7x57 masuer for 12 year old

[BigfishCanada]

Guys, I have one friend offering to sell me his customized, short barrel, 7x57 for my son. He said it has very little recoil and weighs less than 6lbs. then my other friend is saying im crazy, that I should get a .243 and he has a .243 for sale. From what I read the 7x57 has a way better bunch and more selection from grain bullets. Please help me with feedback on this rifle, the guy with the .243 has really scared me on not buying that 7x57

[Cookie1965]

If recoil is a factor I don't see how a 6 pound 7x57 can possibly be as low recoil as a .243

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

[Blainer]

the 7x57 should be manageable.
Ask him to let your son fire it and make the decision.
It is the better caliber in my mind and will be with your son longer as he grows.

[1899]

The 7x57 is an excellent chambering. I am wondering about a 6lb version. Is it a pre M98 version Mauser? That would mean you should restrict loads to the lower pressure loads - not that you'd be limited in any practical way by that. As for recoil, there are many factors involved, including fit of the rifle. A poorly fitting rifle will feel like it kicks more than one that fits properly. You can also add a good recoil pad, plus tailor suitable loads.

For example, a 120gr Ballistic Tip and a starting load with a variety of powders should give around 2650 fps and about 11.5 lbs of recoil in 6lb rifle. A .243 Win in a 6lb rifle shooting 100gr bullets at 3000fps will have about 12 lbs of recoil. Both will efficiently kill deer.

[Ronforca]

My wife and I both carry the 7x57.My wife is a petite lady.There is not enough recoil to bother her.It is a very versatile caliber.

[1899]

And you are talking about a 12 year old - both of those chamberings should be fine in the recoil department.

[BigfishCanada]

yes he is 12 years old, im worried he will outgrow a .243 too quick hunting bear or longer shots. I have heard the .243 is a within 100 yard shot , where the 7x57 you can take larger game at further distance?

[Blainer]

True bullet diameter for the 7mm was and is 7.2mm or (.284”). The M93 rifle chambered in 7x57 was mild to shoot, accurate and although the load featured a round nose projectile, it produced vastly superior aerodynamic performance in comparison to other cartridge designs of the day.

[Jagermeister]

I have a preference for the 7X57. I have owned both 7X57 and .243win.
So my recommendation for your son is the 7X57. He will enjoy it for many years.
Jack O'Conner's wife used to accompany him on many northern BC hunts and that her go to rifle was the 7X57.

[warnniklz]

7x57.... the original 7mm_08

[pescado]

.243 would be my choice. He can step it up to another larger caliber when he gets older and have it all covered. .243 is good well out past a 100 that's for sure. A 6lb custom 7x57 is a rifle I would like in my quiver though......

[ruger#1]

7x57.... the original 7mm_08 7x57 was around during the Spanish American war. The 7mm08 came around the nineteen eighties. I owned a 243 and a 7X57mm. I sold the 243.

[warnniklz]

7x57 was around during the Spanish American war. The 7mm08 came around the nineteen eighties. I owned a 243 and a 7X57mm. I sold the 243.

That's what I meant by the original... 7mm_08 knocked off the 7x57. 90ish years and 6mm difference. Anyways... I think I'm going to hang out with my buddy Jack D now.

[bigben]

7x57 is a beautiful calibre he should fit into no problem you shoot them both and you will be surprise there is no differance excellent calibre and lots more to pick from for grains hornandy 139 sst is a deer slayer for sure hope this helps good luck and happy huntin

[ruger#1]

That's what I meant by the original... 7mm_08 knocked off the 7x57. 90ish years and 6mm difference. Anyways... I think I'm going to hang out with my buddy Jack D now.
You better be drinking with Jim Beam .

[25hunter]

I have no personal experience with the 7x57, but my friend started off with a .243 until he was about 13 then switched to the 7x57 using the same 160 gr hand loads as his dad. Never had any recoil issues. He took a lot of animals with that gun before he traded up to a 300 about 20 years later.

[Citori54]

I also vote for the 7x57. It is a more versatile caliber, recoil is modest. You can always load it down which is what I did with a .308 for my son when he was young.

[Surrey Boy]

7x57 doesn't have much recoil IME, less than a 303 and similar to a 25-06.

[coach]

I picked up one of these for our kids. http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/past/catalog.asp?family=past-recoil-pads Works great until they built the confidence to shoot without it.

[Hunter325]

I got my 243 when i was 13 and shot a lot of moose with it. Lots of shots from 80-341 yards. My brother and I shot my 243 and one shot from that running 95 grain fusion bullets. It dropped that bull moose in his tracks at 341yards. Entered base of neck and going through to opposite shoulder. I bought another 243 for my girlfriend. Just my opinion.

[hopsing]

Guys, I have one friend offering to sell me his customized, short barrel, 7x57 for my son. He said it has very little recoil and weighs less than 6lbs. then my other friend is saying im crazy, that I should get a .243 and he has a .243 for sale. From what I read the 7x57 has a way better bunch and more selection from grain bullets. Please help me with feedback on this rifle, the guy with the .243 has really scared me on not buying that 7x57

7X57 is a prime caliber. Tons of option specially if you handload. Your son can grow into that rifle without changing and really get to know it ins and out. He can use it for years to come. Give him tons of bullets to practice with & he will not complain about shoulder problem, It will give him confidence. Good for all big games.

[kootenayslam]

7x57 killed my first buck at 10yrs old...great cal

[250 sav]

both good but if don't handload the 7x57 will cost you double to shot. A new hunter should shoot and get meaningfull practice.

[Weatherby Fan]

Either caliber would be fine for your son,don't underestimate the 243 as I know guys that have killed everything in BC short of Bison and Grizzly with it, I'm going to hunt with my 240wby this year,I'm thinking it will perform just fine.
WF

[Spokerider]

Allow him to wear ear plugs and a good set off muffs when practicing / range shooting. There is "felt" recoil and "perceived" recoil, the latter coming mostly from the blast. This alone will help tame any caliber for your lad.

[Phreddy]

My vote's definitely on the 7x57. Had one years ago and swapped it for another caliber. Been kicking myself in the ass ever since. It is an awesome calibre and as Jagermeister said, it's a long term caliber. Put a good Leupold or Vortex scope on it and he'll thank you til his dying day for the choice.

[barry1974w]

I vote for 7X57, it was W.D.M Bells favorite elephant rifle.....

[Salty]

Nuther vote for the 7mm. Even if you don't handload its a good choice. North American 7x57 ammo tends to be quite mild due to old rifles with weaker actions still around and so chambered. This is a good thing for the situation at hand; its not the most common ammo but any decent sized hunting store will have offerings from pretty much all the NA companies. I haven't noticed it being overly expensive unless you get in to Euro made stuff, which is loaded hotter btw.

[ruger#1]

I shot these two whitetails back in 1980s. Both head shots. Interarms 7X57mm with 160grn Nosler partitions. I'am still kicking myself in the ass for selling it. http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/whitetails.jpg

[MichelD]

I've got a lightweight Husqvarna 7x57 and I wouldn't hesitate to let a 12 year old shoot it.

[Spy]

Ayone got pet loads for the 7x57? I got one for my 11 year old daughter and have many 139g SST'S available to reload !