7x57 factory ammow options
- Thread starter Grouser
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Tradex carries 173 gr soft point and 140 gr FMJ 7X57 ammo loaded by Sellier & Bellot for about $25 a box. The Euro ammo is likely loaded to the cartridge's full potential, whereas North American 7X57 stuff is less enthusiastic.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I like the Norma Oryx 154 gr. for a premium load, it is a fine balance of performance and price. Excellent bullet! S&B mentioned above is OK for an economy practise and deer only load, but their bullets are only so-so quality and quite soft. RWS is the best of all, but $$$. Prvi and some other mid priced Euro brands are all better choices than Rem/Win/Fed.
North American loads for the 7x57 tend to be anemic.
However, as mentioned, European sourced 7x57 ammo is a lot better.
Norma makes an excellent 154 grain load, and the 173 grain RWS is a thumper.
I was impressed with the PRVI ammo in 8x57, so would suggest you try it in 7x57.
S&B is usually very good, as well.
Regards, Dave.
However, as mentioned, European sourced 7x57 ammo is a lot better.
Norma makes an excellent 154 grain load, and the 173 grain RWS is a thumper.
I was impressed with the PRVI ammo in 8x57, so would suggest you try it in 7x57.
S&B is usually very good, as well.
Regards, Dave.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Prvi Partizan 173 grain SP are also very good, and not hard to find.
That is one beautiful dog!
That is one beautiful dog!
- Location
- Medicine Hat
If you're looking at hunting deer out to 250 yards I think that you are underestimating NA produced ammo. I know it's loaded down compared to the European loads, but it would still be worthwhile to try a box of the Remington 140gr PSPCL or the Federal 140gr Speer Pro Hunter and see how they shoot in your rifle. Both of these loads come pretty close to advertised ballistics, and have a decent bullet. They definitely won't bounce off of a whitetail. I used the Federal load the first year I had my 7x57 and managed to take a nice Mule deer buck at about 130 yds.
- Location
- Medicine Hat
I went and looked up an article John Barsness wrote on the 7x57, and he tested three factory loads. The Federal 140gr Partition and Winchester 145gr Power Point both listed at 2660 fps posted higher velocities clocked out of a 21" barrel. The Federal load did 2706fps, and the Winchester did 2666fps. Not too shabby and the Partition is an excellent bullet. Another load to consider is the Hornady Superformance 139gr SST at an advertised 2760fps. I used a handloaded 154gr SST out of my 7x57 and it dropped a large bodied Saskatchewan Whitetail buck with one shot through the lungs. The SST opens up a little explosively so I would only take heart/lungs shot, not go for a shoulder. I would still consider any of the loads from Rem, Federal, Winchester or Hornady before I started spending the time and money to track down a more expensive and harder to find Norma, or RWS load. The Prvi 139gr SP would be great if you could find it, but all I ever turn up is the 173gr.
If you want to store away some 7x57, The Gundealer in MacAdam is advertising 200rds of the Federal 140gr Speer for $279.00 (28 bucks a box is more than what Wholesale is charging out west for it).
If you want to store away some 7x57, The Gundealer in MacAdam is advertising 200rds of the Federal 140gr Speer for $279.00 (28 bucks a box is more than what Wholesale is charging out west for it).
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I have 2 7x57's and they both love the Winchester 145 grain power points. It surprised me because they are one of the cheaper ones out there but the accuracy is better with them in my guns than with the other loads that I have tried.
I have no complaints about the performance either. I have shot 3 moose calves with this bullet and I didn't have to go looking for any of them.
I have no complaints about the performance either. I have shot 3 moose calves with this bullet and I didn't have to go looking for any of them.
