What is your opinion on these two candidates as all-round un-dangerous game calibers ? Have a .308 CZ-550 myself but have always caressed the idea of having a weapon in the 7x57 as well. Loading data and performance of the 7x57 would be nice.

I do not have a 7x57 or a 308, but would choose the 7x57 between the two. Its just to classy to pass up. I would however, by preference take a serious look at the throat length. I dont think there is 2 cents worth of argueing over which would be better on game in a pragmatic sense.
I dare say you can shoot a truck load of plains game with both, and still be scratching your head as to which one is more effective. IMO

Time has passed the 57 mm cartridges by. But if you want a 7 mm Mauser by all means get one. It's very similar to the .308 that you already have.

The newer actions are in standard 3.3" and short 2.8 cartridge overall length so unless you find one of the millions of old Mausers made for the 7 mm Mauser it will not be an optimum fit.

I had a new eight groove barrel put on a Mauser for the 7 mm Mauser years ago. It was a fair shooter but I had so much free 30/06 and later 308 ammo that I sold it.

I have had 7 mm Rem Mags and now a 7 mm WSM. It's a fine game caliber. In the future it's possible a 7 mm WSSM might be the cartridge of fashion.

I've got both, a 308 Ruger 77RSI and a custom I had built last year in 275 Rigby (7 X 57). They are both excellent rifles. The custom was built with a 24" barrel and B&C stock and then a gunkote finish to make it an all weather rifle. I'm currently working on loads with the 154 gr. Hornady which I'm going to use for my all purpose load. There really isn't much between them, the custom does shoot extemely soft though, feels like no recoil at all.

I do not think of either choice as a dangerous game stopper.
Just choosing between the two, I would take the 7x57 for no other reason than I think of it as a classic cartridge. If they were my only choices and I did have to stop something intent on hurting me, I would pick the .308 with the biggest possible bullet. To hell with velocity, I want mass.

I used a 7X57 for almost 30 years. With a good bullet, it will handle almost anything surprisingly well.
I'm now a .308 fan. It fits a shorter action, and has tons of cheap practice ammo availiable.
As far as I can tell they kill about the same. Which is plenty, especially for the deer class stuff. E

Ive become addicted to the X57s. Ive all but discarded my 30-06 in favor of the 8X57 and below the 7X57 I have the 257 AI. They are very well proportioned IMHO. If I were to get a 7X57 I would make that an AI as well and the bullet selections in that caliber are fabulous. I agree however that one would be hard pressed to see any significant difference in that and a 308. 308s are amazing little cartridges.

Ray has alot of experiance with both I know for a fact... jump in ray.

I love the 7x57mm,Light on Recoil and Deadly on Game.Whitetails are all I have shot with mine.
With the right bullets and loads would not think twice about going after anything up to "Dangerous
Game".
I don't think you will see a noticeable difference performace wise between the 308 and 7x57mm.I would say to get the best out of the 7x57mm you will have to reload for it.
Ruger still offers it as well its little sis the .257 Roberts which I like a whole lot also.

Tiny, could you and perhaps the other 7x57 fans give some examples of performance bullet weights and velocity would be great to have. I am definitely going to try one out and buy it if I am satisfied. Might as well mention that the old 7x64 does come to mind when talking about non-magnum 7mm cartridges...guess I am going to have to give the missus a big premature birthday gift to soothe her, just bought a Tikka All Weather in 7mm RM the other day without her permission which did bring about some negative wibes

Regards

sorry, I didn't see the "un" in un dangerous game.

GBF, when you compare the 7x57 and the 7x64, you are basically talking about a 7-08 and a .280. I have some of both and I think you will find little to gain by using the longer cartridge. Perhaps there is an advantage when using heavier bullets but in the 140-150 weight bracket, there is little difference.

Actually, from what I have seen, the 7x64 Brenneke does surpass the .280 Rem ballistically though with a small margin. It is extremely popular here in Europe and has been ever since it first came out.

I've had three 7X57's, and two .308's. For all-round hunting of anything except big bears, they are pretty much equal!!

Gbf,
The 7x57 is one of my all time favorite cartridges. The original norma factory loaded 150gr at about 2800fps was awsome. I have had a Ruger 77 for the last 30 years, in the last year or two that rifle eats only 150gr scirocco's over a pile of H-414 in Rem brass at 2800fps. I have killed antelope mule deer, whitetal, elk, and moose with this load. Seems to work.

maybe im missing something, or im looking at the wrong cartrdge, or maybe a handloader can really load the 7x57 hot. I was looking at ballistics and they were so much lower than my .308. I have read here on this thread that the 7mm pushes a 150 grain bullet at 2800 fps which is what my .308 does. Guess i was looking at the wrong ballistics when i looked at it. Although i have never owned a 7x57 a .308 just feels good in your hands. Light gun light recoil and plenty of power for whitetails and elk. good all around gun. What more could you ask for a short actiopn thirty?

John, look at the ballistics charts for the Norma or the Hornady Light Mag load. These two are seemingly loaded the way the 7x57 was original meant to be. Current US loads are down on velocity and even a beginner handloader like me can improve on most factory velocities.

GBF-
I have mostly used 140gr Bullets in my 7x57mm
with limited use of 120 and 150gr.With the 140 gr Bullets,mostly Noslers Partiton and Sierra Pro Hunters,I can safely get on avg 2750 to 3000 fps depending on the Powder,Case and charge weight.
Win-760 and H-414 have gave the highest Velocity's at 2900 to 3000 fps and under 1 1/2" Groups.IMR-4831 the accuracy at 3/4 to 1" groups and if I'am haveing a good day on the range 1 raged hole at 2700 fps.Others powders that have worked well are Rl-19 & 22,H-4831sc and 4350.
Currently useing H-4350 49 grs 140gr Partiton at 2811 fps.Most groups are around 1" on avg which makes it Easy to load for.

Someone noted the LOW Velocity of Factory Loadings.The Hottest Factory Loading I now of is Hornady's Light Mag 139 gr SST at I Think 2800 fps.Some Loading Data is also on the Low side for this round,However Hodgdons Manual 25 and 26(I hope I got the right #'s) had Heavier Loads for the Newer Rifles like the Ruger # 1 & 77,Win.featherweight and Rem-700 Classic.

As with a lot of the older round's like this one and the 257 roberts,to get the most and best out of them Handloading is a Must.

Tiny, the low velocities are most likely due to the quantities of century old weapons still available in the 7x57 as with the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. Looking at the Swedes factory loading data doesnt really make an impression. But still comparing your own loading data on a 7mm 150gr bullet at about 2800fps would really make it more efficient as an all round cartridge than a 7.62mm 150gr at the same speed. Geez the missus is going to tear me apart very soon

I use a 7x57R (rimmed) in a combination rifle, it also has one 12-gauge shotgun barrel. Norma's factory loads sends a 150 gr bullet with 2657fps, which I find reasonable. But there is lots of space left in the brass when I duplicate that load.

To my mind, they are complementary cartridges. Both perform way out of proportion to their size, blast and recoil. Efficient, I think, is the word that best describes them.

With 140's in the 7x57, the proper amount of W760/H414 and/or H4350 will get 2900 comfortably in a 22" barrel; you can do 2750 - 2800 with 150's, and 2600 - 2700 with 160's. Match the bullet to the game, and get the skillet ready.

Funds allowing, I will be adding 550's in both of those calibers, to the other one I already have which fits right in there with them, the 9.3x62.

R-WEST

I have a 7x57 and I love the balance that it has in bullet weights, velocity and recoil. If I was limited to one rifle for the rest of my life it would be this I think.

Since most of the posters have been singing the praises of the 7x57 (and well they should) I feel that I should speak up on behalf of all the .308 fans out there.
I cannot imagine another round that combines the characteristics of shootability, versatility, accuracy, and efficiency that the .308 does. It performs all out of proportion to its small size. And a further bonus is that the guns that chamber the .308 are a bit shorter and lighter, unlike the 7x57, which requires a full length action. The .308 is the first big-game round that I used, as a young lad of 14, and I have since used it off and on for the last 38 years, so I think I can speak for its effectiveness. I have shot and/or seen deer, elk, black bear, moose, and wild hogs shot with the .308. Only once can I remember that a second shot was needed. I have used factory and handloaded ammo with the .308 in 150, 165, and 180-grain loadings, all with good effect. I have been particularly pleased with the performance of the 165-grain Hornady BTSP Interlock and the 180-grain Nosler Partition.
As far as performance goes, handloaders can easily get 2900 fps with 150-grain bullets and 2650 with 180-grain bullets. The High Energy and Light Magnum loads will give the shooter 3000 fps with 150's, 2870 with 165's, and 2740 with 180's.
Yes, the 7x57 is the grandfather of classic rounds, having been created in the 19th century, but the .308, which is about my age now, is no youngster and could be considered to be a classic in its own right.

The 7x57 may be ever so slightly behind the .308 in terms of velocity and energy, but the 7mm has a slight edge in bullet sectional density and ballistic coefficient, so they end up nearly equal as far as game are concerned. The .308 really shines in its ability to be chambered in short action rifles, whereas the 7x57 needs a longer action. I have Mauser 98's chambered in .243 and .308. I am planning on rebarreling one in 7x57 and the other in either 30-06 or 8x57.

I have both and if anyone can tell the difference in killing power it is definately in their mind or expresses a real lack of experience...

The .308 has a better reputation for accuracy, but that depends more on the quality of the barrel than anything else and besides it wouldn't make much difference in a hunting rifle.

Given a choice, I'd take the best looking rifle.

Since Mausers are my favorite actions, the 7x57 fit's much better. Lapua 170gr factory ammo chronos at 2600fps in my 22" barrel.

When you factor in the "cool factor" the 7x57 wins hands down

Bama7x57

John G... well said!

I've owned one 7x57 and six 308's so that pretty well communicates what I think! Of the two I believe the 308 to be the more versatile as well as the slightly better choice for an "all around" big game rifle as it does handle slightly heavier bullets and does make a slightly bigger hole. Regardeless, both are mild, shootable rounds that perform out of proportion to their size.

BA