Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7x57 Ackley Improved

Lots of information on the standard 7x57 Mauser but I cannot for the life of me find anything on the 7x57 AI. I am looking for information using a 160-162 bullet weight. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks Daniel

I have used one as my main rifle for the past 25 years. Use a standard start load for a 280Remington and work up or start w/a max charge for 7x57 and work up to 5% over that. RL 19 and 4350 are good powders to start with. powdr

7x57 AI LOAD 49.4 gr H4350. 168 Berger hunting , not the 168 classic hunter. Norma brass 210 m primer seated .006 jump 1 ragged hole @100. 3/4”@200 1.240300. 2883 FPS 6 FPS spread . I even use this load fire forming but now fire form with same load but hornaday 154 sp. load works in 4 7x57 Ai’s. All custom barrels ss Brux (2) ,bartlien and krieger.

Powdr & Bella1, Thanks, you have given me a good starting point. Daniel

Powdr & Bella1, I did as you suggested, Came up with load of 50 gr of RL-19, a 3 shot group makes a ragged hole. GOOD ENOUGH for this old goat and my hunting arena. No Chrono but my guess is about 2650-2700 fps. Thanks Daniel

Happy for you! I like the RL-19 also but the H4350 is temp insensitive . And shoots a little better in mine. You will enjoy !

Powdr & Bella1 or anyone else that shoots a 7x57 AI, I have another question. I have searched every where I can think of, even P.O. Ackleys book but cannot find specific measurements. I am trying to find the TRIM TO LENGTH. I have been using the standard 7x57 lenght but added .005 to the AI. Thanks Daniel

Speer Wildcat book shows 2.253" which I suppose is max.

Joe, That's what is given for the 7x57AI? Does the book show the TRIM TO LENGTH amounts? Thanks Daniel

My AI shows a case length of 3.210. New Norma brass with a length of 2.235 would not chamber . This is using W/W brass.

D, trim to 2.25 which is the correct length for the 7x57AI. The cases don't grow in length from fire forming. Using cases at 2.235 is a little dangerous if you don't know what your chamber is cut to. Anything less than 2.25 just load and shoot them. Buy one of the Lee trim gauges w/ cutter and it's easy to check each round. powdr

Powdr, THANKS AGAIN. I use the Lee Quick Trim set up ( specific die with hand powered rotary cutter) I load for the standard 7x57 also (wife's Rem. Mountain rifle). I have another question for you. What would be a good estimate of muzzle vel. with 50 gr or RL19- Hornady 162 SST, with a 24" barrel? Thanks Daniel

First, I would never use the SST bullet...too explosive. Secondly, I would estimate the round would be in the 2700-2750fps range. Mine shoots the 140gr Nosler BT at 3050fps out of a 22in Douglas air gauged barrel. If you want to shoot a 160gr bullet...buy some Nosler Partitions and be done with it. It has killed mtn. muleys, elk and moose for years in the 7x57. powdr

powdr, Thanks for the response. Your estimation of vel. is more than what I thought it would be but after thinking about it, the round holds up pretty good out to 215 yds. POA is very close to POI at 215 yds with about 2 inches high at 100 yds. I will give the Noslers Partitions a look if I can find any or maybe the Accubonds. Daniel

Powdr, I took your advice in a way. LOL I loaded some 150m gr Nosler LR Accubonds up in the 7x57AI & while I was doing it I loaded the wife's Rem. Mountain rifle up with the Nosler 150 gr LR Accubonds to how they would shoot in her pencil barrel rifle. I was very happy with the results of both reloading attempts. Both guns shot groups less than 1 inch at different powder loads ( RL-19 only). Each rifle's best group was a 3 or 4 shot ragged hole with more than one group where bullet were touching. Now to load up more and take her to the range. Thanks for all your help. Daniel