7x57 - Your favorite hunting bullet

ligonierbill · July 25, 2019, 07:57 AM

The 6.5mm is the "in" bore right now (yes, I have a couple 6.5x55s), but Don Lewis, long time writer for PA Game News, always thought 7mm was the "perfect" bore for a hunting rifle. I have used a 7 Mag successfully, but I thought I would give the classic a try. From years of loading the 7 Mag, I have an assortment of 160 and 175 bullets, some discontinued Hornady 120s, and some Barnes 139 LRX.

So, what is your favorite bullet for 7x57? I will be fooling with this for the rest of the summer, and I enjoy trying a variety. FWIW, really like those Barnes copper wonders out of the 7 Mag.

HiBC · July 25, 2019, 08:18 AM

Disclaimer! I don't own a 7x57.

When I did,the Norma 150 gr load at about 2750 was interesting.But that bullet was a nickeled steel boat tail with a whole gob of exposed lead.I think we have better choices now.

Of course it matters what game you are hunting. The 7x57 isn't extreme velocity,I think the 150 gr Ballistic tip is not a wrong choice for most game.

I'd give RE-19 a good look,too.

Of course,thee are other good choices,but that's where I'd start.

hammie · July 25, 2019, 09:53 AM

I can't improve on HiBC's observations for best all around weight and as HiBC said it depends on what you're hunting. However, if you're just looking at smaller white tail deer, I like the Speer 130 grain boat tail. 130 grain is kind of an odd ball and overlooked weight, but it gives a flat trajectory and seemingly lighter recoil. I wouldn't use it for big mule deer or elk, though. I just loaded up 100 rounds of the 130 grain Speer for baby son's white tail hunting here in Texas (baby son is 48). My second favorite bullet is the Hornady 139 grain bullet.

One thing to be aware of: some 7x57 mm's may have long throats, and consequently the lighter bullets might not give the best accuracy. In which case the 145 to 154 weight may give better results. However, that's a "try and see" thing.

Don Fischer · July 25, 2019, 12:23 PM

Boy has it been a long time since I have had a 7x57. With mine I anted to use a 139/140gr bullet but couldn't find one that shot well. Moved up to 154 and 160gr bulet's and still nothing shot for ████e! In desperation I tried a 154gr RN and wall la! I got used to the idea of the round nose bullet and have to say it was actually a very good bullet. Thing about heavier bullet's I've come to like over the years is they control the velocity and actually keep the cup and core bullet's I like in a good velocity range for the bullet's I use. You can go lighter and up velocity but if you never shoot much over 250yds, what's the point? I thikg the important part of choosing a bullet is to choose one your rifle will shoot with a fairly hot load at about the top of the recommended velocity range for the bullet. Premium bullet's may have changed that but I don't shoot even so much as a Nosler Partition. Closest I come to premium is Speer Hot Core, great bullet.

basti0076 · July 25, 2019, 12:55 PM

I don't own a 7x57, but a 7x57 R. The 139 gr bullet always worked pretty well in my Sauer & Sohn "Drilling". I used it on roe deer, wild boar and a few other species in northern Germany. The 139 gr is a good overall compromise which is able to reach out more. If you hunt on shorter distances (under 100 yards) go heavier, it does pretty heavy damage to the "target" on short distances.
If you have to go lead free, don't go to heavy, I would recommend a maximum of 150 gr. To do a good job lead free bullets need a bit of speed, which the 7x57 isn't able to develope with heavy bullets.

gwpercle · July 25, 2019, 05:25 PM

My 7x57 sporter is built on a Model 93 Spanish Military Mauser which was chambered to use 175 grain RN military ammo , thus long throated . Of course 175 grain RN bullets worked fine but I preferred the Hornady 154 gr. RN bullets for deer hunting . With the 154 gr. bullet you could get about 200 fps over the 175 gr. bullet and they seemed to drop deer in their tracks with one shot .
The old 154 gr RN may be discontinued now but Hornady still has a 154 gr. and 162 grain spire points that should work quite well .
I guess I'm one of the few who like RN hunting bullets , shots taken in the deep swampy areas I hunt in seldom exceed 100 yards....50 to 75 yards are more the norm here .
Gary

HiBC · July 25, 2019, 05:54 PM

You will figure out a bullet that works. Once you do,I think with most critters at reasonable ranges,compared to your 7mm Rem Mag,the 7x57 will:

Be easier to shoot precisely

Kill them just as dead

Allow you to eat much closer to the bullet hole/not make such a mess

Sometimes less is more

F. Guffey · July 26, 2019, 10:10 AM

Quote:

So, what is your favorite bullet for 7x57? I will be fooling with this for the rest of the summer, and I enjoy trying a variety. FWIW, really like those Barnes copper wonders out of the 7 Mag.

No shortage of 7mm57 rifles around here. I sent one to Alabama, twice. I did not believe the rifle required a scope, The new owners did not agree. I also sent ammo, I loaded 12 different loads using 12 different cases with as many different bullets. I asked the new owners to tell me what the rifle liked.

Long story short: They said the rifle liked everything, they zeroed the scope with one shot and the next 9 rounds were touching.

F. Guffey

michaelcj · July 27, 2019, 09:43 AM

My experience is similar to Guffey's.

My Douglas barreled O3A3 "custom" is quite happy with bullet weights from 139 to 160.

hooligan1 · July 27, 2019, 12:49 PM

I had a Brazilian Mauser chambered in 7×57 that would shoot tiny groups using 175 grn Sierra SBT's and IMR 7828.

T. O'Heir · July 27, 2019, 01:57 PM

Don't own one either. For hunting what? Any SP will do for deer. Wally Bell used a 173 grain RNFMJ(military ball) to kill 800 of his 1,011 elephants. I'd be thinking a 130 or 140 would be more pleasant to shoot. Not many elephants in North America.
A 7 x 57 Mauser is not a 7 Mag.

Paul B. · July 27, 2019, 05:26 PM

Currently I'm having somewhat of a love/hate relationship with the 7x57. In all my years of hunting I've only lost two deer and both times I was using a 7x57. bad luck? The round is a jinx for me? I don't know. Yet here I am looking for a decent load or two for three rifles in 7x57.

The work ups for the Winchester m70 XTR Featherweight have been good for the most part. The 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic tic runs about .75" on average at 2800 FPS. The 150 gr. Nosler partition about the same at 2700 FPF FWIW, I have pushed that bullet to 2900 FPS with no signs of pressure at all. Those two loads run about one inch from a Ruger #1A without a problem. Then there is a nice custom based on an FN Mauser action and that's where things fall apart. It will put the underloaded Winchester 145 gr. Powerpoint load into .50 to .75" depending on my shooting that day. Same with the 175 gr. Federal ammo so I know the rifle will shoot. Biggest problem is it shows high pressure long before it should. Case in point. After searching through all my manuals I determined a load that would duplicate the original 1892 load used in the original Mausers. Basically, a 175 gr. bullet at 2200 to 2300 FPS. Powder was H4350 IIRC and the bullet was the last of the 175 gr. Hornady bullets I had. I ran the load through all three rifles. The Ruger was the slowest at 2310 FPS, the Winchester did 2330 FPS and the Mauser 2450 FPS. The same powder charge was used for all three rifles. I asked my gunsmith if he'd used a shorter throat in my my rifle and he said he used the standard throat for the 175 gr. bullet.

Bullets I've tried in the FN Mauser run from the 140 gr. TSX, 150 gr. ABLR and Partition and the 160 gr. Speer Hot Core. Results with the partition were decent but so far no happiness with the others mentioned. FWIW, except for the ABLR the other bullets have given good groups in the M70 and Ruger.

The late Jack O'Connor's wife Eleanor hunted almost exclusively with a custom Mauser in 7x57 and her favorite do it all bullet was 160 gr. bullet, not sure if it was the Speer or a Nosler Partition.

I'll be doing a cow elk hunt this coming December and I'm planning on taking a 7x57. If I haven't found happiness with the Mauser, then I'll take the M70. The arthritis in my right shoulder make shooting even my .35 Whelen feeling uncomfortable after four or five shots anymore. Bullet will most likely be the 150 g. Nosler Partition although I would have preferred a 160 gr. bullet. The Nosler groups the best and has better than decent accuracy from a lightweight sporter.
Paul B.

std7mag · July 27, 2019, 07:53 PM

I'm in the process of building a Mauser for my daughter.
I'm looking at the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer.
If she gets drawn for an elk tag she'll be shooting the 150gr Ballistic Tip.

F. Guffey · August 3, 2019, 12:50 PM

hooligan1, I sent you a message, and then I was informed you did not receive it.

F. Guffey

Coppershot · August 4, 2019, 09:15 AM

I like the Hornady A-Max 162 grain. It is a nice heavy bullet for the 7 x 57 with a modern design and great performance on whitetail deer. I never like using light bullets in the 7 x 57. There is nothing wrong with it but if you have a traditional rate of twist the heavier bullets seem to perform better. That said, I am not looking for really high velocity, with Virginia hardwood and scrub pine shots coming in at well under a hundred yards. In any case, great cartridge...enjoy.

458winshooter · August 4, 2019, 06:43 PM

Mine has largely become a safe queen now. It's an old Serbian military job with a 29.5 " barrel. But when I used to show it some love it really liked the Speer 160's.

old roper · August 5, 2019, 08:01 AM

My 284 was 7x57 and I hunted with 145gr Grand Slam. I had Ruger 77, 7x57 that used 150gr Partition. I would think any of you current 7mm bullets would work.

Scorch · August 6, 2019, 02:55 AM

I own five 7X57 rifles. Only had a few problems with animals I shot getting up and strolling off as long as I did my part correctly, and that was bullet related. I learned to avoid Speer 145gr Hot Cor bullets because they are too hard. I learned to avoid Hornady 139 gr Interlocks because they were too soft. Nosler Partition 140 gr were perfect, but now they've discontinued them, so I switched to 150 gr Accubonds. They shoot well, haven't shot any critters with them yet, though.

hooligan1 · August 6, 2019, 02:00 PM

I'm currently working up an old 1903 Turkish action I bought from Bridger Forge in Washington, it has been a chore working the dings and dents out.
It's going to get a 22" Shilen, 1:8.5 twist #3 contour barrel.
One piece Tasco World Class (Australian made) base and rings.
Timney Sportsman, and for now a Timney safety.
I also added a floor plate lever, which was the tip of my skills really.
Thinned and shaped trigger guard. And also shaped the bolt handle Bridger welded on.
This rifle will be chambered in 7×57 Mauser and use will be mostly timber hunting for Whitetails.
Bullet selection will be heavy, 175's and heavier.

F. Guffey · August 16, 2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

I'm currently working up an old 1903 Turkish action I bought from Bridger Forge in Washington, it has been a chore working the dings and dents out.
It's going to get a 22" Shilen, 1:8.5 twist #3 contour barrel.
One piece Tasco World Class (Australian made) base and rings.
Timney Sportsman, and for now a Timney safety.
I also added a floor plate lever, which was the tip of my skills really.
Thinned and shaped trigger guard. And also shaped the bolt handle Bridger welded on.
This rifle will be chambered in 7×57 Mauser and use will be mostly timber hunting for Whitetails.
Bullet selection will be heavy, 175's and heavier.

Hooligan1, I have sold 25 Model 38 Turkish Mausers in the last year; they were all complete and hand picked meaning none of the rifles had been issued.

I have received two messages from you requesting information, there seems to be something wrong with your mail account. Your last request said it was your second attempt, this is my third attempt to respond.

F. Guffey

btmj · August 18, 2019, 12:23 AM

One of my hunting partners reloads 7mm-08 which is very similar to 7x57 ballistics. He used Nosler balllistic tip 140 gr for years and it is very effective on deer. He is also now reloading with Hornady 139 gr interbond but he has not yet taken game with that load.

hooligan1 · August 18, 2019, 06:22 AM

I have sent a Friend Request to you F. Guffey.
If that don't work, then I guess my luck's run dry.

Paul B. · August 18, 2019, 05:50 PM

"This rifle will be chambered in 7×57 Mauser and use will be mostly timber hunting for Whitetails.
Bullet selection will be heavy, 175's and heavier."

OK, I have to ask, why would you need anything heavier than a 175 gr. bullet? If a 175 gr. 7MM bullet couldn't penetrate a deer from nock to noodle, it would surprise hell out of me. A bullet I have some interest in is the long discontinued Sierra 170 gr. round nose. I'm lucky enough to have some and if I can boost velocity up to at least 2500 FPS or better, I'd use it on elk.
Paul B.

hooligan1 · August 20, 2019, 06:09 PM

Paul B. Less meat destruction, I like to eat right up to the hole.....lol.

GeauxTide · August 20, 2019, 10:02 PM

I've been shooting the 7mm caliber for more than 40 years. 7mm Weatherby, Remington, and 280 Remington. I would choose a 145 Speer for the Mauser. In a modern rifle, 2700 is attainable. A choice deer bullet.

July 25, 2019, 05:25 PM	#6
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	My 7x57 sporter is built on a Model 93 Spanish Military Mauser which was chambered to use 175 grain RN military ammo , thus long throated . Of course 175 grain RN bullets worked fine but I preferred the Hornady 154 gr. RN bullets for deer hunting . With the 154 gr. bullet you could get about 200 fps over the 175 gr. bullet and they seemed to drop deer in their tracks with one shot . The old 154 gr RN may be discontinued now but Hornady still has a 154 gr. and 162 grain spire points that should work quite well . I guess I'm one of the few who like RN hunting bullets , shots taken in the deep swampy areas I hunt in seldom exceed 100 yards....50 to 75 yards are more the norm here . Gary Last edited by gwpercle; July 25, 2019 at 05:46 PM.

July 27, 2019, 12:49 PM	#10
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	I had a Brazilian Mauser chambered in 7×57 that would shoot tiny groups using 175 grn Sierra SBT's and IMR 7828. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 27, 2019, 01:57 PM	#11
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Don't own one either. For hunting what? Any SP will do for deer. Wally Bell used a 173 grain RNFMJ(military ball) to kill 800 of his 1,011 elephants. I'd be thinking a 130 or 140 would be more pleasant to shoot. Not many elephants in North America. A 7 x 57 Mauser is not a 7 Mag. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 27, 2019, 05:26 PM	#12
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,803	Currently I'm having somewhat of a love/hate relationship with the 7x57. In all my years of hunting I've only lost two deer and both times I was using a 7x57. bad luck? The round is a jinx for me? I don't know. Yet here I am looking for a decent load or two for three rifles in 7x57. The work ups for the Winchester m70 XTR Featherweight have been good for the most part. The 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic tic runs about .75" on average at 2800 FPS. The 150 gr. Nosler partition about the same at 2700 FPF FWIW, I have pushed that bullet to 2900 FPS with no signs of pressure at all. Those two loads run about one inch from a Ruger #1A without a problem. Then there is a nice custom based on an FN Mauser action and that's where things fall apart. It will put the underloaded Winchester 145 gr. Powerpoint load into .50 to .75" depending on my shooting that day. Same with the 175 gr. Federal ammo so I know the rifle will shoot. Biggest problem is it shows high pressure long before it should. Case in point. After searching through all my manuals I determined a load that would duplicate the original 1892 load used in the original Mausers. Basically, a 175 gr. bullet at 2200 to 2300 FPS. Powder was H4350 IIRC and the bullet was the last of the 175 gr. Hornady bullets I had. I ran the load through all three rifles. The Ruger was the slowest at 2310 FPS, the Winchester did 2330 FPS and the Mauser 2450 FPS. The same powder charge was used for all three rifles. I asked my gunsmith if he'd used a shorter throat in my my rifle and he said he used the standard throat for the 175 gr. bullet. Bullets I've tried in the FN Mauser run from the 140 gr. TSX, 150 gr. ABLR and Partition and the 160 gr. Speer Hot Core. Results with the partition were decent but so far no happiness with the others mentioned. FWIW, except for the ABLR the other bullets have given good groups in the M70 and Ruger. The late Jack O'Connor's wife Eleanor hunted almost exclusively with a custom Mauser in 7x57 and her favorite do it all bullet was 160 gr. bullet, not sure if it was the Speer or a Nosler Partition. I'll be doing a cow elk hunt this coming December and I'm planning on taking a 7x57. If I haven't found happiness with the Mauser, then I'll take the M70. The arthritis in my right shoulder make shooting even my .35 Whelen feeling uncomfortable after four or five shots anymore. Bullet will most likely be the 150 g. Nosler Partition although I would have preferred a 160 gr. bullet. The Nosler groups the best and has better than decent accuracy from a lightweight sporter. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

July 27, 2019, 07:53 PM	#13
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I'm in the process of building a Mauser for my daughter. I'm looking at the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer. If she gets drawn for an elk tag she'll be shooting the 150gr Ballistic Tip. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

July 25, 2019, 07:57 AM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,459	7x57 - Your favorite hunting bullet The 6.5mm is the "in" bore right now (yes, I have a couple 6.5x55s), but Don Lewis, long time writer for PA Game News, always thought 7mm was the "perfect" bore for a hunting rifle. I have used a 7 Mag successfully, but I thought I would give the classic a try. From years of loading the 7 Mag, I have an assortment of 160 and 175 bullets, some discontinued Hornady 120s, and some Barnes 139 LRX. So, what is your favorite bullet for 7x57? I will be fooling with this for the rest of the summer, and I enjoy trying a variety. FWIW, really like those Barnes copper wonders out of the 7 Mag.

July 25, 2019, 08:18 AM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,289	Disclaimer! I don't own a 7x57. When I did,the Norma 150 gr load at about 2750 was interesting.But that bullet was a nickeled steel boat tail with a whole gob of exposed lead.I think we have better choices now. Of course it matters what game you are hunting. The 7x57 isn't extreme velocity,I think the 150 gr Ballistic tip is not a wrong choice for most game. I'd give RE-19 a good look,too. Of course,thee are other good choices,but that's where I'd start.

July 25, 2019, 09:53 AM	#3
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	I can't improve on HiBC's observations for best all around weight and as HiBC said it depends on what you're hunting. However, if you're just looking at smaller white tail deer, I like the Speer 130 grain boat tail. 130 grain is kind of an odd ball and overlooked weight, but it gives a flat trajectory and seemingly lighter recoil. I wouldn't use it for big mule deer or elk, though. I just loaded up 100 rounds of the 130 grain Speer for baby son's white tail hunting here in Texas (baby son is 48). My second favorite bullet is the Hornady 139 grain bullet. One thing to be aware of: some 7x57 mm's may have long throats, and consequently the lighter bullets might not give the best accuracy. In which case the 145 to 154 weight may give better results. However, that's a "try and see" thing.

July 25, 2019, 12:23 PM	#4
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Boy has it been a long time since I have had a 7x57. With mine I anted to use a 139/140gr bullet but couldn't find one that shot well. Moved up to 154 and 160gr bulet's and still nothing shot for ████e! In desperation I tried a 154gr RN and wall la! I got used to the idea of the round nose bullet and have to say it was actually a very good bullet. Thing about heavier bullet's I've come to like over the years is they control the velocity and actually keep the cup and core bullet's I like in a good velocity range for the bullet's I use. You can go lighter and up velocity but if you never shoot much over 250yds, what's the point? I thikg the important part of choosing a bullet is to choose one your rifle will shoot with a fairly hot load at about the top of the recommended velocity range for the bullet. Premium bullet's may have changed that but I don't shoot even so much as a Nosler Partition. Closest I come to premium is Speer Hot Core, great bullet.

July 25, 2019, 12:55 PM	#5
basti0076 Junior Member Join Date: June 30, 2019 Posts: 6	I don't own a 7x57, but a 7x57 R. The 139 gr bullet always worked pretty well in my Sauer & Sohn "Drilling". I used it on roe deer, wild boar and a few other species in northern Germany. The 139 gr is a good overall compromise which is able to reach out more. If you hunt on shorter distances (under 100 yards) go heavier, it does pretty heavy damage to the "target" on short distances. If you have to go lead free, don't go to heavy, I would recommend a maximum of 150 gr. To do a good job lead free bullets need a bit of speed, which the 7x57 isn't able to develope with heavy bullets.

July 25, 2019, 05:54 PM	#7
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,289	You will figure out a bullet that works. Once you do,I think with most critters at reasonable ranges,compared to your 7mm Rem Mag,the 7x57 will: Be easier to shoot precisely Kill them just as dead Allow you to eat much closer to the bullet hole/not make such a mess Sometimes less is more

July 27, 2019, 09:43 AM	#9
michaelcj Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2011 Location: Lopez Island, WA Posts: 279	My experience is similar to Guffey's. My Douglas barreled O3A3 "custom" is quite happy with bullet weights from 139 to 160.

August 3, 2019, 12:50 PM	#14
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	hooligan1, I sent you a message, and then I was informed you did not receive it. F. Guffey

August 4, 2019, 09:15 AM	#15
Coppershot Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 94	I like the Hornady A-Max 162 grain. It is a nice heavy bullet for the 7 x 57 with a modern design and great performance on whitetail deer. I never like using light bullets in the 7 x 57. There is nothing wrong with it but if you have a traditional rate of twist the heavier bullets seem to perform better. That said, I am not looking for really high velocity, with Virginia hardwood and scrub pine shots coming in at well under a hundred yards. In any case, great cartridge...enjoy.

August 4, 2019, 06:43 PM	#16
458winshooter Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Transplanted to Ridgeland,SC Posts: 606	7x57 Mine has largely become a safe queen now. It's an old Serbian military job with a 29.5 " barrel. But when I used to show it some love it really liked the Speer 160's.

August 5, 2019, 08:01 AM	#17
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	My 284 was 7x57 and I hunted with 145gr Grand Slam. I had Ruger 77, 7x57 that used 150gr Partition. I would think any of you current 7mm bullets would work. __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

August 6, 2019, 02:55 AM	#18
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I own five 7X57 rifles. Only had a few problems with animals I shot getting up and strolling off as long as I did my part correctly, and that was bullet related. I learned to avoid Speer 145gr Hot Cor bullets because they are too hard. I learned to avoid Hornady 139 gr Interlocks because they were too soft. Nosler Partition 140 gr were perfect, but now they've discontinued them, so I switched to 150 gr Accubonds. They shoot well, haven't shot any critters with them yet, though. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 6, 2019, 02:00 PM	#19
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	I'm currently working up an old 1903 Turkish action I bought from Bridger Forge in Washington, it has been a chore working the dings and dents out. It's going to get a 22" Shilen, 1:8.5 twist #3 contour barrel. One piece Tasco World Class (Australian made) base and rings. Timney Sportsman, and for now a Timney safety. I also added a floor plate lever, which was the tip of my skills really. Thinned and shaped trigger guard. And also shaped the bolt handle Bridger welded on. This rifle will be chambered in 7×57 Mauser and use will be mostly timber hunting for Whitetails. Bullet selection will be heavy, 175's and heavier. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

August 18, 2019, 12:23 AM	#21
btmj Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 864	One of my hunting partners reloads 7mm-08 which is very similar to 7x57 ballistics. He used Nosler balllistic tip 140 gr for years and it is very effective on deer. He is also now reloading with Hornady 139 gr interbond but he has not yet taken game with that load.

August 18, 2019, 06:22 AM	#22
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	I have sent a Friend Request to you F. Guffey. If that don't work, then I guess my luck's run dry. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

August 18, 2019, 05:50 PM	#23
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,803	"This rifle will be chambered in 7×57 Mauser and use will be mostly timber hunting for Whitetails. Bullet selection will be heavy, 175's and heavier." OK, I have to ask, why would you need anything heavier than a 175 gr. bullet? If a 175 gr. 7MM bullet couldn't penetrate a deer from nock to noodle, it would surprise hell out of me. A bullet I have some interest in is the long discontinued Sierra 170 gr. round nose. I'm lucky enough to have some and if I can boost velocity up to at least 2500 FPS or better, I'd use it on elk. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

August 20, 2019, 06:09 PM	#24
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	Paul B. Less meat destruction, I like to eat right up to the hole.....lol. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

August 20, 2019, 10:02 PM	#25
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,425	I've been shooting the 7mm caliber for more than 40 years. 7mm Weatherby, Remington, and 280 Remington. I would choose a 145 Speer for the Mauser. In a modern rifle, 2700 is attainable. A choice deer bullet.