So i bought a 7x57 prefit barrel

[Dimner]

There are two ways to look at this. One is blowing up the receiver by the case head failing. Second is at what level can you shoot it until the barrel is alligatored or worn out.

For my worth, if you can't load the case at least six times before the primer pocket is loose, you are using too much powder. For modern brass that is about 60,000 psi, or 52, 000 CUP in a proper bolt action. FWIW

Well that shouldn't be a problem. I run my tikka t3 in 308 at somewhat close to max load. 1gr under. Just where the best accuracy was. Never ran into a loose primer pocket yet.

So if the 7x57 brass can handle 60k psi, I know the tikka receiver and mcgowan barrel are up to it. I'm not saying I'm gonna do that. I use quickload to estimate my pressures based off labradar measured velocity. I'm generally the kind of guy who stays aways from max and super hot loads. However, for this 7x57 having all the modern components built in the past 5 years, I think I'll push it a little past (like a few k psi) past the old timey pressure limits. That is, if the results lead me in that direction.

I would love to do pressure testing one day. But now I'm going to need to spend the winter and spring prepping for this project.

Did I mention that the other part of this project is a chilean 1895 in 7x57 that I'm going to put a K4 on? A brace of 7mms for deer hunting next year

 

[Petrol & Powder]

it equals the 7-08 with 15-K less pressure..............

Yeah....NO
The 7 x57 has more case capacity (about 10 grains more water capacity) than the 7mm-08 and the SAAMI max pressures are held lower for the 7 x 57 (probably due to the old rifles that are still out there)
But I wouldn't say it EQUALS the 7mm-08 with LESS pressure. I would say the SAAMI pressure limits are lower for the 7 x 57 when compared to the much newer 7mm-08.

The 7 x 57 uses a longer case and has a bit more case capacity than the 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 is ALLOWED to operate at a higher pressure by SAAMI limits but that doesn't mean it MUST operate at a higher pressure. Ammunition manufacturers don't have to worry too much about someone buying a box of 7mm-08 cartridges and chambering them in a 100+ year old rifle. The 7mm-08 was a wildcat until 1980. When the 7mm-08 was standardized, the SAAMI specs could safely be set higher for that new factory cartridge.

The max SAAMI pressure for the 7 x 57 is 51,000 psi
The max SAAMI pressure for the 7mm-08 is 61,000 psi

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ANSI-SAAMI-Z299.4-CFR-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

The 7mm-08 is capable of exceeding the pressures of the 7 x 57 because SAAMI limits ALLOW it to exceed the lower limits set for the 7 x 57.
So, while the 7 x 57 has more case capacity than the 7mm-08, the 7 x 57 isn't allowed to utilize than extra case capacity and stay within the industry standards.

The 7 x 57 is a fantastic cartridge and the newer 7mm-08 is also a fantastic cartridge. They are similar in performance but they operate under different rules.

 

[RicinYakima]

It's weird the 7mm is almost like the 25s it's either loved and followed almost cult like or completely unloved .

Everything it does, can be done by a more modern designed cartridge. But what is the fun in that? I'm with Jim Corbett all the way!

 

[Bret4207]

I'll give the pitch adjustment a try for sure. Really appreciate the tip.

It's a shouldered prefit. I didn't want to have to deal with a barrel nut.

The history of the 7x57 was in the back of my mind when I was choosing this barrel. It's a gajillion year old cartridge that can do anything a non-magnum 7mm can do, but is constantly overlooked. Dozen other non-magnum 7mm have been introduced and the 7x57 still stands by like an old wise man saying "yep, I can do all the too".

When you take the 7x57, or 8x57 for that matter, and get beyond US ammo pressures you discover it's a whole nuther cartridge. 4-5 decades back you used to be able to do that just by getting hold of a box of Norma loaded ammo in 7x57, 8x57, 7.65x53, etc. Just as the 280 will tread on the heels of the 7 Mag, the 7x57 can tread on the heels of the 280. Thing is for most hunting, and certainly target shooting, you don't need to go to the ragged edge. I am 100% convinced that the US would have a lot less fat coyotes if our hunters were limited to the 7x57, 6.5x55, 257 R, etc rather than the using the latest Super Whiz Bang Long Range Mall Ninja Sniper rifle with a scope the size of something suitable for viewing distant galaxies.

But, to each their own. I wouldn't feel the least bit constrained if my only CF rifle was a 7x57!

 

[Bret4207]

Why the 284 Win isn't all the rage baffles me . It's a short , fat , high BC , short action , cartridge with a standard bolt head that with a special follower and floor plate will keep the 4+1 and as far as I ever read isn't a barrel eater , and it'll keep pace with the 280 . Which begs the question why is there no love for the 280 Rem ? Well probably because of the 270 ......

It's weird the 7mm is almost like the 25s it's either loved and followed almost cult like or completely unloved .

7mm Rem Mag and it's cousins.

 

[L Ross]

Well, actually the 7 x 57 is more of a medium action cartridge that gets built on a long action because it just will not quite fit in a short action.
When your only choices are short and long and short doesn't work; you only have one option left.

The 7mm-08 has just about killed off the 7mm Mauser in terms of new rifles chambered for it. This is a shame.
When properly loaded, the 7mm Mauser is a very capable cartridge.

I am of the opinion that one should choose the 7x57 is a person intends to shoot bullets heavier than 140 grains. When I built I had my 7 built in 1990 or 91 I envisioned a rifle that would be light enough for mountain hunting yet capable of hunting Elk. That meant 160 and 175 grain bullets, and that left the 7mm-08 out of the equation.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

To be clear, I believe the 7 x 57 & 7mm-08 are both amazing cartridges.

The 7 x 57 was introduced in 1892 and it turned out to be an excellent cartridge. Its widespread military use certainly helped to expose it to a lot of people. Its popularity may have been kickstarted by its availability, but its performance endeared it to users. The fact that it is still with us 130 years later is testament to its popularity. The 7mm Mauser didn’t survive 130 years simply because it was plentiful, it survived because it works!

The 7mm-08 was perhaps an inevitable wildcat from the introduction of the .308 Winchester. That wildcat was so popular that Remington standardized the 7mm-08 in 1980. The performance of the 7mm-08 is deceivingly impressive.

I’ve spoken about this before but the 7mm-08 has just about killed off the 7mm Mauser in terms of new rifles chambered in 7mm Mauser. I don’t think the factory loaded 7 x 57 cartridge is in danger of extinction, there are far too many rifles out there chambered in that beloved cartridge. I suspect, but cannot prove, that the 7 x 57 is very popular with older generation handloaders that recognize its strengths. 7 x 57 users tend to be people a bit more gun savvy and a bit more oriented to cartridge reloading.

 

[Uncle Grinch]

All this 7x57 talk so I have to share my newest project. Not quite on par with Ben’s 7x57, but it makes me smile.
I recently picked up an Interarms MkX Mauser at a steal of a price due to the barrel’s finish being splotchy with almost no bluing left. Gee… what to do? A call to my gunsmith revealed a Douglas barrel chambered in 275 Rigby! It’s going to be my 3rd 7mm, next to my 1922 Brazilian Sporter and my 1904 Portuguese-Vergueiro Sporter.

 

[Ben]

As to extinction, ........ I've looked for new 7X57 empty brass.
I'm not finding any. Of course, there isn't much of any other caliber available right now either .

Ben

 

[Petrol & Powder]

As to extinction, ........ I've looked for new 7X57 empty brass.
I'm not finding any. Of course, there isn't much of any other caliber available right now either .

Ben

I suspect a large percentage of 7 x 57 users are also reloaders. They aren't going to leave that brass on the ground.
What little new 7 x 57 brass that's made is likely all designated for new ammo production.

 

[Ben]

All True ! !

 

[Rushcreek]

Parker Ackley stated in a return letter to me in 1973 that in his opinion the 7mm Mauser is the most perfect whitetail cartridge ever made. He stated that the balance between velocity and energy made it so.
I didn't argue.
He also answered a question of mine about a 6.5- 250 Savage wildcat he said that it would be a good one. Hello 6.5 Creedmoor.....
I've stocked up on 6mm Remington brass lately to make sure that I can feed the .257 Roberts and 7x57mm rifles that I'm considering assembling.

 

[fiver]

Parker was a fan of the 7mm.
he done a barrel on my very first one for free.
i was just showing him my rifle and he asked me to leave it with him for a week or two.
when he gave it back he said it had a different barrel on it.

 

[L Ross]

I am a very big 7x57 fan. I wish mine looked like Ben's in the rack and at the range, and then transformed it self back into mine in the field.

 

[todd]

i load the 7x57 and the 7-08., but the 7x57, in my opinion, rules the roost. i tell people who ask, what's the best caliber for my son/daughter or girlfriend/wife. if they are not a reloader, then it's 7-08, if they reload, then 7x57.

brass for both of the 7s is hard to find. i have done alot of '06 cases to 7, 8, and 9.3x57, so there's that and everybody knows about the 7-08 is formed by the 308 case.
you can 7-08 factory ammo about anywhere, the 7 Mauser, not so much. if you were in Europe, then the calibers are reversed.

my first custom rifle was a 7x57. i went with a FN 98 mauser action and a 20" Douglas barrel. i killed untold numbers of deer with it. then it was "stolen" from me!!!! well, not really....i gave it to my oldest son when he turned 17. i told him when he bigger, he could have it. when he 16yo, he was short, 5' 4". then all of a sudden, he was 17yo and 6'. well......chit!!! so i gave to him.

FN 98 Mauser in 7x57

i have 2 '16 Spanish Mausers in 7x57, but the first rifle is another custom rifle in 6.5x55, which i gave to my youngest son. the other one sits in my safe, waiting for me to do another custom job.

16 Spanish Mausers

Venezuelan Mauser m24/30 in 7x57

Brazilian Mauser m1908 in 7x57 (i took it to a gunsmith and he did a proper scope mount and bend the bolt)

i have a sporter m98(1944) in 8x57, Husqvarna m46 (96 Mauser?) in 9.3x57, 95 Chilean Mauser action, three 91 Argentine Mausers in 7.65x53 (2 of which went to my sons).

i think i like Mausers..........


on the other hand, i have three Remington m7(early model with a 18.5" barrel) in 7-08. i and my dad (RIP) bought two of them and liked it. i bought a third rifle so my sons could use it. my dad (RIP) didn't like the way it handled (it was too short), so he got a custom stock that made it bigger (Dad had it made 3 or 4" longer).