Author Topic: 7X57 vs 7M-08 (Read 2807 times)

razmuz · « **on:** May 22, 2003, 07:31:26 AM »

Which way to go. If you could only have one which one would you chose?

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2003, 07:37:59 AM »

Without a doubt - the 7mm-08.

I have one and I think that it is excellent in virtually every category.

1. It is wondefully accurate. (Inherent from the .308 case).
2. Many factory guns are available.
3. Abundance and wide selection of factory ammo.
4. Ability to use "light magnum" factory ammo to increase power to .280.
5. Abundance of brass for reloaders.

Of all of my rifles, there is a VERY special place in my heart for the 7-08. :wink:

Zachary

jhm · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2003, 08:16:15 AM »

Razmuz: I have both the 7-08 is in the model 7 rem, and the 7x57 is in a ruger mod. 77 old tang safety version and I prefere to shoot the 7-08 it just outshoots the 7x57 that I have I even tried to duplicate the 7-08 by using the same bullet and powder charges in the 7x57 and it boils down to the 7-08 being my better of the 2 good luck with your choice as both are excellent rounds.

JIM

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2003, 12:48:21 PM »

For sure I would go with the 7-08. My son (14 years old) has one in a Remington 700 SL and it is a joy to shoot. . . plus plenty of medicine for any deer size game. The only thing that would make it better is if it was a Tikka or Sako.

dbuck · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2003, 01:52:12 PM »

No question about it, the 7-08 hands down. I have a Remington 7-08 and I took two trophy whitetail at 413 and 417 yards. Rifle shoots 3/4" groups at 200 yards. Elk and below its hard to beat a 7-08 and not much recoil.

dbuck

DennisB · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2003, 04:40:19 PM »

You guys are gettin' me depressed!! I recently picked up a 7x57 old style m77 (like yours, jhm) and haven't even shot it yet!

SOMEBODY say something nice about the Mauser!!!

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2003, 02:17:02 AM »

The 7x57 was considered the best of the mountain sheep cartridges before the .270 came out. It's still preferred by many African professional hunters in their personal rifles. It's very popular in Europe as a good all-around hunting cartridge. Within 250 yards, it's got about the same trajectory as the 7-08, in practical hunting terms.

Sixgun · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2003, 06:57:57 AM »

I read somewhere that a guy by the name of Killimjaro Bell (I know the spelling is wrong) is credited with killing the most elephants ever. He did it all with the 7X57.

I had one in a modle 95 mauser and as long as I didn't overload it, it worked really great.

I don't know if it is better than a 7-08 and I think if I was going to buy a 7mm right now it would be a 280 with a long barrel, like a H&R.

I have had several 308s and I like the cartridge. I just have never been too turned on by the 7-08.

Sixgun

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2003, 07:35:15 AM »

I'll take the 7x57 any day. Especially if using heavy for caliber bullets. Regular factory loads are running the same as the 08 version now, for all practical purposes, and you can hand load the x57 version to near 280 velocities. Typically the x57's are in standard length actions, so the bullets don't have to be seated into your powder space. The x57 version was developed in 1892 and has taken every game animal on the planet in the hands of skilled marksmen worldwide. I know the stories Bell, and there are others, but I, personally, would not want to tackle any of the big 5 with any 7mm cartridge. I've got a 7x57 (or 7mm Mauser, 275 Rigby), and it is a grand cartridge. It's great for deer, sheep, goats, caribou and smallish moose. Factory loads are throttle down for the old rifles that were chambered for this cartridge, much like the 45/70. If you handload, it will handle nearly any hunting situation. Imagine that, something 111 years old that is every bit as good as a cartridge introduced in the last 20 years!!!

The advantages the 7-08 does have is that you don't really need to handload and it comes in short actioned rifles. That's both a blessing and a curse. If you don't handload, your rifle may not like factory loads. Being in a short action, it kinda limits the OAL which I don't like.

Advocate · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2003, 04:16:33 PM »

Yukon Jack: Great points all. You make good points about OAL and deep seating bullets in the 7-08. Personally I like the idea of a 7-08 improved in a 57mm length mauser action. Good capacity and long bullet seating. Everyone I know who has a 708 is emphatic about the accuracy. They can't all be wrong.

But then again, I've also heard good things about the 7x57 AI....like 3000 fps with the 140 grain bullet.

By the way, I always look forward toyour posts. Best.

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2003, 05:52:47 PM »

Don't get me wrong, I don't think you can really say anything bad about either cartridge as long as you use them within reason. Either can be loaded to duplicate performance of the other. The one thing that the -08 version lays claim to is reported better accuracy. That is not entirely true. Either cartridge is capable of outstanding accuracy, but some of the earlier x57 versions were chambered with an exceedingly long throat to accomodate the standard 175 grain loading. Properly throated there will be no difference. At least nothing more than theory.

Advocate,
I don't know how much sense most of my posts make, but thank you. I'm just a hunter that loves to hunt and really likes the rifles he hunts with. I base almost all of my post on experiences that I have had, whether I've had unique experiences that aren't the norm, I can't say. Good things about these forums is someone of equal or greater experience can guide me past any mistakes that may be made, unintentionally of course.

Everyone, have a great Memorial Day weekend. While you are enjoying your time with family and friends, let's not forget what this holiday is about and bow your head and thank our great soldiers.

I'm hoping to get out on Sunday and catch some kings and halibut. You guys be careful and keep it between the ditches.

Big Tom · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2003, 06:48:53 PM »

:lol: I've had em both and killed deer with em. The 7X57 was chosen by Germany to be used as their sniper rifle. It is accurate and extremely efficient with LOW recoil.
In modern rifles like the Ruger RS, it will load up to about 2800 fps with a 140 gr psp.
I agree with Yukon, the 7MM/08 will not handle 160 & 175 bullets which makes the 7X57 more versatile, and for most other considerations I would opt for my trusty .308, which more than covers 7MM/08 applications. :wink:

Hook · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2003, 08:46:57 AM »

I cannot add too much to that hasn't already been said, except to bring up the intangible factor. There's something about being in the woods with cartridge as steeped in hunting lore as the 7X57, 45-70, 300 H&H, etc. They were all excellent cartridges in their own time and their effectiveness has not dwindled one iota. I own and hunt with all three of the above as well as several more that fall in that catagory and really get a kick out the questions my hunting companions blurt out about them.

As for effectiveness, I own and hunt with two 7mmX08s, three 7X57s, and a 280 Rem. They are all excellent cartridges, their accuracy primarily depends on the rifle they are chambered in, and I challenge any hunter to be able to measure a real difference in field effectiveness in the three. On paper, yes; on game, no. Of the three, I have experienced more bam/flops with the 7X57. Don't ask me why, because it is not the most powerful!

The 7mmX08 and 7X57 are my two favorite whitetail calibers. I tote the 7X57 more because of its history and mystique, but it is not any better!

Mikey · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2003, 04:28:27 AM »

Gentlemen: this is like the arguements about which cartridges are better, the 30-06 or the 308, the 260 Rem or the 6.5 Swede, the this or the that. Both shoot the same weight bullets at about the same speed, one is shorter than the other, one can fit into a smaller action than the other but that doesn't make one better than the other.

Better for what? North American Whitetail? Black Bear? Midget Moose on motorcycles? Let's figure this: the 30-06/308/7mm-08/8mm and any and all derivations were all based on the 7x57mm case. All of them. Same boltface dimensions, different lengths. The 7mm was a sniper cartridge, the 7mm-08 isn't in that category. The older Mauser cartridge has been disrespectfully played down based on the liability and lawsuit concerns of the American ammo makers who prefer to hype American calibers, but lacks for nothing.

Just as the 30-06 will handle heavier bullets at faster velocities than the 308, so will the 7mm do this over the 7mm-08, and the 6.5 Swede over the 260.

To be honest, if I had the chance to pick up a nice looking 7mm I would prefer that over the 7mm-08.

One responder claimed the accuracy from his 7-08 was better than from his 7x57 - may be a number of reasons for that and you can't duplicate 7-08 performance in a 7x57 using 7-08 powder charges. This is like trying to duplicate 308 performance in a 30-06 case using the same powder charges - it doesn't work that way because of the differrent case lengths.

The only thing a 7mm-08 might be able to do for you is shave a pound or so off the field weight of the rifle and that is something I don't really notice. I know I would feel much more comfortable with that Mauser action in my hands. Don't know what it is but I'll take a Mauser any day. Mikey.

Big Tom · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2003, 05:14:00 AM »

:lol: Well said Mikey.

Who would be interested in a modern lightweight, quick handling, tackdriving mountain rifle in 7X57 ?

:eek: I WOULD!!!!

longwinters · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2003, 03:08:40 PM »

This is the problem whenever we compare cartridges/calibers. You can never objectively compare apples to apples. Basically which rifle you prefer (once you know what you want to hunt with it) is very subjective. I have read numerous articles that say that caliber " A " is far better than caliber " B " only to read other articles that say "B" is better than "A". One person gets off on the history/romance of a cartridge and another on whatever is new. Is the 7m-08 perfect . . . if it was there would be no other calibers. Same w/ the the 7x57 the 7mm the 300 weatherby etc... Personally like I said before I really like the 7m-08 for a deer rifle. In fact I think its a great caliber! Never even saw a 7x57 and wouldnt know it existed if not for this site. But hey, variety is what makes life an adventure !

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2003, 03:11:05 PM »

Hey Big Tom,
Check out Ruger's No.1 A and RSI versions. They make great lightweight mountain rifles and are chambered in the 7x57.

jhm · « **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2003, 04:12:36 PM »

Longwinters: The 7x57 in europe is the 30-06 of this country its a good caliber like I said in a earlier post I have both the 7-08 and the 7x57 they are in different rifles it could be that I have just fallen for the model 7 rem. but I would be vary comfortable with the old ruger in 7x57 if needed you are right their isnt a perfect caliber, thats why the safe manufactures keep making the safes larger and we keep buying lotsa of rifles in different calibers.

JIM