7x57 Mauser enough for moose and elk?

MD

MD

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My little Husqvarna 4100 lightweight is my current favourite rifle.

It shoots Hornady Interlock 140 bullets powered by 48.5 grains of H4350 very accurately.

Is this load adequate for moose? I've only shot one bear with this gun.

I usually use my 270 or 300 for bigger game but this rifle is just such a treat to pack around I always reach for it first.
 
Another "is it enough" thread, oh boy.

There's no advantage to going to a lighter caliber if you can shoot the bigger ones accurately. That in itself should be incentive enough to use a bigger gun. My thoughts anyhow.

..........and a free cookie to the first person that mentions Bell shot elephants with the 7x57. :D
 
.270 and 7x57 are virtually identical in performance. I'd stick a 140gr Tsx or Accubond or partition in either of them and kill moos all day. I'm sure the intrlock will also work great.
 
I realized that it was somewhat of a clichéd question, but what the heck is this site for if we can't have a campfire discussion about an old subject once in a while? Besides, I really wanted to hear some informed opinions.

Like what's better, a 30-06 or a 270?

No, no, stop! Don't answer that one. I was kidding.
 
Last edited:
MD said:
I realized that it was somewhat of a clichéd question, but what the heck is this site for if we can't have a campfire discussion about an old subject once in a while? Besides, I really wanted to hear some informed opinions.

Like what's better, a 30-06 or a 270?

No, no, stop! don't answer that one. I was kidding.
Click to expand...

Good Thing!
 
OP, you're load will work just fine on moose and elk, with the moderate velocity you'll be getting out of the 7x57 an old fashioned cup and core bullet like the interlock will work quite well. You could "upgrade" to a bonded, partition, or monometal style bullet if you so choose, but what you have right now will work just fine.
 
I have shot 8 moose with the 7x57 [one of my all-time favorite chamberings]
I shot them from 40 yards right out to 340. Never had to shoot one twice.
I have used the 140 Partition at between 2750 and 2900 fps.
The 7x57 is mild-mannered and very effective.
Just take that 7x57 and go moose hunting. No Problem!!
Regards, Eagleye.
 
3 moose have fallen to my 7x57 and they all dropped where they stood. I use the winchester 145 grain powerpoints. I know they are aren't a premium load but they are what my rifle shoots best and they work.
 
My biggest bull fell to a Brno 21H in 7x57 launching factor RWS 162gr KS bullets. It is a very good cartridge!

By the way, Bell shot elephants with a 7x57.

That will be one chocolate chip cookie.
 
I measured a moose for a guy that went 207 B&C with a 60 inch spread and he shot it with a 7x57 (140 gr partition) at 250 yards. It didn't go down and they had to follow it a ways and it required another shot, but that could happen with any calibre.
 
Horrible rifle and a horrible chambering.

How much you want for it............ :D

You should be so lucky to have a most wanted
classic.
Go wear the rifling out of her and enjoy.
 
Funny how the forgotten cartridges resurface now and again.
Did some reading on the 7 X 57 in "Pet Loads" and Elmer was of the opinion this rd was great as a large animal rd as long as the velocity was kept reasonable and larger rd nose rounds were used ( quoting from memory not from the book ). Kind of like a 30-40 on steroids.
 
About 90% of the kill is shot placement, so if you are comfortable with your 7x57, it is a great rifle to use. The other 10% is power and bullet construction. Your 140 Interlock is dandy.

My grandfather shot about 100 moose to feed his family and the local orphanage. He used a 30-30 rifle. Only one moose needed a second shot. he was a good shot and said he usually shot the moose behind the ear. This is why I smile a bit when hunters ask if their rifle is big enough for moose. If you can put a bullet through the lungs of a moose, I would guess anything from 250 Savage and up is adequate, if the bullet is appropriate.

My grandfather was in northern B.C. (Smithers) where they moose were big. he used a 30-30 rifle (not carbine) and 170 gr CIL bullets. He told me he tried the 150 gr HP bullets and they lacked penetration.

As a kid I mailed him one of my 22 targets I was proud of. he wrote back that shooting paper and shooting an animal when and where it counted was a different proposition. He was not impressed with paper shooting.

On the other hand, a poor shot is still not going to get good results, even with a 375H&H.

I have a 7x57 M95 with a 20" barrel, Manlicher style stock and a 1.5 x 4 scope that I have taken moose hunting as my first choice of rifles. Never saw a moose, but I have no doubt the 150gr RN bullet would have done the job.
 
And some animals just don't know they are dead no matter what you hit them with.

I shot an elk from about 100 yards with a 300 Winchester magnum one time. I shot three times from a seated position and the animal just stood there. I then had to dig in my pocket for a fourth cartridge and by the time I loaded it I was a bit flustered and perhaps didn't shoot so well, but the elk finally fell over. That was because my fourth shot broke a front leg.

When I skinned it out those first three shots had hit right where I was aiming behind the front shoulder in a group you could cover with your fist.
 
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