I'm in the process of having a custom 7X57 built. I'm interested in what others experience with this cartridge are?

Jeff

In my experience you won't hear a bad thing about this round unless you manage to find some memoirs of the British Army around 1895-1899. They were on the other end....

Mine has been the easiest rifle to load for and shoot that it has been my pleasure to own. 154gr hornady bullets (RN in my case) at 2,600fps or so just plain work and are very pleasant to shoot.

The fastest powders for velocity seem to give too much muzzle flash, VVN150 seems a good balance of velocity, accuracy and field friendliness (muzzle flash)

Good luck you will not be dissapointed.

I handload for my dad's 7x57 and he has used it on sheep moose caribou, antelope, mule and wt deer and coyotes. main load is 140 gr nosler with 49 gr 4350 in Rem Mtn Rifle. A very cabable rifle for all game he encounters in Alberta. All after he turned 70!

Nice buck, great picture.

Jeff

There are others on this site that can give you a lot more ideas than me. I have only used it on deer in GA and AL. Mine likes W760 so I don't mess with it. It shoots 139 gr hornady spire pts at 2800 fps and is a great all around whitetail load for me.

I have owned four 7x57mms, three Rugers and one, my current, in CZ 550 American that I have tricked out. I find it more than adequate in the accuracy range (I have been getting sub .5 moa at 100 yards with a 162 gr. Hornady SST going 2,800 fps stoked with H414 powder)and I've used a 7x57 on elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, javalina, wild pig and even a turkey in Texas. Virtually every animal were one-shot kills. One of the elk was an absolutely spectacular one-shot kill quartering away from me at 125 or so yards going up a slight hill in Colorado. The cartridge in the right rifle has little kick on the back end and plenty of punch on the front end. I would suggest getting a twist that will handle the heavier bullets. My barrel twist is 1x8.66 in the CZ, which, I am told is the European standard for the 7x57. Ruger maintains a 1x9.5 twist. I shoot my rifle quite a bit, which is why I have all the confidence in the world in this caliber and my rifle. Sure, you can go to another 7mm caliber and get a tad more punch, but then, you won't have a 7x57mm. Stay with that choice and enjoy! Tom Purdom

Mine shoots really well with any bullet over 150 grains and with AA4350. The 140 grain Remington corelokt is the worst performer but still gets 1 1/2 inch groups. It makes tiny little groups with Sierra's 160 BTSP and Speer's 160 spitzer over 49 grains of AA4350 and this load will work for anything I'll shoot with it.

My loaner rifle is a badly sporterized Mauser M-24 short rifle with a 23.6" barrel, Timney trigger and a 4x scope. It runs about 1 MOA with plain old Federal 175 grain ammo. I haven't figured out a handload that is nearly as good yet because I don't shoot the 7x57 much and the Federal stuff is so good that I haven't really tried. Rate of twist is 1:8.66 and I think the throat may be too long to shoot spitzers well.

Also, is it just me, or does the guy in the picture look kind of like Jack O'Connor?

Okie John

Skibum,

Gotta love a rifle that will shoot into less than half MOA. My 7x57, a Ruger M-77R really likes 140 Grain Nosler BTs and ~48 Grains of IMR 4350. Nosler Manual data, Win cases, WLR primer. The throat on this rifle is quite long---but seat the Noslers out and go shooting. Yes, the beding and trigger have been worked over.

With this load at 2800 FPS it is quite lethal on deer.

As long as you reload or have access to Hornady Ero-spec ammo it is a very nice cartridge to use.

Sorta like Jack O'Connor - but what I really see is me - when I'm 70 years old - I can tell me and that ol boy would be good friends - nice deer too.

1895, so were we!! In 1898!! The 7X57 was directly responsible for the U.S. designing the .30/'06!!

Skibum, the 7X57 is badly underloaded in the U.S. With judicial handloading, you can create ammo that will come close to the performance of the .270 Win. and the .280 Remington. It is an extremely versatile, flexible, and efficient round, with bullet weights available for handloading from 90 grains all the way up to 195 grains! In a well-made rifle, it is as accurate as any available cartridge. I have a number of rifles ifn a variety of cartridges, but if I could only keep one, it would be a 7X57mm!!

Since the 7x57 case seems to be the parent case for the 6mm Rem. how do these two calibers compare? I just resized 120 7x57 Norma cases for my 6mm and the only difference was the neck size. I love the 6mm Rem. but have never owned a 7x57. They shoot a larger bullet so I suppose they each have their place.

I have a 7x57 that was custom made. I love this rifle because of the light recoil and what I can get it to do with reloads. So far my best groups have come with 140gr. Nosler Partition over 51.5gr of R-19, using Rem. brass and Fed 210 primers. So far, my little Mauser has been deadly to the three deer I have tried it on.

I have a 7X57 Ackly Improved on a Sako action. It loves the 150gr NBT. Another 7X57 is a pre64 Winchester. Both guns are great game getters and fun to shoot. If you handload you will appreciate the 7X57's capabilities.

Great thread! I have a recent vintage Ruger M77 Mark II in 7x57. My reloads with Speer 145 grain hotcors and 48 grains of H414 are pretty accurate, but the most accurate factory load I have found is the Federal 175s also

I have owned a half dozen 7x57's over the past 4 decades and presently have two, a 700 "Classic" and a 700 "Mountain Rifle"[not the DM model] I love this chambering!! Have shot deer, Elk, Moose, Black bear and a host of smaller critters with it and cannot remember having to shoot any of them twice. My favorite loads are either the 140 or 150 Partition backed by a good load of Norma MRP. The 140's will approach 3000 FPS and the 150's 2900. These are effective loads that get the job done with minimal hassel. For Elk, I would recommend the 160 grain bullet, but the 150 will do the job. There is still a lot of interest in this centenarian, and it remains popular here in Northern B.C.. Regards, Eagleye.

I've got a No.1 RSI in 7x57. It's my go to rifle for sheep, goats, deer and caribou. Great rifle and a great cartridge. Just found a box of Brenneke 162.5 grain soft steel jacketed bullets I'm thinking about loading up. I was going to follow Brenneke's recipe and figure I can about 2600 fps in that 20" barrel without any pressure problems. If this works, shoot, it might just become my moose rifle too.

My favorite rifle is my fullstock Husqvarna factory chambered in 7x57. A friend of mine worked up a handload for me: 49 gr. of WW 760 with a 150 gr. Nosler partition bullet chronographed at 2741 from a 20.75" (52cm) barrel. Three shot groups of less than .5MOA. However, I usually use Norma factory loads; 150 gr. bullets chronographed at 2676 with about .75MOA. One shot kills on whitetails and mule deer.

I started shooting the 7x57 at a young age, but traded it for a 243, Now much older a wiser have a 7x57 back in the safe.

A Custom Mauser 95 w/24" barrel and it now is my go to rifle. I have used it on whitetail, mulies, varmits and javelina. It has a long throat and I can load the COL as long as my magazine will allow, I am getting 2900 with 139 gr Hornady's/ My favorite powders are H414 & RL19 using 130-160 gr bullets. I have also had good luck with H4350 & IMR4831.

I have standardized on the 139 gr Hornady's but am finding the 130 gr. Speer to shoot great at just under 3100.

BD

As I have posted in the past. I have a 7x57 I built on a 08/34 with a 19" barrelin which I get over 2800' fer sec. with a 162gr. hornady. I think thats good enough for deer and such out to 300yrds. Great round. fws

Great thread, plenty of good info and experience. I just obtained my first '7 Mauser' (as I like to call them), a Ruger no.1, unshot as of yet.
I intend to shoot 175 RN Hornady bullets, as well as Partitions, mostly for caribou and black bears. ~~~Suluuq

I have built and sold, traded, and just plain given away a train load of rifles in the last 40 plus years since I built my first 7x57 on a perfect M-95. That rifle has taken an enormous head count of game, won more than its share of money, and been the best firearms investment I ever made. It sits now in the lock box behind the seat in the pickup along with 60 rounds of loads with Remington 175gr. RNCL bullets, ready for anything in this hemisphere. If you can't get it done with a 7x57, you probably just can't get it done at all.

Shouldn't have started reading this thread

Got my first animal (whitetail deer) with a handload using a 7x57 Ruger 77. Got a pile more critters with it, then got tired of the "clubby" stock on the thing, and stuck it somewhere in the closet or something.

After reading the thread, I got the itch for another one and put a "Wanted" ad in the Classifieds. A 7x57 M70 Fwt is now somewhere on a UPS truck headed this way. Hope he hurries, cautiously, of course.

R-WEST

R-West: Damn, but am I proud of you for that move. A friend has a Model 70 FTW in 7x57mm Mauser and I'm in the process of loading up some 150 gr. partitions and some 162 grain Hornady SSTs for testing with H414 powder. I didn't think he liked the rifle that much, showed him your ad on the internet and he said "no way in hell am I going to part with that ... it's the best rifle I've ever owned." Personally, I like the CZ550 American in 7x57mm Mauser better, but different strokes, you know. With the SSTs (a long bullet) in 162 grain, the throat on his rifle gives an oal of 3.074 inches. On my CZ it is 3.24 with the same bullet. By the way, does anyone know what the Model 70 barrel twist is for the 7x57mm. Thanks ...Tom Purdom

Tom. Methinks it 1 in 10", maybe a 1 in 9", not sure. I have one of those 7x57 Featherweights, a Ruger #1A and a custom FN Mauser, all 7x57's.
I love that round.
Paul B.

A BIG Ditto to what eldeguello posted above.

I would suugest H-414 & 4350,IMR-4831,4350 & 4064,
and Win-760 as these all work well in mine with 140 gr Bullets.

I have a Win M-70 Featherweight in 7x57, I haven't reloaded for it because I have a 1000rds of Lapua 170gr ammo. It chronos at 2600fps, from the 22" barrel. It will do 3 shot's in about 1.5", but the 1st 2 are always touching. Maybe handloads could do better.

Do any of you guy's that handload for this round know if the Hornady Light Mags w/139 gr. SST's comes anywhere close to the velocity's you are able to acheive with your handloads?

tom - I also am enamored with the CZ550 American -I have one in 9.3x62, but, I just wanted a lighter rifle (getting old/weak), and figured a M70 Fwt or Mtn Rifle would be just the ticket.

I actually had a 7x57 Mtn Rifle, another trim, handy shooter, but, in one of those moments of stupidity that I produce with frightening regularity, sent it out to be re-chambered to 7x57AI. Not that the AI isn't a good one, but, the butcher I sent it to really messed it up. Had it redone as a 280AI, in order to clean up the first guy's mess. Should have left it alone; there aren't too many 7x57 Mtn Rifles around. Don't know how much more living/learning I have left in me.

PS - Let me know how the H414/150's work out. I'm working with W760, which is basically the same thing, and 150 Power Points. Found some new W-W brass at Midway. I may even try some IMR 4320, and, wish I could find some Western 139 grain Open Points (remember Jack O'Connor's favorite load). Boy, this 7x57/M70 thing is bringing nostalgia in waves.

R-WEST

[ 11-19-2002, 20:01: Message edited by: R-WEST ]

Skibum the 7 X 57 is a great choice. Light recoil and you have such a great selection of bullets in 7mm you can't go wrong. When it's done post a picture of gun and target for us if you can. I've always wanted one of these in a Remington classic or a custom.

[ 11-19-2002, 22:04: Message edited by: Oleman ]

I started shooting the 7x57 in the early 50's and today I still shoot it..I have shot about everything with it, including Cape Buffalo on a cull....It just works. I like those long 160 to 175 gr. bullets in an 06 lenth magazine with a long throated gun..it makes a difference...I load it only with H414 in my long throated guns.

Anyone who speaks rudely of a 7x57, simply has never used it or is the ultimate BS'er...

I also have become quite fond of the 8x57 over the last few years. there wasn't anything left

I have been thinking of rebarreling one of my Yugo m24/47s to 7x57, just for the better selection of bullets and factory loadings.

Don't get me wrong, the 8mm is just great out to 250yds. or so.

Just out of curiousity, has anyone loaded the Barnes 190 grainers? ~~~Suluuq

I have one in a Remington Classic. The rifle is my favorite! I've shot about 16 deer with it, all with one shot. It shoots 139 Hornady Spire points or 140 Nosler ballistic tips under an inch and around 2800 fps (chronographed, not a guess).
You're making a good choice with this one!

Bob257

I concur with all the positive comments posted above. I frequently choose a 7x57 Brno ZG-47 when going afield. Easy to load, easy to shoot, very effective. Perhaps the optimal cartridge for whitetails.

Had the 7x57 M70 Fwt. out for its trial run yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. It is SO sweet!!

I tried a batch of loads using 150 W-W Power Points, 150 Rem C-L's and W760, H4350 and R-19, as well as 140 Rem Factory loads and some Hornady 139 Light Magnums Spire Points, not SST's, (the guy I bought the rifle from found them in the closet and sent them along).

50.5 R19/150 Power Points/WLR primers in W-W cases at 3.005" o'all produced a nice tidy little 3-shot group of just under 0.75", at 2,680 FPS, centered about 2" above the bull at 108 yards. That may just be the load I'll use next week for the 8-point that was harassing a bunch of does in my yard when I returned home.

None of the other loads did any better, but, all were acceptable for a light barreled, skinny forended sporter.

Neither of the factory loads shot very well, but, the velocities were most interesting:
R-P 140 Core-Lokts (2660 FPS advertised) = 2,550 FPS average, chrono'ed @ 10', 45 degrees F.
Hornady 139 grain Light Magnums - don't know what they're supposed to do, but, these averaged 2,685 FPS.

R-WEST

[ 11-26-2002, 00:57: Message edited by: R-WEST ]

Since this thread started I have loaded and fired 400 rounds thru my mauser 7x57 and learned a few things about the cartridge or maybe just this rifle. Shoots 140 grain Hornady interlocts really well on top of 51 grains of AA4350 and a winchester lr primer. The cartridge is primer sensitive, meaning it does not care for magnum primers with this powder. Case necks lengthen dramatically with just a few firings. S&B brass was 2.350 after the first firing with the factory load. Case life is good as all this firing was done with 60 pieces of S&B brass. No factory load be it Remingon, Federal or winchester shoots much better than 2 inches in this rifle. Cutting the barrel to 19 inches from 24 caused the impact of various bullet weights to be very similar, meaning now I can use bullets from 140 to 175 with the same sight in and now the rifle is not as picky as to what reloads it will shoot well. It commonly shoots 160 grain Sierra BT's into 3/4ths of an inch when pushed by 46 grains of AA4350. I went thru a lot to get to this point but I think it was worth it.

Great round works very well on large game

Good moose caliber.