This year my gunsmith built a Mauser 98 in 7x57 for me.The barrel is a hammerforged Krupp-Steel barrel made from Heym.
What scope should I buy? (I mean a variable scope
would the best, like a 3-9x36 from Swarowski)
The rifle should have a open sight for short distance, 30-50 yards.
Whats the best light and medium game handload for the 7x57, for maximum range about 150 yards.
Can I use this calibre on moose and what bullet weight should I use?

Thanks, quattro

Quattro77.

The twist rate in the barrel may influence or even determine your choices. I had a major rework done on a 7x57 in a Winchester 70 XTR Featherweight awhile back.

The new barrel was to be a top of the line Krieger and the gunsmith asked for examples of the round/s I was most interested in using. I gave him a 140 grain Noslewr BT and a 150 grain Nosler partition. He did some calculations based on the weights, length of the two rounds, and the very different ogives and came up wirth a 1 in 11 twist.

The rifle is supremely accurate with those handloads when moly coated and seated almost touching the landes. Velocities approach the .270.280 Rem. The BTS in particular are very effective on deer out to 300 yards.

My other 7 x57s have traditonal SAAMI twists that are more accomodating to heavier, slower-moving, more round-nose profile, bullets of 160 and even 175 grain. They are excellent on heavier game like boar, mule deer, and, yes, American elk. The latter are similar in size to the European moose I have heard about. Europeans for years have successsfuly used 7x57s and 6,5x55s on their moose. 1B

I have not messed much with lighter rounds as the barrel is very light and I don't do much shooting for the sake of shooting with it. I use heavier barreled rifles for varminting/plinking etc...

Good luck. 1B

quattro, for the ranges you mention (30 to 150 meters), I would strongly recommend a low power variable scope such as a 1-4X, 1.25-5X, or 1.75-6X. They will give you plenty of field of view at the lower powers for an in-your-face (really close) shot, and plenty of magnification for a 200 meter shot at a deer sized animal.

I just ordered a Kahles 2x7x36mm with the 4a reticle.

Ksduckhunter is on the right track I like 1-4's for most work and wish my 30/06 had a 1-4 instead of a 3-9 lower power scopes are the ducks nuts unless your trying for long range rabbits or crows or head shooting roo's.

I happen to have a heym Mod. 20 chambered for that cartridge. Load 140 gr Nosler Partitions over around IMR 4350, if you can get that in Germany. I load a 50 gr charge and a standard Rifle Primer. As for a sight, I have a 6 x 42mm S&B on mine. I would put a good fixed 4x or 6 x on it an leave it at that. Those krupp barrels are very good. Mine shoots very well, one of the best shooting 7 x 57 's I own.

In my Ruger No. 1A single-shot 7X57mm, I use 140-grain Nosler Partition bullets with WW 760 powder at 3000 FPS for deer and similar size game, although these bullets might be on the heavy side for Rehbock. A 140 would work OK on Hirsch, but you might want to develop a heavy-bullet load for these, boar, and moose. I use the 175-grain Nosler Partiton for big animals. With Norma MRP or Alliant RE 22, I have developed a load with 175-grain Nosler Partition bullets that give a muzzle velocity of 2720 FPS (I can't get enough RE 22 into a 7X57 case to give any signs of high pressures). This is a very accurate load and has unbelievable penetration.

[ 02-24-2003, 01:33: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

140 grain bullets for light to medium game and 160 to, but not all that necessary, 175 for heavy game. I wouldn't very about iron sights; just get a 2x7 or so for all practical ranges.

I hate to see a nice trim little 7x57 or any nice trim rifle with a huge clunky scope on it..It just throws everything out of sinc and the big varibles are of no value on a hunting rifle...My pick would be a 1x4 Leupold also...

I like the 160 gr. Noslers and I like the 175 gr. Noslers on the larger game...

The old 130 gr. Speer has always been a real dandy of a deer bullet in the 7x57, I have used that one a lot on deer and plainsgame..It is a real sleeper and always leaves nice 50 cent exit holes...

Ray, you've mentioned the 130 Speer before. I assume that is the flat base spitzer, not the boat tail? Thanks.

Thank you for the inspirations. At the moment, the barrel is fitted and screwed into the receiver. The headspace is O.K. During the next weeks the open sight and scope mount shoud install and than I polish the barrel and receiver.
If I have holidays , I would select the wood for the custom stock.
I agree with the variable scope, but I like a Swarowski scope. Leupold scopes are excelent, but in europe there�re little problems with the warranty.
If I have a digital camera, I will show pictures of the finish rifle .