How popular is the 7x57 in europe? what bullets are used? Any game that you woldn't use it for? capt david

c-d,

In my neck of the woods I only know of 2 that use the 7x57; both in custom Mauser rifles. The 7x57R is more definately popular in Drillings and Combo rifles.

Appears IMO that the 7x64 & 7x65R have the upper hand vs. both the 7x57 & 7x57R.

I have Combo rifle chambered in 12/70 - 7x57R and was often belittled for using in on Wild Boar & Red Deer; where many claimed I should be using a cartridge with "more authority". I could care less; it killed everything I ever aimed it at, handily.

My stalking rifle is a K95 Blaser in 7x57R. IMO perfect in this light rifle, does the job just the way it's supposed to.

As Gerry said 7*57r is more popular, 7*57 is seldom seen in Sweden then 6,5*55 is the old military cartdige. For 7*57r most popular are Norma (Oryx 155gr) and (Vulkan 170gr) for game including boar and moose.

I wouldn`t use it for alaskan brownbear or african dg.

The 7x57 was highly regarded and used by the British whne it was adopted by Rigby as the ".275 Rigby".

I know the 7x57 is a "military cartridge", but what countries actually used it in their service rifles?

Spain used it during the Spanish-American war.
Boers used it in Southafrica.

quote:

Originally posted by Nordic2:
Spain used it during the Spanish-American war.
Boers used it in Southafrica.

Ok, I was thinking maybe Mexico also?

Mexico certainly. Also a stack of other Sth American countries - at least Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Chile.

Started with a 308, but the 7x57 in a 1950's BSA Hunter is my favourite stalking rifle.

43g of R15 with a 139g Hornady at 2,800 doesn’t win any bragging rights on internet forums, but gentle to shoot, accurate and the deer are killed quickly, cleaning and with minimal carcase damage

Only down side is ammo isn't available in every gun shop, so I advise newcomers to get a 308, but for me as I reload, this doesn’t matter.

That long gently tapering case feeds beautifully, but might lack the ballistic efficiency of those short stubby modern cartridges.

The 7 X 57 has been highly regarded into the second century of its existance. It still is regarded as one of the best all round cartridges ever designed, as well as being one of the most efficient. If you use 175 grain anythings loaded to 2300 ft/sec, what can you not kill where you hunt?

quote:

How popular is the 7x57 in europe? what bullets are used?

Very popular in both bolt action as a 7x57 in many countries (except France where it is illegal as a military calibre) and also popular in double rifles or combination guns as 7x57R the rimmed version.

However as you can effectively duplicate it with a .270" Winchester (except the 154 and 175 grain bullets) it loses some customers to that and, of course, the superb 7x64mm and the 7mm-08 or 7mm Remington Magnum.

Although the "continentals" normally go from 7x64mm direct to .300" Winchester Magnum with 180 grain bullet if they can't get what they want higher velocity than the 7x64mm with a 175 grain bullet can deliver.

They "miss out" the 7mm Remington Magnum and go straight to .300" Winchester Magnum!

In England and Scotland I'd say that the most popular loading of 7x57 is probably the duplication of Rigby's loading with a 140 grain bullet at about 3,000fps.

But I'll stand corrected!

Certainly 7mm is popular in Europe and that goes from 7x57 by way of 7mm-08 all the way to 7mm Remington Magnum. Even the dinky little 7mmx33 and in pump action and self-loading rifles the .280" Remington.

About the only 7mm not popular here would be the 7mm Waters and the 7mm Weatherby Magnum plus the "Shooting Times Westerner" and "Shooting Times Easterner".

FWIW the British 303 Mk VII military round that fought WWI and WWII through to Korea is pretty much ballistically a copy of the 7x57 load with its 175 grain bullet!

I have a Heym in 7x57 and love it. I have shot everything from Roe to big Boar and Red Stags.
I have used 175 grain Sellier and Bellot and 123 grain RWS factory ammo. The recoil is relativley light and there is little meat damage however the animal seems to take the full shock of the bullet more-so than faster rounds. When I first bought it a friend found a reference to the calibre in an old book and it said "a rifle with gentle recoil most suitable for ladies and children". As you can imagine it was refered to as the "lady's gun " from then on. If you look at the velocity and recoil energy tables I think you will find that this calibre is very interesting. It has a striking energy close to that of the 270, but with less recoil than a 243 (if my memory serves me right)

I am very happy with my "Ladies Gun", using 140 Gn NBT or Accubonds for Deer @ 2800 fps MV, and will get to sorting out a load with 160Gn Accubonds for Pigs.

It just works,and seems that Paul Mauser got it about right all those years ago!

Best

Peter