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Looking for some info and real world experience please. I have a Ruger #1RSI in 7x57 (20" barrel). I was looking for a RSI in .243 for javelina. The wood on the 7x57 was too good to pass up so I bought it. Now I'm finding that the little 7mm is calling out to be used for much more. Especially for hunts where I get to creep through the pines - that means deer and elk too. But here in AZ, even a hunt in the pines can mean a 250-300 yard shot on occasion.

So...what would do it all - break an elk shoulder up close if need be, but still do what it needs to at 300 yards? And here's the kicker, what would do that all economically. Many say even the most expensive bullet in the world is the cheapest part of the hunt. I agree, but let's face it. These are some tough times. An extra $30 for bullets has to go a lot longer than it used to - for me anyway. I need the most bang for the buck (yeah...I suppose that pun was intentional).

So far I've settled on two choices - the 154gr Hornady Interlock, and the 160gr Speer Mag Tip. With 4350, IMR4831 and RL19, I can get close to 2500fps with the Hornady, and actually a little more with the Speer - about 2550fps. I can do much better with the Hornady and W760, but the only time I've blown a primer I was using W760. My theory is that my load was safe in January, but over the edge in the heat of July. Jutified or not, it left a bad taste for that powder.

What does the group think of those two? Or, I'm open for suggestions. Since 2550fps might be about it for me, I'm actually looking at the 175gr Speer Mag Tip as well. The books say I may be able to get close to 2550fps with that bullet, even in my 20" barrel. If that were the case, I'm guessing the trajectory between the heavier and lighter bullets would be negligible. Thanks.

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AZ: I can't speak to your choices as I've never seen the Hornady's used on elk(at least not the 154's).But I've used and seen used, the 140-160 gr 7mm Nosler Partitions on a wide range of game from the 7x57 to the 7 Rem Mag. I have precious few of these weights and styles that I've recovered simply because they pass through so frequently.

No need to spend a fortune on either one as you could work up loads with cheaper Sierra's(say),and substitute the Partitions for hunting.IME with the 7x57(22" barrel)you should be able to get about 2750-2800 with the 140,maybe 2600 with the 160(?).I'm guessing here because I never worjked with a 20" barrel.

There's a lot of historic precedent for these loads,as O'Connors wife, Eleanor used 160 gr Speers and Partitions from a 7x57 to kill a pile of African and North American stuff. Should do what you want, I think smile




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I really like the 7x57. My first load used on everything was the 160 grain Speer Hotcor on top of a max loding of AA 4350. Excellent load and very accurate. I never shoot to break the shoulder bone on the side I am shooting at with anything. My loads for it now are 48.0 grains of H414 under either a 150 grain Ballistic Tip or 140 grain Nosler Partition. My barrel is only 19 inches long and I have no idea how fast my bullets are going but I have gotten perfect performance from this load on deer and hogs that weighed as much as 400 pounds. I would not hesitate to use either bullet on elk out to 300 yards. I do use the 150 gr. BT's for most of my extraneous shooting and the Partitions for hunting game heavier than deer most of the time. My rifle performed best using AA4350 under the 175 grain bullets. The Mag Tip and the Interlok in 175 grain weights are fine bullets that will do it all. The Mag Tip being the tougher bullet.


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My Ruger#1 RSI (single shot riflewith full Mannlicher-style stock) in 7x57 really "likes" H4350 at ANY load-level. It is very accurate loaded behind a 140 grain Sierra ProHunter, flat-based bullet in Remington cases sparked by standard Winchester primers.

My "accuracy load" is the above components using 47.2 grains of H4350 which has yielded 3-shot groups as small as .176 inches. However, even a maximum load consisting of 50.0 grains of H4350 shoots .404 inch, 3-shot groups, but recoil and sound level were both considerably higher than with only slightly lighter loads.

Try H4350... I believe you'll like what it does for your rifle. smile


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AZ,

I have a 7x57mm with a 22 inch barrel. For what you are asking any of the three you mentioned should do fine at the velocity you are sending them down range.

As for which one to chose I would say that depends on which one you and your rifle shoot the best under hunting conditions. Lets face the fact that where the bullet lands is the most important part of the process. I would start with the one that is lowest cost for a box of bullets. Work up an accurate load from the bench position. Then I would shoot a bunch from field positions. If I can hit my targets from field positions out to where I want when I want I would call it good. If you find your shooting is not what you want then go to the next bullet and see if it improves.

What is going to matter when hunting is being able to put the bullet in the right place when you have to. No matter how great a bullet is, if it hits in the wrong place it will not accomplish what you desire. Now even an ordinary bullet in the correct place will anchor the critter. So being able to shoot it well while hunting is the MOST important point.

As to the 175 vs either the 154 or 160 you are correct if the velocity is almost the same there is no real difference in bullet flight inside 300 yrds.

Go with what you shoot best and do not worry about it. They are all good time proven bullets.


..pick..
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Thanks for the info!

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I have taken many elk with a 154 Hornady out of a 7mm mag . It would do the job fine out of a 7x57 as would the Speer. I originally picked the 154 because I could not decide on a 150 or a 160 so I split the difference and never had a problem with the Interlock. In fact I developed a respect for their performance.


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the 7x57 is my favorite by far. Ive used it extensively here in the states and on a pile of African game.As pick said above, trajectory wise inside 300 yds. there isnt enough difference between 154, 160 or 175. Using mine as much as I did here in Mt. on deer and elk, plus the elk+ sized African stuff, I shot a lot of 175 gr. Noslers.Just Plain Worked Good.
Then my buddy Mule Deer got me started on Barnes 160 TSX.with a max load of 4831. Shoots a tad better than the 175s, and like the Noslers, it will go through anything....I am one of those who likes maximum leakage out of two holes, and maximum amount of air being let in...
Ingwe


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I had a .280 that loved the 150gr. Nosler Partition. I just finished working on a friends 7x55mm and it too liked the 150gr. Nosler Part. I used H4350 and H414 both did well. It has been my observation that the 150gr.NP gets over looked some, don't know why because it just plain works.

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Quote
So far I've settled on two choices - the 154gr Hornady Interlock, and the 160gr Speer Mag Tip. With 4350, IMR4831 and RL19, I can get close to 2500fps with the Hornady, and actually a little more with the Speer - about 2550fps.


Are you limiting out capacity or pressure wise? I ask because (while I know it's not a 7x57) it's easy breezy to get 2600 with 168s and 2550 with 178s with a 20" barreled 308.

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In a modern action, it is not necessary to use such anemic loads in the 7x57. Loaded to its potential, it is an exceptional round. At equal pressure, the 7x57 will always slightly best the 7-08 because it has a larger case capacity.

In my instrumented 7x57, at conservative pressure, I can get 2750 FPS out of a 160 grain bullet from a 24" tube. I doubt that any animal would notice the difference between that and a 165 at 2850 out of a 30-06.

Glad to share the load, but I'm away from home and don't have access to my data.

Once you decide that you are not going to have a bullet impact at a speed greater than 2800 FPS, the need for a premium bullet is greatly reduced. I would happily shoot Hornadys or garden variety Speers at the speeds I've mentioned.

At the moment Shooter's Pro Shop (Nosler's factory outlet) has 140 grain 7mm AccuBonds for $16.70 per 50. That's a good deal, if you like that weight of bullet.

Last edited by denton; 02/11/09.

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Denton, yes give us that load when you get back home. I am a convert to the 7x57 so I enjoy hearing people tell their stories.
Surprised Mule Deer or AussieGunwriter haven't chimed in yet.


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I'm not sure if my loads are anemic or not, but I've tried to stick with the loading manuals. Here's where I've topped out so far - most hovering around 1" groups:

160gr Mag Tip
- 49.0gr RL 19 - 2520fps
- 46.0gr H414 - 2550fps
- 48.0gr IMR4831 - 2560fps (but accuracy was not good)
- 46.0gr H4350 - 2560fps

154gr Hornady SP
- 47.0gr H4350 - 2550fps
- 49.0 gr W760 - this is a published load in one of my old books. I got 2780fps out of this which kinda scared me. As mentioned in my initial post, this powder sure seems to have two different personalities here in AZ. When things heat up, so do my velocities. Darn thing shot 3/4" though.
- The rest of my notes were pre-chronograph days, but my notes also say the groups I achieved with other powders were not to my liking anyway. I love 3/4" groups, but will settle on 1 1/2".

As I side note, I did splurge a while back for something in the middle - 150gr Partitions. I only tried it with 4350 and my rifle didn't care for it.

Thanks for the info. Good to hear these "economy" bullets do good things.

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An accurate load for one that won't usually shoot, is 40 grains of IMR 3031... with any bullet weight from 139 grains to 175 grains...

MV should be about 2650 fps across the board.. just pressures will vary, but the 175 grainers are safe with it...

I have seen a bunch of bad shooters go from 4 inch groups down to half inch groups with this charge of 3031...

don't ask me why, it just works...

with the different bullet weights inpact points don't charge much


the 154 grainer, either SP or RN are both a pair of my favorites, along with the 160 grain Speer Mag Tip...

there isn't a lot of bad choices in bullets for the 7 mm rounds..especially at 7/08 or 7 x 57 velocities...


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Roger on that. My 160 gr. TSX load is clocking 2650 on the button.(win.m70 Fwt.) Not too anemic, and to confirm another post, the animals seem to detect no difference between that and a 165gr. '06
Ingwe


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I phoned Federal today about the Federal Premium 160 grain Nosler Accubond at 2900 fps listing and the representative said, "We have a screw up on our web site." He didn't provide any more detail other than that! So 7x57 lovers, the dream load isn't sold commercially yet in the USA manufacturers ammunition.

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Old thread.

I love to read BobinNH posts. Really miss him.

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" 49.0 gr W760 - this is a published load in one of my old books. I got 2780fps out of this which kinda scared me."

Yeah I do think you're pushing it with that one. I ran 49,0 gr. of W760 with the 140 gr. Ballistic Tips for 2800 FPS and fantastic groups in a Winchester M70 Featherweight. A half grain more and bolt lift started getting sticky. Guess maybe it was 105 degrees that day. That load also works OK in a Ruger #1A but has proved to be way too hot for my custom based on an FM Mauser.
I have a load work up with the 160 gr. Grand Slams to do if my damn knees ever heal up enough that I can set up a target. I'm hoping they work out OK in the Mauser and I want to try it out on a cow elk hunt I have booked in New Mexico.
I've tried the Nosler ABLR's in all three 7x57s and a .280 Remington but so far they shoot like chit.
Frankly, as much as I like the 7x57, it has so far been a bad luck cartridge for me. I've only lost two deer in over 60 years of hunting and both times I was carrying a 7x57. The first time was in 1973 and the last one was almost 16 years ago. First deer was hit with a 175 gr. Federal factory load and I'm guessing it just penciled on through. Blood trail disappears almost instantly. Shot the deer at 0800 and quit looking when the sun went down. Found what the coyotes left the next morning. Second one was an east 100 yards at the most. the deer left the herd which ran uphill while he went down into a gully. Heading up the hill so I could look into the gully my right foot rolled on so loose rock and bye bye right knee. My son in law and his son carried me off the hill but refused to go look for the deer. Can't blame the gun on that one but just bad luck.
Blew my left knee put about a month ago and still trying to heal after the surgery. Not having fun as I'm still trying to figure out how in hell does one limp on both legs?
Paul B.


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Here are some target velocities for hand loading that JB posted at some point in the past.

120's: 3150
140's: 2900
150's: 2800
160's: 2700
175's: 2600


I've had no concerns, obvious pressure signs, getting close to them in mine.

The latest Nosler manual has data that is very close to this. The Hornady manual is anemic, in fact between two recent versions the 7x57 lost a couple hundred fps.


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[quote=PJGunner] I'm still trying to figure out how in hell does one limp on both legs.
Paul B. /quote]

Try alternating sides - ask me how I know.
wink


Ed

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