S&B 7x57 SPCE for Western Hunting

[Coues106]

Looking at picking up a Mauser in 7x57 as a gift for my brother in law and saw that there aren't a lot of offerings of factory loads in this caliber beyond the PPU and S&B FMJ/SP loads. Does anyone have experience with the 173gr SPCE load from Sellier and Bellot and can speak toward its ballistics on game? Shots would be 400 yards max, nothing bigger than spike elk, predominantly deer. Thank you!

 

[Muskox]

I can't get on the website, but ammoseek.com will give you access to all available loads in 7x57.

I live in Europe and they don't let me on.

RWS, Brenneke, Geco, Hornady, Norma, and as you said Smelly Belly are available here in Europe.

I would bet that PMP the South African company also makes 7x57 still. I can see it in google for Africa. Not sure if PMP is still imported to the USA or not.

Nosler has 7x57 in two loads, sells brass.

Federal has two loads on Cabelas.

It isn't a 270, but there is a lot more than you think.

Is it affordable compared to a 308......... no!

 

[mark-hunter]

I took number of game, roe deer and fallow with 308 win, 180 grain spce. In my early hunting years.

Cup and core bullet, soft point cutting edge.
Some times, depending of lot, the jacket is made of soft steel.
Recent Sellier and Bellot ammo lots show inconsistencies in accuracy.

With high velocity on impact, this bullet can easily desintegrate, loosing penetration.
On small game such as roe deer, animal up to 6o pounds, usually there is no exit wound, but it creates the shock, and game then often drops on the spot.
Application and terminal performanse of this bullet I would compare to nosler ballistic tip. Fast expansion, high chance of shock, and moderate penetration.
Spce stands for soft point cutting edge.
Due to cutting edge on the jacket, entry wound is clean, and open, this is designed for better blood spoor at least in theory.

Compare accuracy of SB with PPU, and take better one. I would not use it on elk, but for whitetail deer might be ok.

 

[jnmullins]

I am in the process of building up a 7x57 Sauer Mauser and plan to start out shooting this ammo, because the loaded ammo costs less than Norma brass. I have not used the SPCE in 7x57, but I have shot some 196gr SPCE in 8x57 and I’m pleased with it. It’s accurate and cuts a nice hole in the paper, so I expect the bullet design would work as advertised on deer. The heavy, less aerodynamic bullets are perfect here in the swamp where long shots are rare.

 

[Coues106]

I took number of game, roe deer and fallow with 308 win, 180 grain spce. In my early hunting years.

Cup and core bullet, soft point cutting edge.
Some times, depending of lot, the jacket is made of soft steel.
Recent Sellier and Bellot ammo lots show inconsistencies in accuracy.

With high velocity on impact, this bullet can easily desintegrate, loosing penetration.
On small game such as roe deer, animal up to 6o pounds, usually there is no exit wound, but it creates the shock, and game then often drops on the spot.
Application and terminal performanse of this bullet I would compare to nosler ballistic tip. Fast expansion, high chance of shock, and moderate penetration.
Spce stands for soft point cutting edge.
Due to cutting edge on the jacket, entry wound is clean, and open, this is designed for better blood spoor at least in theory.

Compare accuracy of SB with PPU, and take better one. I would not use it on elk, but for whitetail deer might be ok.

Great info, thank you. I might test its accuracy just for fun but this is excellent information.

 

[Frederik]

Looking at picking up a Mauser in 7x57 as a gift for my brother in law and saw that there aren't a lot of offerings of factory loads in this caliber beyond the PPU and S&B FMJ/SP loads. Does anyone have experience with the 173gr SPCE load from Sellier and Bellot and can speak toward its ballistics on game? Shots would be 400 yards max, nothing bigger than spike elk, predominantly deer. Thank you!

400 yards would be a stretch for the factory ammo beyond 300 you will need to know what the precise distance is and your bullet drop. You are roughly looking at a 25" drop at 400 yards with a 200 yard zero.

 

[Sika98k]

I’ve been using 173gr SPCE in my7x57 for the last while. It’s an ordinary cup and core bullet. While performing well on our thin skinned deer such as sika I would be reluctant to use them on thicker skinned animals in Africa. Any bullet remains I have recovered have simply been that, remains. No great retention of bullet mass.
Wheels up in approximately 9 weeks to Namibia. I will be back on 175gr Nosler Partitions for that hunt on predominately oryx.