Anyone hunted with Sellier & Bellot 7x57 Mauser 173 gr SPCE (Soft Point Cutting Edge)?

[vette447]

I am trying to work on a good factory load to take on a S. Africa hunt in October for Sable, Gemsbok, Hyena, and possibly a few other smaller animals. Most of the ammo loaded in the US uses 140 grain bullets but I ready so much about how this caliber shines with heavier bullets.

Does anyone have any experience hunting with this S&B load? Is the SPCE bullet a good, well constructed hunting bullet?

Thanks!

 

[Foxi]

Servus vette,
7x57 is and was very very popular in Germany and I think a perfect caliber in the class round to 100 KG.
The S+B Ammunition is also widely spread,but S+B is on the lower limit of qualitiy.
S+B is cheap and that is the reason for their popularity in G.
No problem on short distances (-100yd),the effect is often very good,but,when you are a reloader ,the ammos would't satisfy you.
Oryx is a wounderful animal,but also a hard devil.
On 30o m I would not shoot him with a 7x57 and a typical soft S+B bullet.
In Germany we say " sliver-grenades" to S+B bullets.
Consider,mostly no dogs for bloodtracks,no shootout.
Wounded and not found is full price........
all the best
Foxi

 

[Tango]

vette447,

Full disclosure: I am one of the sales managers at Magtech USA. CBC/Magtech owns S&B. 7x57 is one of my favorite calibers. (Ruger No 1 Boddington). While everyone has their favorite brand, caliber, bullet, etc, I take issue with the above comments regarding our quality. Of course, not every brand of ammunition is a good match for every rifle, but S&B manufactures ammunition to the highest performance standards for very demanding customers such as NATO countries, various Military customers worldwide, Law Enforcement agencies worldwide (many of which are in No Europe, Germany and Austria) and numerous firearms manufacturers. If your ammunition doesn't perform, you don't receive an invitation to bid on these contracts. These customers do not choose their ammo based on cost alone. Not far from Prague, we operate one of the most modern ammunition factories in the world. We've been in business since 1825 at the same location. I can assure you that high cost does not necessarily equate to better ammunition.

The SPCE bullet, while accurate, is not constructed with tough, heavy duty game animals in mind. I use it when hunting animals in the whitetail deer class at closer range. For tough animals, I would suggest you try either our 175gr Nosler Partition load or the 158gr Exergy bullet load. The Exergy projectile is our proprietary expanding copper bullet. The Partition has a higher BC and a great history of performance, but the Exergy will retain more of its weight. Both are excellent. Shoot whichever is more accurate in your rifle.

Take care,
Tango

 

[vette447]

Tango, thanks for the info. I would prefer a 175gr Nosler Partition for this type of hunting but I have not seen a factory load for sale online in 7x57 Mauser. Is it an S&B load? I do not see either of those loads listed on your website. Do you know where some can be purchased in the US? Thanks again!

 

[enysse]

If you don't reload, ask Tarbe to reload you some bullets. He needs to pay for his Africa trip one way or another!

 

[Tango]

vette447,

The Nosler load is best out of my Ruger. Good stuff. I just started bringing those loads into the US, so the website may be a little behind. Check them out on our int'l S&B site.

http://www.sellier-bellot.cz/

I don't know who has them in stock now, but I'll get on it Monday for you. We have them in the warehouse, so I'm sure delivery to one of our dealers in your area can be coordinated for you.

PM sent with my work contact info.

Thank you,
Tango

 

[vette447]

Thanks. That would be great if you could help me find some of the partitions. I may try your Exergy bullet too.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I don't know if you are able to buy the Norma Oryx ammo for your 7x57 Mauser where you live.
It has a 156 gr bonded Oryx bullet.
It most likely cost rather much more than the S&B ammo, but well worth if when going on a hunt in Africa in my opinion.
The Norma Oryx would be my choice if I was to hunt in Africa with a 7x57 Mauser and use factory ammo.

I have used the 173 gr SPCE in a 7x57R and it works fine for small deer(Roe deer), but not something I would use on anything bigger than Whitetails.
The 156 gr 7x57R Norma Oryx is much better for Red stag and Moose.

Personally I am not a big fan of the Nosler Partition, but I know some people love them

 

[Tango]

vette447,
No problem at all. Left my work email on your profile page. Please send your contact info and I'll get some options for you Monday.
Thanks,
Tango

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I use 7 x 57 from RWS .My favorite bullet - ID CLASSIC 10,5 g/162 gr . Recommend.

 

[Tango]

I keep coming back to the Nosler 175gr Part out of my No 1 Boddington in 7x57. There may be fancier bullets, but it's MoA accurate from my rifle and just plain kills stuff when put in the right place. MT mule deer shot at 215 yards. One round into the shoulder quartering toward me, DRT.

 

[rookhawk]

What was the verdict? Does S&B have a nosler partition load available in the USA at present? I've not seen it anywhere online.

 

[vette447]

They do have them but I had to order direct from RWS/S&B. Unfortunately, I didn't end up using the 175 NPs on my trip to RSA last October so I can't attest to any actual field results.

 

[Tango]

Rookhawk,
PM me with your contact and I can get you the info, prices etc. We have it at our warehouse in MN and I think there's an open case we can sell boxes from. I just bought a case for personal use. I like to stock up once I find a load that works in my rifle.

 

[Longwalker]

I agree that the Nosler Partition is the way to go. I have used the S&B 173gr.SPCE in my Merkel 7x57R for one wolf and two whitetails, and they worked as expected. But I shot a lot of them during the winter at targets placed on a plywood backstop. They are accurate in my rifles. When spring came and the soft snow melted behind the target, I found many bullets that shed their cores after going through the thin plywood. So I believe they are too soft for animals like Gemsbok. The NP will always give predictable performance.

 

[bassasdaindia]

without changing topics , you will enjoy the 7x57 in South Africa, good luck with your hunt.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I think tango gives good info. Quality ammo intended for soft animals. My son uses 243 win and we both use Barnes x bullets in Africa. Bought some s ama b for practice. He used in on whitetail at close range and I must say for close range whitetail it was spcatacular. The ammo is of good quality for its intended purpose. The manufacturer should not be blamed if it is used for other than its intended purpose.

 

[Sika98k]

Classy looking firearm there longwalker.

 

[Ktop]

Saw this post and signed up so I could comment on it. Its difficult to find information about the SPCE bullets, even more so in the 7x57 caliber so I felt obligated to contribute since I have some experience with it.

I've got an m77 ruger w/ tang safety chambered in 7x57. I haven't put a variety of rounds through it, namely because there isn't a huge selection unless you reload which I haven't gotten around to yet, but it appears to really like the 173 SPCE's. It'll shoot 1 t0 1.5" groups at 100 yrds. As far as effectiveness goes when lead meets animal, I've had great experiences. I took an 11pt whitetail at 150 yrds in KS in 2014 with it along with a nice size doe. When the bullet hit the buck he rotated about 90 degrees, took 1 step, then hit the ground. Really couldn't ask for better results. The doe went down where she stood. It seems to have good knockdown power, but I don't recall seeing exit wounds (also don't remember looking either in all the excitement), but the research I've done suggests the bullet deforms too quickly on bigger animals so the S&B Exergy are preferable



hope this helps someone



Kyle

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome to AH Ktop.
Good luck and All the best.
Witold