Sellier & Bellot bullets

[Thernos]

Yes, I agree on the heavier bullets, especially in 7x57. We're always looking for another option there, but the costs to export/ship bullets have gotten out of control the last 3-5 years. Then figure in the increased powder costs that have hit the industry and prices become tough to manage. Freight costs in general have gotten brutal. The other issue is the coming lead-based ammunition ban in Europe. It's coming and it makes development on any new, lead core-based product (especially a product where you're going to sell most it in the European market) essentially pointless if you want to do it on a large scale.

I just got myself a 7x57 rifle (m1893) and wanted to ask you specifically about some S&B ammo. I'm looking for inexpensive ammo for use on American Feral Hog and coyote. The two that I can find cheaply from S&B are 140gr SPCE and 173gr SPCE at 90 cents per round. Of those two, which would you recommend for this use and for what reason? Or if you have a similarly priced recommendation.

 

[MS 9x56]

I also have a 7x57 in a commercial Mauser. It absolutly loves the S&B 173 SPCE bullets as its most accurate grouping ammo. I have used it on wild boar and have yet to recover one. For deer and coyotes I would go with the 140 grain SPCE. I have taken several deer with these bullets. Performance on game has been outstanding with none traveling more than 40 yards. The best thing I can say about these bullets is I have never had to shoot any game more than once.

 

[Tango]

I just got myself a 7x57 rifle (m1893) and wanted to ask you specifically about some S&B ammo. I'm looking for inexpensive ammo for use on American Feral Hog and coyote. The two that I can find cheaply from S&B are 140gr SPCE and 173gr SPCE at 90 cents per round. Of those two, which would you recommend for this use and for what reason? Or if you have a similarly priced recommendation.

As MS 9x56 said, the 173gr SPCE is my favorite, especially if shots aren't going to be over 250 yds. My No 1 and M77 Rugers love this bullet/weight. That SPCE bullet shoulder will usually cut a very well-defined hole in the hide on entrance (for great blood trails), much like a 38 wadcutter does on paper. That combined with the softpoint construction upset, results in very quick and humane kills......which what I want. The 140gr is slightly faster though performance on game is similar, but I've yet to own a 7x57 that shoots it better than the 173gr. In my experience, that 173gr SPCE simply anchors game whether it's US small-med game, African plains game or European deer and wild boar.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

As MS 9x56 said, the 173gr SPCE is my favorite, especially if shots aren't going to be over 250 yds. My No 1 and M77 Rugers love this bullet/weight. That SPCE bullet shoulder will usually cut a very well-defined hole in the hide on entrance (for great blood trails), much like a 38 wadcutter does on paper. That combined with the softpoint construction upset, results in very quick and humane kills......which what I want. The 140gr is slightly faster though performance on game is similar, but I've yet to own a 7x57 that shoots it better than the 173gr. In my experience, that 173gr SPCE simply anchors game whether it's US small-med game, African plains game or European deer and wild boar.

I used factory S&B 7x57R ammo with the 173gr SPCE bullet. I works great on feral pigs and whitetail deer. Everything I have shot with that bullet dropped without taking more than a couple steps, if that.

Safe hunting

 

[MS 9x56]

I just got myself a 7x57 rifle (m1893) and wanted to ask you specifically about some S&B ammo. I'm looking for inexpensive ammo for use on American Feral Hog and coyote. The two that I can find cheaply from S&B are 140gr SPCE and 173gr SPCE at 90 cents per round. Of those two, which would you recommend for this use and for what reason? Or if you have a similarly priced recommendation.

I would not recommend S&B ammo in an 1893 rifle as the pressures may be too much for such an older rifle. Have you removed the action from the stock to check the proof date of the rifle? The model number may not be the date of manufacture. My apologies for missing the m1893 in your post.

 

[mauser98]

I'm using the 173gr SPCE in my 1912 Oberndorf Sporting rifle. Rifle groups 1/2" at 50 yards, 1 inch at 100 yards with iron sights! Also shot a color phase black bear a couple years back at around 100 yards. Bullet passed through double lunged, great performance.

I also been using the 196gr SPCE in the 8x57, accurate and great preforming as well. Took a good sized black bear bear last year with it. Also recovered one bullet in a mule deer buck and it held up well. 72 Percent weight retention.

 

[mauser98]

I would not recommend S&B ammo in an 1893 rifle as the pressures may be too much for such an older rifle. Have you removed the action from the stock to check the proof date of the rifle? The model number may not be the date of manufacture. My apologies for missing the m1893 in your post.

If the 1893 rifle is in good condition I personally wouldn't hesitate using 7x57 S&B. Based off my measured velocity with the 173gr load my gun shoots them at 2400 fps which in theory is about 150-200 feet slower than its true potential, in other words down loaded for such situations. Older guns. In my modern guns a 175 at 2550-2600 is considered a warm load.

 

[Thernos]

I would not recommend S&B ammo in an 1893 rifle as the pressures may be too much for such an older rifle. Have you removed the action from the stock to check the proof date of the rifle? The model number may not be the date of manufacture. My apologies for missing the m1893 in your post.

It was an oviedo manufacture, but it has been modernized, but I don't know to what degree. I don't know many details to be honest. This is my first gun not made in this century.

 

[UKHunter]

My 7x57 shoots the S&B TXRG stuff well and it kills like lead core ammo in my experience

 

[MS 9x56]

It was an oviedo manufacture, but it has been modernized, but I don't know to what degree. I don't know many details to be honest. This is my first gun not made in this century.

In your rifles case I would recommend any American brand ammo as they are all loaded to lower pressures. I know they are more expensive but short of loading your own they are the safest commercially loaded. Also do some internet research on your rifle and find out the design pressures your rifle is safe for.