I have a couple of lbs of BLC-2 that I want to utilize. I know its not the most popular powder here on the fire but I have always had decent results in 22 center fires and my 30-30s. However I have reduced the herd and the most likely candidate now for this powder is my 7x57. Has anyone used this powder in the 7x57. More specifically I am thinking that around 40 grs under a 154 gr rn hornady should be a safe load and produce about 2500fps. The data I have is from some older books so of course Ill start low and work up. I guess Im just looking for someone that can share that they have used a similar load with similar bullet weights or heavier w/o issues for some reassurance.

I've loaded quite a bit of BL-C2 over the years. Mostly when I shot it out of a 7mm/08. I don't have any experience loading the 7x57 with it though. Good luck.

Shouldn't be any real difference...

BLC-2 is a decent powder for the 7mm Mauser...

of course there are others than might be even better, such as H 414....but I still wouldn't feel handicapped expecting a 154 grainer at 2500 fps....

and yeah, I've used BLC.2 out of several 7mm Mausers.. along with H 380....and a host of other powders from older reload data...

Seafire care to share any maximums you were able to reach with bullets in the 150 gr range. Thanks guys for the replies.

I get good accuracy with 41 grs under 145s or 150s. Velocity runs right at 2600.

What rifle are you using?

Thx Craigsterlooks like I'm n the ballpark I'll start about 38 and work up from there. Round oak I have a #1A

With your objective 154s @ 2500 you shouldn't have any trouble at all. The only negative about BlC2 and other ball powders is 'temp sensitivity'. I've used it and H 335 w/o major differences in our temperature brackets.

IF, IF you load/chrono in hot wx then I think you'd expect to see vel drop in 'COLD' wx. As MD points out the biggest problem with that is change in POI which would affect scope sighting.

Otherwise load, shoot and enjoy.

Jerry

Jerry I agree. I have never noted much difference due to temperature but then again I generally don't get much above 80 or less than 30 degrees here in Kentucky and those would be the extreams. Plus if it's in the 30s I probably don't stay out more than a few hours. It's not like I go on a 3 week Arctic expedition hunting the back 40 of a small farm.

banger - (grin)

Remember it's Ball powder. Use a hot primer.
I was using the 'older' WW -for standard & magnum rifles.

Jerry

I tried using 41gr under a 150 in 7.5x55 Swiss, which is fatter and more case capacity I suspect than the 7x57.

I observed a very odd behavior. Sortuva "hangfire", or more like a click-boom, less lag than a flintlock, but every few shots would have a noticable lag.

Since I use russian Berdan primers in that GP11 brass, I can just switch to magnum primers. But H4895 and H4350 ignite just fine in that cartridge.

again, these are my 7.5x55 loads, don't use them in 7x57, but I share as an example of a BLC2 issue.

BLC2 26.0 under a 55 works fine in .223 for plinking.

try some and let us know.

shoot good

Poole