7mm Mauser or 7mm-08?

[jimmyraythomason]

When buying a long action, it makes more sense to have it chambered for the 280 Remington or 7mm Remington Magnum than the 7x57

True...but the OP doesn't have nor is he buying a long action. He is asking about the Mauser action that he already has.

 

[MistWolf]

Izzat right?

If you go back, you'll see I was originally responding to the question as to why the 7mm-08 is more popular. If you go back further, you'll see I recommended the 7x57 because it better fits the Mauser action

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I stand corrected MistWolf! It seems we are in complete agreement.

 

[Kachok]

As much as love and recomend the 7x57, my all tme favorite Mauser lenght caliber is the 6.5x55, you simply cannot get a sweeter shooting rifle then a good Sweed. No kick, shoots flat, and hits hard. I would not trade mine for any hunting rifle out there.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Be careful! Gentlemenly conduct as shown above could get you thrown off some other forums!

But seriously, I've got a question. Earlier in this thread the 7 X 57 family was said to be a tweener. Not fitting well in a short action and not utilitizing available capacity in a long action. I've got a 257 Roberts and a 7mm-08. I'm reloading both right around 2.8" (the lightweight 25 caliber bullets load a little shorter since they are so small) and both fit into my short action Savage rifles. Am I missing something?

Thanks.

Dan

 

[Slamfire]

I'm a big fan of the 7x57. I'm sure the 7-08 works fine but I fail to see where it's any real improvement over the original 7x57 which is nearly perfect in design, IMO.

I agree. The 7-08 is a good round in short actioned rifles, but if you have the correct length action, stay with the 7 X57. Same velocities less pressure.

 

[sixgunner455]

Evidently, Dan, a short action Savage can comfortably accomodate a x57 cartridge. I would not suppose that you are missing anything, unless you close your eyes before you pull the trigger!

 

[dgarvin1]

The 7x57 is just an amazing round. The 7mm-08 has slight ballistic gains, but the 7x57 is just a classic. Can't go wrong with it.

 

[S. Hill]

Most people won't shoot a rifle in 8mm enough to wear out the barrels.

This is what I was wondering. Are you really going to shoot your 8mm enough to wear out the barrel? If the barrel is in decent shape right now, it probably has a lifetime of use left in it.

To answer your original question, I would cast my vote for the 7x57. If you reload, you can boost the performance up to match or exceed the 7mm08. The factory loads are designed to be safe in the weaker (older) Mauser actions. Your Mauser '98 is strong enough to handle loads up to 55,000 CUP. If your loading manual doesn't have designated "modern" loads, find a reloading manual that does. I've seen the same thing with .45-70 loading data --- loads for the Springfield Trapdoor, loads for the Sharps, and loads for modern rifles.