she is a small female, the Ruger International 77 Mk 2 or the Ruger Ultralight, both might be packages worth looking at, and realizing each choice spoken of here, really overlap the other...

I think it would depend on her tolerance of felt recoil. Hornaday sells both a standard velocity cartridge and a Light Magnum cartridge in 7mm Mauser. Start out with the standard velocity cartridge. Then you have the option of going to the faster Light Magnums. Just my opinion...

idahoguy101

Since you mentioned antelope, I would recommend a .270 Win. because they shoot a lot flatter than a 7x57 out past 300 yards.

A lot of women shoot 270.

I would choose the 7x57 for a girl or a youth...It has less recoil anyway you cut it..It is also the lightest caliber that I would hunt any animal on this earth with...

For myself either would do just fine..In fact I have both and I can't tell much difference in them on game and I have shot a heck of a lot of game with both...

Well put!

Good Answer . . . .

I would vote Savage in 25-06 to reduce recoil.

Lots of 25-06 ammo around.

BMT

Both are excellent rounds. I say go to a gun store and have her shoulder a few and see what feels good. I don't know how many nowdays are chambered in the 7 x 57 but almost all bolt guns are chambered in the 270. I'd say you're limited more by whether you load your own and who produces rifles in the 7 x 57. The 7-08 is another good option.

7x57 all the way. Load 140 gr bullets at 2800 fps, 160 Nosler Partitions at 2600 for elk. Big punch, little kick.

I like the .270, but it's an important step up in recoil for a flatter tragectory.

The 7x57 w/ 140s in a modern rifle is a point blank rifle on deer and elk to 300 yards - and that's a long shot, despite what some here may say.

She'll love you for it...

Why not a .257 Roberts? If we are talking bullet weights to 140 grs. would not a 115 gr. partition or X out of a Roberts not work?

Let her shoot them both and then let her make the decision. Most women like the Model 70 Featherweight or the Model 7 Remington.

She prolly isnt gonna like the recoil of the 270,I started a girlfriend years ago with a gun a bit big for a newbie and it ended as quick as it started after the 2nd shot she was done and wanted no more,if it were me Id start her with a 243 until she got broke in to it then graduate her up accordingly..........

Regarding the 7x57, I�d opt for the 7mm-08 or .260 Rem instead. Both have broader ammo selections available and Remington offers a reduced recoil load for both.

Regarding the .270 Win, this would be my choice if occasional elk were on the menu. With the .270 Win you get considerably more choices in ammo than with the 7mm-08 or .260 Rem. Ammo options include loads from 100PSP and 110g TTSX to 150g Partition and Trophy Bonded Tip. The .270 Win is, IMHO, perhaps the best deer and antelope cartridge ever developed and with the right loads it makes it a passable 500 yard elk cartridge.

That was my thought.......nothing mentioned will fend off a well placed and constructed 25-06 pill.

Less recoil than many others mentioned............yep.

Just another consideration......seconded.

This probably makes the most sense, unless you were planning on starting her on elk.

Girlfriends come and girlfriends go.....the rifle stays. Get the one you like.

T'were it for a female with a more permanent title, I'd go 7x57.

I can't argue with that logic. If recoil is an issue also keep in mind that there are reduced recoil loads for the 270 from Remington. My understanding is these kick like a 243. I always thought that was a nice option to have.

IMO, the 7x57 is more "cool" but the 270, especially with the Managed Recoil load option, is more practical.

"Reloading isn't for impatient sissies", is it??? I need your input, as I am planning to reload 7mmx08, for a Lone Eagle SSP. But I am also interested in loading a straight-wall bullet for the same gun, different barrel, but don't know what caliber and dies I should be looking at. Can you please advise what I should check for sources? Eventually I will be firing only the straight-wall cartridge, dropping back to 7mmx.08 just to gain more brass. Thanks.

That is a clever answer.

Just another thought here, have you looked at what is available in a youth rifle? Depending on the size of the girl friend the stock might come closer to fitting her.

I think the real question, seeing as how this thread is over 2 years old, it whether the girlfriend is still around, or maybe she is a wife by now. In any case hopefully the OP has been able to make a decision (or 2).

x2

Its not the recoil on the 270 its that helacius muzzle blast

I've had a number of rifles in both and will say from a practical viewpoint there isn't that much difference in game taking capability of either. If you are a ballistics nut however I was never able to get the 7mm within 200fps of the 270 with comparable bullet weights using any printed data including the heavy load data for modern rifles. I will also say that as group the 3-4 270's I had probably shot better than the 3-4 7mm's I had out of the box. The 7mm's usually required some adjustments in seating depth to comp for the long throats to get them to shoot their best. Don't be fooled by all of the recoil hype because if you shoot a 140 gr bullet at 2700 fps from a 7.5 lb rifle then there usually isn't much recoil difference whether the diameter of the bullet is .264, 284 or .308. The fit of the stock and hardness if the butt pad will have more influence than the bore diameter on felt recoil. Having said all of this the 7mm does have as stated a coolness factor but the 270 is a much better practical choice in terms of factory loads availability both full and reduced recoil and cost while generally having a slight ballistics edge. Just my $.02

My idea is keep the cost down and buy one of the new Marlins in 7-08 for $300. They have a reputation for being pretty good shooters and it will always be handy to have if GF leaves.

Given that OP is in Baker MT, I would go with a .270 over a 7x57 just for practicality. But I also might be tempted for a lighter rifle for deer and antelope, and assume she can borrow a gun for an elk hunt if need be. She needs something to enjoy shooting, and a .243 might be a better call.

The better rifle would be the one that fits her best. It should be chambered for a round that she can shoot well.
Women vary alot as to what they can shoot well. But nobody shoots well with an ill fitting rifle.
As far as the comparison of the cartriages goes, I'd discover first of all what she can shoot best and what appeals to her. E

7x57. Less kick, plenty of power, good bullets available. My guess is that she's not apt to be a serious shooter, such that shots beyond about 250 yards are unlikely. As Jack O'Connor said, "Big Punch in Little Case." It was his wife, Eleanor's, favorite cartridge. He was fond of it too.

It seems as though you don't reload, so get the one with cheaper ammo. I suspect that will be the 270.

If you don't reload, a 7x57 is not a good choice.