Yes this is what i noticed as well. This summer i was working up a few loads for my brother in-law and niece who had bought a tikka T3x SS/laminate in 8x57 and i surprisingly had trouble getting this tikka to shoot. I was looking at getting them setup with a specific bullet and certain velocity...
A mild load. 170 gr Speer hot cor at 2500 fps. This load was supposed to be my practice load but it shot so well in several 8mm's, loaded up a couple hundred, and decided to use them up for hunting aswell.
Here's how this ammo shot at 100 yards out of a scoped rifle. 5 shot group.
My camping/hiking rifle for the off season is a old Husqvarna M98 in 8mm with 195gr Interlocks at 2500 fps. Shoots great and shoulders and comes up as if its an extension of my arm.
Here's another decent black bear I shot over the weekend. Tagged out faster than i expected. Two bears within two weeks (weekend hunts). 180 yard shot with the 8x57 180gr Barnes TSX loaded to 2780 fps. Double shoulder/lung shot. Dropped at the shot. Clean pass through with good entry and exit...
The 243 isn't my first choice but she being recoil sensitive and being able to shoot it accurately had my confidence up. I also had my 8mm running with 180gr TSX in case of needing a follow up.
This weekend I had the time to take out my 13 year old niece bear hunting. Ended up with a beautiful chocolate black bear. Squaring 7 foot. She shot it with a 243 win, 100 grain corelokt. 150 yards. Hit the rear lungs, clean pass through. Dropped on the spot. She and I couldn't be happier for...
Nice rifle you got there, the 7x57 is such a classic.
Since were talking about the 7x57, last evening I had the opportunity to tag out on a nice color phase black bear with my 1912 Mauser!
Here's some action from my spring bear hunt here in Canada. One shot with the old 7x57 with 173gr S&B ammo. At 2370 fps. 100 yards, bear dropped at the shot but got back up and made it 20 yards, letting out a death moan. Bear squared 5'9", not my biggest but a good example of color phased black...
This is why i said " out of that list". My Mauser' are top choices but they're not on that multiple choice list.
Original Intermediate length action 1912 Mauser. 7x57
Original Modern Production M98 7x57
A few come to mind, starting with 257 Roberts, 7x57, 325 wsm, and the 8mm Rem Mag. Another two also come to mind that arent popular here in North america but are very popular in Europe. The 8x57 and 7x64.
I noticed the other day a few Canadian online dealers posted some new stock for Nosler accubonds and ballistic tips. Not much but still nice to see it show up. The prices are pretty steep at :
70$ CAD for .270 130 NAB
50$ CAD for .308 150 Ballistic tips
84$ CAD for .308 150 NAB
At those...
As of lately speer has been my best option. In my area i've been finding good stock and the prices is alot lower than the rest of the competition. They shoot great in my rifles and have proven themselves reliable preformers with the velocities im pushing.
The 250gr Nosler PT out of my 338 win mag @ 2650fps penciled through a large black bear neck at only 200 yards. Had to finish him with follow ups. At 475 yards i would be hard pressed to use one.
Another factor to keep into account is the reloads. How many times fired was the brass on? 3-4X on...
Using a Sauer 100Xt with a 22inch barrel. Yes, im running my load which is safe in my rifle at high pressure. Using H4895 and worked up. I would not recommend this load in older mauser rifles.
Heres another bullet recovered from one of my deer last year. 175 yard shot. Started at 2780 fps out of the 8x57 sauer 100 22 inch barrel, shot front on in the chest. Recovered 180gr, 100% weight retention. Good expansion.