Who likes the 7X57

[TroyF]

I really like that brno

 

[Dewald]

Beautiful rifles and pictures.

What kind of performance do you get with those 160 partitions?

Thank you CJW,

I’m a big fan of partitions, as long as you don’t shoot them at Weatherby velocities. As I say, they do 2650fps in my FN. I think we falsely tend to think a bullet has to retain almost all of it’s weight nowadays to be regarded as effective, which is not the case.

On roughly 80 heads of soft-skinned game I’ve had only good results with Nosler Partitions in the 7x57, 8x60S and my 9,3x62. The latter two rifles launching a 200gr NP at 2600fps and a 286gr 2300fps respectively.

 

[TroyF]

I have box of old 175 partitions I need to load up someday. Over kill for here in N.Y. But what else am I going to use them for anyway. I've got about 100 old hornady 175 round nose I should load up for when I'm in the thick stuff.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Dewald,

My favorites Mausers!!!! The BRNO 21 and, specially, those FN from the '50 and '60. No better hunting rifles to me!!!
About the Nosler Partition, my experiences matches yours! Great bullets in all so called standard velocity cartridges. And in the high velocity ones as well!

 

[eyedok]

I have a couple 7x57s, my daughter shot her first muley in the Texas panhandle with one, it is a limited run Savage - shoots about any load very accurate, i also have a Remington classic that is one of the pickiest guns i own - only bullet ive found that it likes is Barnes TTSX

 

[264]

Im biased Ive got 3 A very nice high land stalker, a Winchester Supergrade and a styer Mc. All get some use on game Great cal. Heres a few pics cheers Mick
Rigby with a doe fallow 200m 140 PPSN

winchester Supergrade pre 64 win factories

styer MC 175gr PMC

 

[Jörg Krüger]

7x57. ... what a awesome caliber. (Together with the 8x57). What is not to love. Soft shooting, accurate and so much more. Hell even the English loved it so much they tried to make it their own. And America tried to re-invent the wheel.

 

[Jon Glajchen]

I own two of them and love the calibre.

a 1948 vintage Brno Mod21 that I use with open sights and 175gr Stewart Hi Performers at 2400fps, and

a FN with a 3-9x40 Zeiss scope on, shooting 160gr Nosler Partitions at 2650fps.

I’m currently waiting for a single shot Daniel Fraser to come out of Swaziland to get my hands on…

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Hi Dewald

I think I have your rifles twin! Mine is also a commercial FN Mauser circa 1950. Sadly I don’t shoot and hunt with it enough. Nonetheless I love both the rifle and the caliber. The 7x57 punches way over its weight and is fantastic bushveld calibre. I have shot many species of large game with it including Blue Wildebeest and Waterbuck. My rifle loves 175gr bullets at approximately 2550 FPS.

Here is photo of mine:

 

[CJW]

Thank you CJW,

I’m a big fan of partitions, as long as you don’t shoot them at Weatherby velocities. As I say, they do 2650fps in my FN. I think we falsely tend to think a bullet has to retain almost all of it’s weight nowadays to be regarded as effective, which is not the case.

I have the same thoughts on the Accubonds that I used recently. I think the Accubonds and Partitions are pretty comparable really. They shed roughly 1/3 of their weight at an advertised 2700fps but performed beautifully on 13 animals. They blew through kudu sized game and under but all 3 bull oryx held onto them. Even a gut shot when I misjudged the second shot. That said I don't know that I would use them at another 300-400fps on large PG. Some do and love them though.

 

[TroyF]

Don't forget if it wasn't for the 7 mauser are military would not have searched to up grade are small arms. The 3006 May have never been made or even the 308 down the road

 

[Opposite Pole]

Together with the 8x57

Would someone be so kind and explain to me the allure of 8x57. Just about everyone I talk to speaks very highly of it but to me it’s nothing special. I’m not against the cartridge, and I’m not saying there is something very wrong with it. I have a light weight, single shot rifle chambered in 8x57JRS that I now use for 95% of my hunting. It is pleasant to shoot and everything I shot with it was killed in a quick and humane manner so I’ve got no complaints. However, I understand the cartridge’s limitations and pick my shots accordingly. What’s my issue? It is neither a small and fast cartridge, nor a large and slow one. It is somewhere in between and gets the benefits of neither one. Its relatively low velocity limits the use of available projectiles. Sierra states that their 8mm 220gr Gameking should not be used for hunting from this cartridge due to low velocity, and Gameking is a relatively soft bullet. The accurate and effective 160gr lead free RWS HIT-Matrix is not recommended at ranges beyond 130m. I’m not a long range hunter but 130m limit on medium game rifle is quite short.

What is so great about 8x57?

7x57 is a different story all together, ballistically it is very good indeed.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Would someone be so kind and explain to me the allure of 8x57. Just about everyone I talk to speaks very highly of it but to me it’s nothing special. I’m not against the cartridge, and I’m not saying there is something very wrong with it. I have a light weight, single shot rifle chambered in 8x57JRS that I now use for 95% of my hunting. It is pleasant to shoot and everything I shot with it was killed in a quick and humane manner so I’ve got no complaints. However, I understand the cartridge’s limitations and pick my shots accordingly. What’s my issue? It is neither a small and fast cartridge, nor a large and slow one. It is somewhere in between and gets the benefits of neither one. Its relatively low velocity limits the use of available projectiles. Sierra states that their 8mm 220gr Gameking should not be used for hunting from this cartridge due to low velocity, and Gameking is a relatively soft bullet. The accurate and effective 160gr lead free RWS HIT-Matrix is not recommended at ranges beyond 130m. I’m not a long range hunter but 130m limit on medium game rifle is quite short.

What is so great about 8x57?

7x57 is a different story all together, ballistically it is very good indeed.

I think you just answered you own question. It is just effective.....

 

[Jon Glajchen]

Would someone be so kind and explain to me the allure of 8x57. Just about everyone I talk to speaks very highly of it but to me it’s nothing special. I’m not against the cartridge, and I’m not saying there is something very wrong with it. I have a light weight, single shot rifle chambered in 8x57JRS that I now use for 95% of my hunting. It is pleasant to shoot and everything I shot with it was killed in a quick and humane manner so I’ve got no complaints. However, I understand the cartridge’s limitations and pick my shots accordingly. What’s my issue? It is neither a small and fast cartridge, nor a large and slow one. It is somewhere in between and gets the benefits of neither one. Its relatively low velocity limits the use of available projectiles. Sierra states that their 8mm 220gr Gameking should not be used for hunting from this cartridge due to low velocity, and Gameking is a relatively soft bullet. The accurate and effective 160gr lead free RWS HIT-Matrix is not recommended at ranges beyond 130m. I’m not a long range hunter but 130m limit on medium game rifle is quite short.

What is so great about 8x57?

7x57 is a different story all together, ballistically it is very good indeed.

I have both and love them!

They are quite similar with 8x57 being a step up in the power stakes. The 8x57 has the ability to shoot heavier bullets than the 7x57, with the 8x57 shooting a 196/200 gr bullet at approximately the same speed as a 7x57 can shoot a 175 gr.

I think it hits a little harder and is more suitable for the bigger species of buck.

They are both a pleasure to shoot and great bushveld calibers!

 

[CJW]

Would someone be so kind and explain to me the allure of 8x57. Just about everyone I talk to speaks very highly of it but to me it’s nothing special. I’m not against the cartridge, and I’m not saying there is something very wrong with it. I have a light weight, single shot rifle chambered in 8x57JRS that I now use for 95% of my hunting. It is pleasant to shoot and everything I shot with it was killed in a quick and humane manner so I’ve got no complaints. However, I understand the cartridge’s limitations and pick my shots accordingly. What’s my issue? It is neither a small and fast cartridge, nor a large and slow one. It is somewhere in between and gets the benefits of neither one. Its relatively low velocity limits the use of available projectiles. Sierra states that their 8mm 220gr Gameking should not be used for hunting from this cartridge due to low velocity, and Gameking is a relatively soft bullet. The accurate and effective 160gr lead free RWS HIT-Matrix is not recommended at ranges beyond 130m. I’m not a long range hunter but 130m limit on medium game rifle is quite short.

What is so great about 8x57?

7x57 is a different story all together, ballistically it is very good indeed.

Ballistacly it's right there with the 30/06. You're right, nothing that stands out from the crowd but effective with the same weight bullets.

 

[Jon Glajchen]

My 8x57’s most recent victim!

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Sorry people, let's get to the 7x57 caliber. But love the above picture and post

 

[Dewald]

Hi Dewald

I think I have your rifles twin! Mine is also a commercial FN Mauser circa 1950. Sadly I don’t shoot and hunt with it enough. Nonetheless I love both the rifle and the caliber. The 7x57 punches way over its weight and is fantastic bushveld calibre. I have shot many species of large game with it including Blue Wildebeest and Waterbuck. My rifle loves 175gr bullets at approximately 2550 FPS.

Here is photo of mine:

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Wonderful rifle John, and in superb condition. I’m still staring at the Lagavulin though…

 

[shark_za]

The 8mm does perform that much more reliably in the bushveld with heavier bullets.
A 196gr or 200gr bullet at 2500fps will do anything a 30-06 can do.

The funny thing is the 7x57 will 175gr bullets will also do the same.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I think you just answered you own question. It is just effective.....

At short range, sure. A bit like 30-30 I guess.

 

[Opposite Pole]

The 8mm does perform that much more reliably in the bushveld with heavier bullets.
A 196gr or 200gr bullet at 2500fps will do anything a 30-06 can do.

The funny thing is the 7x57 will 175gr bullets will also do the same.

I disagree, partially. At a close range yes, at longer ranges not so much. In my opinion 30-06 is the superior cartridge of the two. As I have mentioned above, I do most of my hunting with 8x57JRS nowadays and I do not own any 30-06 rifles but any which way I look at it anything 8x57 can do 30-06 can do better.