Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 7x57 Mauser loads

What kind of rifle?

Do you use a chronograph?

I've never used Varget. I have had excellent results with RL17 though with the 150 gr. Nosler Partitions. velocity runs about 2880 FPS on average with groups running at of close to both sides of one half inch. What's not to like?
PJ

FWIW I have 4 - 7x57 and all of them like 139 Horn. SP and IMR3031 - Light loads at 37gr .

Yugo 24/47 & Steyr Chilean w/RSI 19" bbl
Argy with Doug barrel,
Win FW .

Mine's a Zastava (got rid of the ugly stock) that shoots those 139gn SST's very well. I just sold a 308 I didn't need, and that left a pound of Varget being unemployed. I may give it a run in my 22/250.

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This right here ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

My charge is 40 grains of 3031, from a 130 grain bullet to a 175. Most accurate load in a pair of Ruger 7 x 57s Mk 2.

Velocity with the 175 was 2650 fps MV out of a 22 inch barrel. Got the load out of an older Hornady manual.

My Zastava shoots very accurately with 175-grain Speer Grand Slams and the old Hornady Round Nose Interlocks. What stock did you drop yours in?

So it's a strong bolt action. You can take advantage of 7mm08 load data.

Off topic a smidge Rev, but do you know what the twist is on the Winchester M70 Fwt is?

BACOs are 1:9.5. I believe the older XTRs are 1:8.5 but I might be wrong about that.

Thanks buddy. I was hoping for the 8.5 but I can deal with 9.5...

My 1:9.5 twist rifles don't have any issue stabilizing 175-gr C&C bullets. If I was going to shoot something heavier/longer I'd probably use my Zastava (1:866). But I'd surely try it in one of my M70s as well just to see what it would do.

Remember the length of the bullet matters, and the 175 grain bullets can vary widely in this regard

For example, have you tried the 175 grain Hornady ELD-X in the 9.5 twist?

Yep, I remember: all bullets of the same weight aren't created equal. Profiles can be different.

No, I haven't tried any of the ELD-Xs of any weight. I think I'd probably top out at 162 if I did, if for no other reason than I'm moving away from heavier bullets, C&C or otherwise. Have you shot any of the 175 ELD-Xs in either the 7x57 or 7-08? If so, how did they shoot in a 1:9.5? I'm curious.

I haven't had excellent results in 1-9.5 with 175 ELD's myself in 7 Rem's, but only a few tries.

I have not. I'm looking at some .308" versions to see if I can get to 1000 yards with one of my 308 rifles.

Try Lapua Scenar-L's if going for 1000 yds

I've got an XTR Featherweight in 7 mm Mauser, remember measuring the twist with a rod once, and came up with 1 in 8 1/2

Hi Mike,
We have a bloke here in Australia who makes some excellent aftermarket stocks, and has some in English walnut. The wood is grown here and seasoned naturally, and the stocks are sold unfinished. His name is Cameron Hatcher, and you could probably find him by typing Hatchers Rifle stocks into your search engine.
The heaviest bullet I've used have been a 60gn bullet by an Australian company called Woodleigh Bullets. My best accuracy has been using the 139gn SST, a load I worked up mainly for Fallow Deer, but it's been effective on pigs and wild goats as well. I did find though that the SST has a tendency to shed the jacket, while the core continues on to exit.

I am familiar with Hatcher's. Lots of great inlets. Thanks.

In my 1991 vintage Ruger M77 tang safety, I find the following recipe works consistently and accurately in all weather conditions:

41 grains Varget
Hornady 162 grain ELD Match
neck-sized brass
I have to measure the OAL on my dummy round, but it's about 3-4mm over standard OAL.

~2650 fps

In terms of factory ammo, nothing works better than the S&B 173 grain SPCE. I am having a hard time finding it up here, but I stocked up on the aforementioned 7mm Hornady ELD Match so I am good for while.