I am set on getting a cabelas 50 th anniversary Winchester model 70. The two calibers left are. 264 mag or 7x57. I have always hunted with a savage model 110 .270. However I want a classic looking deer rifle with a nice wood stock. The gun will be used in the field for big trophy bucks. I believe both will work however I don't have experience with either caliber. I am leaning more towards the. 264 but would like to hear some opinions.

I gotta go with the 6.5 Win Mag on these two. Load it with a 140 gr. and it'll kill anything big enough to die.

I looked at a 168 gr. bullet loaded with everything Hodgdon recommends for the cartridge and the velocities didn't impress me. If I can't run a 168 gr (or heavier) in a 7mm at, at least, 2600 fps I'm not very happy with it.

7x57......one of the best cartridges ever created. I'm getting right at 3000fps with a 120gr Barnes and it will kill anything in Texas. There are several early African explorers/hunters that used it to take animals as big as elephant with it.

If you handload, 264. Factory loads seem pretty mild and produce similar ballistics to a 270 win. Make sure the 264 has a 26" barrel. 7x57 isn't a speed demon, so factory ammo would not hurt performance.

Which store are you buying from?

I had a friend that swore the 7x57 was the most accurate long range gun he ever owned. However the. 264 also gets a lot of compliments. Cabelas in buda tx has the 7x57 in stock. The. 264 will have to be shipped from up north. I should have bought one back when the. 270's were still available.

Which store are you buying from? [/quote]

I will buy or pick up at the buda location.

Go with the 7x57....

Have both, unless you reload you will not get the most from either of these cartridges. A lot of the reloading data for the 7X57 is watered down just like the factory loads are out of respect for the 100+ year old rifles that are out there for it. The 264 factory loads are not much better than the 270 Win. There are powders like Magpro that improve on the velocity for reloaders. if you go the 264 route for factory ammo I would try the HSM and Nosler, the Winchester and Remington loads did not impress me at all for accuracy or velocity.

2 famous folks that used the 7X57 a lot were Bell for elephant and Eleanor O'connor (Jack's wife). Bell used the British named 275 Rigby which is the same cartridge as the 7X57 just renamed.

If loaded for modern guns the 7X57 will best velocities of the 7mm-08 by a little.

Both will take care of any animal in the lower 48 without a problem.

I would go with the 7x57 simply because the long barrel is not required like it is for the .264.

I looked up those guns, the 7x57 is 22" and .264 is 26". The 7x57 is a Super Grade Featherweight that has me wanting to sell my CZ in 7x57 and get one.

Forgot to mention that, if the 264 barrel is less than 26 inches, I would for sure go with the 7X57

7x57, way more nostalgia, my 10 year old son killed a huge muley in Gaines county last year with a 7x57 at 300 yards, one shot and the buck went about 20 yards and piled up, my daughter shot her first muley as well with it when she was 8, very pleasant to shoot, as accurate as any rifle I own, and will take down anything asked of it, I'd planned to reload for it, but it shoots the Federal factory partitions so well that I have never had to

As much as I love my 264 (and I don't currently own a 7x57), I would recommend the 7MM. The 264 is really a niche cartridge for open country deer/antelope. But with current Winny and Rem factory ammo, it's just a loud 270. With proper reloads it's hell on wheels, but it's somewhat specialized, and not what I would pick for an all around deer rifle.

264

7x57. Easier on shoulder, ears, and pocketbook. Either will be deadly on animals, but 7x57 has more "cool factor". Gotta love those 100+ year old rounds that just keep on trucking.

I would go 7x57. I've used one for years on deer and pig, Always gets the job done. Shot a 150 at 364yds 2 yrs ago... drt. Love that gun.

the .264 shares a case with a 7mm Remington mag.


I am a fan of the .264 mag but the factory loads equal .270 performance. however, 7x57 mauser factory loads are watered down too so its a moot point.


I would get the .264 win mag, for the reason its a Winchester cartridge originally chambered in its "westerner" rifle if I remember correctly.

the 7x57 is a fine cartridge, but would rather have that chambered in a traditional mauser action to keep things historically accurate.

yes I agree the super grade featherweight is a real head Turner. I was looking at a model 700 Bdl until I saw the super grade Winchester and I was hooked. The 7x57 will probably be the one I go with.

How about an old Mannlicher-Schoenauer? This is mine in 7x57.

Yep, just like that. Gotta keep it real

I personally think they are both a little light to be hunting with. I won't hunt anything with a rifle less than 3o cal.

7x57 gets my vote

7x57

7X57, it will take anything you want in Texas and I wouldn't hesitate using it on elk.