Just picked up a nice little sporter with 20" barrel in 7mm Mauser. It will see most action in heavy woods for whitetails here in MI. What can I expect in performance and punch? No scope, only a lyman peep so it will probably be a 100-yard rifle. In my battery it will fit in between my trusty old Ruger M44 carbine and my pre-64 30-06.

What is the 7mm capable of?

Tanks

In theory anything up to an elephant...with the right bullet!

In more realistic terms, and the relative disadvantage of a 20" barrel, pretty much anything that the 308 or 7mm-08 can do in a 24" barrel.

As the extra capacity of your 7mm Mauser cartridge case will compensate for you lack of barrel inches.

But, apart from "handiness", it won't ever be the equal of your 30-06.

I'd see it as a "go to" when you want maybe just that little bit extra (in terms of flatter trajectory over uncertain distances) than your Ruger will deliver.

It would make a fine "stand" rifle where you've a fair walk before you get to your "seat" if that is what they do in Michigan.

And a nice sort of thing that would fit well in a car or truck.

That would be a great 100yd deer & black bear round. Feed it 154gr-175gr soft pts & it will get it done.

I've successfully hunted antelope and mule deer with a 7mm- a very pleasant round to shoot recoil-wise, and accurate. I think your range and sights will be compatible, and, I would find it particularly satisfying hunting with the round in an aperture-sighted rifle... just something about it

Is it a Swede, or another?

Thanks.

Thank you, all. Glad to know that I was not too far off in my expectations. The rifle is of US origin and it will see use on stand and when ever the mood strikes me.

I think a good 145 gr round nose would be particularily sexy in the rifle.

I have used 120gr to 175gr bullets in mine and haven't found any that it didn't like.That sucker sure shoots sweet.Good Luck

If you practice with it, that peep is more accurate than you give it credit for. I was watching a 1000 yard match and a team of GI's were competing using M14s (I think)in .308 with peep sights. I asked the range officer if they weren't at a disadvantage considering some of the monster scopes on some of the cannons being shot. His reply was, "if they get their dope right, they can shoot possibles." Soooo......
I shot an M1 with a peep and shot possibles out to 500 yards so practice, practice, practice. I think you'll surprise yourself.
Don't try to turn it into any lazer beam but out to say 300 yards a good 150 or 160gr bullet thundering along at 2500-2600fps will do a number on anything you're apt to find in the US except for the great bears.

having a Model 70 Featherweight in that chambering.. it is more than capable...

the 140 class for longer ranges...

the 150s and 160s for a compromise for long range and hard hitting..

the 175 grainers for mid range.. and a heavy thump..
even at slow velocity I have seen those 175 grainers penetrate thru 18 inches of wood and keep on going...

quote:

shot an M1 with a peep and shot possibles out to 500 yards so practice, practice, practice. I think you'll surprise yourself.

that is the key to it all.. you can shoot anything if you practice enough...

in fact I have amazed myself at how trained a eye can get seeing and hitting little bitty brown varmints on dirty fields, that are running all over the place...

that boils down to practice when you are shooting about 500 or so of them in a day..

There isn't a whitetail alive that it won't kill easily.

Strange that you should ask that about a cartridge that's over 100 years old ! And that's 100 years of huge success in hunting many types of animals.For a hand loader it's between the 7mm-08 and 280 Rem , both fine cartridges.100 yds on deer is easy work for the 7x57 !

it's definately my go-to for deer at any area/range i'd hunt. one of the few cartridges that everybody that uses one agress it's better than it suggests by it's size. mr. mauser knew something when he designed it, that's for sure. there aren't many rounds that have a 100 year history of being unanimously and consistantly included in a list as one of the better (dare i say top 10) rounds for just about anything that won't eat you.
it loads easy, likes lots of different powders and will generally shoot most all weights well enough for complete confidence.

The 7X57 Mauser is one of a small cadre of cartridges that possesses killing power far beyond its paper ballistics. Putting its military successes aside, the 7X57 earned its reputation in the world's hunting fields. The 6.5X55 and much newer 257 Roberts share these characteristics. Classics sometimes fall to cult status, but they remain classics and will always be rediscovered. They will never fade away because they simply work.

I am a sucker for old and classic firearms and cartridges. My "big" gun is a pre-64 300 H&H.

As far as the capabilities of that caliber and a Lyman peep - I have no doubt that in capable hands the rifle will shoot well beyond 100 yards, so long as those hands are wired to equally capable eyes. Unfortunately, I am a little far sighted so the peep gets a little fuzzy.

On a related note; if the rifle is shooting right do I move the peep to the right or left?

Really fired up to get out with the rifle and enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by seafire2:

quote:

shot an M1 with a peep and shot possibles out to 500 yards so practice, practice, practice. I think you'll surprise yourself.

that is the key to it all.. you can shoot anything if you practice enough...

in fact I have amazed myself at how trained a eye can get seeing and hitting little bitty brown varmints on dirty fields, that are running all over the place...

that boils down to practice when you are shooting about 500 or so of them in a day..

Not to hi-jack my own thread but if you are going to shoot >100 rounds/day how many rounds will you fire between cleanings?

Loaded to it's full potential the 7x57 will handle anything the 06 can.I've been using one for over 25yrs and it's never let me down.Put the right bullet in the right place and get your knife out .

The ring is supposed to be fuzzy, ergo "ghost ring". You concentrate on the front sight and the target and the ring will automatically align them in the center of the ring.

quote:

Originally posted by Doublegun:

On a related note; if the rifle is shooting right do I move the peep to the right or left?
.

For aperture sight adjustment, or any rear sight for that matter. Move the aperture in the direction you want the shot to go. shots going right--- move the aperture to the left to bring the shot to the left. The formula for adjusting the aperture is.
the error in inches multiplied by the sight radius in inches divided by the distance to the target in inches.

eg : 8 inch error to right. sight radius 25inches. distance to target 100 yds x 36 = 3600
8x25= 200 divided by 3600 = .055 adjustment of aperture to left

This formula works for working out all open sight adjustments. Just remember that rear sight goes in the direction you want to shift bullet strike and front sight goes in opposite direction.

I have my 7x57, albeit with a 25in barrel with a bolt mounted aperture and feel well equiped for what ever might present itself. I have a 160gn Woodleigh and 120gn GS Custom bullet that covers all my hunting needs in NZ. A 7x57 is never a mistake for a HUNTER. Good luck with yours.

Von Gruff.

quote:

A 7x57 is never a mistake for a HUNTER.

Cape buffalo? Wounded lion? Is the 404 a boat anchor?

Couldn't help myself.

Real life is different than the latest hype about some newfangled cartridge, now or a hundred years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by RyanB:
There isn't a whitetail alive that it won't kill easily.

It does just fine on Alaska moose too.

Probably the most OPTIMUM cartridge even in a light rifle with a 20" barrel that can be used in the lower 48. It would be followed closely by the same rifle in 6.5 X 55.
American antelope may be a chalange but not if enough range time were put in. roger

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
The 7X57 Mauser is one of a small cadre of cartridges that possesses killing power far beyond its paper ballistics. Putting its military successes aside, the 7X57 earned its reputation in the world's hunting fields. The 6.5X55 and much newer 257 Roberts share these characteristics. Classics sometimes fall to cult status, but they remain classics and will always be rediscovered. They will never fade away because they simply work.

buckshot, you left out the 8x57 and the 9.3x62.

The 7mm Mauser is one of the all time great cartridges for which no apologies are necessary. I feel that even woods guns benefit from low power variable scopes for those occasional longer shots that occur in the eastern woodlands.

If you handload, be sure to use data intended for modern firearms as there's lots of data around intended not to stress the early Mausers.

Over on the 24 HR campfire,
Gun writer John Barnsness will tell you what he thinks of the 7mm Mauser all day.
He took it on an moose hunt and was very happy with it.
I like it well enough that I already have a Ruger #1A , and with 140 grain balistic tips, It simply shoots great.
And I am buildng a custom on a VZ-24 now.
I would not worry at all about a 20 inch barrel.
It might cost you about 100 FPS but more likly about 50.
I get 2900 with 140s and H-414 from my ruger.
You should find out what kind of action yours is built on and how the chamber is throated.
If It's a modern strong action and you can seat the bullets out long you can boost you velocity well over what the manuals say with complete safty.
The round has been around since I think 1891
and preasures are kept way low.
US Factory ammo is very weak.
...tj3006

My first real deer rifle was (is) as 7x57. Long ago I read a John Wooters article about his 'go-to' load, a 154 grain Hornday round nose. I load with 40 grains of 3031 (as per Seafire's pet load). This bullet opens up well, penetrates all day. Wouldn't be my long range load, but i have yet to shoot a deer more than 150 yards away, most much closer. It's a great load for the 7. Bob

quote:

Originally posted by ColeK:

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
The 7X57 Mauser is one of a small cadre of cartridges that possesses killing power far beyond its paper ballistics. Putting its military successes aside, the 7X57 earned its reputation in the world's hunting fields. The 6.5X55 and much newer 257 Roberts share these characteristics. Classics sometimes fall to cult status, but they remain classics and will always be rediscovered. They will never fade away because they simply work.

buckshot, you left out the 8x57 and the 9.3x62.

You're absoposilutely 100% correct, especially where the 9.3 is concerned. Keep in mind that I also considered recoil when the above mentioned was written.

Back in the early 60's I bought my brother a surplus M-95 Chilean mauser.
He shot his first elk with the factory 175 gr for an instant kill, lung shot.
The 7x57 is probably the most well-balanced cartridge ever.
To this day I dream of a custom in 7x57.
If I ever get one, I will probably feel that I have no need for anything else for most hunting.

Got out this morning and managed to sneak in 10-rounds. Wow. Quite a punch out of a small light rifle and that barrel - LOUD. 25-yards and I could cover 5-rounds with a quarter. 5-rounds at 100-yards, well I need to practice. This is going to be a lot of fun.

The action, BTW, is a 1903 Sspringfield.

As for optics, I have always been a pretty traditional guy. My go to rifle is a pre-64 M70 in 3006, topped with a Leupold 4x and my "big" rifle is a pre-64 M70 in 300 H&H topped with a Leupold 6x.

One of those very rare AR threads where I might actually know something about the subject. I'll be succinct: your firearm is fine for anything in the lower 48 with POSSIBLE exception of the very biggest bears. As to the sight: I bet you're already doing this. Practice, and dedetermine what your comfortable/ethical/practical distance is with hunting accuracy. My bet is that it will be 200-250 yards w/out really tricky wind.

Great round, and pleasant to shoot.

I took my last elk, 3 years ago, using a 150 grain NP out of my M.98 sporter. Only went about 40 yards before crumpling to the ground.

What's it capable of? Hunting, shooting and killing, it is indistinguishable from a 270 when loaded properly (Mine is a 140 grain on top of 46 grains of IMR 4320.) MV is nearly 2900 and it groups about 1.5 inches which is only that bad because it is coming from a M-77 tang safety that shot strung-out, crazy patterns. A repaired internal crack in the stock, a bedding job and 2 rounds of Final Finish brought that rifle back to life.
Anyway, would you consider a 270 a good deer rifle?
A 150 grain bullet could break both shoulders and should fly at 2700 fps. That is, if you want more of an Elk round. But for big Michigan deer, that might be the right medicine.

Woods hunting in Michigan?

Your 7X57 is a great little gun. With a 20" barrel it surely will be handy.

Big deer and maybe a bear or two thrown in?

I'd opt for the 154 grain Hornady Interlock
bullet and one of several possible powder combinations. Or you might want to try the newer Hornady Interbond bullet.

It will easily take anything you will hunt in Michigan. Load up with an accurate combo in your particular rifle and don't look back! Your peep sight will be better than a low power scope within 100 yards. You would be greatly surprised at what military recruits can do at 500 yards with one.

Last 35 years in Wyoming my go to gun for just about everything. Mine is 20" barrel. 52.5 grs. 4350, hornady 139 gr interlock, 2850 fps over chronograph. Click+bang = dead. BTW, I have 4 of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Doublegun:
Got out this morning and managed to sneak in 10-rounds. Wow. Quite a punch out of a small light rifle and that barrel - LOUD. 25-yards and I could cover 5-rounds with a quarter. 5-rounds at 100-yards, well I need to practice. This is going to be a lot of fun.

The action, BTW, is a 1903 Sspringfield.

As for optics, I have always been a pretty traditional guy. My go to rifle is a pre-64 M70 in 3006, topped with a Leupold 4x and my "big" rifle is a pre-64 M70 in 300 H&H topped with a Leupold 6x.

I wonder what your rifle weighs? I bought a Remington 660 back in 1973 and that thing was not only loud as hell but kicked the living snot out of me. Later when I learned to use decent hearing protection, the kick disappeared. Oh sure the rifle still had recoil but he pain went away. It was the loudness of the muzzle blst that was causing most of the perceived recoil. FWIW, on a hunt, I never notice the bang or the kick but it still must be there. Probably my concentration on the shot is what makes it less noticable.
You said your rifle was based on a 1903 Springfield. Ity might be a wise move to check the serial number to determine whether or not it's a "low number" gun. If so, I would stick with the loads designed for the weaker 1893 and 1895 Mausers, although there are times I wonder if they really were all that weak.
I had one of those "weak" 1893 Spanish Mausers years ago. it was an Oviedo arsenal dated 1916. I stuck with factory level loads and it was one hell of a deer slayer even with those weak loads or my handloads in the same pressure level. These days my 7x57 rifles are a custon based on an FN mauser action, a Winchester M70 Featherweight and a Ruger #1A. Naturally, my loads are geared to the greater strength of these rifles. It was suggested that H-414 was a good powder aa are W-760 (same powder as H-414, just a different lot.) and either IMR or H4350, especially if going for the more powerful loads.
Lately though, I've been considering using loads more in the factory range, at least for deer and like sized game.
One bullet I regret Sierra dropping was their 170 gr. round nose. Accurte as hell and could shoot through a deer from stem to stern in my old 93 Mauser at 2300 FPS. Now I'll have to try Hornady's 175 gr, bullet and see if it does as well in one of my rifles. I kind of think it might be almost perfect in that long throated Ruger #1 single shot rifle.
Do I like the 7x57? You betcha! When I went on my antelope hunt earlier this year, I took a .270 Win. as the primary rifle with my M70 7x57 as the back up rifle. The 140 gr. ballistic tip load was only 100 FPS slower than the 150 gr. load in the .270 and when I did get my shot at my animal, it was only at 75 yards. Next year the .270 will be the back up gun and the 7x57 the primary. Which of the thre rifles it will be is the only decision I'll have to make.
Paul B.

Doublegun...the 7x57 is one of my favorites...and you should have a bunch of fun with yours.

My wife just started hunting, this is her 3rd season. I built her a 7x57 on a Mexican action with a 24" barrel and she loves it. It is accurate and easy for her to shoot and she has piled up deer, antelope and wild hogs with it. Her first antelope was shot at a bit over 400yds..

I have loaded up mostly 139-140gr bullets for her running about 2800fps. They have been very effective. She thinks that rifle is magic..and judging from some of the posts above, some others may share that opinion... I know that the little 7mm is sure one of my favorites...

Z

I have taken 80% of all my game with my Mauser 7x57. No matter if I talk about deer, mule deer, mouflon and yes the 154 gr. Norma Oryx bullet proved to be the best medicine for big hogs...

I recently purchased a 7X57mm in a Remington M-700 Mountain Rifle this past summer at a pawn shop in San Antonio. I simply fell in love with the little gun. It balances perfectly for my build. It seems to be a two-shot rifle on a cold barrel, for now. I am currently having it bedded. I am loading 150 gr. Rem. Coreloks but can only get high 2500 to low 2600 fps. out of the 22" tube. I've tried the usuals ie. 4320, 4064, 4350, RL-19, and 4831. 4064 gave the best velocities - I believe it was close to 2700 fps. Honestly the best accuracy I have gotten so far is with Win. Super-X 145 gr. factory ammo at 2400 fps. What velocities are you guys getting with 150 grainers out of 22" barrel?

Paul, I have not had an opportunity to put the rifle on a scale, but I am guessing it weights about 6-1/2 lbs.

No need to load to the max on this old gal. She is a classic American rifle and I have no desire to overload her.

Had her "up north" over Thanksgiving and took her for a couple of walks between the rain showers. Nothing to pull the trigger on but I did enjoy her company. I was also surprised by how well I could see with the peep. Deer season closes tomorrow here in Michigan so it will be another 50-weeks before I can take her hunting. But I do plan to spend a lot of time with her at the range and playing around with different loads.

Cheers!

I have taken 17 whitetail deer, 1 mule deer, 3 elk and 2 coyotes with my 7x57 mauser. All with 150 gr Norma sp factory ammo without a single bullet failure. Ranges from 50yds to 275yds. I just can't imagine a better all around cartridge for medium size game. It is wicked deadly with mild recoil.

You guys gotta stop talking like this - my trusty 30-06 is going to develop a complex.