Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7x57 load and I looking for trouble?

Hi all
My 7x57 has a fairly tight chamber.
I’ve got a load developed with the following components:
145gr Barnes LRX
47gr H414
CCI mag primer.
This load is incredibly accurate.

Now I’ve always used 7mm-08 load data for the 7x57 to load it to its full potential.
The Barnes data says 46.5gr of 414 in a 7mm-08 should give you 2800fps.
Given that the 7x57 case is 6mm longer than the 7mm-08
I figured that half grain that I’m loading extra should be just fine.
(46.5gr vs my 47gr)

I shot this load over the chrony the other day and I’m surprised that it’s running 2850fps! 50fps over book.

I could back off a bit powder wise but wonder if 50fps over book is that big of a deal given the larger case capacity?

Am I overthinking this?

If your bolt lift is "normal", no shinny spots on the case head, and reloaded brass from this load still has tight primer pockets, I`d count myself lucky and go with it.
Besides, I find H4350 more difficult to find than H414.

Most of the time the bolt lift was normal but on two occasions I thought; “mmm was that bolt a bit sticky just now or am I imagining it?”
Case head looks fine, to me.
Maybe I’m just being a sissy about it? But then I’d hate to have my rifle explode in my face too

Not exactly comparable, but 50.5 grains H4350 gives me 2864 FPS at a measured 56.6 KPSI with a 150 grain Nosler BT.

The 7x57 should out perform 7mm-08 - you have a greater capacity - that's why proper loaded 6mm Rem will provide higher velocities than a 243. My 7x57 mauser can approach 280 factory loads.

I think you guys are probably right and that I’m making a fuss over nothing.
I’m going to load some mild rounds up, and see what the primers look like compared to the hot load.
I’ll start there I guess thanks for the advice gents

How do you measure the pressure in your rifle?

How does 46.5 gr shoot?

PressureTrace

I think you load should be just fine. I do basically the same but use RL17.
Paul B.

I feel a lot better about it now.
I’m going to fire a few light loads in it anyway and compare the primer strikes anything else I should compare?

I believe you should be fine.

I somehow missed your question, sorry.
It shoots ok, but groups open up a bit, think It shot 1.25" groups

You don't specify anything about your action strength, barrel length, CIP chamber/leade, SAAMI chamber?
With a long euro style freebore, my BRNO 23 5/8 7x57 gets only 2700 fps with 49 gr of 414, WLR, WW brass and the Speer 145...good brass life, so I suspect pressures are not too high.
It's all about internal volume in your rifle only...brass...freebore...seating depth.

I probably should have added that my loads are fine in two rifles, a Winchester M70 XTR FWT and Ruger #1A. However, a third rifle with extremely tight chamber gives pressure signs much sooner and my RL17 loads are not suitable with that rifle. You didn't sat what rifle/barrel combo you were using.
Paul B.

This! Most manuals suggest loadings for this round at minimized CUP/PSI pressures because of the older guns one can still fire. So if their loads are running 55K PSI 1/2 more grain might take it to 58? so what?

In round numbers, a grain of powder is about 2500 PSI in the 7x57. So Fotis' estimate is conservative.

It's a Brno 21 action, so a small ring mauser, the barrel was replaced so it's not the original cavernous Brno chamber.
This chamber is quite short/has very little freebore.

The chamber on this one is quite tight, not 7mm-08 tight but tighter than any of my 7x57's have ever been.
It's a Brno 21 action and a douglas barrel I can't remember what reamer was used now but think it was a Pacific Tool and guage reamer?

That sure puts it in perspective, thanks for that