Hunting Rifle in 7x57 Mauser
- Thread starter Kleab
- Start date
The 7x57 worked pretty darn well for Eleanor O'Connor,Jack's wife.Locate and read"The Hunting Rifle" by Jack O'Connor.
It is an excellent hunting cartridge.US factory must be loaded with consideration for pre-98 Mausers.
If you are using a 98 Mauser or modern rifle,it can be loaded to quite respectable levels.160 to 140 gr projectiles from 2600 to 2800 fps is a ballpark range of handload performance,as I recall.IMO,it will do all a good hunter needs in N.America.
One thing to consider.Depending on the statures of yourself and your wife,it may be a problem to have one rifle fit both of you.
Most rifles get made to fit average man,which means an ill fit for average woman.
An ill fitting rifle rates with ill fitting boots.
If you are truly wanting this rifle to be a rifle your wife will enjoy,you might need a compact or youth model,or shorten the stock,add a pad,etc..And get a quality scope with good eye relief,and set the scope up for her.
Now,that may be easier to do if you can compromise on the cartridge as the modern rifles will likely be 7-08 or .260.
IMO,for yourself,go on a search of gunshops,pawnshops,gunshows,ask gunsmith/gunshop owners..
A lot of guys spent $1500 or $2000 having a gunsmith convert a 98 Mauser to a fine,elegant walnut and blue steel classic rifle that might bring $400 or $500 now.Its still a fine rifle,with a certain something a modern factory rifle may lack.Do not worry that you will blow up a 98 Mauser.They are plenty strong
It is an excellent hunting cartridge.US factory must be loaded with consideration for pre-98 Mausers.
If you are using a 98 Mauser or modern rifle,it can be loaded to quite respectable levels.160 to 140 gr projectiles from 2600 to 2800 fps is a ballpark range of handload performance,as I recall.IMO,it will do all a good hunter needs in N.America.
One thing to consider.Depending on the statures of yourself and your wife,it may be a problem to have one rifle fit both of you.
Most rifles get made to fit average man,which means an ill fit for average woman.
An ill fitting rifle rates with ill fitting boots.
If you are truly wanting this rifle to be a rifle your wife will enjoy,you might need a compact or youth model,or shorten the stock,add a pad,etc..And get a quality scope with good eye relief,and set the scope up for her.
Now,that may be easier to do if you can compromise on the cartridge as the modern rifles will likely be 7-08 or .260.
IMO,for yourself,go on a search of gunshops,pawnshops,gunshows,ask gunsmith/gunshop owners..
A lot of guys spent $1500 or $2000 having a gunsmith convert a 98 Mauser to a fine,elegant walnut and blue steel classic rifle that might bring $400 or $500 now.Its still a fine rifle,with a certain something a modern factory rifle may lack.Do not worry that you will blow up a 98 Mauser.They are plenty strong
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Any quality rifle will be pricey, these days.
You can always build one, but that won't be cheaper.
Years ago I used a military 98 action and built a practical hunting rifle in 7x57 with a fiberglass stock. A friend talked me out of it some time back. He must be wiser than me because he still has it.
You can always build one, but that won't be cheaper.
Years ago I used a military 98 action and built a practical hunting rifle in 7x57 with a fiberglass stock. A friend talked me out of it some time back. He must be wiser than me because he still has it.
Major Dave (retired)
New member
My first 7X57 was ...
a sporterized Mauser Model 93. Because it is a weak action (only 2 locking lugs, early era metallurgy), I could shoot only factory ammo.
Luckily, in those days, Norma sold a 150 grain load, with a MV of 2750 fps, so I was able to kill a raghorn bull elk with it.
In 1996, I found a one-of-a-kind bolt action 7X57 which was custom made by DuBiel Arms company. It was on about Table #995 at a 1,000 table gun show in Dallas, TX, when I found it.
It is also a "lefty", which is exactly what I needed. I wonder what the odds were of finding a left-handed bolt action 7X57? I should have bought a Lotto ticket that day.
As for "hot rodding" the 7X57, I plead guilty. I achieve MVs of 2,950 fps, using IMR 4320.That's chronographed velocity, not "book data".
I decided to go for that load after reading Jack O'Connor (Outdoor Life magazine Shooting Editor) experiences, in that he told of loading the 7X57 to 2,900 fps for his wife, Eleanor to use on African safari, with great results.He concluded, "...there are no flies on the 7X57...".
Another author from the 1950's/60's also related 7X57 loads in excess of 2,900 fps using Norma powders (M203? M204?).
In any case, considering that the 7-08 factory loads reach 2,850 fps MV, and the case is 6 mm shorter than the 7X57 case, it just makes sense that the extra space in the 7X57 case can be utilized to boost the MV beyond what is achieved in the 7-08 case.
One skeptic in this thread stated that the 7X57 was a loser in warfare. In response to that statement, I would like to cite the reaction of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill, Cuba, when they faced the Spanish Army armed with Model 93 Mauser rifles chambered in 7X57. Teddy was very impressed with the flat trajectory of the 7X57, and the penetrating power of the 173 grain bullets the Spanish were using. The 7X57 did not lose that war - the Spanish did.
Teddy went back home and pressed the War Dept to modernize the U.S. infantry rifle. The result was the creation of the 30-06 cartridge and the Model 1903 Springfield rifle.
a sporterized Mauser Model 93. Because it is a weak action (only 2 locking lugs, early era metallurgy), I could shoot only factory ammo.
Luckily, in those days, Norma sold a 150 grain load, with a MV of 2750 fps, so I was able to kill a raghorn bull elk with it.
In 1996, I found a one-of-a-kind bolt action 7X57 which was custom made by DuBiel Arms company. It was on about Table #995 at a 1,000 table gun show in Dallas, TX, when I found it.
It is also a "lefty", which is exactly what I needed. I wonder what the odds were of finding a left-handed bolt action 7X57? I should have bought a Lotto ticket that day.
As for "hot rodding" the 7X57, I plead guilty. I achieve MVs of 2,950 fps, using IMR 4320.That's chronographed velocity, not "book data".
I decided to go for that load after reading Jack O'Connor (Outdoor Life magazine Shooting Editor) experiences, in that he told of loading the 7X57 to 2,900 fps for his wife, Eleanor to use on African safari, with great results.He concluded, "...there are no flies on the 7X57...".
Another author from the 1950's/60's also related 7X57 loads in excess of 2,900 fps using Norma powders (M203? M204?).
In any case, considering that the 7-08 factory loads reach 2,850 fps MV, and the case is 6 mm shorter than the 7X57 case, it just makes sense that the extra space in the 7X57 case can be utilized to boost the MV beyond what is achieved in the 7-08 case.
One skeptic in this thread stated that the 7X57 was a loser in warfare. In response to that statement, I would like to cite the reaction of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill, Cuba, when they faced the Spanish Army armed with Model 93 Mauser rifles chambered in 7X57. Teddy was very impressed with the flat trajectory of the 7X57, and the penetrating power of the 173 grain bullets the Spanish were using. The 7X57 did not lose that war - the Spanish did.
Teddy went back home and pressed the War Dept to modernize the U.S. infantry rifle. The result was the creation of the 30-06 cartridge and the Model 1903 Springfield rifle.
Major Dave (retired)
New member
Long action, because...
short actions are for 51mm length cases (308, 7-08, ..260 Rem, and 243 Win)
The 7X57 case is 57mm long (same as 6mm Rem, .257 Roberts)
The long action is designed for 30-06 length cases (.270 Win, .280 Rem, .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, and others. Even though the 7X57 is shorter than the 30-06 and others listed, it still needs a long action. But we aren't talking more than 3/4 inch difference between "short" and "long", here. I think too much is made about the differences in length of throw, and 3 or 4 ounces difference in weight, and how much stiffer the short action is (supposedly making a "shortie" more accurate). Much ado about nothing, IMHO.
Other characteristics of 7X57 include : Long throat, and fast twist rate rifling. Both features were incorporated in the original (1892/93) military design rifle to facilitate the use of the long, for caliber, 173 grain round nose bullets.
The length of the bullet protruding from the case mouth required the throat to be longer than other calibers. The fast rifling twist rate was needed to stabilize the long 173 grain projectile in flight, as it would tumble if fired through slow twist barrels.
With the current trend in 7X57 using mostly 139/140 grain bullets, neither of these "long bullet" features are needed, yet most 7X57 rifles still have them. And, of course, factory loads are still available for 175 grain round nose bullets. To shoot them, you still need the long throat and fast twist rifling.
As a result, my 7X57 rifle has a full 1/4 inch (0.25 inch) throat length, which my 140 grain bullets must jump to come in contact with the rifling leade. Because of this, I pay particular attention to concentricity of my hand loads. I won't hunt with reloads that exceed .003 inch runout. My end result is 1.25 MOA accuracy. Not a benchrest competition rifle, at all, but good enough for "minute of deer".
All in all, the 7X57 is an interesting project. I did have a copy of the book written by "Karamojo" W.M.D Bell, the elephant hunter, but I recently donated it to the local library, so others could enjoy it.
I went to a hunting camp several years ago, and the topic of "What are you shooting?" came up. As many answered "30-30", "30-06", etc, then it came around to me and I said, "Elephant gun - 7X57" They all got a laugh out of that.
But I had the last laugh!
You will too. Find your elephant gun and ENJOY.
short actions are for 51mm length cases (308, 7-08, ..260 Rem, and 243 Win)
The 7X57 case is 57mm long (same as 6mm Rem, .257 Roberts)
The long action is designed for 30-06 length cases (.270 Win, .280 Rem, .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, and others. Even though the 7X57 is shorter than the 30-06 and others listed, it still needs a long action. But we aren't talking more than 3/4 inch difference between "short" and "long", here. I think too much is made about the differences in length of throw, and 3 or 4 ounces difference in weight, and how much stiffer the short action is (supposedly making a "shortie" more accurate). Much ado about nothing, IMHO.
Other characteristics of 7X57 include : Long throat, and fast twist rate rifling. Both features were incorporated in the original (1892/93) military design rifle to facilitate the use of the long, for caliber, 173 grain round nose bullets.
The length of the bullet protruding from the case mouth required the throat to be longer than other calibers. The fast rifling twist rate was needed to stabilize the long 173 grain projectile in flight, as it would tumble if fired through slow twist barrels.
With the current trend in 7X57 using mostly 139/140 grain bullets, neither of these "long bullet" features are needed, yet most 7X57 rifles still have them. And, of course, factory loads are still available for 175 grain round nose bullets. To shoot them, you still need the long throat and fast twist rifling.
As a result, my 7X57 rifle has a full 1/4 inch (0.25 inch) throat length, which my 140 grain bullets must jump to come in contact with the rifling leade. Because of this, I pay particular attention to concentricity of my hand loads. I won't hunt with reloads that exceed .003 inch runout. My end result is 1.25 MOA accuracy. Not a benchrest competition rifle, at all, but good enough for "minute of deer".
All in all, the 7X57 is an interesting project. I did have a copy of the book written by "Karamojo" W.M.D Bell, the elephant hunter, but I recently donated it to the local library, so others could enjoy it.
I went to a hunting camp several years ago, and the topic of "What are you shooting?" came up. As many answered "30-30", "30-06", etc, then it came around to me and I said, "Elephant gun - 7X57" They all got a laugh out of that.
But I had the last laugh!
You will too. Find your elephant gun and ENJOY.
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Bought myself a K98 Brazillian Mauser in 7x57 last year. This one is nearly mint and has been drilled and tapped for scope mounting. I've been developing loads for it seeing how high i can go. Been using BL(C)-2 - I built her up to 2840 on my Chrony. Now I get to start to play with seating dept trying to find the sweet spot. All is fun and games.....
I got outbid on the CZ 550 I found, but I'm not giving up yet, ha ha. I found this quote by Jack O'Connor and had to share. I'm excited to track down a rifle in this caliber.
"For almost forty years I've been having an off-and-on romance with a sweet little cartridge known as the 7X57, the 7mm Mauser, and the 7mm Spanish Mauser. There is nothing spetacular about the 7X57. It does not have a big case. Even when the charge is tightly compressed it is possible to get only about 53 grains of 4350 or 4831 powders into the Western 7X57 case, which is roomier than Remington's. This modest little cartridge does not have a belt. It isn't a magnum. It doesn't bellow like a 105 mm howitzer and scramble the brains of the firer. It doesn't shoot through three elk, one moose, two grizzlies, and a forest ranger and then mow down a grove of jack pines on the far side. The hole in the barrel is so small that even a small, thin, underprivileged mouse would have difficulty in entering, and the cartridge itself isn't as long as a maiden's arm.
Yet I think I have seen more game killed with fewer shots from this modest little cartridge than with any other. The explanation for its deadly efficiency does not lie in blinding velocity, in big bullets, in a frightening number of foot pounds of energy. It lies in the light recoil, coupled with the excellent hunting accuracy of so many 7X57s. Those who use it are not afraid of it and, as a consequence, they tend to shoot it well-and to place their shots well. In case no one has told you, the most important factor in killing power is putting that bullet in the right spot."
"For almost forty years I've been having an off-and-on romance with a sweet little cartridge known as the 7X57, the 7mm Mauser, and the 7mm Spanish Mauser. There is nothing spetacular about the 7X57. It does not have a big case. Even when the charge is tightly compressed it is possible to get only about 53 grains of 4350 or 4831 powders into the Western 7X57 case, which is roomier than Remington's. This modest little cartridge does not have a belt. It isn't a magnum. It doesn't bellow like a 105 mm howitzer and scramble the brains of the firer. It doesn't shoot through three elk, one moose, two grizzlies, and a forest ranger and then mow down a grove of jack pines on the far side. The hole in the barrel is so small that even a small, thin, underprivileged mouse would have difficulty in entering, and the cartridge itself isn't as long as a maiden's arm.
Yet I think I have seen more game killed with fewer shots from this modest little cartridge than with any other. The explanation for its deadly efficiency does not lie in blinding velocity, in big bullets, in a frightening number of foot pounds of energy. It lies in the light recoil, coupled with the excellent hunting accuracy of so many 7X57s. Those who use it are not afraid of it and, as a consequence, they tend to shoot it well-and to place their shots well. In case no one has told you, the most important factor in killing power is putting that bullet in the right spot."
The little 7-57 is not optimum for the way I hunt in the forests of VT.
I will take a fast shot at a running deer to get it. It's not easy to get a shot at a buck in VT and a more powerful rifle increases the size of the wound and therefor makes it more deadly.
Here is a statement from above that I disagree with:
"The explanation for its deadly efficiency does not lie in blinding velocity, in big bullets, in a frightening number of foot pounds of energy. It lies in the light recoil, coupled with the excellent hunting accuracy of so many 7X57s. Those who use it are not afraid of it and, as a consequence, they tend to shoot it well-and to place their shots well. In case no one has told you, the most important factor in killing power is putting that bullet in the right spot."
I use the 358 Winchester for that hunting.
To each his own.
I will take a fast shot at a running deer to get it. It's not easy to get a shot at a buck in VT and a more powerful rifle increases the size of the wound and therefor makes it more deadly.
Here is a statement from above that I disagree with:
"The explanation for its deadly efficiency does not lie in blinding velocity, in big bullets, in a frightening number of foot pounds of energy. It lies in the light recoil, coupled with the excellent hunting accuracy of so many 7X57s. Those who use it are not afraid of it and, as a consequence, they tend to shoot it well-and to place their shots well. In case no one has told you, the most important factor in killing power is putting that bullet in the right spot."
I use the 358 Winchester for that hunting.
To each his own.
I have to wonder why Savage99 speaks so disparagingly of the 7x57? Not just on this site but he's done so on several other as well. Every time someone mentions the 7x57, he has to bad mouth the round.
Sorry savage but that's truth and you know it.
I've been playing with one 7x57 or another of and on since 1973 when I bought my first one two or three days before deer season. I could only find two boxes of Gederal 175 gr. round nose ammo rated at 2400 FPS. The gun was already sighted in when I checked it out so took it hunting. My wife was with me. About 7:30 AM I shot a nice Mule Deer 3 pointer western count and at the hit, it took off as deer sometimes do. There was very little blood trail and was there was petered out very quickly. My wife and I looked for that deer until it got too dark to look any more. I went out the next morning and finally found what the coyotes had left by the birds. I hunted the rest of the season with a different rifle. A big mistake was selling off the sweet light handly rifle some small British gun maker had put together on a small ring Mauser.
Fast foreward to about 7 or 8 years ago when I bought a Winchester M70 Featherweight push feed in 7x57. Severe arthritis in my right shoulder precludes me from doing much shooting even with the 30-06. No problem when shooting it, it's the day after when I feel it. While cruising a gun shop, I found a few more boxes of that Federal 175 gr. RN ammo so picked some up and ran what little I had left from the 1973 box and comparing it with current manufacture, I found that their advertised 2400 FPS was a pipe dream, at least in my rifles. I pulled a couple of bullets and sectioned them and the jackets, while fairly soft were IMHO way too thick to allow the bullets to open properly on game. Not a bad cartridge, I just used the wrong load.
Currently, along with my M70, I have a Ruger #1A and a custom Mauser built on an FN action. All three rifles are incredibly accurate. All are great fun to shoot and whoever said getting off a second shot with a single shot rifle isn't all that hard; well no it's not. I can keep up doing aimed fire with mine against most average bolt action shooters. Problem is, I haven't had to. To keep thing totally honest, I have only lost two deer in over 50 plus years of hunting. Both times I was carrying a 7x57.
You've heard the first and in the second case, again, it was not the gun's/cartridge's fault. I'd shot the deer and was climbing up tp tag and gut it when my foot rolled on some loose rock, plenty of that stuff in the southern Arizona desert, and my foot went one way and the rest of me ther other and I heard a ripping noise and was flat on the ground feeling immense pain. That hunt was 8 years ago and I've walked with a limp ever since. My hunting partners efused to go get the deer as they wanted to get me to a doctor fast.
Yeah, I'm still mad. My right knee no longer has a menicus and it still hurts to walk.
As far as reloading the round, I like W760 with the 140 gr. ballistic Tip. I get 2800 FPS with it and no pressure signs. The load is safe in the M70 and Ruger #1 but the Mauser has a match grade chamber and barrel and that one will spit factory ammo out almost 100 FPS faster that the two commercial guns. The only reason the 7x57 is hadicapped is because the liability lawyers like it that way. Oh and BTW, There is a short article in one of the early American Rifleman explaining the problem with the rolling block rifles. Seems some were made with an entirely different headspacing. The chambers are a bit too long for SAAMI standard cartridges. 
(Page 31 April, 1956 issue if you want to chase it down.)
Paul B.
Sorry savage but that's truth and you know it.
I've been playing with one 7x57 or another of and on since 1973 when I bought my first one two or three days before deer season. I could only find two boxes of Gederal 175 gr. round nose ammo rated at 2400 FPS. The gun was already sighted in when I checked it out so took it hunting. My wife was with me. About 7:30 AM I shot a nice Mule Deer 3 pointer western count and at the hit, it took off as deer sometimes do. There was very little blood trail and was there was petered out very quickly. My wife and I looked for that deer until it got too dark to look any more. I went out the next morning and finally found what the coyotes had left by the birds. I hunted the rest of the season with a different rifle. A big mistake was selling off the sweet light handly rifle some small British gun maker had put together on a small ring Mauser.
Fast foreward to about 7 or 8 years ago when I bought a Winchester M70 Featherweight push feed in 7x57. Severe arthritis in my right shoulder precludes me from doing much shooting even with the 30-06. No problem when shooting it, it's the day after when I feel it. While cruising a gun shop, I found a few more boxes of that Federal 175 gr. RN ammo so picked some up and ran what little I had left from the 1973 box and comparing it with current manufacture, I found that their advertised 2400 FPS was a pipe dream, at least in my rifles. I pulled a couple of bullets and sectioned them and the jackets, while fairly soft were IMHO way too thick to allow the bullets to open properly on game. Not a bad cartridge, I just used the wrong load.
Currently, along with my M70, I have a Ruger #1A and a custom Mauser built on an FN action. All three rifles are incredibly accurate. All are great fun to shoot and whoever said getting off a second shot with a single shot rifle isn't all that hard; well no it's not. I can keep up doing aimed fire with mine against most average bolt action shooters. Problem is, I haven't had to. To keep thing totally honest, I have only lost two deer in over 50 plus years of hunting. Both times I was carrying a 7x57.
You've heard the first and in the second case, again, it was not the gun's/cartridge's fault. I'd shot the deer and was climbing up tp tag and gut it when my foot rolled on some loose rock, plenty of that stuff in the southern Arizona desert, and my foot went one way and the rest of me ther other and I heard a ripping noise and was flat on the ground feeling immense pain. That hunt was 8 years ago and I've walked with a limp ever since. My hunting partners efused to go get the deer as they wanted to get me to a doctor fast. Yeah, I'm still mad. My right knee no longer has a menicus and it still hurts to walk.As far as reloading the round, I like W760 with the 140 gr. ballistic Tip. I get 2800 FPS with it and no pressure signs. The load is safe in the M70 and Ruger #1 but the Mauser has a match grade chamber and barrel and that one will spit factory ammo out almost 100 FPS faster that the two commercial guns. The only reason the 7x57 is hadicapped is because the liability lawyers like it that way.
Oh and BTW, There is a short article in one of the early American Rifleman explaining the problem with the rolling block rifles. Seems some were made with an entirely different headspacing. The chambers are a bit too long for SAAMI standard cartridges. (Page 31 April, 1956 issue if you want to chase it down.)Paul B.
What a coincidence. I bought the same thing in 2005, just about the same time ago you bought yours. I rushed to get it ready for hunting deer that year in South Carolina. The best week I ever had in that state was the week I carried that rifle. The deer all fell dead, just like I expected them to. The old 7mm Mauser just did one fine job.
Apart from some disparaging the 7x57, I am somewhat amused by some disparaging the '93 and '95 Mauser actions. I've been shooting a sporterized '93 7x57 for almost 40 years now. I reload for it with 150gr bullets and a mid-range load of H380. Never had a problem. None, zilch. If a load is worked up in a particular rifle and shows no signs of excessive pressure I don't care if it has one, two or three locking lugs; it is a safe load in that rifle. A good '93 or '95 action is a fine, strong rifle action. I think sometimes people have read that the older Mauser actions are inherently weak. They are not. I've heard the same thing about 30-40 Krags. These are fine firearms and are not 'old technology' or 'weak metallurgy'. An older Mauser in good condition is perfectly safe to shoot and to use to develop a load.
As long as one develops their load in their own rifle and there are no signs of excess pressure it is fine. I've been shooting these 'old' military rifles for a long time now and as long as one uses common sense, there will be no problem. I think people are scared by untruths they have heard or read on the internet or modern loading manuals edited by lawyers. Honestly, has anyone here had - or seen - a good Mauser blow up from any handload listed in a good manual and carefully worked up to? I doubt it.
Maybe things have changed in the 50+ years that I've been shooting. Or maybe I'm just full of crap.
A 7x57 Mauser round pushing a 150gr bullet along at 2500 - 2600 fps ( a moderate load) is a fine 250 yard big game round.
George
As long as one develops their load in their own rifle and there are no signs of excess pressure it is fine. I've been shooting these 'old' military rifles for a long time now and as long as one uses common sense, there will be no problem. I think people are scared by untruths they have heard or read on the internet or modern loading manuals edited by lawyers. Honestly, has anyone here had - or seen - a good Mauser blow up from any handload listed in a good manual and carefully worked up to? I doubt it.
Maybe things have changed in the 50+ years that I've been shooting. Or maybe I'm just full of crap.
A 7x57 Mauser round pushing a 150gr bullet along at 2500 - 2600 fps ( a moderate load) is a fine 250 yard big game round.
George
Tater,
You asked:
"And, I have to ask, Why are they running. Are you using dogs?"
Much of my hunting in VT is in hardwoods where I would post and wait for deer to move by.
Once in a while I might be walking or following a track in the snow. When a deer sees me first it might run. If it's a legal buck I will take a shot if there is a safe backstop. Running deer are shot at.
I chose the most powerful cartridge that I could handle for that purpose. It's my belief that a more powerful cartridge will make a larger and deeper wound in the deer and therefore increase my chances.
The 7-57 is not popular here either. Nothing wrong with it, it's just an ordinary old rifle cartridge. No sense to get one as it's not special.
Here the 30-06 is dominant because of course it's the winner of WW One and WW Two! Also the 308 and 270 along with the 30-30 are found here but not the 757.
The old 7-57 does not fit short or long actions well.
To each his own.
We don't hunt deer with dogs.
You asked:
"And, I have to ask, Why are they running. Are you using dogs?"
Much of my hunting in VT is in hardwoods where I would post and wait for deer to move by.
Once in a while I might be walking or following a track in the snow. When a deer sees me first it might run. If it's a legal buck I will take a shot if there is a safe backstop. Running deer are shot at.
I chose the most powerful cartridge that I could handle for that purpose. It's my belief that a more powerful cartridge will make a larger and deeper wound in the deer and therefore increase my chances.
The 7-57 is not popular here either. Nothing wrong with it, it's just an ordinary old rifle cartridge. No sense to get one as it's not special.
Here the 30-06 is dominant because of course it's the winner of WW One and WW Two! Also the 308 and 270 along with the 30-30 are found here but not the 757.
The old 7-57 does not fit short or long actions well.
To each his own.
We don't hunt deer with dogs.
Long ago a woman friend of mine needed a deer rifle.She wanted a lever action.I fitted a Savage 99 to her,.300 Savage.Put a Leupold 4x on it with a 12 in duplex.I told her if the deer was smaller than the duplex,it was more than 150 yds and to get closer.
Well,she wasn't much for being told how to do anything.Later,she told me the deer was smaller than the duplex.She leg hit it,then kentucky'd up some and killed it.
I do think that 99 Savage is a fine rifle./..just about exactly as fine as the 7x57 cartridge.
Now,if you neck a 7x57 down then ackley it,you get a .257 Ackley Improved.I have been using one over 20 yrs.I won't give a load,but its a 115 Ballistic tip at 3050.It just plain kills.Farthest antelope,just over 400 yds.Most are about 200.
I have better choices for elk,but,if need be,I'm sure it would kill elk just fine with one condition.I am willing to let the elk walk away if I do not have a shot ,through ribs at heart/lung.
I know of a number of elk that went right down for a 165 gr ballistic tip .308 out to 300 yd.
I do not shoot at moving game.I do not think in terms of "upping my chances on running game" I shoot when I have a steady,precise shot that will bust heart/lung.I lost one antelope when I was 16.that was enough.I'm 61 now.
Not a thing wrong with your .358,fine cartridge.You do your part,it does its part.
I'd suspect a 2700 fps 160 gr Nosler from a 7x57 will blow out the backside of any deer ribcage you hit with it,and,I would expect every bit as much trauma in the wound channel as a 200 gr or 225 gr 358.I bet a stout 175 gr 7mm handload will penetrate anything your .358 will.
I believe the Jack OConnor statement was exactly right.Another gentleman who found the 7x57 effective was Finn Aagard.I think I spelled his name wrong.
If you can shoot,a .250 Savage will kill deer just fine.A Savage 99 .250 Savage
Well,she wasn't much for being told how to do anything.Later,she told me the deer was smaller than the duplex.She leg hit it,then kentucky'd up some and killed it.
I do think that 99 Savage is a fine rifle./..just about exactly as fine as the 7x57 cartridge.
Now,if you neck a 7x57 down then ackley it,you get a .257 Ackley Improved.I have been using one over 20 yrs.I won't give a load,but its a 115 Ballistic tip at 3050.It just plain kills.Farthest antelope,just over 400 yds.Most are about 200.
I have better choices for elk,but,if need be,I'm sure it would kill elk just fine with one condition.I am willing to let the elk walk away if I do not have a shot ,through ribs at heart/lung.
I know of a number of elk that went right down for a 165 gr ballistic tip .308 out to 300 yd.
I do not shoot at moving game.I do not think in terms of "upping my chances on running game" I shoot when I have a steady,precise shot that will bust heart/lung.I lost one antelope when I was 16.that was enough.I'm 61 now.
Not a thing wrong with your .358,fine cartridge.You do your part,it does its part.
I'd suspect a 2700 fps 160 gr Nosler from a 7x57 will blow out the backside of any deer ribcage you hit with it,and,I would expect every bit as much trauma in the wound channel as a 200 gr or 225 gr 358.I bet a stout 175 gr 7mm handload will penetrate anything your .358 will.
I believe the Jack OConnor statement was exactly right.Another gentleman who found the 7x57 effective was Finn Aagard.I think I spelled his name wrong.
If you can shoot,a .250 Savage will kill deer just fine.A Savage 99 .250 Savage
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