Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7x57

So I've got a new M70 Featherweight 7x57 on the way and 100 pieces of Norma brass ordered. Additionally, I have some 150 NBTs, 154 Hornadys and 160 NPTs and Sierras along with H 4350, 414, Big Game, RL19 and a few other powders laying around. Where do I start with loading modern, but safe loads in this cartridge? Any pressure data for 55-60,000 psi loads out there?

51 grains of 760 with the 150 grainer's will sit squarely on 2800fps and take 99% of all animals on the planet, if you place it right.
Handloading complete.

Don't know a thing about Big Game,and am not a fan of 414...personally I would start with H4350 or RL19 and the 150 BT. Both have worked well for me but I liked RL19 pretty well myself.

I am a fan of 140 gr bullets in the smaller 7mm's, but any of those listed would work.

In my Featherweight,I'm using 47.0 grs IMR 4350,150 gr NBT,WLR primers and in the 22" barrel it's 2750 fps.

The 154 grain Hornady you mentioned is an all time favorite of mine. 48-49 grains ( lot difference) of H4350 gives me about 2800 fps in a 22" barrel with RP brass, CCI 200 primer.

Bob Hagel said 52 grains of 4350 (he did not indicate IMR or H) with a 160 grain NPT gave him 2816 fps. WW cases, CCI 200 primers. Temp was 70 degrees. It was safe in a Ruger M77 22" bbl.

The pressures and velocities I measure in my rifle will be different in yours. The following information is offered without any claim that it is even remotely safe in any other rifle.

In my 24" 7x57, I get a measured 56.6 KPSI and 2864 FPS with a 150 grain Nosler BT (got some cheap... good target load) using 50.5 grains of H4350, with CCI 200 primers and 3.23" COL. With 160/162 grain bullets, I get about 2750 FPS with suitably adjusted loads.

This is for my CZ 7x57 which has a 24" barrel. Shot it last Sunday and going to say the average is 2790 fps and the accuracy is just over an inch.

This gets me started. Also, found some loads in the Nosler Manual that look to be close. I think I will start with Nosler data and 4350 and work up to 2700 with 160s and 2750 with 150s, which should be about right from my 22" barrel. My Chrony is not working though, so first I am going to call Oehler and use this as an excuse to upgrade to a better device.

48 g of H4350, rem brass, CCI 200's, Hornady 139's in my M70 fwt.

H4350 works really well with the bullets you listed....

I just fired some 150 NBTs today with Big Game - more testing is in order, but it looks like this will be a very accurate combo. More so than 160 & H4831 or 120 & RL-15 in my rifle (YMMV).

Use 7-08 data.

That is shooting well in particular for a Featherweight barrel. How many shots and how long to cool between shots.

It was 7 or 8 shots, can't remember now. I fired them straight through in succession, not rapid fire, but at a leisurely pace. this is at the 100 yd line with a 6x leupold.

The 7x57 FW sample I acquired has good bedding and a free-floating barrel. I'm sure there's any number of boolet/powder combos that it would like.

Its twin in .257 bob has been more challenging, the barrel was not floated as well from the factory.

May I ask what you paid for the rifle? I found one at a pawn shop for $750 in decent condition. I have a cz 550 in .270, so I don't need it, but want it.

I think I paid a little over $800 NIB. Probably overpaid, but wanted it so bought it. Norma brass and Oehler Chronograph arrived today so I'm set to have some fun playing with it.

That's great for 7-8 shoots in succession. Leupold 6x36 and 6x42 are my favorite scopes. They just work, and the 6x36 in particular looks great on a classic rifle.

Also, Oehler machine was ordered yesterday and is here today. Only 250 miles away, but wow that shipped fast.

I have been running RL17 in my son's 7x57 with 140 AB's. Speeds are real good in the 2900 range and accuracy is looking pretty decent since I haven't touched the bullet yet.

RL19 was a little slow for the 140's, but really accurate and still running 2750. Haven't tried any of the 4350's, but they will come if RL17 doesn't pan out.

Congrats on a great rifle!

Doesn't seem to me like you over paid, I would say you got a pretty good deal from what I can tell and know.

I have loaded the 7x57 for a long time. With 140BT's I use RL19 for about 2900fps(a Nosler load). With the 150BT I use again RL19,IMR 4350, and H4831SC. All go around 2800+ which is by far the best overall load in a 7. The 140's, 150's and the Nosler 160's for hard heads are hard to beat for all game up to and including elk and moose. powdr

In my 7x57 i use H4831SC and the Sierra 160 gr BTHP and my rifle with Lilja Barrel will keep three shots touching at 100 yards. I tried 4350 but it wouldn't group as well as H4831SC.

Every 7x57 I have owned has loved the Sierra 140gr pro hunter flatbase soft point with as much imr4831 I could get in the case.

4064 and IMR 4895 do that for me with 140 grain ballistic tips and Hornady 139 grainers....

also will do the same with 150s to 175s with 40 grains of 3031...

Now that is a forgiving case-- one guy likes imr4831 and the next uses 3031. Quite a span between those two in terms of burn rate.

Got my data off an old Hornady Manual....3031 happened to make a very inaccurate Ruger 77 turn into a real tack driver.. and also provided some pretty good velocity...

The brass nor my Ruger or Featherweight ever seemed to notice if there was suppose to be pressure out of line for modern rifles...

pretty much have used Remington Brass with mine... got a good deal on a batch of about 400 cases way back when times were less crazy.....

Haven't tried it with lighter bullets, but either 154 -160's I've pretty much come to the conclusion that you can't get too much H4831 (non-SC) into the case. Stopped where I did because recoil was "enough" (I'm getting to be a wimp in my old age).

The same is not true of Big Game.

IMR 4350 under 154 grain works for me too. Easy on the shoulder and tight groups, all is well.

My old '09 Mauser likes enough H-4350 to power the 175 gr Speer Grand Slams [old style] to 2700 fps, sweet shooting very accurate 7x57, one of my all time fav hunting cartridges and rifles.

Gunner

Great thread guys!