Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 7x57 Mauser loads

I’ve been running 48 grains of H4350 behind a 154 grain SST for quite a few years. Out of my Ruger M77 it puts them in the same hole at 100 yards off the bags when I do my part @ 2700+ish FPS. Before the SST I used the 154 gr Spire Point and I even have a few hundred of the old 154 grain Hornady round nose bullets and those 2 shot just as well as the SST, I just like the SST better on deer. I have only had bang flops with this load. That’s a pretty hot load, I’ve taken it as high as 50 grains (worked up slow) but didn’t see any real advantages on the paper or chrony. anyone who reads this please work up accordingly (assuming you have a modern action, if not consult your reloading manual).

I load 140gr Rem CL, 50gr of H4350, and a WLR primer in RP brass. My Manlicher MCA likes this load.

I'm with much of the crowd - H4350 is where to start powder-wise, but after shooting 139, 140, 150, 154 and 160gr bullets, the semi-odd-ball 145gr Speer is the one that really stood head and shoulders above the rest in my rifle.

Take a look in the latest Speer manual. They show some very good velocities with several powders but I've been working in the dark, so to speak with RL17 and getting some very good speed with that one. Speer #15 has data using RL17 and it seems my loads were not all that far off. Works great in a Winchester M70 and I'll soon be doing a serious test with a custom Mauser that shows high pressure signs way before the M70 or Ruger #1A. I'll be making those loads later today once it warms up a but. It's a tad chilly in the AM and there's no source of heat on the shed where I do my reloading. I'll probably use the 160 gr. Speer hot core as I'd like to use that rifle on an elk hunt.
Paul B.

PS: Maybe this thread should be made into a sticky. It keeps on keepin' on. What say you?
PB

[quote=Ky221]Didn’t see much mention of RL19.....Might have missed it though.


RL19 and a 150g NBT has been working in my Ruger .275.


I like the retro looks of that rig.

This thread, with years of 7x57 stuff, no mention of Dennis Hall's "hotrod" article. He had an old M-77 tanger, reportedly with a loose chamber.

Don't try this at home...

Here's the link: https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl66partial.pdf

DF

It already is, under the Campfire Pet Loads forum.

Where is the Pet Loads Forum?

Fourth sticky from the top on the Big Game reloading forum.

Wow..I must be really stupid...I can't find a Big Game Reloading forum either....




I did however get there with DFs link....though could have never found it without..

Actually #6 from the top.

Click on the link I posted above and you're there.

Paste that in your bookmarks.

DF

Thanks! I too have been shooting a Ruger African in .275 Rigby with a 1560 gr.NBT five kills thus far. Stellar performance from the bullet...here is a Sika from last week...

Heavy bullet, there Ingwe..

I'm guessing 150 NBT?

DF.

I always like a heavy bullet in that cartridge but the Ruger just DID NOT like 175s....


But yeah, you are right...its a 150 NBT....Ive had a little too much cough syrup today.......

Got some of that crud, myself.

Hope you get right before Santa comes.

You know, he's making a list... Maybe a couple of lists. Don't want to be on his ___list...

Merry Christmas.

DF

Nice stika, Ingwe. What powder are you using behind the 150 NBT? If you already said, I've missed it.

We have a deer in Australia called the Sambar. It's a native of the Himalayan foothills of India and is roughly the size of an Elk. There's a good population of them in the high country in our Southern State of Victoria. We had planned a trip down there this year, but the bush fires have killed a lot of them so the trip may not happen. I had developed a nice load with Sellier & Bellott brass, 48gn H4350 and a 140gn Woodleigh Protected Point bullet. So until the place settles down that load may have to be content with stopping some pigs a friend of mine has a problem with.

First time poster.

I just bought my first 7x57 after years of reading about its merits. I have most of those surrounding the 7's, 243, 250 sav, 6.5x55, 300 sav, '06 and 300 Win so have a number of powders etc to choose from. I bought a half case of Prvi Partizan 139 grain SP ammo for first shooting and once fired brass. Nice price at SGA! The rifle is a pretty Mexican 1947, model 36 action, nicely figured probably Fajen stock, unknown 24" barrel maker stamped only 7x57, a nice Timney trigger with side safety, a 1995-6 Leupold VARIX-II 2-7 scope and the stock is glass bedded at recoil lug and front of forend to give some upward pressure, also sling swivel studs. The barrel had a touch of light bore rust that came out with the first brass brush and Hoppe's. Military bolt cut off and swept down & back, new bolt handle welded in place, nicely done.
My only question is how much pressure will this Mexican (I believe small ring) action take. I don't need to make this rifle a barn burner as I have others that can do that but I'll start low with probably IMR 4350 and a Barnes TTSX in 139-149 gr. I like those bullets in my 300 and '06 very much. Need to check the rifling twist and free bore once I have once fired cases, bullets and have checked magazine length and 0.050" off the lands OAL.
Any suggestions on other starting points or cautions?

Wow, this thread is ancient, but very informative none the less. I agree with VonGruff that a 160 grain bullet and a healthy dose of H4350 is the way to go. I'm shooting 47.0 grains of H4350 with a 160 grain Partition in R-P cases and WLR primers. I shoot a 1952 vintage FN Mauser 98 with factory 24" barrel and an early 1980's Redfield 3-9 scope. 5 shots typically go into a group that can be covered with a quarter at 100 yards. I need to chronograph this load to see what the fps is, but anywhere near 2700 fps will be awesome for anything I'll ever hunt. It's my favorite rifle and the one I grab if I'm hunting mule deer, elk, antelope or if I ever draw a moose tag, that too. Ought to be about perfect for baited black bears in Idaho too where I'll be moving when I retire in 2 years. Long live the 7mm Mauser!!!!

Utahunter,

It will work fine on moose. A few years ago I used a 7x57 to take a pretty big Alberta bull using the 160-grain North Fork, but the 160 Partition will work just as well. Have used a variety of 156-160 grain bullets in the 7x57, all started at around 2650-2700 and ranging in construction from the Sierra GameKing to Barnes TSX, and there really isn't a vast difference in how they perform, due to the moderate muzzle velocity. Which is of course the reason the 7x57 acquired such a good reputation with the bullets of over a century ago.