7x57 for pronghorn

[m0ll0y]

Hello,

I have been drawn for pronghorn this fall and want to develop a load for my 7x57 for this fall's pronghorn hunt. I have read over the years that a 25-06 is basically the best cartridge for pronghorn hunting so my theory is to build a 7x57 load that mimics the 25-06. I found a load published by Speer that reports approx. 3300 MV from a 24" barrel using a 110 Gr projectile using 54.0 grains of W760. The stats seem in the same ballpark as a 25-06. I am comfortable shooting targets 400 yards away. My guide has recommended that I become comfortable shooting targets 500-600 yards away.

What do you think? Can you spot any blind spots in my thinking? Do you have better suggestions? I am open to advice.

-Mike(Junior Pronghorn Hunter)

 

[FDCaptain]

Hello,

I have been drawn for pronghorn this fall and want to develop a load for my 7x57 for this fall's pronghorn hunt. I have read over the years that a 25-06 is basically the best cartridge for pronghorn hunting so my theory is to build a 7x57 load that mimics the 25-06. I found a load published by Speer that reports approx. 3300 MV from a 24" barrel using a 110 Gr projectile using 54.0 grains of W760. The stats seem in the same ballpark as a 25-06. I am comfortable shooting targets 400 yards away. My guide has recommended that I become comfortable shooting targets 500-600 yards away.

What do you think? Can you spot any blind spots in my thinking? Do you have better suggestions? I am open to advice.

-Mike(Junior Pronghorn Hunter)

You didn't mention where you're hunting that you would need to shoot 500-600 yds. I been hunting antelope in Colorado for decades and have never had to shoot over 200 yds. Focus on shooting an accurate load, MV is not everything if your rifle won't print consistent groups. There is no 'best' cartridge, that's a myth. I use an '06 w/ 150gr. partitions at 2800fps.

 

[Kittitas George]

I've used and loaned my 25-06 to my shooting partner, we have killed quite a few antelope. We have never shot at 400 yards or more. I loaded 120 grain Nosler Partition bullets and not at max speed. It worked well on antelope and mule deer. Lighter bullets 75 to 90 grain were used for sage rats, gophers and prairie dogs, way out there.

 

[m0ll0y]

You didn't mention where you're hunting that you would need to shoot 500-600 yds. I been hunting antelope in Colorado for decades and have never had to shoot over 200 yds. Focus on shooting an accurate load, MV is not everything if your rifle won't print consistent groups. There is no 'best' cartridge, that's a myth. I use an '06 w/ 150gr. partitions at 2800fps.

I drew for an Arizona unit south east of Flagstaff, AZ. I don't really know how far my potential targets will be but my guide simply advised being competent at these ranges. The farthest target I have shot at is only 400 yards. I will start to get used to it though in April. Thanks for your reply.

 

[m0ll0y]

I've used and loaned my 25-06 to my shooting partner, we have killed quite a few antelope. We have never shot at 400 yards or more. I loaded 120 grain Nosler Partition bullets and not at max speed. It worked well on antelope and mule deer. Lighter bullets 75 to 90 grain were used for sage rats, gophers and prairie dogs, way out there.

Thanks for your input. I tend to like heavier bullets in general however I am open minded about new ideas too. I have heard that it does not take much to put a pronghorn down and to be more focused on accuracy than having a load that had a specific level of power. Again, thanks for your feedback.

 

[Monte F]

243 win. with 95gr. partition at 200 paces. Took two steps before falling over. As stated before most shots will be less than 400 yards unless it is really wide open (think Wyoming) where something like the 264 win mag rules. Accuracy and fairly flat shooter is preferred over energy of a much larger cartridge. I think if you can make good wind call shots at 400 or less as the vital area is not large on a Pronghorn is the most important thing.

 

[358WCF]

Hello,

I have been drawn for pronghorn this fall and want to develop a load for my 7x57 for this fall's pronghorn hunt. I have read over the years that a 25-06 is basically the best cartridge for pronghorn hunting so my theory is to build a 7x57 load that mimics the 25-06. I found a load published by Speer that reports approx. 3300 MV from a 24" barrel using a 110 Gr projectile using 54.0 grains of W760. The stats seem in the same ballpark as a 25-06. I am comfortable shooting targets 400 yards away. My guide has recommended that I become comfortable shooting targets 500-600 yards away.

What do you think? Can you spot any blind spots in my thinking? Do you have better suggestions? I am open to advice.

-Mike(Junior Pronghorn Hunter)

Mike,

How does that 110gr @ 3300fps shoot in your rifle. How about on windy days? Aren't they thin jacket varmint bullets? What looks good on paper & the real world often dont jive. You may be happier with a 120 Ballistic Tip or similar proven medium game bullet.

My old Ruger 7x57 wants nothing to do with lightweight stuff. It has a throat that would make Linda Lovelace jealous. It will shoot 140 thru 160s, seated way long, pretty well but doubt if any of those loads are accurate enough for anything much past 250-300 yds. Of course your rifle may be different.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Load up anything that is accurate around 130 grain/140 grain. I never seen a antelope run any faster than 2347 fps so anything above that is ok that is accurate. I would hope a guide would get me closer than 600 yards. The best Cartridge is one you can shoot a lot and accurately, not so much what the marketeers say. I shoot most of mine with a 257 roberts with 87-100 grain bullets.

 

[ebb]

Nosler 25-06 115 grain BC .453 FPS 3167 Nosler 7mm Mauser 120 grain BC .417 FPS 3047 From the Nosler load data page. I had no idea it would be this close.

 

[dk17hmr]

I have killed allot of antelope here in Wyoming and have used all sorts of rifles and bullets. They aren't that hard to kill if you hit them in the chest they generally go down pretty quickly. I have shot a handful over 400 yards in difficult units but most are sub 200.

I'd stay away from varmint bullets. If you can get lightweight monolithic bullets to shoot at high velocity that would be my choice.

25-06AI with 100gr Barnes at 3550 and a 6.5 SS shooting a 122gr Cayuga at 3400 does great for me. My dad shot one with a 25-06 and 85gr Nosler ballistic tips that turned into a rodeo once because it didn't seem to get into the chest cavity.

 

[Murray Brook]

If I were you I would completely forget about the 25/06 ballistics. The 7x57 is a very capable medium game round in itself. I would look at bullets around the 130/145 gr weight. Powders I would look at would be WW760/Varget/StaBal 6.5/ H-100V. Shouldn't be a problem to get 3000 ft/sec in a good bolt action (24" barrel) with these especially the 130 gr bullets. Will give you good down range energy. JMO

 

[Liven The Dream]

7x57 took a lot of Game in Africa in past years even Elephants?
I hand one on a 98 Mauser Action 140gr. Sierra's back then .
Flat knocked Deer off the feet . Miss that Rifle.

 

[m0ll0y]

243 win. with 95gr. partition at 200 paces. Took two steps before falling over. As stated before most shots will be less than 400 yards unless it is really wide open (think Wyoming) where something like the 264 win mag rules. Accuracy and fairly flat shooter is preferred over energy of a much larger cartridge. I think if you can make good wind call shots at 400 or less as the vital area is not large on a Pronghorn is the most important thing.
View attachment 1756697

Great looking mount, I'm sure that was fun getting so close to one. Thanks for your post.

 

[m0ll0y]

Mike,

How does that 110gr @ 3300fps shoot in your rifle. How about on windy days? Aren't they thin jacket varmint bullets? What looks good on paper & the real world often dont jive. You may be happier with a 120 Ballistic Tip or similar proven medium game bullet.

My old Ruger 7x57 wants nothing to do with lightweight stuff. It has a throat that would make Linda Lovelace jealous. It will shoot 140 thru 160s, seated way long, pretty well but doubt if any of those loads are accurate enough for anything much past 250-300 yds. Of course your rifle may be different.

Just some thoughts.

Thanks for your post. I just got the bullets for this idea in the mail so I have not shot any yet. My Winchester shoots 140 gr Nosler partitions beautifully. I'm prepping my cases today and will shoot some next week. I have Speer bullets and Barnes TTSXs in 110 gr. weight. I was going to practice withe Speers for most of my trigger time and use the Barnes for the hunt if I settle on this load. Thanks for your thoughts on the 120s. I'll probably try them too.

 

[m0ll0y]

Load up anything that is accurate around 130 grain/140 grain. I never seen a antelope run any faster than 2347 fps so anything above that is ok that is accurate. I would hope a guide would get me closer than 600 yards. The best Cartridge is one you can shoot a lot and accurately, not so much what the marketeers say. I shoot most of mine with a 257 roberts with 87-100 grain bullets.

I kind of cringe thinking of shooting a big game animal past 400 yards. I have bow hunted quite a bit so I typically like to get really close. Thanks for your input.