7x57 A.I. vs 7-08

A

accumark

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I am looking for another toy as I call them, have had both caliber in mind and trying to decide if there is any real differences between either one? any and all points of view would be great. Thanks and have and happy new year.
 
The 7x57 AI would be a fun cartridge. The 7x57 is usually loaded very soft to accommodate for the older actions that it is normally used in. Handloading a normal 7x57 really brings out it's potential, so a 7x57 AI would really make it shine.
The 2 advantages that I see to the 7/08 is of course ammo availability, it's nice to be able to buy some just in case you forget yours at home. The biggest advantage would be that the 7/08 is a short action round, which means a lighter gun and faster handling. If i'm not mistaken I believe one of the downfalls of the 7x57 is that it is just too long for a short action, but almost too short for a long action, so in terms of that, the case size isn't efficient for the size of action it is in.
 
Buy whichever one interests you the most. In reality their performance will be so similar it would be hard to distinguish the two, go with whatever seems most interesting to you. Me, I like short actions so it would be 7mm-08. That said, 7x57AI would be much more unique and an interesting conversation piece.
 
In the 7x57 (and the any 57 length round)- you can usually set the bullet out nice and far because of the usual Mauser action length. That gives you more case capacity and usually gets the bullet closer to the lands.
 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

7x57 has been working well since 1892, and will continue to do so.
Your deer won't know the difference; neither will your paper target.
 
accumark said:
I am looking for another toy as I call them, have had both caliber in mind and trying to decide if there is any real differences between either one? any and all points of view would be great. Thanks and have and happy new year.
Click to expand...

With reloder 19 and a barnes 140gr my custom 7x57 is very accurate with a speed of just over 2900 fps. This is not a max load either. FS
 
Just get a 7mm-08 and tell everyone it's a 7x57AI. There isn't enough difference to worry about. Nobody will know the difference.

If you load the good old regular 7x57 to the same pressure level as a 7mm-08, it will perform to the same level. Naysayers be damned - modern brass in a modern action is just as safe as a 7mm-08 in the same circumstances. the only reason that commercial ammunition makers download the 7x57 and other 100+ year old cartridges is that some of the 100+ year old rifles aren't strong enough for modern high pressure loads.
 
A 7x57 AI case has enough of a case capacity advantage over the 7mm-08 to provide a (barely) noticable advantage in performance. The 7x57 AI, loaded to the same pressures as a 7mm-08, will likely produce about 75 to 100 fps greater velocity. It will not quite match a standard 280 (again, assuming all else is equal), but it will come close.
The primary difference is that a 7mm-08 will fit in a short action; a 7x57 will not. Regards, Bill.
 
Without breaking out the manuals, you're looking at what...5 grains difference in case capacity? A difference in velocity with 140 grain bullets of...75fps?

The 7X57AI is cool but as has been said, what extra you get from it is invisible in the field. And unless you get a deal on dies you're looking at a chunk more money for the custom series dies.

One is short action cartridge of course, the other a long action. Do you have a donor already?

Buy the one that blows your hair back, this is all about fun and games, right? ;)
 
"The biggest advantage would be that the 7/08 is a short action round, which means a lighter gun and faster handling. If i'm not mistaken I believe one of the downfalls of the 7x57 is that it is just too long for a short action, but almost too short for a long action, so in terms of that, the case size isn't efficient for the size of action it is in."

Yet it fits in a standard Mauser action just right. Go figure. - dan
 
2kul, Fassteel and Farshot all have valid points. The 7 X 57 AI would cool - whats wrong with a stock 7 x 57 - load it a up a bit in a modern action and you are within 85% of a 7mm Rem Mag with bullets to 160 grain
 
FS - I thought my BRNO ZG 7x64 with 140 Nosler Ballistc Tip at 3000 was good! I have to re-evaluate that load now...

I find that with 8x57, 7x57 etc they all can gain from more powder (in a good action) with more over all length.

7-08 is a great round - but in the smaller action you may get cramped by the box (but it really does not matter but for argument sake)
 
Just to keep it real...I have owned several 7X57s and it's a nice cartridge. But anyone who thinks it's any different than a 7-08 in the field is reading too much Chuck Hawks and Field & Stream.
 
My vote goes to the 7-08mm, used it for 14 years, many whitetails to it's credit, a stock Rem Model Seven is hard to beat for ease of handling, quick shots, I've got a Gaillard 20 in, S.S.fluted barrel HB, reduces recoil compared to stock 18.5 light barrel, ideal for Young or adult shooters including women, less recoil normaly equals more precision. Shoots like a dream, easy to handload, like 308, not fussy on powders, easy on barrel, usualy easy to find good handload with H 414, varget and W760 or OMR or H 4350. Good on deer w/ 139-140 gr, and 154 -160 on big deer and moose also using heavy bullets like 154 or 160. Factory ammo easy to find and not expensive if you don't handload.
 
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