Marketing ploys suck! And so do some gunwriters.

Im in the process of building my 1st (and 2nd) 7X57 and it disgusts me to discover that American made brass for this great caliber is becoming as rare as hens teeth..

I know from this board and others that there is still a very strong following for the old 7, not just here in America but in Europe and Africa as well. So why is it being dissed by the major manufacturers? I think is is about marketing plain and simple. Perhaps they think that keeping it around would detract from 7-08 or 280 R sales as well as others like the short fats.. ??

Perhaps if it had a belt and was called the 7X57 "MAGNUM", then maybe jerks like Craig Boddington wouldnt be calling for its demise..

Does anyone know if Privi-Partizan brass is any good?

I thought Craig was a 7X57 fan.

I would be comfortable with Privi-Partizan brass. I believe they are the actual manufacturer of some big name "US" brass.

I have used some Privi-Partizan brass and it works fine.

Why bring back the 7x57 when we have the 284 Winchester?

I've had good results with Privi-Partizan brass with their 8x57 cases; & I just ordered that same brand for a new 9.3x62.

Remington makes 7x57 brass & it can be purchased at: Midway, Huntingtons & most likely Graf & Sons (as you say it can be scarce at times).

The 7mm mauser is my favorite cartridge. I have had loads of fun on plains game with that caliber (this year 2011 a 54" kudu), blue wildebeest, et. al.

Grafs shows it in stock Rem & Winchester.

BigB

I have had several 7x57 rifles since the mid-60s, mostly old Brno 21/22 and ZKK models. I just picked up a minty Brno ZG-47 short barreled 7x57 with a machined scope mount and 3x Lyman and lovely wood in the stock.

I have only shot deer with mine and I feel that it is about the finest deer cartridge available, I have the ZG, a very choice 21H and a custom HVA 4100 with Wisner safety and Brown stock, I have used this for about 20 years and it is a perfect deer rifle.

If, more hunters started with 7x57s and 6.5x55s and also handloaded and practiced, we would see these old rounds for what they really are, ideal cartridges for almost all hunting.

I would have loved a 7x57 but no one makes them anymore so I settled on a 7mm-08. The 7mm Mauser would have looked good with my 257 Roberts, my 6.5x55 and my 9.3x62.

With a 26" tube and loaded to modern pressures (62,000 PSI) the 7 x 57 is pretty impressive.

quickload shows 140gr bullet at 3100+. Who needs to give it a belt?

If I didn't already have one in 6.5x55 and 9.3x62, I would buy this one. I didn't know they were making them in 7x57. This is the first one I've seen.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti...x?Item=246960990#PIC

It's never really gone away...Aside from military arms, I had until about 7 years ago a Pre-'64 Model 70 in that chambering (made in '38). In 1969 I bought a then brand new Ruger M77 in it. I shot my first moose (in the 60's) with a ZKK-601 in 7x57. I've got a Remington in one right now. Also have owned several ZG's, Brno 21s, Mauser type As, two Rigbys, and even a BSA in the same chambering.

God only knows how many ex-military Mausers are still moping around just hoping some one will adopt them, give them a nice sporter stock to wear, and feed them a couple of times a week with some good handloads of the sort they like. In return, they'll go pretty much wherever you ask on a moment's notice, and do darned near anything a reasonable man could expect of them.

As to brass, it is no farther away than some empty 8x57 hulls, or some good quality mil-surp U.S. 30-06 stuff. I've been shooting the "7-by" for more years than the average age North American has lived, and I have NEVER bought a single round of commercial ammo or brass for it.

One just needs to want brass bad enough and all of a sudden there it is, growing right on his workbench.

There's an easy way to keep components available and rifles too. Don't buy the new whizbangers. Buy the traditional calibers you like, and the companies will be glad to make them for you.

It also doesn't hurt a bit to write the gun mags and tell them what you LIKE reading and what you don't. They like to sell as many issues as they can.....

Dear Wstrnhntr:

Why not go even one better, and build a 7x57 AI?

In my experience, its a real race horse, and fits in a standard 1898 Mauser action with only about 1/2 hour of filing.

What I did was stock up with 500 Winchester cases of 257 Roberts +P years ago. Just neck them up, fire form, and viola you get some serious brass with the stronger head anyway.

The 257 +P brass is only 0.7 grains less in capacity based upon my volumetric measurements.

I just wish that Lapua made 7x57 brass, and then the universe would be perfect

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

First custom I ever ordered was a couple of years ago and it is 7x57. 09 Mauser action. Shoots into under an inch for a 3 shot group. Slim barrel heats up and climbs after 3 shots quickly. Acquited itself very well in Zimbabwe on several Kudu out to 300yds. I had it built to specifically shoot 175gr Nosler Partitions and it really does.

My first 7x57 was a Ruger 77 I bought new 30 years ago. It wouldn't group well with factory or reloads.

I now have a custom 98 Mauser in 7x57. It originally belonged to a hunting buddy who loved to hunt with it. When he died, I bought it from his family. I shot it for 20 years, but it never grouped very well. Last year I put on a new barrel and now it consitently groups under 1" with Sierra 160 Game King HPs and H4350. I killed 1 hog and 2 deer with it last season. It performs perfectly.

I have a 7X57 in a Rem. 700 Mountain Rifle long action and I love the cartridge (still not 100% certain about the rifle barrel). The only thing I've found wrong with the cartridge is that it is too long for a "American" made short action and too short for a "American" made long action. I haven't checked it against my M-70 short actions but I'm pretty sure it will not work as well. In my M-700 long action (Push feed) it is quite easy to short stroke the bolt and come up with a empty chamber. Not that there is any difference if one was to short stroke a CRF but a CRF action will not eject a spent round until the bolt is fully retracted and as EVERYONE knows a push feed will spit a case out as soon as it clears metal, (if the Rem. extractor doesn't let go of the rim at the onset )

It is all about discipline I suppose.
But it really does needs a action designed for it's loaded length and THAT cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for maybe not so many sales = <$$$$$$$$

As Alberta Canuck said the 7x57 never went away among the hunters. My first one was a pristine DWM 1908 in military trim, and my present is a custom DWM 1908.
25 in barrel and handloads for all the performance I could need and accuracy that encourages across the board hunting.

My sig line might give away the fact of my partiality toward the 7x57. It has been a hunting round par excelence for just on 120 years.
Von Gruff.

I am all for the 7-57 cartridge. To me many are similar in effect and if a hunter or target shooter likes a round then use it with good effect.

The thing is that while the 7-57 is effective it does not stand out nor does it fill the long actions it requires. A 280 or a 7-64 would do that.

So good luck with your 7-57's. I have only one and I got it to get the rifle. Its accurate and adequate.

Great round. I use mine for everything. When throated for 175 grain projectiles it fills a Mauser '98 action perfectly. Anything less can be handled by a .243W.

I think its lack of popularity in North America is the fault of consumers duped by marketing.

What can a 7X57 do that a 7mm-08 can't do?.......other than not fit in a American short action.
I suspect that the 8X57 is suffering for the same reason. Here in the US it doesn't really fill any niches other than nostalgia.
I do like the 7X57 because.....well it just looks cool!

Craig Boddington shoots a Todd Ramirez custom 7x57. Maybe you could ask the jerk where he buys brass...

quote:

Originally posted by Rae59:
What can a 7X57 do that a 7mm-08 can't do?.......other than not fit in a American short action.
I suspect that the 8X57 is suffering for the same reason. Here in the US it doesn't really fill any niches other than nostalgia.
I do like the 7X57 because.....well it just looks cool!

You nailed it. The reason for it's following is the 7x57 is an icon with a history full of success.

Didn't know it had ever left!
I still got mine.

Here is a little number a friend of mine built. I was able to cajole him until he sold it to me. It is chambered in 7 x 57 on a Mauser action, handcarved mesquite stock, bedded, Douglass barrel, timney trigger and leupold 3 x 9 scope.



Shoots the 150 gr. ballistic tips just fine.





GWB

Nice rifle especially the stock. It's hard to find a piece of mesquite without a split. Who did the wood?

I own several military surplus type rifles in decent to excellent condition and a Ruger 77 tang safety in 7x57. The Ruger was a featherweight model in 270 Win and while it'd obviously been well used for hunting, wasn't much for accuracy at range.....so had one of the inexpensive Midway A&B heavy varmit barrels installed in it and replaced the factory trigger sear with one made by Rifle Basix. The Ruger is now quite an accurate rifle with a cartridge I enjoy shooting.

Brass available from:

Grafs

Sinclair

Blue Star

Jim

I have a Dakota in 7X57 and love it. I haven't had trouble finding brass. I think the 7-08 has become more popular in the us because it is more compact and fits into a smaller package than the 7x57. The Remington model 7 and the 7mm08 just seem to be made for each other.
I've always found Boddington to speak highly of the 7x57.

My favorite centerfire caliber. Mines in a rebarreled pre64 M70 which now has a #2 taper Shilen. Currently in a bit of beater Featherweight stock.

Sure other cartridges out perform it on paper, 7-08 fits so well on 308 length action. But mine feeds like greased sausages and not concerned with overall or magazine length with any bullets when seated 0.010" off lands. Had a 260 & 7-08 where this was always an issue, both are traded away.

Tried lots of slugs but have settle on 140g Partitons, solid 1.25" groups everytime. No first shoot flyers, very important trait in my view.

10-Ring Reloaders Supply in Houston keeps the PMC cases in stock. Some of these I have over 10 loadings in practice rounds (160g RNGC w/SR4759, easily 750 of these already through this barrel). Rem cases are used with hunting loads as IMHO they are bit more consistent..

Never forgot this cartridge, never will,

Pete A.

I think it's mostly that it is NOT am American caliber. Quality 7x57 brass is available, it's not like you need 1000s of pieces. I am quite happy w/ my 280 though, another disrespected caliber.

The 7x57 oddly enough fits the mauser action perfectly and thats is what I build my rifles on. The only complaint I have, Hmmm no can't think of one. Brass is a little more expensive and the Privi partisan stuff needs a European diameter shellholder but it is good brass. Mine has been killing Hogs and deer for me in Texas for 15 years, it is very accurate though I built it ugly so weather and hard knock wouldn't phase it, she is an awesome hunting rifle. Ravorite bullets are Sierra 150 and 160 gr. Gamekings and the Nosler 150 gr. Ballistic tips for deer and 140 gr. Nosler Partitions for hogs.

Maybe my Boddington rant was a bit off base, but I do recall him bashing the 57mm case in an article called cartridges we can do without. Rubbed me the wrong way to say the least.

As far as the brass, as near as I can tell Remington and Winchester both stopped production some years back, hence the thread, and that is why if you can find it (those brands, I prefer Win) nowadays you will pay a premium price for it..

Thanks for the replys, I think Ill try some of the PPU stuff out and see how it goes.

What can the 7X57 do that the 7-08 cannot, handle big 7mm bullets better.. Bigger engine, longer throat. Not my opinion, physics.


Yale,

I gave the AI version serious consideration, but I already have an AI 257 and 7X57 dies and prefer to keep them different to help keep ammo distinguished. I am also convinced that I can get enough out of the standard case and a 24" tube to satisfy my needs, but if I had it to do over again I would have kept the 257 standard and made the 7 an AI.

I have a 7 by 57. Brass has not been a problem. Midway has Remington from 20 ct to 1000 ct in stock. They also have Norma in stock in 20 and 100 ct. BTW I still like Craig even if he does not like the 7 by 57.

It was my first centerfire rifle in a Ruger 77. Mine shot 140 gr. Noslers just fine but I went through a phase of rifle trading and sold or exchanged it, forget which. Great round, IMO. If I was in the position of wanting another rifle of that class I'd get one in a minute but with my 6.5x55 shooting so well, it would be redundant. That's right, I said redundant. I try not to have guns I don't use. I'd rather spend the money on trips. That's why I have fewer than a dozen hunting rifles and don't plan on getting any more.

Mine is a CZ 550 Lux and it shoots one hole groups with PMP ProAmm 170gr ammo. A gunsmith friend of mine recently told me that he killed a kudu bull at 350 yards, measured, with Privi Partizan 175gr softs, one shot through the heart. In South Africa we have locally manufactured PMP ProAmm. Also available in most gunshops, PriviPartizan, RWS, Sellier& Bellot factory ammo. I really like the 7x57!

I was introduced to the cartridge during my first visit in Africa...I fell in love! Upon my return I scrapped my plans to get a .308 and set to build a 7x57. Here she is:



(on the second visit to Africa)

Sako 691LH action, marine-tex bedded into a McMillan Sako hunter stock, Pac-Nor select match barrel 1:8 and a Jet-Z moderator. This rifle hasn't printed anything more than 3/4inch with everything I fed it, the load I took to Africa printed 0.3' 5 shot groups and the springbok in the picture was taken at 274yards. What's not to like???

I don't understand why one cannot buy this chambering as standard from most manufacturers...

best wishes,

Finman

PS: lal, PMP ammo is absolutely excellent! took a pig with the rifle in the picture at 270yards with the 150gn ProAm ammo. I took 5-6 rounds back to England and chronographed them after I measured them: less than 2thou runout and more than 2700fps...You're lucky with that ammo, I wish we could find it in the UK...

Finman, lovely rifle and Im glad you have tried the ProAmm's. Did the 150gr really clock 2700fps? I dont own a chronograph. What distance did you zero that load? Thanks for the input, was very surprised you got that kind of speed...
Keep well

Norma 7x57 in 150 or 154 gr. is excellent in my rifle. Smacks deer and hogs real hard. Velocity in my 20" bbl. hunting rifle is just under 2700 fps. Should be available in europe for sure.

I once said earlier: with modern manufacturing methods, there just isn't any reason why a medium length push feed couldn't be made cheaply even in small runs (*100 +)

A medium push feed, 3.2" box, Model 700 action: really - think about the possibilities of that action. Long load WSM's...Long load 350 Rem-Mags, etc. 8x57, 9x57 in a native pusher.

Do it for $400 an action and they'd sell.

But what do I know...other than knowing that I'd buy one.

quote:

Originally posted by lal:
Finman, lovely rifle and Im glad you have tried the ProAmm's. Did the 150gr really clock 2700fps? I dont own a chronograph. What distance did you zero that load? Thanks for the input, was very surprised you got that kind of speed...
Keep well

Hi Lal,

she is indeed lovely...In tribute to the place where I was introduced to the cartridge, the name of the SA farm is engraved in the barrel.

I always zero at 100 yards and carry with me a Sierra Infinity generated card that tells me the drops. The load that I used most at that trip in SA was a mild one: 2550fps with a 140gn GMK and this is how it shot:



This is the kind of group I have been getting with this rifle with 150gn GMK, 139gn Interlocks, 162gn Interlocks, and 140gn Partitions. I stopped testing after that
My biggest surprise with factory ammunition was not the stuff from PMP, it was the RWS ammo: 175gn projectile (an RWS one I guess...) clocked 2740fps! And it was scary accurate:



First shot on the horn was because I did not know the drops, the following two shots in the eye, at 200yds...Wish I could make handloads like that!

Again, what's not to like and why would I prefer a 7-08, 7mmRemMag or a .280Rem over the 7x57??

best wishes,

Finman

Finman I am IMPRESSED! Thanks for the info,keep it up!