Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7x57 v 7-08

Of course it is!

One of the problems here is that while 7-08 throats and magazine lengths are very consistent, they're not in 7x57's.

Many people measure "capacity" of a case by filling it with water to the mouth. However, this doesn't measure effective powder space, with a bullet seated.

Since 7x57 throats and magazine lengths vary considerably, effective powder capacity can also exceed the 7-08 considerably. As a result the 7x57 can run 100 fps faster than the 7-08 at the same pressure, basically landing right between the 7-08 and .280.

Whether any of this makes the slightest difference is another question.

Any difference is difference enough to wring out both...

Elk:

I printed both 7x57 and 7-08 load data, 140-175 gr loads, and the 7x57 is loaded consistently and considerably slower than the 7-08. So it looks like Nosler is loading them down as well.

Mike

They are. And even if they weren't, you'd still have to do all your load work up over a chronograph because we have no idea what Nosler's chamber/throat looked like.



Travis

I solved that issue by ownwing both. And I don't think I could decided which one to get rid of if I had to.

Win M70 fwt, push feed 7x57. My favorite to carry and the action is smmooooth as glass.

Rem 700, ss adl action, 22" pac-nor ss barrel, Micky Rem Mt. Rifle stock in "snow camo", Timney trigger, Leupold VX-3 2.5-8.

Don't make me choose.

Yep, seems that way. What about pressure? Any way to calculate that instead of looking for blown primers, sticking bolts, etc?

Yes. When your chronograph reads remarkable speeds, you done gone too far.

When it reads what you would deem as reasonable (I used 7-08 data and added 50fps) then you done reached your goal. You might be 3gr's over "max" in the book, or you might be 1gr under "max" in the book, but the chronograph doesn't lie.


Travis

Being completely new to reloading, a chronograph is a necessity? I know it is eventually, but should I get one pronto?

Yes.....unless you like running a bit blind.

Yes.


Travis

About 20 years ago I bought a Rem 700 7-08 to see what all the buzz was about. Two or three years later in went down the road as part of a gun trade. The 7mm Mausers stayed in the safe.

Two years ago a neighbor fell into some hard times and was selling off guns and I purchased a Model 70 7-08 from him. Phfft! I was right the first time...could not see what all the buzz was about. The neighbors ship came in and he asked if I still had the Model 70. You bet, you want it? The 7mm Mausers are still in the safe.

And 100 fps is about what a bullet loses in 25 yards. I have both the 7x57 and 7mm08 but my favorite is the 7mm08.

Any recommended brand?

My 7 mm08 is a Remington 700 Classic. It shot very well right out of the box in 2001 but I had it floated, glass bedded and trigger adjusted down to around 2 1/2#. Also had the barrel shortened to 22" and target crowned. Today, I'd probably look at a Tikka Stainless and may anyway. Or a Winchester M-70 Featherweight. Two 7mm08s wouldn't hurt, would it?

Chrony!




Travis

tzone;
I hope this finds you and yours well and sufficiently warm this frigid February morning sir.

While I'm not always sure if my cyber friend Travis has his tongue planted firmly in cheek or not - - I'll say that the early model Chrony my good wife bought me way back when has given me acceptable service.

I'd quit chronographing all my test loads until a couple articles by JB shed some light on that foolishness - and I do deem it foolish to not do so now, especially so since I did have a chronograph.

Somewhere, maybe here even, someone suggested running a known load from a .22 across the chronograph every time and that will give you a baseline for your data as they tend to be very consistent.

So I've got a box of Argentine Winchester .22 ammo that gets shot across the Chrony out of my old Brno first and then I know if it's going to be a "weird light" kinda day or not. Hopefully that makes sense?

If others have suggestions for newer chronographs I'd certainly respect their opinion over mine as again our Chrony is ancient.

Hopefully that made sense and was at least a wee bit helpful for you tzone. By all means do drop me a PM if you think I can be of any further assistance.

All the best to you and yours sir.

Dwayne

No smart asssery on that one Dwayne! I love my Chrony.



Travis

My old PACT ate a bullet on purpose, but my ProChrono is very user-friendly.

Padre, here is a spot of data that gets into things like effective case capacity and modern pressure. Note it is compiled with a 20" barrel. Proceed with the usual caution....

http://www.realguns.com/loads/7x57mmmauser.htm.

Tzone, if you are asking about chronograph brands, mine is a 1985 vintage Pact Timer with the Chrono mod in it. If it ever quits on me, I'll probably try a Pro Chrono. An out of state friend has one and raves about it. I had one of the first Chronys before the Pact. It did OK. Made me nervous shooting over it though.

I don't chrono all my workup loads, just when I think I'm getting close to the max or to check velocity for the record. I normally don't load max loads anymore. It's not necessary, that I can see.