Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7x57

Don't mean to HJ BUT I had to sell my latest Mod 70 FWT in 7x57, but it was not a tack driver anyhow. I only shot some 150s up to 175RN and it was nothing to write home about. I "was" going to have it rebarreled but, a House Project took priority. I found an older Mod 78 Remington action (same as the 700 LA) and planning on having it rebarreled with a Shilen 7mm 9" Twist. My question is; Since I want to be able to only shoot 150s and 160s with a handful of 175RN, but mostly 150-160 (Partitions). (I had a 7mm08 for years and shot the lighter weights up to 139gr, but that's not what I want for this project) , "What reamer (standard 7x57 or Special Order) throat length" would give me the best options, as I really want it shoot well. Not sure if I asked the question right, but hey, I appreciate any and all help/suggestions guys!

Make up a coupla dummy rounds with the bullets you wish to use, making sure they fit the mag. well. Measure the CBO on them. There will be a difference. I set the throat dimention to the bullet I will use most often, play with seating depth when loading with the others. Has worked for me.

Is the :shape of the Lead/diameter of the throat more/less critical than the length of the throat? Again, not sure I'm communicating (asking the right questions) A Remington LA magazine length will certainly not be an issue with the old war horse, ha got plenty room there. I'm after 2800fps with the 150s and 2700 with the 160s. Not so much concerned with the 175 (well, the 175 GS would be nice to get 2500fps+. IOW, not a 280. I do plan on starting out with a 24" bbl. I'm just after those speeds but with all the accuracy Modern equipment can give me.

Personally, I look at the length of the throat..the reason for the dummy cartridges, I want to use as much of the case for powder as I can get, within reason...and stick with standard diamentions for the rest, just in case I need to fire factory stuff in a pinch.
In my 1944 98 action, loading a 162 grn. ELDM with RL17, 9 twist, 24 inch barrel, PPU brass, RP primers, CBO at 3.517 gets me 2750 fps. Excellent accuracy, no excessive pressure, on my 5th loading, anealing after each firing.

If you order a custom reamer, I`m sure whom ever would give some suggestions if asked.

Thank you sir! I am going to go with the standard reamer and longer throat. My interest in in the 150 to 175s anyhow, and I have a LA to use too. I'm going to start out with a 24" bbl too.

I have a Model 70 Featherweight, 1995, 7x57, very happy with accuracy and performance.

CJK- I have tried three Mod 70 FWTS in 7x57...oh how my heart aches from their betrayal!!! ha I just seem to get those that, obviously, others shipped off to unsuspecting guys like me! ha Oh well, I will get something that ends up being sort of light-Sporter weight and in 7x57.

Jim, A Winchester Model 70 I own shot ok but not fantastic. I got the barrel re-crowned as I chopped an inch off the length...it then shot superbly. Also, FWT barrels are usually very light profile and heat up quickly. You may need to let the barrel cool down between shots to determine the rifle's accuracy potential.

I love my 7x57. I wanted one like this from my teens. I load 140gr Rem Corelokts for it and it's plenty accurate. The Leupold "Adjusto" mount was on it when I bought it. I have a Montana sling on it.

I concur. The barrel heats up quite rapidly. Early in the morning I wait about one minute between shaots. Soon after that two minutes between shots and by the time noon comes around it 5 minutes or more between shot. Barrels cool off very slowly when it's 110 in the shade and there ain't any shade.
PJ