7x57 vs. 7mm-08, ammo price and availability?

[Kelly Timoffee]

Real world differences??? On game??? None ,If you hit an animal in the vitals at the same range with either, you will have meat , plain and simple.

The other real world difference may be at the range , I'd give the edge on accuracy to the 7-08 although it would be small.

Other than some numbers on paper, what are the differences in the real world? does it give you 100 yards more range? or 500 ft-lbs more energy?

However you are correct, I have limited experience with loading the sweet little 7x57. Although it is a favourite of mine.

 

[The Kurgan]

The other real world difference may be at the range , I'd give the edge on accuracy to the 7-08 although it would be small.

I have an exceptional 7x57 custom Mauser 98, that shoots consistent 1 MOA (or better) with handloads. I don't think you're going find better with any modern hunting rifle chambered in 7mm-08.

 

[The Kurgan]

Note star on box in upper right hand corner. That is the 173 grain Prvi Partizan 7x57 SP. Also comes in a 158 grain PSP. $17.95 at Al Simmons. Money well spent. Just don't shoot it out of an old Spanish Mauser.

 

[Kevan]

Hit the nail squarely on the head, Andy.

My old BSA 7X57 will drive 140 Partitions well over 2900 fps, put them into less tha five inches at 300 meters, and kills like lightning!

Ted

Thats a lot faster than I've been pushing them, may I ask what powder gives you that velocity Ted ?

 

[Why not?]

Re17 will make you smile, Kevan. Works very well in the 7-08, too.

H450 would do almost as well, but is long gone.

Ted

 

[Eagleye]

Re17 will make you smile, Kevan. Works very well in the 7-08, too.

H450 would do almost as well, but is long gone.

Ted

I, like Ted, have found RL17 to be the bee's knees in my 7x57 [M700 "Classic"]
FWIW, Norma MRP also will work very well.

The 140 AB at 2955 avg, and under moa every time if I do my part.

A number of years ago, I won sporter class at 1000 yards with my 7x57. [8¼" group]

I have since seen the 7x57 win this class again in the hands of another shooter.

I have shot a lot of game, including Elk and Moose with the 7x57, and have never been disappointed.

My favorite 7mm, by a wide margin.

Eagleye

 

[Cleftwynd]

I find it interesting that two cartridges so close to each other in so many ways, can also be so far apart. Luckily, I do not have to choose one or the other.


I still need to get myself a 6.5x55 though....

 

[Kevan]

Re17 will make you smile, Kevan. Works very well in the 7-08, too.

H450 would do almost as well, but is long gone.

Ted

Awesome, Thanks for that Ted,actually I use a fair bit of Re17 in several other cartridges.
Excellent powder, it gave me the best accuracy & velocity in a Swift I had a couple years ago.

 

[Kevan]

I still need to get myself a 6.5x55 though....

Give me a shout when you start seriously looking for one....

 

[Andy]

The 7X57 gets its edge from 2-3 grs greater case capacity than the 7mm-08, which becomes greater when the throat allows OAL's as high as 3.150" (in a Standard Action) with 175 gr bullets. The 7mm-08 cannot typically be loaded to an OAL longer than 2.950", as it usually resides in a Short Action which has a mag length limit, but it's really its shorter cartridge length that prevents a longer OAL. Seating the 7X57 out further can add another 2 grs of powder capacity, such that I could load 55.0 grs of H4831SC under a 175 gr bullet at an OAL of 3.150" in my 7X57, whereas I have never heard of a 7mm-08 that can exceed 50.0. Now 55.0 grs of H4831SC is not my max load (53.0 is), but it illustrates the difference.

What fools so many people is that most factory loads and loads posted by powder manufacturers have the 7mm-08 loaded to 50K CUP, and the 7X57 to about 45K CUP. In all actions except the M96, i.e. M98 and commercial, they can be loaded to the same pressure.

All to say, there's really only about 50-75 fps difference between the two, but it's the 7X57 over the 7mm-08, not the other way around.

 

[two-dogs]

The 7x57 is a hammer at 500 yards.

There, now you have seen it written, on the Internet to boot! Lol

Cool, now I love both my girls equally!

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

But, which is best for bear defense and which will shoot into space??!!!

 

[Why not?]

They will both shoot into any space you choose. Only the '57 has enough experience to handle bears.

Ted

 

[hawk-i]

So, If I ackley improved my 7-08 I'd basically have a 57....yes, no?

 

[Why not?]

Yes, but by the time you pay for the rechambering and buy the dies, which are at least $125, you are well on your way to a good used 7X57 and will have both!

Think, Man, think....

Ted

 

[Pickles]

I've got a 700 MR and a Shilen 7mm tube sitting here destined to be a 7x57.

Strange but you couldn't give me a 7-08. I dislike the cartridge about as much as I dislike the 260 Rem.

I like the classic cartridges.

 

[The Kurgan]

I've got a 700 MR and a Shilen 7mm tube sitting here destined to be a 7x57

Sounds like a very interesting build!

 

[Gatehouse]

So, If I ackley improved my 7-08 I'd basically have a 57....yes, no?

Yeah, but you will never see any performance difference on game between the 708, 7x57, 708 AI.

 

[hawk-i]

Yes, but by the time you pay for the rechambering and buy the dies, which are at least $125, you are well on your way to a good used 7X57 and will have both!

Think, Man, think....

Ted

LOl....the lightbulb just went on, I like your way of thinking!

 

[alberta_outdoors]

I bought my 7mm-08 3 years ago. absolutely love it. The salesman/owner of the store I bought it at kept saying how good the gun was until I actually paid for it. Then he tried to tell me that I would have to reload my own shells to get with at least 175gr bullets because it was too small to kill moose with factory loads. I guess I'm just not good at listening. That same year I dropped my moose @ 365yds with my first shot using 140gr winchester powerpoints. My bad. By the way... buying your new rifle on mother's day is REALLY not too smart. 3 years later and still paying for it.