Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Loads for the 1A in 7x57

I am a novice with the 7 x 57 and I a looking for deer loads. Do you have some loads to share for the 7 x 57 you like/use for deer? I am thinking a 130 or 140, probably a 140.

I can't believe this but I was in Boston, GA over the weekend, this is a cute little no traffic light town. I'm not even sure it's on the map. I was in the hardware store buying some bolts and washers, and there was a box of 7 x 57 on the shelf. Best of all it was 139gr RN and priced at $11.50 a box. The bad part was there was only the one box. Who would have thought it.

My Ruger #1 International (aka "RSI") in 7x57 loves H4350. At a maximum "book" load of 50.0 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain, flat based Sierra ProHunter bullet sparked by a standard Winchester large rifle primer in Remington cartridge cases. My rifle's short 20-inch barrel shoots a 3 shot group of .404 inches at 50 yards with a muzzle velocity of about 2785 fps.

My best 3-shot group measured just .176 inches at 50 yards. My target load is 47.2 grains of H4350 using the same components as in my hunting load. Muzzle velocity of my target load is a chronographed 2578 fps.

I've seen other posts concerning the 7x57 and it seems that a great many rifles shooting that cartridge "like" H4350.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

I have several 7x57 rifles and a bud of mine has a custom #1. We have had outstanding success in terms of accuracy and performance on game with the 139 grain Hornady spire point and 52.0 grains of IMR 4350. This is one grain under max in my Hornady third edition loading manual. I have never had any pressure signs but I would start at 48 grains and work up. My OAL is 3.090.

John

I was looking through my "stash" of bullets and I find some 120 NBT and some 139 Hornady Interbonds. I guess that's where I'll start. It seems like I read somewhere the 120gr NBT was a "good" bullet in the 7, although it seems like it would be a little light in that caliber. To me, a 130 or 140 seems like a more reasonable choice.

In my No.1 7x57 Winchester 145 gr factory ammo shoots less than 1 inch group at 100 yards.

newer Ruger 7x57s tend to have tighter chambers and handle the 140gr and below bullets nicely. Some of the older red pads had looong throats and the only real opption was to go with the 175 gr bullets which were once standard fare.

Those 120 gr Nosler BTs are surpringly well built and strong. They'll do for bigger western deer and even elk as Dogzapper -- an old hand here at the fire has frequenlty stated.

1B

I thought I had two 7x57 #1's, RSI & 1a but it seems the 1a grew legs when my boy got ahold of it a couple of years ago. They both shoot the 120 NBT over a healthy dose of Rel 19 very well. The 1a is an old red pad and the rsi is one of the newer ones (6 or 7 years old).

He must have liked it. I'm hoping I'll like mine as much.

I was thinking RL 19 would be a good choice for powder, and I was wondering about RL17, but have not looked it up

AJD,

IMR-4350 seems to be a universally liked powder for the 7x57. Works well in my 1-A. I would think that Rel-19 would do well also, as it is about the same burning rate. According to guy I got mine from, H-4831 also is a stellar performer.

I had an extra bbl in 7x57 that I rather wish I had rechembered to either 7x57R or AI. But alas it has been bored to 8x57.

Edw

GH, How do you like the 8 x 57? I would think a 7 x 57R would be really kewl, I love those rimmed cases. 22H, 375W and 45-70, now I "need" a 7 x 57R or something similar. Perhaps some sort of a 6.5 rimmed. I have that 25-06 I am itching to do something with, just haven't figured out what yet.

So far I like the 8x57 alot! I finished it off in #1-AH configuration.

Next project is for a 7x65R. Like you, I like the rimmed cartridges.

Edw-

That one sounds pretty neat too!

What contour barrel did you use on the 8 x 57?

It is a factory 1-A barrel that was 7x57. Sights and barrel band had been removed when I purchased it. I had it bored and rerifled to 8x57 replaced the bbl band frt sling swivel. and refinished the entire gun in soft satin matte blue. Thus; I ended up with a #1-AH in 8x57, which, of course, they never made.

If Ruger comes out with it, I am going to be P.O'ed! Big time! I always say: "There are those who WISH and those who WILL..." I prefer to be among the latter...

Edw

It sounds pretty nice. I picked up a 303 casing the last time I was at the range. Someone had shot a box and left them there and I picked one up and brought it home with me. I keep rolling it around in my hand, it seems to be calling my name. 303's are pretty rare in these parts, I have never seen one or even a casing previously.

I am now the proud owner of a #1A in 7 x 57. I picked it up today. It's my kind of rifle, plain, simple, and it works. I hope it shoots as good as it looks. I like it.

Enjoy. Very nice rifle, great cartridge. I'm shooting 140s on top of IMR 4350. Excellent groups at 100 yds. It has been wickedly effective on deer.

AJD,

AaMoF, I was out shooting my (Faux) #1-AH in 8x57 today. Recoil was certainly tolerable. Rifle shot well within minute-of-Whitetail. I shot a couple of 3-shot groups at the proveribial 100 yds that were under 1.5" with W-W factory loads. Mine carries a 6x36 Leupold scope.

Have you thought about having your 7x57 converted to the "R" case? Norma makes brass, and you can still use the same dies. Just a different shell holder.

Edw-

I didn't know a conversion could be done. Thanks for the info.

Are you prepared to share some pictures of your (Faux) #1AH. It sounds like one to share.

You're gonna hate me if I do....

I'll try to get my buddy to snap a couple of pics next week.. Someone else asked to see pics of my tapered octagon 9.3x74R.

Edw-

Yep, we would like to see both. Come on share with us.