Softening up now are we.............
...........too cute.........tew cute........Shiver me timbers.
7x57
- Thread starter Cintax
- Start date
Softening up now are we.............
...........too cute.........tew cute........Shiver me timbers.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
6x isnt very good in most of Ontario. Our shots tend to be close (10-50m). My scopes stay parked on 1.5x and 2x respectively.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Swift Scirocco II's in 150gr.
High BC, high strength bullet , you can use it for anything that walks this country.
I have used them in a few different 7mm chamberings and they work and shoot very well.W760 or H4350 seem to work for me also.
High BC, high strength bullet , you can use it for anything that walks this country.
I have used them in a few different 7mm chamberings and they work and shoot very well.W760 or H4350 seem to work for me also.
I can well understand your situation, but when I started using the 7x57 it was on the Prairies in an area where the closest opportunity for a shot might be 200 yds.
However, after moving to BC I did find the distances to vary from 50 / 60 yds. to 150 / 200 so the 6x works for me.
I did try a 1.5x5 Leupold and it works very well, in fact so well I think I'd put that on anything...
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
I have to concur. My best 7x57 hunting rifle (a small-ring Mauser sporter) has a 2.5x Nickel mounted on it, and I have never felt a need for greater magnification. 95% of my shots in Ontario are under 75 metres.
So using a cleaning rod I measured the barrel and I got 21-7/8" from crown to closed bolt face.
To measure the rate of twist I used the cleaning rod again but this time I covered it in masking tape and installed a brass brush at the end. As the rod was pushed in; it rotated with the rifling and I was able to use a sharpie to mark the tape. I got a few different readings which, I think, is due to how well the bronze brush was engaging the rifling. I believe the twist rate is 1:10 but it could also be 1:9.5 or 1:11". I'll need to see if I can come up with a better method.
I think I may have to do this empirically, so I'll buy some rounds in the weights that people have suggested and see what happens.
With regard to the scope, I think the 1.5-4.5 might end up on this rifle. I can't see myself having sight lines that would allow me to shoot beyond 75-100 yards where I plan to hunt this fall. I think it will likely be set to 2 or 2.5 and just left there.
To measure the rate of twist I used the cleaning rod again but this time I covered it in masking tape and installed a brass brush at the end. As the rod was pushed in; it rotated with the rifling and I was able to use a sharpie to mark the tape. I got a few different readings which, I think, is due to how well the bronze brush was engaging the rifling. I believe the twist rate is 1:10 but it could also be 1:9.5 or 1:11". I'll need to see if I can come up with a better method.
I think I may have to do this empirically, so I'll buy some rounds in the weights that people have suggested and see what happens.
With regard to the scope, I think the 1.5-4.5 might end up on this rifle. I can't see myself having sight lines that would allow me to shoot beyond 75-100 yards where I plan to hunt this fall. I think it will likely be set to 2 or 2.5 and just left there.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'm digressing from the thread starter's deer question, but on a general note with the 7x57 I've killed game over 1 ton with it and 175gr Federal. It is very popular in Africa still in its 175gr incarnation, due to penetration and mild manners. It did require perfect shot placement to be highly effective, the second time I used it I was wishing I'd used my .375 as placement was good but not perfect. So well placed it is as effective as anything and more so than many, less than optimally placed and it acts like anything else.
Forgive my ramblings, I'm looking at delivery of my custom 7x57 this year after a near 3 year wait. Quite excited and hoping it arrives in time for the winter's trip to Africa.
Forgive my ramblings, I'm looking at delivery of my custom 7x57 this year after a near 3 year wait. Quite excited and hoping it arrives in time for the winter's trip to Africa.
Finally got my scope on the gun with the help of a friend. I went with the 1.5-4.5 as I thought I would. It is an older Bushnell Scopechief VI with a 20 mm objective. Setting it at 2.5 seems to work well.
I had a problem finding bases that would work. I started with 46/45 which is standard for large ring Mauser which, it seems, I do not have. The rear base was too tall and there was a massive discrepancy in high of the rings. I bought a Weaver 55 base but even with this shorter 55 the rear base was still too high and the bolt handle wouldn't clear the scope.
My friend had a random piece of rail which had been drilled for the rear base of a M70 and was taller than the Weaver 46 base. We had to use a Weaver 45 on the rear to get enough clearance for the bolt handle to open. So on went the random base and the Weaver 45 and despite the taller front base we still ended up making two shims from a pop can to put between the front ring and scope.
Got it bore sighted and took it to the range, it was shooting well until I noticed the zoom ring had become hard to move. Upon inspection I noticed that the scope had slide forward causeing the zoom ring to bind on the rear scope ring! I was out of rounds anyways so I took it home and adjusted the rings a bit and added loc-tite in key locations.
I'll have to report back next time I have it out. I can tell you that this gun shoots very well. The last time I had this gun out before I installed the scope; I shot a 2-round group 3/4" apart and dead center from 50 yards with irons. Not bad, I think.
I had a problem finding bases that would work. I started with 46/45 which is standard for large ring Mauser which, it seems, I do not have. The rear base was too tall and there was a massive discrepancy in high of the rings. I bought a Weaver 55 base but even with this shorter 55 the rear base was still too high and the bolt handle wouldn't clear the scope.
My friend had a random piece of rail which had been drilled for the rear base of a M70 and was taller than the Weaver 46 base. We had to use a Weaver 45 on the rear to get enough clearance for the bolt handle to open. So on went the random base and the Weaver 45 and despite the taller front base we still ended up making two shims from a pop can to put between the front ring and scope.
Got it bore sighted and took it to the range, it was shooting well until I noticed the zoom ring had become hard to move. Upon inspection I noticed that the scope had slide forward causeing the zoom ring to bind on the rear scope ring! I was out of rounds anyways so I took it home and adjusted the rings a bit and added loc-tite in key locations.
I'll have to report back next time I have it out. I can tell you that this gun shoots very well. The last time I had this gun out before I installed the scope; I shot a 2-round group 3/4" apart and dead center from 50 yards with irons. Not bad, I think.
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If it were me, I'd start with the 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip and the Hornady 154 gr SpirePoint and see which it prefers. Combine that with the appropriate charge of H4350 and any large rifle primer on hand, and you will have a deer-killer extra-ordinaire. In fact, it you ever choose to try the '57 on anything bigger, ie. moose or elk, either one of those bullets will perform perfectly there as well, making for one very versatile round. My ZG47 7x57 prefers the 150 BT, but either is an excellent choice.
If for some reason your rifle doesn't like the 150-ish niche, for deer I'd try something in the 140 gr range, such as a Ballistic Tip, Accubond, Partition, or 139 gr Hornady SpirePoint.
If for some reason your rifle doesn't like the 150-ish niche, for deer I'd try something in the 140 gr range, such as a Ballistic Tip, Accubond, Partition, or 139 gr Hornady SpirePoint.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
With the twist rate that it appears to be , IMO it would be best to not go over 150gr.
7mm 140 grain bullets are capable of taking any game in this country.Stronger bullets for stronger game obviously.
You could also use a 120 grain bullet for white tail and varmint use.
If you do go heavy to reach the throat your twist rate might cause a bullet of that weigh to be less than optimal for stabilization.
7mm 140 grain bullets are capable of taking any game in this country.Stronger bullets for stronger game obviously.
You could also use a 120 grain bullet for white tail and varmint use.
If you do go heavy to reach the throat your twist rate might cause a bullet of that weigh to be less than optimal for stabilization.
The 7x57 remains near the top of my list of all time favorites.
I have a Remington 700 "Classic" in this chambering, and it is a beauty.
3 - 140 Accubonds, chased by Reloder 17 will cluster into about 5/8th inch, at 2900+ fps.
But it shoots all weights well. I traded into a bunch of RWS 173 grain H-Mantel bullets. They shoot right at 1"
I have shot Whitetail, Muleys, Moose, Elk Sheep and Black Bear with the 7x57.
Very effective round when a decent bullet is properly placed.
Regards, Eagleye.
I have a Remington 700 "Classic" in this chambering, and it is a beauty.
3 - 140 Accubonds, chased by Reloder 17 will cluster into about 5/8th inch, at 2900+ fps.
But it shoots all weights well. I traded into a bunch of RWS 173 grain H-Mantel bullets. They shoot right at 1"
I have shot Whitetail, Muleys, Moose, Elk Sheep and Black Bear with the 7x57.
Very effective round when a decent bullet is properly placed.
Regards, Eagleye.
I shoot the 120's in my 7mm-08's, and the 139/140's in my 7X57's... Good for anything from coyotes to moose. I just picked up a Zastava M70 Mannlicher in 7X57... The stock is off and all chopped up... I am laminating in a cocobolo self butt plate, cocobolo tip and grip cap... The stock was a lighter color, but some rubbed in walnut stain prior to refinishing should complement the rich red tones of the cocobolo.
I'm getting decent results with the 140 gr S&B that I was using. I need to stop into Epps this week and see what they have around for 7x57. It would be easier if I could hand load, but honestly, it seems like a large investment for one gun.
How good is the quality of Zastava rifles? I had seen a few that looked cool and I am a fan of Mannlicher stocks.
How good is the quality of Zastava rifles? I had seen a few that looked cool and I am a fan of Mannlicher stocks.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
The Hornady 154gr RN and the Speer 160gr SP are two bullets I use in my 7x57R. Just curious and if you don't mind me asking, what are using in 7x57R? Mine is a Brno ZH 304.
As cool as the 7x57 is, if I wasn't a handloader I'd be more inclined to sell it and get a Zastava M70 in .308 for $549.
Also not a fan of pop can shims...
I got this gun from a friend for a cup of coffee and a box of 270 WIN. I've got practically nothing into it but it's a good shooter and I'd like to see it through. I am considering building a 6.5x55 which might get me into hand loading both the 7mm and the project.
I'm not a fan of the pop can shims either. It's possible there is a scope base set that would work without shimming but I haven't had much luck finding it. I know that a previous owner had it scoped before as you can clearly see the residual lines from the bases.
