Help me figure out a rifle

[MedRiver]

My kids kill elk well enough with a 7mm-08 (nearly identical to your 7x57) that I sometimes wonder why I pack bigger stuff for elk.

We load 140 Accubonds at mild velocities (your only option is mild with a 16.25” barrel, lol) and they have been reliable killers on antelope, deer and elk.

 

[Nyati]

A .270W will be enough, a .338WM will be just great !

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

Of your two options, I'd go with the 30-06, because that's what I have experience with. Having said that, remember the ancient montra of our forefathers "bullet placement, bullet placement, bullet placement". If you can handle one better than the other, or think that handling one might be an issue in the future, go with the more comfortable option. We all hope to get older, and as much as we don't like to admit it time will march on all of us. Get something that is comfortable to shoot today and will still be comfortable in 5, 10, 20 years and I think you will have a winner!

 

[Rubberhead]

7mm RM, .30-06, .300 WM will all be much easier to find around gun stores in the US than 7x57.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The OP said he has a bad shoulder. 7x57 felt recoil around 14 ft lbs. 300wm around 26 ft lbs?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My lodge in Africa has 30-06 loaner rifles except for dangerous game. It's all I have ever used (except a couple of loaner situations). Shot my first elk in 1971 and last deer last year all with the same WWII Springfield 30-06. And a couple tons of big game in between (+ a dozen deer before the elk). It's been to Africa three times since 2019 and headed back again. 30-06 is the most versatile cartridge ever made and probably the most popular. But it's so widely used, it's considered boring by many. The concensus seems to be one is not supposed to go to Africa to be boring. Personally, I go to Africa to hunt. Could care less about any notions of boring. 30-06 is all about the business of hunting. I think 7mm Mauser is almost the same cartridge. It would be a fine choice. As others have pointed out, 30-06 ammo is a little easier to find usually. And right now ANY ammo is not easy to find so "easier" might tip the scales.

 

[akrifleman]

My kids kill elk well enough with a 7mm-08 (nearly identical to your 7x57) that I sometimes wonder why I pack bigger stuff for elk.



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We load 140 Accubonds at mild velocities (your only option is mild with a 16.25” barrel, lol) and they have been reliable killers on antelope, deer and elk.

I've never met the person who regretted a 7mm-08. I have met many people who have overlooked it and can't explain why.

 

[Nevada Mike]

While the 7 X 57 is the sentimental choice and excellent, but for a 'all around'practical hunting rifle I would choose the 280 Rem or the 7mm RM.

Here's why:
1. Ammo and brass availability is much better
2. Either is superior to the 7 X 57 for longer range shooting
3. Both can handle the heavier 7mm bullets better/faster than the 7 X 57.
5. Recoil levels on the bigger 7mms is quite tolerable.
4. I have used a 7mm RM (with Nosler PTs or Swift AFs) for many years and taken deer, elk, waterbuck, impala, zebra, roan, hartebeest, and more. It just works.

I had a M70 7X57 and had it rechambered for 280 AI as my general mountain rifle. It is very close in performance to my favorite 7mmRM, but over a pound lighter.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I've never met the person who regretted a 7mm-08. I have met many people who have overlooked it and can't explain why.

The only reason I have passed on them is ammo price, no other reason.

 

[yumastepside]

.....split the difference....284 Winchester

Roger

 

[Doug3006]

300 H&H. Just ‘cause!

 

[Aaron N]

Would you be hunting out west for a little extra reach is advantageous? If so, go for the RM. If not, the 7x57 will preform

 

[akrifleman]

The only reason I have passed on them is ammo price, no other reason.

? The price is about the same as 308/30-06 premium hunting ammo

 

[WAB]

I owned only a 7x57 for big game for 20+ years. It never let me down. I shot a number of elk with it but I did not stretch the range on elk.

If I were buying one rifle today for NA and Africa PG, and recoil were a concern, I would seriously consider a little more long range punch with a .325 WSM or 8x68.

 

[hseII]

W

I am looking to get a rifle that I can shoot deer in N America and possibly an elk but mostly deer as well as plains game in Africa. I’m open to most anything but leaning towards a 7mm RM or .275 Rigby (7x57mm) if I’m not mistaken. I am stuck between them and I have asked everyone I know and I’m still stuck. So I’d love to hear whatever y’all’s opinions are!
Thanks in advance,
Swampy

PS I have a shoulder that isn’t to great so that’s why I’m leaning towards a smaller rounds.

7RM is ok as is the 7x57 but both are dated.

You’ll find more support with the newer PRC family- that’s just how things are trending.

To give perspective, the 300WM factory ammo was once everywhere but I was in a store not too long ago & the 300PRC ammo was there in quantities if not 10:1 over the 300WM then at least 8:1 over.

The big folks are focused on the new stuff.

If you are hung on a 7mm do all then I would suggest a 7mm PRC. It’s going to do what the 7mm RM does, just more efficient & without the belt.

 

[hseII]

I've never met the person who regretted a 7mm-08. I have met many people who have overlooked it and can't explain why.

Ignorance. They don’t understand math & sweat spots.

Both of my whitetail deer were harvested with 150 grain ELDX bullets out of a 7mm-08 last year.

I know it’s blasphemy but I like it better than my same gun in .308.

The 7mm-08 just plain kills.

 

[Buck0317]

For me it's really about bullet quality more than velocity. If you're keeping your shots under 400 yards there is no reason not to go with the 7x57 and good 150-160 grian bullet, unlees you like more recoil and muzzle blast?. I'm really partial to the 160gr accubond in my 280 Remington (about 100 FPS faster than a well loaded 7x57). So far I haven't found an elk, deer, antelope, blackbear, or hog that it won't kill if I do my part.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Last year an African property owner took us to his ultra fancy range. He let me shoot his ultra fancy 300 PRC. The TV monitor showed I hit the target about 3" left of the bull ... at 1,000 meters. Interesting. But one shot was enough. Never in my life would I shoot at a big game animal that far away. Not even if I could find a duplicate rifle and scope. Hunting skill is getting close, not lobbing bullets long distance.

 

[akrifleman]

Ignorance. They don’t understand math & sweat spots.

Both of my whitetail deer were harvested with 150 grain ELDX bullets out of a 7mm-08 last year.

I know it’s blasphemy but I like it better than my same gun in .308.

The 7mm-08 just plain kills.

Took me a while to come around. I suffered from the need for speed, and owned 7 magnums. But having a kid makes you realize the bullet was doing the work, and they were knocking them down just as effectively. Possibly more so, as recoil impacts everyone. I still have big and medium bores (we'll never give up our 375 Rugers), but the 7mm-08 works like a champ. The substantial problem with the 7mm-08 is its boring. We all are highly susceptible to something more "flashy".

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ignorance. They don’t understand math & sweat spots.

Both of my whitetail deer were harvested with 150 grain ELDX bullets out of a 7mm-08 last year.

I know it’s blasphemy but I like it better than my same gun in .308.

The 7mm-08 just plain kills.

I suspect there's quite a few on here who don't understand sweat spots. I spent six years working in an aluminum plant and many seasons fighting wildfire. I know something about sweat spots.