7x57 ?

09 February 2006, 20:40

akpls

7x57 ?

Does the 7x57 Mauser get used much throughout Africa these days? I've found myself coming full circle as far as calibers go. Started out years ago with the 30-06 and steadily went up the chain through the magnums to the big bores and now find myself coming back around and enjoying the 25's and 7mm's more. I thought maybe I'd take my 7x57 on my next Namibia PG trip and was just curious if it was still as popular as what I've read.

09 February 2006, 21:29

BOWHUNR

My wife used one in S.A. in 2004. She took gemsbuck, blesbuck(3), bontebuck and kudu. All were one shot kills with 160 gr. bullets.

BOWHUNR

NEVER BOOK A HUNT WITH JEFF BLAIR AT BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING!

09 February 2006, 22:58

Andrew McLaren

BOWHUNR,

Good for your better half. I'm prepared to put a bottle of Scotch on it that all the shots were correctly [or nearly so] placed. Much to say for the low recoil mentioned by ALF!

Me, I'll much rather guide a good shot using a "marginal for the species" caliber, than a flinching shot using an "overkill" magnum. IMHO the 7X57 is good for most, or all, plains game, and much better than some magnums used by flinching and gun-shy, but potential great shottists, if only they would use a lesser caliber like the 7X57!

!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren.

Andrew McLaren
Professional Hunter and Hunting Outfitter since 1974.

http://www.mclarensafaris.com The home page to go to for custom planning of ethical and affordable hunting of plains game in South Africa!
Enquire about any South African hunting directly from andrew@mclarensafaris.com

After a few years of participation on forums, I have learned that:

One can cure:

Lack of knowledge – by instruction. Lack of skills – by practice. Lack of experience – by time doing it.

One cannot cure:

Stupidity – nothing helps! Anti hunting sentiments – nothing helps! Put-‘n-Take Outfitters – money rules!

My very long ago ancestors needed and loved to eat meat. Today I still hunt!

09 February 2006, 23:15

Ganyana

Killed my very first elephant and eland with one! The fact that Walter bell was my dad's god father has Nothing to do with it!

10 February 2006, 03:11

Will

I've got a 7x57 that I'll lend someone based upon the guarantee that you torment a cow elephant in thick jess and when she charges you only have one round in the rifle. You would be allowed to have it chambered.

Oh, one more thing, the PH has to be at least 50 yards behind you.

-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
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and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.

10 February 2006, 04:55

zimbabwe

I used a 7x57 for plains game on my last trip to Zim. VERY effective. I used 175gr Nosler Partitions. Good on Kudu out to 200yds which was longest shot. I would use it on anything except Buffalo/Elephant. It's the only custom I've had built for myself.

SCI Life Member
NRA Patron Life Member
DRSS

10 February 2006, 05:32

kayaker

As above...its popular.
In RSA I would say only less less popular than .30-06, .308, .270. 243, 7x64 and .303.

You will certainly see them around and ammo is easy to find.

Its poular, as mentioned as it does the same job with less recoil and less machismo....
Great cartridge

http://orionmind.blogspot.com/

10 February 2006, 07:05

Michael Robinson

quote:
Originally posted by ALF:
. . . are we to assume all African hunting is only Elephant and buffalo?

ALF,

Yes, but you left out lion.