Hunting Rifle in 7x57 Mauser

If you're going to shoot factory, 7-08. If you're going to reload, 7x57. The 7x57 uses the long action and will be better with 160 and 175 grain bullets for large game under 200 yards. The LUX would be nice with that longer barrel.
 
If you want a 7X57, get one by all means. I like them. Comparing what you want to other cartridges is always pointless in my opinion. 7-08 will do this, .284 Winchester will do that, .280 Rem will do such and such, 7Rem mag, 7 WBY, and the next thing you know we will be needing a 7Rum to kill a squirrel.:D If you like the Mauser, get it.:)
 
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For anyone curious, I decided to go with the 7mm Mauser. I'm planning to keep a look out for a gently used CZ 550 American in this caliber. It won't be an immediate purchase, but I'll be sure to post pictures when I get a green light from the boss. Thanks for all the info!
 
Same argument as the 308/30-06 issue, but much more feeble. According to Chuck Hawks that case difference is:
308 Winchester (W-W): 53.5 grains
.30-06 Springfield (R-P): 68.0 grains

So that's 14.5 grains

Now with the 7mm-08/7x57 issue it's:

7mm-08 Remington (R-P): 52.2 grains
7x57 Mauser (W-W): 55.6 grains

If there is not much difference when we talk 14.5 grains there is no issue with 3.4 grains. You'll never see the difference. Book shows the 7mm-08 firing 175 grain bullets at the same speed as the 7x57. No difference.

The fact is, I use7mm-08 data to load 7x57
 
The old 7X57 always gets good press in print and on the net. Maybe it's all the 7's in the name or that some guy shot elephants with one.

In reality the 7X57 never caught on. No significant army ever used it and it's very hard to find ammo for it anywhere.

On the positive side it's a rifle cartridge and we have to like that!

When I started out we could get all the 30-06 ammo we wanted and even free loaner 30-06 rifles. Some used the 30-30 and a few other old ones. Nobody in CT or VT talked about the 7-57.

Get one if you want. It's all just for fun anyway.
 
I use a old Rem 1901 for coydoggies and deer at times and never have felt handicaped as its a single shot due to almost never needing a second shot. My BIL used to laugh at the thing till he rolled up a running doggie at almost 300yds with it. A very fine round but at its best its a reloaders round.
 
7x57 is good

Definitely a good choice for the smaller in stature, a hand-loaders dream (lots of good bullet choices), no need to "Hot Rod" it due to great BC and SD of .284 bullets.
Light recoil makes it easy to shoot well. I have one for my 15 year old.
A company called Zastava Arms makes a modern line of mauser design rifles in 7mm mauser but I do not know who imports them.
 
A company called Zastava Arms makes a modern line of mauser design rifles in 7mm mauser but I do not know who imports them.
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I'm seeing that Century Arms imports those. They do not list a 7x57 in their catalog. Being nearly identical in every way the 7mm-08 has killed the 7x57. If I was a manufacturer would I even bother making 7x57's, probably not.
 
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In reality the 7X57 never caught on. No significant army ever used it and it's very hard to find ammo for it anywhere.
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7X57 is still a major player in Europe and many other parts of the world, just not so much here in the USA where the 30-06 overshadows everything else. If you really have a hankering for a 7X57, you can buy a very fine rifle in that caliber from one of the European makers if you don't mind mortgaging your home for it.

Many of the South American armies used 7X57 for rifles and machine guns, and to dismiss them as not being "significant" is a disservice, as they fought one of the bloodiest and longest lasting wars on the planet. It was also used by the Boers (or Free Orange Republic), who managed to give the British a major headache for several years. The Spanish used 7X57 to fight their Civil War, and they were significant enough to attract the attention and respect of Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and FDR.

As for being hard to find ammo for it, all of the major manufacturers load it, you just have to go to a real gun store to find it.
 
The 7-57 is ok as I said. It's a rifle cartridge at least and that has to be good.


However it's a looser in wars and really not best for anything!

It would be ok for medium game at medium and short ranges. That's about all it's adequate for.

I could have used the little 7-57 for woods hunting but it's not best for anything.

Now at longer ranges the little 7-57 does not even have the range or power that the 270 has! I have one only because I wanted a Brno 21h.

Also the defunct 7-57 does not fit actions. It's too long for a short action and too short for a long action. That's another reason why nobody bothers with it.

Nobody uses it for target competition either.
 
Well, If I had an elk at 250 yards and a 7x57 loaded with 160 grain partitions I don't think I'd hesitate in taking it. But you can't expect it to be a 280 or a 7mm mag. That can be said in every argument, you can't expect a 30-06 to be a 300mag.
 
I am glad the OP chose the 7x57 Mauser. Its a classic Rifle Cartridge and I want it to stay around. I have seen Amunition for them at Academy Sports, Gander Mountain, and Cabelas.
 
Yeah, this is mostly just to have fun with. The Sportsman's Warehouse around the corner regularly carries factory ammo in 7x57, also it's not too find a box of Prvi for $15 online. Initially I'll be using factory loads, but I'll without a doubt be reloading down the road.
 
A company called Zastava Arms makes a modern line of mauser design rifles in 7mm mauser but I do not know who imports them.
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I can't believe I completely forgot to look at Zastava. I was really interested in one of their rifles chambered in .243 a while back, but ended up going with the CZ 550 FS instead. I'll be sure to look that direction.
 
IMO the 7x57 is one of the best cartridges ever designed. With heavier bullets it has a tremendous ballistic coefficient which makes it flat shooting at long range. It will do pretty much anything you need to do but with less recoil. Not the best choice if you must rely on factory ammo.

I am sure some gun makers offer the 7x57 in current bolt guns. The CZ 550 FS used to be made in 7x57 but it was dropped about 6 years ago so it must not have been a good seller. Might find a used one.

I prefer old school thinking on my bolt guns.


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Don't dismiss the #1 so quickly. Very handy and one of the most beautiful rifles made, IMO.


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Beautiful collection there! Thanks for the pics. I haven't completely ruled out the #1. It is definitely an attractive gun. I think my mind keeps going back to what if I had to take a follow-up shot, ha ha. Plus, I'm already partial to CZs, so that definitely influences my thoughts as well.
 
People talk about "fast follow up shots" but in my experience if you miss with the first shot you don't get a second chance with deer or elk. They are GONE!

Besides, you get an elastic ammo cuff for the weak hand wrist that holds 3 rounds. It's amazing what a little practice will do in learning how to pluck a fresh round from the cuff carrier and pop it into the chamber.
 
I agree Saxon. Usually the people who are worried about follow up shots are the ones who quite regularly miss with their first shot.
 
Usually the people who are worried about follow up shots are the ones who quite regularly miss with their first shot.
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Ha ha, now I feel sheepish :rolleyes:

Another problem is the only Ruger #1 currently made in this caliber is the International, which is rather pricey - although, I do find full stocks really attractive...
 
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