i've been thinking about trying this for a combination dder/elk bullet but i have also been thinking it would be a AWFULLY slow performer. like a big freight train, however, i am willing to bet that it would penetrate with some real enthusiasm while still expanding very well. the bullet in question would be a sierra GameKing.

has anyone hunted with this combination? assuming that any and all of my shooting at game would be within 200 yards, would this be a good choice?

If a 7x57 (or a 7-08) was my only rifle, I'd load it up to a blazing 2400fps +/- and go at it, never doubting that if I did my part, the rifle/load would do its. I'd probably use a 160gr Speer Grand Slam however.

I have used the 7-08 with a 145gr Speer Grand Slam to take several mulies but never an elk.

I've used the 175 gr Sierra quite a bit in the 7x57, 280, and 284. It expands surprisingly well at non-magnum velocities, though I have generally found Sierra bullets to be a bit on the soft side. I've not taken any elk with it, but I have taken a few deer with it (back when I was in my heavy-for-caliber bullet, tradional phase) and it dropped them in their tracks. It seems to expand better at 7x57 velocities than the 175 Hornady. I've not achieve top notch accuracy with this bullet (at least in my rifles), but certainly acceptable for hunting. Anyway, good luck.

I agree with 9.3x62, it is a good deer bullet in the brush or for short range...and not too shabby across our Idaho Canyons with a pointed Nosler partition which seem to open well and penitrate and not bruise a lot of meat if your not too close...

I like the 175 gr. bullets, they kill well, and leave good blood trail...but don't expect every kill to fall at the shot, they normally run about 20 to 50 yards and pile up..

I also agree the 160 gr. bullet and I like Noslers or North Forks are the better all around choice..

Last couple of years I have been using some 130 gr. GS Custom HV monolithics and wow! do they ever work well...and out penitrate anything that I have ever used.

I use the 175 grainers in the 7 x 57s that I shoot. Unlike 9.3 x 62, I get very good accuracy. My load for any bullet weight in the 7 x 57 is 40 grains of IMR 3031. I think Hornady and Lyman list loads of 38 grains of so with the 175, but they are also at lower pressures for older rifles. It gives me the tightest groups by far of any powder I have tested, in all three of my rifles which are all long throated, and I seat the bullets to take advantage of that fact.

My rifles are ONE Winchester Model 70 Featherweigth and two different Ruger 77 Mk 2s. One of the Ruger's diets is strictly the 175 grain loads with a 4 x 40 scope on it. It is set up for 250 yds as max shots. Velocity with the 40 grains of IMR 3031 also does not change much from the 139 grain Hornady to the 175 grain bullets, so point of impact is very close also.

It is a load with Tradition. it has been around a long time, because it works.

Cheers and Good shooting
seafire

thanks for the replies so far! i do have a box of 160-grain SGKs, and i want to duplicate the "o'connor load" with these. this bullet was used by jack and eleanor to take mule deer and elk.



i also have this box of 175's and thought that with the tradition and history of this bullet weight, it would be good to develop a good, solid hunting load with these as well. the pills aren't doing any good sitting in the box!

I have been using Hornady 175 grain RN in my 7X57 'Scout' for years with very good results. It is now 6 deer for six shots, and all the shots were walking or running. I worried that the 175 grainer would be too tough for the 7X57 velocities but that has not been my experience. Most exit holes (and they all exited) were golf ball size. Only two of them dropped in their tracks but none went over 35-40 yards. Oh yes, I have also fired several 1" or less groups with this old Mauser and the RN load, even though it has a 2X pistol scope on it. The 175 grain Hornady RN has greatly impressed me.

I echo the 175 Horandy RN. It is great.