7x57 -v- 7-08 ??

[k in AR]

Looking at a new caliber & wanted some input.

Using a Modern Rifle (new, major brand rifle, like Ruger, Winchester, Sako, etc.):
Which would most likely prove to be an all around great shooter & effective hunting caliber .... the old tried & true 7x57 or the 7-08?? What about reloading possibilities?
Thanks, k

 

[Paul B.]

K. Ken Waters, in his book PET LOADS tried to reach 7-08 specs in the slightly larged 7X57 cartridge. Seems he couldn't quite reach that goal, if memory serves. With that said, the difference in my opinion is negligible. I have three 7X57's at this time, but no 7-08. About the only advantages the 7-08 might have over a 7X57 is a shorter action, thus lighter weight rifle and maybe a bit more accuracy due to the shorter case. My 7X57 Mauser (commercial FN) with do .75 all day long with Winchester factory ammo. Mu Ruger #1 does about .8 inch, and the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight is the dog of the bunch at 1.25 inches; all more than adequate for deer, elk, moose, etc.
The 7x57 is underloaded and the 7-08 comes with only one bullet weight. The 7X57 has two weights. Both rounds more than benefit due to judicious reloading.
I'd say just pick the rifle that feels the best to you and go for it. Both rounds are good.
Paul B.

 

[DL]

I love the 7mm-08, have not had experience with the 7x57 Mauser. However, digging out my Speer reloading manual, it looks as though the two rounds are very similar. The Mauser cases are a bit longer, but are loaded to a lower pressure (46,000 CUP vs 52,000 in the 7mm-08) due to the fact that it is a much older round, and most of the rifles built for it are not built for the higher pressures. There's a note in the manual that states that new commercial (non-military?) rifles in this caliber are built for a pressure of 50,000 CUP. Which would close the gap, I believe, since I assume the pressure difference explains the slight difference in performance between two cartridges firing the same 7mm bullets.

The 7mm-08, being essentially a .308 necked down to 7mm, has similar accuracy as the .308 (i.e. excellent), but of course your mileage may vary depending on the gun - and in my case, the shooter!

DL

 

[cpermd]

7mm

Trying to help another Arky,there ain't a dime's worth of difference

 

[Art Eatman]

If both cartridges are loaded for modern rifles, at modern pressures, there is little or no difference but the length of the action. This could well mean that for the 7x57, handloading is the only option...

These two cartridges are not the only ones with this sort of comparison. For instance, the .308 is a bolt-action .300 Savage--if you look in any loading-data book. The .300 is loaded only to pressures that the Savage 99 can withstand.

Any difference is more likely to be in the target accuracy department, as with the hair-splitting comparisons between the .308 and the .30-'06. For normal shooting and hunting, there is no difference in accuracy.

FWIW, Art