2 of 3 7x57R factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 600 yd (Norma 160 gr Tipstrike). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma 160 gr Tipstrike | 160 | 600 | 2,625 | 1,176 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 156 gr Oryx | 156 | 350 | 2,608 | 727 | yes |
| Norma 150 gr Jaktmatch FMJ | 150 | wrong bullet | 2,641 | 987 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.