7x57 / 7mm Mauser Factory Ammo

[Dan856]

Hey Guys,

Just purchased a 7x57 / 7mm Mauser - looking to hear of any recommendations for factory ammo - will be used for hunting (Deer, black bear & maybe elk) wondering what experience people have had with factory ammo available offerings in 140 grain or the heavier 160/170 grain bullets from different manufacturers?

Thanks in advance!

Dan

[Dick284]

140’s for the most part, brand will be dictated by your rifles preference.

Really do consider reloading for this cartridge it opens a lot of doors not available in factory fodder.

[gitrdun]

It has similar ballistic performance to that of the 7mm-08. With which I've had good success from 120gr. Sierra ProHunters to Hornady 139gr. Interlocks. This is on deer only. I've never harvested a moose nor an elk with this caliber.

[southernman]

I normally run factory federal 140gr, in both my M70, one with partions, blue box cheapies the other.
Have been trying the 162gr A-max, on the last few deer in NZ, these work really well at 2700fps,
The 175 gr round nose federal, I have shot several does, bucks and stags, and they don't blood shot damage, anywhere near as much meat, likely due to slower speeds/ bullet construction, may be a good choice, if you don't need lots range. The last red, I shot in the bush, I went threw a 5" tree, then both shoulder's of a Red Hind, and exit, so plenty of penetration, don't ask about the tree , moving shot, didn't notice. lucky she was right behind it.

[Dean2]

For Factory ammo try Sellier and Bellot from Tradex in the 170 and 140 grain. Have only ever shot Boar and small deer with them but they worked great. Good penetration and expansion. I have used it in a number of 7x57 and they all shot it well under 1 MOA. Loaded ammo is about the same price as brass and the brass makes great reloads.
Norma is also great factory ammo but about 4 times the money. Their 156 grain Oryx would be my choice for Elk.

[CanadianEh]

How old is the Mauser you bought?


The biggest problem with factory ammo for the 7x57 is that pretty well all of it is under powered. or light loaded for less pressure so they dont blow up MUCH MUCH older rifles.

A new rifle should be able withstand regular higher pressures.. so you would be able to coax much more versatility out of this great cartridge if you reload.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by CanadianEh

How old is the Mauser you bought?


The biggest problem with factory ammo for the 7x57 is that pretty well all of it is under powered. or light loaded for less pressure so they dont blow up MUCH MUCH older rifles.

A new rifle should be able withstand regular higher pressures.. so you would be able to coax much more versatility out of this great cartridge if you reload.

That is why I recommend Norma and S&B, they are loaded to higher pressures. The north american made 7x57 is loaded down just as you say because product liability is a way bigger deal in the U.S. You are also right that hand loading for modern made guns a guy can get some pretty impressive speeds out of that old cartridge.

[CanadianEh]

I just did a little light reading again to brush up on my 7x57 bullets..

Taken from Ballisticstudies

"Using 140 grain projectiles the 7x57 makes for a flat shooting, fast killing lighter medium game combination. That said, by adopting a softly constructed 162 to 168 grain projectile at moderate velocity, the 7x57 becomes something quite unique. This single point cannot be reiterated enough. Long heavy bullets may seem like a major handicap to the 7x57 but the opposite is true. With a projectile like the 162 grain Hornady A-Max, the 7x57 stands on its own, producing consistently wide, devastating and sometimes spectacular wounding on a wide variety of game - out to ranges far exceeding the capabilities of a 140 gain controlled expanding projectile."


"The key to outstanding all-round performance with the 162 grain A-Max is mild muzzle velocities no greater than 2700fps. From the lower muzzle velocity of 2600fps, the A-Max produces wide, fast bleeding wounds out to 300yards (2200fps) with a slight reduction in wounding between 300 and 475 yards (2000fps). The A-max continues to excel below 2000fps in the absence of bone strikes. This projectile requires very little resistance to initiate expansion and for this reason, is a more ethical killer at longer ranges approaching where wind factors make exact shot placement more difficult"

" It may seem to go against all logic to use a slow heavy bullet in the 7x57, particularly at extended ranges however, the A-Max and Berger are dramatically superior to other bullet designs at impact velocities below 2600fps."


Sounds to me like the Hornady A-Max 162 grian or the Berger 168 grain VLD are the winners here for a reloading situation.

But I wouldn't disagree the 156 Norma Oryx would likely be my go to factory load.

[huntingfamily]

Originally Posted by Dean2

For Factory ammo try Sellier and Bellot from Tradex in the 170 and 140 grain. Have only ever shot Boar and small deer with them but they worked great. Good penetration and expansion. I have used it in a number of 7x57 and they all shot it well under 1 MOA. Loaded ammo is about the same price as brass and the brass makes great reloads.
Norma is also great factory ammo but about 4 times the money. Their 156 grain Oryx would be my choice for Elk.

I agree that these would be the best choices for factory ammo. I have a few boxes of the Norma 154 grain SP ammo and it chronies at about 2690 fps from a 22" barrel.
I've also reloaded for this cartridge since the early 80's and have had great results on deer as well as a few elk and moose with the Hornady 139 and 154 interlock sp bullets and the Speer 160 grand slam bullets.

Great cartridge!

[southernman]

I've shot dozen red deer, couple whitetail, one Fallow buck, a Chamois and dozen goats, with the 162gr A-max, very effect out past 350m, I have them leaving the tube at 2680 fps, found they tend to separate, a bit, and tear into several chunks, with the shank exiting every-time, and I shoot threw the shoulders, not behind like most North American hunters.
I wouldn't try that on an Elk, moose or a big red stag, with the A-max, more reliable choices,
Its an effect round, close to the 270 win in power, std cup and core bullets work fine, due to its moderate speed,
I agree with the others above about using euro ammo, but there not much that cant be done, with a 140gr, at 2800 fps either.

[Dean2]

I have shot a lot of Hornady 162 grain HPBT, Amax and SSTs out of various types of 7mms. They are an OUTSTANDING bullet on deer size game out to over 900 yards. The old SST was lead tipped and did not have the interlock ring, nor did the other two. They fragmented far too easily to be good on moose and Elk.

The new SST and ELDX both now have polymer tips as well as the interlock and the BTSP is a lead tip interlock. These may be quite a lot better on the heavier game but I have not personally tried them on Moose or Elk. You certainly have to love the .630 B.C. of the ELDX. I think I may well try some of the new ELDX on heavier game to see how they behave. That said I sure wish they made the 162 ELDX in an Interbond version.

[Dan856]

Gentlemen thanks for all the info! Much appreciated! Good to know the European stuff (Sellor & Bellot and Privi Partisan) are loaded hotter - it's a modern rifle do will have no issues there - will be good to see the round perform!