7x57 what do you think?

scott_r

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I picked up a nice little Winchester featherweight on a deal and was wondering what your opinions are on this cal.?
Ive never shot one and its not very common out here in Sask but understand its slightly slower then a 7/08 and does not have the benifit of a short action.
Not sure if Im going to keep this for a deer season or not, tough to beat the tried and true .270 for whitetails but Im may give the 7x57 a go ;)

Cheers!!
 
in a model 70 it has the potential to push a 140 grain bullet @ 2900 fps, which is only 50-100 fps less than a 270 Win. It has more case capacity than a 7-08, and when loaded to equal pressures (certainly doable in modern rifles), it has a bit of a velocity edge over the 7-08. Its a heck of a cartridge with a good reputation, and handloaded - it is certainly capable of shooting as flat as most hunters need. Even in classic form with 140s @ 2600 fps & 175s @ 2350 fps, it gets the job done nicely
 
Well its not at my place yet but here is what she looks like. Its got a Williams micro meter peep installed and stock is shorten by an inch.
I think it will loose the peep sight this fall for a nice compact 4x Leupold.

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Cheers!!
 
Don't be in a big hurry to unload that 7x57 (unless to me!!)before you give it a try in the field. As some have already said, it gives up little to the 270 in a modern rifle. I have a 700 Mountain so chambered, and it is a sweetheart. 140's at 2960, 150's at 2850 and 160's at 2750 make for a deadly combination on everything up to and including moose. Over a two year period of time, I shot 8 animals with the 7x57, with 8 shots fired. Included was one elk and two moose. Just a great classic that will not die, despite many modern equivalents. Enjoy your 7x57!! Regards, Eagleye.
 
If you handload, the 7x57 is an excellent cartridge for any big game that you are likely to run into. It can generally produce velocities in excess of 2,900 fps with the 139/140 grain bullets which, if you use well-constructed bullets, will work on anything that you are likely to run into, from coyotes to moose.

Flat-shooting, modest in recoil and muzzle blast, the 7x57 is tough to beat as an all-around big game cartridge for the type of game that you're going to see on the prairies. I've killed coyotes, whitetails, mulies, black bears, moose and elk with mine. Fine cartridge :)
 
I could have had one during the amnesty ten years ago but was a little afraid of a conflict of interest. A custom rifle some gentleman had made up for his wife, and when he died she would not be going hunting again. She said she got a couple moose with it - my type of lady. Sent her to the local sporting goods store and I think she got a grand. It was sweet. I like the 7 x 57 for the same reason I like the 6mm Remington - the longer neck. I have a .280 Remington and got 2833 with 140 Barnes and 56 grains of Re19. At 57 gr. the accuracy dropped to 1.5" at 200 metres but I never chronoed them. I had to go past the book to get the published velocity. But if I had a 7 x 57 I would not have had to buy a .280.
 
What Todd Bartell, Eagle-Eye, and A-Zone said...

Personally, I'd rather have a 7x57mm Mauser than a 7mm-08 Rem. The brass may be a little harder to find, but just think; you can buy a nice Brazilian Mauser and be able to shoot the same cartridge through both rifles.

I believe I’ve read that the 7x57mm has killed all the African game (1000's of elephants) and can handle most North American big game easily when loaded with the heavier bullets. I would personally load it with 160 or 175 gr. pills for the bigger animals. Prvi Partizan and Igman are loading their 7x57mm ammo to the higher European pressures (with PP probably having the better brass for reloading.)

As far as I’m concerned the only thing that could make your rifle better would be if it was controlled round feed, had the rear sights on the barrel, and had a built in receiver guide for 5 round Mauser stripper clips. Then you would have a nice little Safari rifle with the option of either a scope or iron sights, in a caliber that has been proven many times over.

I just love the old Safari rifles in .275 Rigby (7x57mm Mauser.) They are works of art to me…


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7x57mm... what do I think?

Excellent ctg....

Have a minty Ruger 77 tangsafety model in 7x57mm... will do 3/4" 3 shot groups @ 100 yards if I do my part... mild recoil in a time proven ctg... what's not to like? :D
 
7x57 mauser is my favourite rifle cartridge. My father got me hooked on it when he gave me a BSA featherweight in this doll of a cartridge. He has had probably 10 7x57's, including a double rifle in 7x57 rimmed. Not much it cant do. I have taken 2 deer and one elk with it, and he has taken countless game including bear and moose (175gr round nose). I believe the late great karamojo bell also had an affinity for the 275 rigby (7x57).
 
Nothing much more to add to what's already been said. I saw the same thing available at the Gun Show in Duncan B.C. last weekend and was one of the items that interested me. A great calibre and nothing the matter with a Winchester model 70 either.
 
7 X 57

I love the 7 X 57 and probably have 15 or 16 guns in that caliber.
I use a Ruger No1 AB model and love it. The Brno No1 21H is my favorite classic rifle, I also have a custom Mauser with a commercial action and a tremendous amount of work on the stock. I also like military firearms and have collected guns in that cal for years.
I just got a Remington 700 BDL in 6mm and had it rebarreled to 7-08. I like it because it is a bit hotter than the factory 7 X 57 rounds. I don’t reload so I can’t get the rounds up to their full potential. I was wondering if the 7 X 57 Remington rolling blocks can take the pressure of factory loads, I have one but haven’t shot it.
 
Great rifle.

Nothing much to add, BUT...if you can, grab some of the Winchester brand brass newly available at Wholesale Sports! It holds an extra couple grains of powder over the RP stuff.
 
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The results of packing a 7x57 have been the best hunting years I've had, period.

140-145gr 2930
154gr 2830
There is some load specifics in the reloading forum.

As already mentioned, it is so close to the 270 it is a toss up.
The 7x57 changed the 270's diapers. It is the Grampa of the classics from two generations earlier.;)

You're going to love it!:)

Seems a bit rare to find a Winny 70 in this caliber but I haven't been following Winchester for some time. Just keep that in mind it may be a bit of a collector, other may be able to reinforce that or throw it out.

Noel
 
Noel said:
Seems a bit rare to find a Winny 70 in this caliber but I haven't been following Winchester for some time. Just keep that in mind it may be a bit of a collector, other may be able to reinforce that or throw it out. Noel

It wasn't produced in huge numbers, but it's not really a collector. Especially with the stock cut. But it is a very nice using rifle.
 
RickF said:
It wasn't produced in huge numbers, but it's not really a collector. Especially with the stock cut. But it is a very nice using rifle.

Yeah kinda sucks about the stock being cut, the seller also said a smal portion of the stock was sanded down to accomodate the rear peep. Function wise is 100% with about 20 rounds through the pipe from my understanding.
 
Want another reason, which matters only to real gun nuts? Tell most shooters you're shooting a 7X57, and they'll say, "Huh? What's that? Wanna see my nice shiny 270WSM?" But the guys who know better will look at you with awe and respect. Kinda... ;)
 
Win M-70 Pushfeed in 7x57 gives you lots of room--they are usually throated quite long and with 140 or 150 spitzer bullets you can seat way out and gain some powder room--the mag box is quite long and if necessary, the spacer at rear can be removed. Mine is built on a 270 donor action and has a 24" barre. It will consistently push 140 grain bullets to the 3000 fps mark if I want to load it up--I usually drop back a bit though.

44Bore
 
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