7x57 Mauser questions

[BillinNH]

OK, so I'm developing an interest in the 7mm Mauser cartridge. Any advice as to a good choice in a used or new rifle? I would use it mostly for whitetails and target/range use. I don't have any 7mm experience to mention but the ballistics seem very promising. I would hand load for it.



Bill

 

[ArkansasHunter]

It's an outstanding cartridge that will never die kinda like the 30-06 in regards to longtivity.
You can't go wrong buying a new rifle that handles the 7mm.
A.H

 

[PotatoJudge]

Ruger made the M77 and No. 1 in 7 Mauser. You could probably get the M77 for $400-500 and the No. 1 for $550-750.

 

[Float Pilot]

Plus there are some old M-70 Winchesters in 7x57mm, as well as the special addition M-700 Remingtons that were made. CZ also makes a nice 7x57mm.
Or, find a nice Mauser action and have a rifle made to your exact specs.

Factory loads in the US are kept low due to the old Model 93 and Model 95 Mausers that are all over. (Plus the Remington Rolling Blocks)...

But European ammo or a good hand load really lets the 7x57mm cruise...

My very first high power rifle was a full military M-98 Mauser carbine in 7x57mm.
My first reloading dies that I got for my 13th birthday were 7x57mm dies.
I have sucessfully harvest every game animal in Alaska and the lower 48, (except buffalo) with a 7x57mm.

The first custom rifle I ever built was a DWM Mauser rebuilt in 7x57mm using a Douglas barrel, a Fajen stock blank in english walnut and a Timney trigger.

I still have it, 37 years later. And it still shoots a clover leaf group at 200 yards

 

[BillinNH]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated. Any recommendations as to barrel length and twist?

Bill

 

[Bwana John]

I have a Rem 700 Mnt Rifle in 7mm Mauser, and I love it!
It was a yearly classic thing put out in 1992. It wears a buggy wip 22" barrel, 2 rounds into 0.75 MOA. 3 rounds into 1.5 MOA, the barrel heats up fast. I dont remember the twist, i remember measuring it when new.

My favorite load for Mule Deer has been 140 gr Ballistic tip with 51 gr 4350 behind it doing 2850 fps.

Two seasons ago I shot a elk cow using 175 gr BTSP.

Be aware most commerical ammo is loaded very weakly because of all the old rifles out there, ie: rolling blocks, M93's ect...

Horanady made a "Light Magnum" load for modern firearms, and Norma from Europe loads are really hot.

My 25th edition Hogden manual lists loads for modern rifles.

 

[homers]

I have a Ruger M77 7x57 bought new around late 1970's. Whitetails fear it and I love it. Shoot mostly 139 to 154 grain handloads. As stated previously, Hornady make some ammo that is for the modern 7x57s if you don't reload. It's my rifle to take out when hunting Whitetails, partially because of the great rifle/caliber, but also of the fond memories when my dad bought it for me when I was 16 and the great time at hunting camp.

Very compariable to the 270.

 

[Art Eatman]

Factory ammo is limited to 40,000 psi, for those old guns. Modern rifles go to around 55,000 with no problem.

It's a bit overbore, like the .270 and '06. A 24" barrel would generally be better than shorter ones.

Good cartridge, and the 140-grain bullets wil do in any deer and likely elk as well...

Art

 

[Float Pilot]

I choose a 1 in 10 twist fo my barrel many years ago, because it works well with the 160 to 175 grain slugs. Something more along the line of what we shoot with up here in Alaska.
It still seems to stabilize the 145 and 150 grain slugs just fine. For some reason my rifle doe not like the 120 to 140 grain bullets. It should, but it does not.

IMR 4350 seems to really work well in mine. I only have a 20 inch barrel in a Douglas #5 taper. Kinda thick..... That was all the rage back in the early 70s.
I think a 22 inch would be a good compromise length for velocity and bush handling.

Out of my 20 inch barrel, I last played around with some .284 caliber Nosler ballistic tips Boat-tail- in 150 grain. Using WW brass, and CCI 250 primers.
Remember I have a custom tight chamber. Do not try the hotter loads unless you work yourself up.
These velocities were obtained using an Olehr 33 and a Chrony mounted in tandem. The averages were figured between the two chronographs.

Using IMR 4350 I obtained the following average velocities:
49.0gr=2,730fps Best accuracy 10 shots into .45 hole
49.5gr=2,837fps opened to 1 inch group
50.0gr=2,821fps YES IT WENT DOWN. case now dirty, group 2 inches.
50.5gr=2,841fps dirty case, hot load, 1.5 inch group
50.7gr=2,880 HIGH PRESSURE NOT SAFE
51.0gr=2,882 SUPER NOT SAFE