Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Let's talk 7X57 - just got one today!

I needed this like a need another 4-wheel drive truck with a V-8 in the driveway but I just couldn't resist!
It called my name darn it! I had to!
Brought home a tang-safety Ruger 77 in 7X57 caliber.
Serial number has it being made in 1982 and the overall condition is close to 95%.
It came with what look to be Ruger medium or High rings and the barrel is slick.
I have a .280 Mtn Rifle and a .257 Mtn Rifle so this one really doesn't fill a need. When I start reloading this year I have a decent selection of 7MM bullets for the .280 and figure I could use some with the 7X57.
What's a good factory load to try?
What bullet weights work well for deer?
What's your favorite handload for this caliber?
I know many here and elsewhere have spoken highly of this caliber and it's capabilities so this was a deciding factor in me wanting to give it a try.
I'll try to post some pictures later.
Thanks!
WFR

I am just getting into the 7X57 myself, but depending on throat length, I have been using 160 gr Sierra BTSP with good results. I have yet to shoot any game with it, tho....

160 gr sounds big! Will it stabilize the 139gr Hornady rounds and the Speer 140's?

47grs H4350 and 154gr Hornady.

49grs H4350 and 140gr Nosler Partition.

It shoots a 7mm bullet at decent velocity, as such it will kill about like any other 7mm shooting a 7mm bullet.

P.S. What bullets work good on deer for you from your 280? The same will work good on deer from your 7x57.

This is why I was hoping I could use the Hornady 139gr.
What kind of game have you used the 7X57 to take?
I'm thinking a Leupold VXII 2-7X33 will work fine for the distances I will be using it.

You might have a long throat in the early 80's model. It might shoot the longer bullets better.

With the 139 Hornady, I'd go H-4350 with around 48-50 grains.
My 7X57 Mnt Rifle likes 50 grns of H-4350 pushing 145grn Grand Slams.

What would the going rate be for a rifle like I just picked up?

The 7x57 with 140 grain bullets is a good combo. We use 140 grain Nosler Partitions in ours, with enough Deer kills to prove the combo works. But, other bullet weights should work as well.
I have some old Barnes 190 grain bullets I'm working on now, in the 7x57.

I have had several, steel bottomed HVAs, Brno ZKK-600s and fice Brno 21Hs, this is a SUPERB cartridge, among the BEST for serious hunting anywhere.

I use 140NPs over 48-H-4350 and this will do anything you want, some chambers will take more, some a bit less. If, you WANT more bullet weight, go with a 175NP over RE-22 or H-4831SC, Winchester or Norma brass and a mag. primer.

The old 7 Mauser and the almost as hoary 9.3x62 Bock-Mauser are STILL among the most useful HUNTING cartridges out there, just easy to shoot, accurate and powerful enough. I am using both more and more and bigger blasters less and less.

This is my first Ruger 77 (own several Rem 700's).
Should the rings be the same height?
One is noticably taller than the other.
Thanks!

Lots of great input so far.

I have had great luck with RL-19 and a Hornady 162grain SST in both of my Rugers(#1 & M77).
From both of the 22" barrels they get over the chronograph at 2640fps.

Works fine on Black Bear,White-tail,Mule Deer and three Moose.

Mike

Congrats. on your 7X57.

I would REALLY like to have one of those, especially a Ruger tang safety.

Enjoy!

WFR,

My brother has that exact rifle. The rings should be standard Ruger rings that came with the rifle new, but can't say what you got.

My dad loaded for my brother's 7x57, and I've looked at the data, but can't recall it exactly. Steelheads numbers look about righ with H4350 which is the powder my dad used with 140s...and it runs them @3000fps. Factory loads, for the most part will be weak. You can run that Ruger 7x57 pretty good with handloads. 140s up to 3000fps, 150s/154s up to 2850, 160s up to 2700 or so. Plenty 'nuff for deer and even elk from what I hear. I always thought I'd run 154RNs over some dose of H4350 @2800 or so if I had me a 7x57, which I plan to have in the near future.

My brother's required some bedding with front end pressure to get to shoot, but it shoots very well. Trigger job too.

Good luck.

I have that same rifle. It is a long throated thing. I've shot 140 and 160's out of mine. It will do around 1 1/4 inch groups with the 140's and a tad better with the 160's.
I loaded with 4350 and never got the 3000 level. In my rifle, the 140's would do between 2800 and 2900 fps.
I own other rifles that I use more these days, but I still like that Ruger 7X57. It now has a McMillan handle and a Leupie 6X42 scope on it and I'm thinking about using it more seriously again. I'm getting tired of loud hard recoiling rifles. The 7X57 always killed stuff dead and I think I need to use it more.

Good luck with yours.

BTW- The rings are two different heights to accomodate different heights on the action.

The 7X57 is a great round. It wouldn't still be chambered after a 100 plus year if it wasn't. I use it on deer. The 120 grain bullet in front of IMR 4895 is more accuate than I ever thought of being and drops deer dead.

You will forsake other options when you experience the gentle tap and mild report that makes big animals fall over.

AGW

Now that I look at it I see the height difference. Thanks!
You guys have me really pumped about this rifle!
I'd still like to know if I got a good deal or not so if anyone can give me a ballpark idea on value it would be appreciated.
Maybe I can get some pics up tomorrow.
I NEED to get my RCBS set up soon.
WFR