Factory 7x57 ammo for black bear

[MISportsman]

I recently purchased a Ruger m77 in 7x57 and I have a black bear hunt planned in the fall that I was going to use my .30-06 for, but would like to use the new 7x57. I am not set up to reload for it yet, so factory ammunition will probably be the way I go this time. All I can find available is Remington, federal, and seller & bellot all in 140grain and federal in 175 grain. The bear here are probably about 250lbs on average. Which would be my best choice?

 

[Tgood1]

a couple weeks ago i watched a youngster use my 7x57 to cleanly kill a 200-250lb black bear with 140 grain ppu. approx 75 yards. There is a huge difference between a 250lb bear and a potential 4-500lbs monster stepping out. in your situation i would lean towards the s and b with whichever shoots best. ive used both the 140 and 175 gr and both shot well enough. Once you are set up for reloading it try the cutting edge esp raptor. I'm very impressed with the 135 gr variety so far.

 

[CJW]

Remington core-lokt are usually available around here. Hendershots has some great offerings as well for very reasonable prices for custom ammo.

 

[YancyW]

I recently purchased a Ruger m77 in 7x57 and I have a black bear hunt planned in the fall that I was going to use my .30-06 for, but would like to use the new 7x57. I am not set up to reload for it yet, so factory ammunition will probably be the way I go this time. All I can find available is Remington, federal, and seller & bellot all in 140grain and federal in 175 grain. The bear here are probably about 250lbs on average. Which would be my best choice?

Of those choices, I would take something in the 175 range. If you have time to source something else, then you have tons of better options.

 

[Puddle]

A quality 140 gr. cup-n-core bullet right close to 2700 fps MV. Partition or bonded bullet even better.

It'll serve you well.

 

[Randy F]

a couple weeks ago i watched a youngster use my 7x57 to cleanly kill a 200-250lb black bear with 140 grain ppu. approx 75 yards. There is a huge difference between a 250lb bear and a potential 4-500lbs monster stepping out. in your situation i would lean towards the s and b with whichever shoots best. ive used both the 140 and 175 gr and both shot well enough. Once you are set up for reloading it try the cutting edge esp raptor. I'm very impressed with the 135 gr variety so far.

+1 on tending toward 175.

For peace of mind in case a big boy comes in, 175 gr. will take care of anything quite well. We all know shot placement is everything…but we all also know that the bench is a whole different show regarding your heart rate when a bear shows up. Especially when a big one shows up and you tend rush a little before he gets away or he doesn’t present the perfect broadside angle.

No one ever said “I should’ve used a lighter bullet” on a bear. But I’ve heard several say they wished they’d used a heavier one.

 

[Pavel U]

Well I would say that Your best choice of the three 7x57s should be
....
....
30-06 with 200 - 220 grain bullet - to be on a safer side .... just joking

Apologies that I won't give You straight answer since:
- no experience with federal and remington in this (without doubt) excelent caliber.
- no experience with black bear
BUT
Regarding S&B - some experience from several years ago from Czechia might be useful:
- SP bullet is not very popular when hunting large european wild boars on driven hunts. The bullet is not hard enough to penetrate certainly through their thick, muddy skin and the muscles and the bone .... so perfect shot placement is necessary.
- Nosler bullet in S&B cartridge is sounder choice ... if available for You.

Nonetheless I would search for Norma Oryx or Vulkan (but I am affraid Vulkan is not manufactured anymore in 7x57)

Or maybe RWS ID CLASSIC could be interesting choice IF black bears are not so tough ....

 

[MISportsman]

The .30-06 with 200-220 grain bullet was the original plan lol, finding this modern rifle in 7x57 made me want to use it for this hunt

 

[MISportsman]

I did also find some s&b 173gr space on line to add to the list of options, but this and the earlier mentioned is all that I am able to find

 

[C.W. Richter]

Either are fine, but here where they get up to just S. of 900 lbs, I'd go w/ the 175s! 'Have a 757AI and LOVE it! On-par w/ a 280AI and 7 mag and super accurate. For the big black bear, I do prefer the 06 (or 300 mag) using 200 NPs, a 338-06 using 250s, and have even carried a big 338, 375 or 416 for follow-ups in the really thick, wooded swamps! Shot placement is nearly everything. No Needmores here.

 

[Pavel U]

When thinking once again (and reading other replies) I would be more careful with my reply .... simply dont have any bear experience and that will be crucial - as well as circumstances - type of hunt
....
I am curious what "serial bear killers" will recommend.

But in general I incline to heavy for caliber bullets - so +2 on 175
And in general I also incline to use enough gun mindset .... So when I (hopefully) make some day trip to collect my black bear too, I am definitely gonna grab my Brno Combo in 9.3x74 R (286 grains SAKO HAMMERHEAD) backed by some serious anti-panzer shotgun slug

Enjoy Your hunt and return home safely whatever You choose

 

[C.W. Richter]

I did also find some s&b 173gr space on line to add to the list of options, but this and the earlier mentioned is all that I am able to find

those will be perfect. your shot distance won't be far, but if a tricky shot angle presents itself the higher SD/penetrating power, and energy of the bullet will pay dividends...

 

[Pavel U]

I did also find some s&b 173gr space on line to add to the list of options, but this and the earlier mentioned is all that I am able to find

This is all the S&B cartridges manufactured.

If You say 173 then it must be SPCE .... well this seems reasonable enough - with its hair-cutting edge could do the trick ....if nosler NSR is not available ...
Just stay away from 140 grains SP

 

[C.W. Richter]

I've witnessed black bear shot with low SD/high V bullets (i.e. 300 win mag 150-165 gr) run a LONG distance through some incredibly difficult terrain, making a rather evil and protracted death moan, before expiring. Heavy for caliber works for bear!!!

 

[C.W. Richter]

'Son got two fine bears using a 7mm and 160s (Rem PSP and NPs). 'Traveled 0-25 feet after the shot (the latter rolled down a hill!) Agreed that the 156 gr Oryx is perfect medicine for the bear you plan to hunt (if you can find 'em, and yes they'll be expensive!) V. similar to a Woodleigh PSP (great bullet!) Use 160s in handloads-never let us down!

 

[sgt_zim]

I am in a similar conundrum for my own black bear hunt, scheduled for late May in central Idaho.

Mine isn't so much a choice of bullets, it's a choice of caliber.
6.5x55 shooting Woodleigh PPSN 160 gr
45-70 shooting Beartooth Bullets 425 gr
9.3x62 shooting Oryx 285

 

[Pavel U]

I am in a similar conundrum for my own black bear hunt, scheduled for late May in central Idaho.

Mine isn't so much a choice of bullets, it's a choice of caliber.
6.5x55 shooting Woodleigh PPSN 160 gr
45-70 shooting Beartooth Bullets 425 gr
9.3x62 shooting Oryx 285

Great options all of them ... I would say that depends on how you wanna hunt the bear:
1) if you want to hit the bear right in the middle of his left eye on 300 yards, old svede it is
2) you can't go wrong with 9.3 no matter the circumstances
3) beartooth sounds just awesome ... so that would be my choice ..... even though big fan of 9.3s

 

[Denvir Tire]

I can't speak regarding Iowa bear hunts, however I have taken two bears, the first in NB and the other Ontario.
The rifle used for both was inline muzzle loader with sabots.
The bear didn't know anything about ballistics or bullet weight.
Regarding the 7x57, my old Mannlicher is very fussy about grouping. Best to use what shoots the best.

 

[Randy F]

I am in a similar conundrum for my own black bear hunt, scheduled for late May in central Idaho.

Mine isn't so much a choice of bullets, it's a choice of caliber.
6.5x55 shooting Woodleigh PPSN 160 gr
45-70 shooting Beartooth Bullets 425 gr
9.3x62 shooting Oryx 285

I did not yet own a 9.3 when I shot my last bear with 180 gr out of a 30-06. Now that I own and have been putting rounds through a 9.3x62, hands down it’s the 9.3 for me next time. I love that thing.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I am in a similar conundrum for my own black bear hunt, scheduled for late May in central Idaho.

Mine isn't so much a choice of bullets, it's a choice of caliber.
6.5x55 shooting Woodleigh PPSN 160 gr
45-70 shooting Beartooth Bullets 425 gr
9.3x62 shooting Oryx 285

As the bear there resemble overfed racoons, all will work but the 9.3 would work better if longer shots are anticipated and the 45-70 if shorter. I've sold some guns (.350 Rem Mag, etc.) to hunters there that are lucky to get 50 yd shots in the timber...Is there a lighter bullet for the 9.3 (it's almost as heavy as the well-exercised, underfed bears.)