Who likes the 7X57

I have been using the 7x57 for close to 40 years. IMO one of the best cartridges of all time. If you like 175 gr bullets (I do), it is a much better choice than the 7mm-08.
 
This is my 7X57, built on a BRNO G33/40 action with a featherweight Douglas barrel and stocked by the Fajan Custom Shop. I took it to Africa on my third trip and killed plains game up to and including wildebeest with it.
Oberndorf%207X57%20001_zpsqvmqmuzx[1].png
 
I've got 3 at the moment, I'd take more if I could afford them lol, in is a 7x57ai so kinda a 7 mauser it's on a 09 Argentine and the reamer used was made by p.o. Ackley. Other is a tang safety ruger 77 that shoots lights out, it gets a lot of field time. Last is just a junkie small ring sporter.

I had about 10 other 7x57's in my time(i'm 30) some neat stuff even a nice commission 88 carbine that had a 7 mauser barrel on it. My dad had a bunch to, wish he still had them. He did a Hakeem in 7mm back when they were cheap, built a highwall in 7mm.

It hurts a little bit that now when someone says I shoot a 7mm it's a 7rem mag there talking about.7-08 is great in a short action but if the 7x57 will fit why not.
 
I've got 2 of the Ruger 275 Rigby's and Winchester Featherlite 7x57. Also a couple 7x64 Brenneke. And a 7x65R in a drilling. All great calibers and enjoyable guns;)
 
I've got 2 of the Ruger 275 Rigby's and Winchester Featherlite 7x57. Also a couple 7x64 Brenneke. And a 7x65R in a drilling. All great calibers and enjoyable guns;)
That Ruger 275 is my 2nd favorite rifle of yours.
 
Could y’all recommend some factory loads that y’all have had success with in 7x57?
 
I’ve never shot a factory load out of a 7x57.
 
Fantastic caliber and perfect for the Limpopo bush for most PG.
 
Had a custom one made and took it to NZ for Red Deer. Great dear cartridge but sold it. More of an Aficionados cartridge and there are now better multi-purpose cartridges available. Before anyone gets on their high horse about shooting Elephants in Africa ... try turning up for an Elephant hunt (with witnesses) with a 7x57 today . The PH will wonder wtf have I got here ! There is a reason its illegal for big game as well as not being the best choice.
Well duh.

Who was recommending using it for dangerous game?
 
Most of my experience was loading a 7x57 for my wife then packing out a lot of deer and elk as a reward. Been a long time ago, but the load was always the same- 39.5 gr 4064 pushing a 150 gr Nosler Partition to about 2500 fps out of a bolt sporter. A most unglamorous but effective load.
I have a '95 Chilean Mauser that also likes similar, fairly mild loads.

I think Bell's 7x57 elephant load was a factory DWM with a 173 gr FMJ RN bullet going somewhere between 2200 and 2300 fps. Here's a couple of pics of an original Bell era DWM 173 gr FMJ RN factory round- the same he used for elephant.

IMG_2660.JPG


IMG_2659.JPG
 
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I owned a Winchester, M70 Featherweight and I honestly don’t remember why I got rid of it. Must’ve thought I wanted something more. Dumb move as it is such a sweet shooting rifle. Anyway, I picked up a 7x57 barrel about three years back as I planned to use it on PG. I liked the idea of using a classic cartridge with tons of provenance in Africa. Well, we all know what happened in 2020. That trip got canceled and was rescheduled for May of this year. A couple of canceled and rescheduled flights screwed up the whole gun permit process so I ended up having to leave it home. As a result, it has only enjoyed range time but I’ll make sure it gets its chance on game. It’s a classic!
 
A brilliant cartridge! I also own two examples, a Model 1912 Austrian manufactured Chilean Mauser and an M70 Zastava. As a silly young man the 1912 was "sporterised" so a full rebuild in the English Classic style is on the cards for one day. Meanwhile the Zastava would be the most reached for rifle in my safe.
 
This is my 1885 Winchester single shot, reworked and rebarreled in 7X57R by Harry Creighton and stocked by Hal Hartley in his beloved curly maple.
The other rifle is the Al Biesen pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in 7X57 I used to own. It was a work of art, but a little bit long and ungainly for my taste, so it now has a new owner. The workmanship is beyond compare.
1885 7X57.PNG

Biesen 7X57 003.png
 
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This is my 1885 Winchester single shot, reworked and rebarreled in 7X57R by Harry Creighton and stocked by Hal Hartley in his beloved curly maple.
The other rifle is the Al Biesen pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in 7X57 I used to own. It was a work of art, but a little bit long and ungainly for my taste, so it now has a new owner. The workmanship is beyond compare.
View attachment 428138
View attachment 428137
You got rid of an Al Biesen 7x57 .......................... :oops: ....................... because it was a little bit long ..................... !
 
My favorite small caliber round. Have a mauser custom and a ruger #1 international that has been restocked in english walnut.
 
By the way, I got my BEST Red Deer with one of my two favorite rifles, an Argentine Mauser-Werke 1935, originally in 7,65x53. I change the barrel for a 7 mm Mauser SIG made military one. A replacememt barrel mint. Shoot at the same point every day, at less than 1", 3 shots, with any load, factory or mine.
 

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