Hi folks
I've long owned 7x57 rifles, recently became interested in a rifle chambered for .308 win.
I've never owned a 308, but saw load data that seems to suggest that it's not much faster than a 303?

For a hand loader, from a ballistic perspective (hunting only) how do the two cartridges (7x57 vs 308) compare to one another?
Is it six of one half a dozen of the other or are they completely different animals?

Both are good calibers the .308 can be pushed a little faster than a 7x57 and can handle a heavier bullet than a 7x57 can....

Both are good cartridges.......

If you do ballistic gacking for both, and run the 7x57 to modern pressures, it is pretty much a wash at sub 500 yards. I've gacked those numbers a 1000 times and still shoot my 308. A 308 150 gr TSX at 2900 is very close to a 7mm 139 LRX at 2900 - pick your poison.

Thanks for the replies guys, sounds like they are pretty much/very close.

From your experience with the 7mm Mauser, you have probably discovered that it takes a little (sometimes a lot) of effort to achieve gilt edge accuracy perhaps. I think in a properly bedded rifle you may discover the .308 is a turn key and go cartridge. In my experience it will cheerfully eat almost anything and return gratifying accuracy with a minimum of tinkering. In these times of component supply issues, the ability to keep a rifle fed with what you have on hand trumps any imaginary ballistic nitpicking. One man's opinion.

For the handloader, I`m sure you`ve read gobs of stuff about both. I have both..tend to lean to the 7x57. I like slippery 7mm bullets..
But, component brass can be a bugger sometimes for the 7, where 308 stuff is usually just a walk to the range for pick-up. Also, not many corner hard ware stores carry 7x57 ammo, if you find your self in a pinch.

Hell, buy the gun, shouldn`t have a problem peddling it if it don`t fit.

There ain't a nickel's difference between them in regards to killing power and ballistics, assuming that is that the 7x57 is loaded to 7-08 pressures and you can get acceptable accuracy with it. .308 is easier to get accuracy as a rule and has a wider selection of factory ammo.

I've owned and used multiple rifles in both chamberings. Love 'em both.

Believe Me, A Deer won't care.

Six of one and a half dozen of the other. I have both and if the 7x57 is properly handloaded will do anything the .308 can do and do it just as well. I suppose one could say, but the .308 can shoot 200 and 220 gr. bullets. I'd say back, but how many people do? I've done some testing of 220 gr. Sierra round nose in a .308 with 22" barrel and with W760 a hair over 2300 FPS is possible. Practical? Who knows. If I have to hunt something the needs a bullet that heavy, I'll go to a lot bigger cartridge.. Oh, a I load the 7x57 using 7-08 data and working up.
Paul B.

How many pages, ya reckon, this one goes....?

DF

One has panache, the other is just a good cartridge.

Thanks guys I bought the 308!

That’s not the one with the panache…

Reasonable choice. Practical to the max.

“Practical” has no bearing concerning Loony stuff.

Ha!

DF

Probably not as many as the 6.5 CM threads..

Years of scrounging brass, i have more free 308 brass than anything.

Yard sale gun powder and a 5000 count ammo can of 200 grain hot cors(same yard sale)........ 308 for the win! 30 cal 200 grainers are the bison legal minimum up here in AK.

The rifle and scope was $100 used:

Mainer, that is a great picture.

Hard to beat that. Any way you look at it..

I have and like both. If I could keep only one it would be my 7x57.
My 7x57 easily shoots sub-MOA. But my 7x57 is a Remington Classic and my 308 is a Berga and the Classic is more accurate.

Since I only shoot handloads, it’s the 7x57. If I shot only factory loads I’d choose the 308, but I’d like it in a 700 please.

The OP bought a 308 two posts after you posted so mission accomplished. Since theres little need for further inquiry it shouldn't go more than 10 more pages 😁

Well at least you can find 308 at big box stores. Mb

Been using both for 30 years. I have only owned one 7x57 but many 308 rifles. Nothing I have shot with one couldn't have been taken with the other. I like the way the 7x57 fits Mauser actions better and for short actions a 308 is it. Today if I had to pick one considering components the 308 would get the nod.

I shoot both, 7x57 inapost 64 ,70 Featherweight, 308 in a Model 70 Mannlicher, 19 " barrel and ape 64 Model 70 featherweight, handling makes more of a difference than the caliber, love both but 7x57 has tha mystique.

After years of tinkering with 150 grain .308 ammo, I moved on up to 165 grain and never looked back. Use it on elk too now.