Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7x57 loads in a modern action

In a modern action, and what determines a modern action? Can a 7x57 be loaded to in comparison? Example, to a 280Rem, 280AI, 284Win, 7-08, get the idea.

7-08 easy. Case capacity dictates. That's in my Mauser's (M98 and 96) and a Ruger.

My 24" 7X57 runs about 125fps slower than my 280 with a 25" barrel when using 139 Hornady Interlocks.

John Barsness did a write up on just this a while back. I think he said that generally speaking, 2800 to maybe 2850 was top end for 140s in a 22" bbl. @2700 for 150s, and 2600 for 160s. That's off memory, and I could be off.

My father used to run 140 Partitions in my brother's Ruger M77 7x57, at 3000fps. I can't recall the exact powder charge, but want to say 48 or 49 grains of H4350. I know it made a crunching sound when he seated the bullet.

He said over 2900 was easily doable for a 140 like the Hornady Interlock 139 and 2850 or so for something like a Partition. With 49 or 50 grains of H4350 I can get 3000fps. I usually shoot 48 and just use the same charge with a 139 grain Hornady or a 154. With the 154, I'm getting over 2800 with that load.

I think you recall better than I.

The load I mentioned above in the 7X57 runs across the chrono at 2985.

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Perhaps "in a strong action" might be better than "in a modern action". But, again... that doesn't tell you much. I.E. ... define "modern" and define "strong"?

Generally, I'd say a "modern action" or "modern rifle" is any action or rifle made since about 1935 (the Model 70 Winchester) or possibly even earlier... back to maybe 1920 or so. However, I believe some manufacturers were "modernizing" the steels they used in their firearms as late as the late 1920's or early 1930's, but don't quote me on that.

However, most of us understand that a "modern action" means a rifle which has been manufactured within a certain time-frame using modern manufacturing methods, modern steel, modern ballistic knowledge and reasonable caution as used in the popular reloading manuals.

I.E., few, if any, of us would consider a rifle made in 1893 a "modern rifle". (Just ignore the Model 94 Winchester introduced in 1894 or the Savage Model 99 introduced in its original form in 1895 and re-introduced in 1899) In fact, it is generally well-known the 1893 and 1895 Mauser rifles manufactured in those years weren't as strongly made as the famous 1898 Mauser.

Therefore, the SAAMI recommended chamber pressure for the 7x57 cartridges is limited to a low 46,000 CUP due to the fact that in many 3rd world countries, they're still using 1893 and 1895 Mauser rifles. (Don't even ask about the chamber pressures of "blue pill" loads - )

By the same token, "modern" rifle cartridges often have chamber pressures that run upwards of 50,000 CUP to 54,000 CUP or more if the so-called "magnum" cartridges are also included.

However, in at least one well-known reloading manual, the recommended MAXIMUM LOAD for the 7x57 cartridge is listed using a powder load of 50.0 grains of H4350 (my Ruger #1 International loves this load) and indicates this yields a chamber pressure of 50,000 CUP. HOWEVER... this load has a "warning" attached to it indicating that the maximum load MUST BE USED IN MODERN RIFLES ONLY!

Most shooters would consider that this means in a bolt-action rifle ONLY, but such is not necessarily true. My Ruger #1 is a "modern rifle" (made in 1993). HOWEVER, it's action is very old... it has a "falling block" action found in rifles made in the late 1800s.

Hardly a "modern rifle" if it's "heart"... it's action... is well over 100 years old, eh?

That said... it must be admitted that a well-made falling block action using modern steels is a very strong action and can easily handle chamber pressures of 50,000 CUP... and even more!

Now... considering all of the above, let's talk "REALISM"!!! You mentioned examples of comparing a 7x57 cartridge to a .280 Remington, a .280 Remington AI, a .284 or a 7mm-08. Let's talk about these cartridges.

All of the cartridges you mentioned (except one, the 7mm-08) have a larger powder capacity than the 7x57 and, therefore, like cubic inches and horsepower in engines, the engine with the greatest amount of cubic inches can normally be made to out-perform any engine with smaller cubic inches... and thus, all the cartridges with a greater powder capacity and an equal or higher chamber pressure will out-perform the best the 7x57 will do at the same chamber pressure.

The same can be said of "powder capacity" in all cartridges if all the other factors (chamber pressure, cartridge shape, barrel length, use of the best suited powder, etc., etc.) are the same.

While the shape of the cartridge case and the angle of the shoulder CAN make some difference in muzzle velocity, the big "deciding factors" are POWDER CAPACITY and CHAMBER PRESSURE. If we give all these cartridges the SAME chamber pressure, then the ONLY difference will be POWDER CAPACITY... and that is the REAL DECIDING FACTOR that determines muzzle velocity in a rifle with the same barrel length under normal conditions.

I may have forgotten to include some small details, but the above is the true basis of the "realism" of why some cartridges under-perform or out-perform other cartridges.

But worry not because I'm sure some know-it-all troll who likes to pull the wings off of butterflies will find a way to poke holes in my post.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Ron T,
thanks, a great explanation, now I have a better understanding of how it "works"

Bob...

Glad you now have a better understanding. But I forgot one HUGE factor... RECOIL !!!

And the LACK of unpleasant recoil is a big factor in the reason so many knowledgeable hunters choose the 7x57 cartridge (aka "7mm Mauser" and ".275 Rigby") as their preferred hunting cartridge. The 7x57. like the 6.5x55 Swede. seems to kill far beyond what their ballistics indicate they should... and they do it with less-than-expected recoil.

With the exception of the "big bears", the 7x57 is easily capable of taking ALL new world big game animals and, in a pinch, the 7x57, backed up by a guide using a .338 Winchester Magnum or a .375 H&H Magnum, will take the "big bears" as well, but shot placement becomes extremely important at that point.

With about the same recoil as the .270 Winchester (which has a fairly light recoil) firing 130 grain bullets, the 7x57 is an excellent choice for an "all-around" big game rifle cartridge.

Incidentally, about the turn from the 19th. to 20th. century, (1900), an ivory hunter named "Karamojo" Bell, an excellent marksman, used a 7x57 Mauser to shoot and kill over 1,000 elephants in Africa. Most of 'em were one-shot kills. However, I doubt if anyone would recommend the 7x57 as an "elephant gun".


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Ron,
I am a tradtionalist, always admired the 7x57, 257Bob 270, had one, I made up my boys 257AI's and the 6.5 Swede, I hunted all this fall for a new swede, or Bob and did not like the Ruger 77, in what I could afford, but Tikka does not import them anymore, CZ550 was just out of my price range, whored myself on a Vangaurd in 257WM. To fill the rifle gap looking to get a 7mm, I have a Ruger#3 in 45-70 for the big bore. I have the knolewdge that the 7x57 is a real killer but always have a bug about getting more velocity out of them, like a 280Rem, but still having the 7x57, that is why the question.

At about 62000 psi (7-08 pressure) a 7x57 will hit 2950 fps or so with 140's and 2750 with 160's. Chamber (throat) variations are major in these, so you have to be careful or use a pressure trace. I had shot some of these for years and hooked a pressure trace up just to see how much pressure I was running.

I personally know a lady that set out to, and did, take a rhino with her 7x57.

jstevens,
what is a pressure trace?

I keep grabbing my featherweight in 7 x 57 a lot when it isn't raining out hunting...( this is Oregon, so rain here is inevitable)...I have a batch of ammo loaded up with a 140 grain ballistic tip at 2800 fps ( 10 rounds)....

since I hunt in an area where 150 yds is a long shot, I also load something lighter every year that usually gives me the same bullet impact...

this season, I loaded a 139 grain SP Hornady with a charge of 35 grains of H 322...dime sized cloverleaf at 100 yds... "close enough for government work"...

no deer taken this year... as I was too busy trying to herd them toward kids/ teenagers...

did push a big buck toward two kids... I told them to be in two spots... instead they were together and listening to their MP3 players... so never saw the buck that went rocketing right behind them...

their response? "sorry man!"....

I know this is an older thread but I figured it would be pertinent.

Has anyone been able to safely push a 162-168 gr bullet to 2800 fps in your 7x57?

160 TSX going 2650 out of mine, and its red-lined...

Yeah, the 160 TSX develops more pressure than some other bullets, despite the grooves in the shank. I've used 46.0 grains of H4350 in my 21" barreled 7x57 for years with various 156-160 grain bullets, and never had a problem, but the 160 TSX will get touchy with that powder charge in warm weather. (Yeah, H4350 is an Extreme powder, but even those still develop higher pressures in temperatures much above 70, though not to the extent of "standard" powders.)

Loading the 7x57 isn't like most other rounds, due to the varying throat dimensions of different barrels. My present rifle is a custom, chambered with a reamer with a short throat. It will still chamber and shoot any factory ammo I've tried, but doesn't require as much powder to reach the same velocity levels as some of the dozen other 7x57've I've owned, and pressures would definitely be too high with some of those loads.

Plus, as somebody already mentioned, the whole point of the 7x57 is a relatively mild-recoiling rifle that will still neatly kill big game. Believe it or not, a 140 at 2800 or a 160 at 2650 will do that, even on very big animals. I haven't done a Bell and shot elephants with mine, but have used it on good-sized Canadian moose with no problems, and also on African springbok (a little smaller than pronghorns) at just under 400 yards, both with 160's at 2650. Have killed a lot of other game with my other 7x57's out to 400 with 140's at 2850 or so.

If you want more velocity from a 7mm, buy a .280 or .280 AI or some sort of 7mm magnum, instead of pushing a 7x57 hard. It works just fine at moderate velocities, which is why it's still seen in hunting camps 121 years after it first appeared.

Well said!

I've never grasped why shooters who want magnum velocities from a standard cartridge. Any thoughts to share on this?

Well I want to push it that fast because I am building a competition rifle. I just picked up a nice featherweight in this chambering. I am in the process of gathering components but have not started loading for it yet. I also have a 7mm barrel blank on order and a donor action standing by.

I could go with a .280 or .284 win but was hoping to have some brass and components commonality.

I don't plan on loading my featherweight to those velocities for hunting these poor Texas whitetail. I don't want them to 'splode. I doubt I will be using my amaxs on them either although I have in .308 with good success but some meat damage.

You can probably at least approach 2800 fps in a 26" barrel.

It is a 26" barrel

In a 24" barrel, I get 2732 FPS with 48.5 grains H4350 and 2762 FPS with 51 grains RL19 and Hornady 162 grain BTSP bullets and 3.190 COL. These measure in the mid 50 KPSI area. Your results will surely be different.

Could you push that a little more? Maybe.

As MD said, this is a great round with mild recoil. It's very capable of taking big game out to as far as I care to walk to pick it up.

It's a real sweet spot. I wouldn't mess with it. With prudent bullet and load choices, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 2500 FPS muzzle velocity for a big game round.

Is that the factory barrel?

I have an tang safety ruger 7x57mm. I cant get 2800 ft/sec with a 150 grain bullet, not that I would want to anyway. Puzzling little rifle that one is.

No it is a match grade barrel from Hawk Hill.

Bump

the one whitetail I have taken with the 7x57 was with a 140 NBT moving at about 2600 at the muzzle. worked like a champ

I run 140 AB's up to 2900 out of the M70 Featherweight with RL17. Cases seem better than running a less pressured load of RL19 with a 140 BT at 2700.. I run my loads up to around 60-62K PSI via QL, and try to stick with it.

Haven't seen any negatives and when run up to 60K, the 7mm Mauser is very awesome.. It has made me a believer.

Tag

My rifle likes 48 grs of H or IMR 4350 under either a 175 Partition or old style Grand Slam for a very accurate 2700 fps, it is a mild shooting, low recoil and noise stone cold killer with unbelievable penetration with expanding hunting bullets.

I'd happily use mine without concern for elk, moose and buffalo [bison] inside 400 yards.

Excellent. I haven't loaded mine yet. I shot a have bodied 8 (204 dressed) with a factory loaded 145gr Speer I believe. I wasn't impressed with the expansion. Penciled out but big heart in and lower leg exit. I have 120gr nosler ballistic tips, 120gr ttsx, 154gr rn Hornady. I have imr 4350 and varget.

I have not done any serious reloading for the 7X57 in years. When I did, I was reloading for 2 of them, my son's custom 98 with 22 inch barrel, and my Winchester Model 70 Lightweight with 22 inch barrel. I used Hornady 139 grain SP's, and IMR4350 powder, 48 or 49 in the Mauser, and 51 grains in the Winchester. I could never quite reach the 2800 fps mark, but it didn't matter, as they both killed deer dead, and that was what really mattered. I keep thinking I need to drag the Model 70 back out and mess with it again.

Data taken with a good measurement system is the highest quality data. But if you're willing to settle for a somewhat lower grade of data, estimates from QuickLoad are respectable.

If you have three rifles, identical except for chambering, one in 7mm-08, one in 7x57, and one in 280, then at equal pressures and the same bullets, the wear and chance of failure for each will be the same.

Here's a set of QuickLoad data that helps put those three cartridges in perspective.

Good perspective,there, denton, thanks.

I can tell you from personal experience that the 120 NBT and 154 Hornady will expand quite nicely. The Barnes probably will too, I just haven't used it.

Denton , thank you for the QL data comparison, and as a new to me owner of a M70 7x57, a much better understanding of the closeness of the 3 cartridge's in performance potential.
Ron

Yes, that helps! Thank you.

Other than signs on the shell and primer how do I know what I'm approaching? I'm not trying to make it a .280, but it looks like I can get pretty close if I really wanted to.

I just like this rifle a lot. I grab it more than any others. It's a light recoiling, easy to carry, and quick to my eye gun. I've only shot one deer with it so far so I can't really say it's a killing machine. But, with 120gr NBT's or 154gr RN's, I don't think there will be any issues.

I have taken game up to Red Stag and wild horses in size with the 7x57 as well as the usual stuff and it never lacked anything, once I used the appropriate bullet to the game hunted but that same can be said for anything else.

My loading over the last 35 years with this cartridge includes 25 bullets and 13 powders and it is most difficult to find a bad combination for deer sized animals and only when they go over 500 pounds, "may" some additional testing be required with heavier bullets.

Chronographs are a good indicator. My experience is that QL is very good if you actually measure your case capacity, brass length, and COL. Either of those are going to be better than the discredited case head expansion or pressure ring measurement. I'd probably use the software as a start, and then fine tune with the chronograph.

With 150 grain bullets, my measured pressure with H4350 was 56.6 KPSI and my MV out of a 24" barrel was 2864 FPS, right in line with what QL predicted.

Last fall, my 16 YO granddaughter took it elk hunting, carrying 139 grain bullets loaded to 2800 FPS. She loved it. I think she didn't want to bring it home.

Just to be clear: The chart does not suggest that you take pressures up to 65 KPSI. That's just to show that if you're one of the guys that is running your 280 at over 3000 FPS, you're probably also running excessive pressure.

I don't really need heavier bullets. I just like to shoot the gun. I'm going to take stock of brass tonight and tomorrow and start working up a load or two. Accuracy is what I'm really after. Like you said, deer are pretty easy to kill with shot placement and the right bullets.

Ok. thank you. Like I said, making it a .280 isn't my goal. I have a few of those. I'd just like a nice accurate load that make preferably 2 holes in the deer. I like the low recoil of the 120's so that why I have those. I will try a few 154gr's though. At the ranges it will be used at this year, they'll be fine.

Absolute best reason I know to use a firearm.

Thanks Denton for that QL extrap. That looks like a useful software for guidance with "if,than" questions.

A faster is better mentality no doubt. A perceived notion that a faster bullet will make up for other short comings of both the cartridge and the shooter perhaps?

Well, like I said. I'm looking for accuracy and low recoil. Even the hot loads are pretty mild recoil though. I'm going to load up a few, but need to shoot some to get brass. It looks like I don't have much that isn't in loaded factory form.

I don't need to super fast. I have a .280 if I need more FPS. I don't need 175gr bullets, I have the .30-06 for that. But you guys have given me a good starting point, so thank you.

Perhaps, safely gleaning the most from ones weaponry and self and not excepting anything less, if not, those may be satisfied with sloth like hunting using slingshots and throwing rocks.

Not sure which 7X57 you have but a chronograph is THE way to go when working up loads for one.

You can stand on them as hard as any other cartridge in a suitable action.




Dave

Yup, 98 Mauser and chrono all well tested safe, and when safe, why not? that grand old cartridge made it's name with 175 grains, and in the case of the Partition at 2700 fps, it flies really well to 400 yards, I know I'm sending a well spun javelin of a bullet into game when I fire, just a damn cool cartridge with a lot of rich history.

It is a cool cartridge.

Did I miss it? I don't know which rifle tzone is shooting.




Dave

Don't know either, just noticed T tagged a thread form 2013 so he must have just got one recently, bet it's in fine shooting condition regardless of make/manufacturer.

Amen to that Gunner.. makes me wanna break it out and monkey with my boys a little. I'm betting 26 would be pretty wicked with the 160's and 175's...

I can't attest to RL 26 with the 160s and 175s...

But recently I have pulled out the old Ruger Mk 2 in 7 x 57...

Having 7 or 8 one pound bottles of RL 26, it was the first powder I thought I'd try
in it, with the 180 ELD-M Hornadys I picked up also...

Haven't had the chronograph out to test the velocity, but the powder and bullet
combo gave nice small groups out to 200 yds with a 4 power scope and a rest
to shoot it off of.

going to the campfire get2gether in Quemado, kinda shelved going further..

I can report fine accuracy and I can report, recoil was less than I thought it would
be... the 7mm Mauser is just a fine cartridge...

Made a few cartridges out of 280 Win nickle brass, just so the loaded rounds
look cool also...

Those Rugers were known to be picky for accuracy... but not with this bullet or that
load.. which were loaded to magazine length for the Ruger's action.

I may give something along those lines a shot in my boys rifle. It dotes on 17 with 140's, 150's and 160's. Haven't ever done much with the heavyweights.

"I've never grasped why shooters who want magnum velocities from a standard cartridge. Any thoughts to share on this?"

For me it's bringing a 100+ year old cartridge into the 20th/21st century. I've own several rifles in 7x57 over the years, the first being an 1893 Mauser sporter that was built in England by some small gunmaking shop back in 1973.. I lost the first deer shot with it using the only ammo I could find in the small rural cowtown I was living at the time. (175 gr. Federal round nose) Soured me on the gun and I traded it off. Still kicking myself on that one. Then came a Ruger M77 tang safety they just didn't impress me so it went down the road. Fell into a deal on a Ruger #1 but had to send it back to Ruger for a barrel replacement. Shoots good now. Picked up a Winchester M70 Featherweight and had a semi-custom build based on a commercial FN Mauser so playing with the cartridge is a given.

The 7x57 in factory guise is a nice accurate mildly kicking round that serves well for most deer hunting so no gripes there but it's like buying a new Corvette and disconnecting two spark plugs. Why shoot a 140 gr. bullet at 2600 FPS when 2800 FPS is easily arrived at? If all I ever hunted deer, that 145 gr. Winchester factory load would most likely do it all but where I hunt ranges can stretch out a bit. I'm just more comfortable with that 140 gr./2800 FPS than the 145 gr./2600FPS, that is if the factory load even gets that fast. I ought to Chrony some if I can ever find any.

I would do the same with any cartridge not loaded to it's full but safe potential. Think .280 Rem., .257 Bob, even the 30-06 does not reach advertised velocity. It's not about hot rodding a cartridge, it's just realizing it's full safe potential and the 7x57 definitely responds in that category.

Would I try to" get more" from say a .243, 308 or .300 mag.? Absolutely not. There is a point of diminishing returns and those cartridges are load pretty much to where they need to be. JMHO
Paul B.

Amen... I'll hang in Gunner's corner.

Yup, when we have or need to hit something, hit em hard!

Use 7mm08 loads .... simple !

fwiw...

the QL that Denton posted show a FPS advantage to the 7x57 over the 7mm-08. I imagine in the real world that is nit-picking, but i-net forums ain't the real world... Providing the 7x57 isn't stuffed into a short action, of course...

let's see, shorten an 06 case and then blow it out...a guy with the 7-08 AI is just getting to where today's 7x57 is...:)

I've had one for a bit. A few years. But, I haven't started reloading for it yet. I've only loaded for my .280 so far.

It's a Win M70 xtr featherweight. Leupold vx2 2-7. 22" bbl, Timeny trigger

Any idea what the Winchester 145gr bullet is? That's the only load I've killed anything with in this gun. It was my longest shot at a deer actually. A bit over 100 yds, probably 125 or so. Shot was a bit 1/4'ing away. Hit the back of leg, heart, and exited above the knee on the off side. The deer died because of the hole in his heart, but the bulled didn't really expand much. Almost not at all.

You're gonna enjoy it TZone, it's a really fun and effective cartridge.

It a Powerpoint bullet. At least that's what it says on the box.
Paul B.

I guess I don't view it as disconnecting two plugs in a V-8 as much as I do not having to run with the accelerator on the floor all the time. It certainly can be appropriate; I'm not sure it's always necessary. Having the ability to do so, however, is certainly nice.

By the way, I wonder if the 145-gr Power Point might not be a Speer HotCor. Dunno, but unless Winchester is making it themselves I believe Speer is the only other source for 145-grain bullets.

Well...I know that's what it says. I have heard several say it's a Speer Hot Core. But I'm not sure.

Exactly what I've heard, but really don't know for sure. It shoots pretty good in the gun, I know that. Better than any other factory stuff anyway.

I shot a box and a 1/2 of Winchester 145gr to get some brass yesterday. I have enough to try a few loads right now.

I had 5 rounds loaded with Hornady 154gr RN bullet, and 44.5grs of IMR 4350 (0.5gr below max). It liked that load quite well. I'm going to play with that bullet and powder and see what I get. I'll try some 120gr NBT's as well with Varget.

For me, the 7x57 is easy to load and shoot and it does an excellent job on deer, antelope and elk.

I did plan on using a 140 grain bullet for deer and antelope and a 160 for elk. One year I forgot to bring the 160's for a Wyoming deer, antelope and elk hunt so I was stuck with the 140gr partition for elk. But it took down a bull elk at about 160 yards with a single shot. The bullet pierced both lungs and the elk dropped after moving about 30 yards.

It's generally pretty hard to find a hunter who has used the 7x57 and did not like it. But is does require that the ammo be hand loaded to get the maximum velocity from it.

God bless the 7x57!

Steve

I shot some more yesterday with Remington Core lokts in 140gr to get some brass. It liked them quite a bit. It liked them so much that I sighted it in at 100 with them.

I also shot at 300, which was the first time I've done that. It seemed to be about 12" low. Does that sound about right?

Here you go, Tom

JBM online Calcs

Does sighted in at 100 mean dead zero there? If so, then 12" drop at 300 yards is roughly 4 moa. That's shooting a bit flatter than plugging Remington's claimed mv into Hornady's online calculator indicates.

When you went to 300 how many shots did you fire? The more shots the merrier for establishing a good estimate of the group center and hence the real drop.

What Mathman said. Particularly if that was your first time at 300 and not just the first time for the rifle. The first time I sighted in a rifle at 300, my performance was pretty appalling. Distance (and fly-weight rifles) will reveal some shooting habits that aren't disclosed at 100 yards...:)

Yes. I should have clarified that. It's sighted it, to be dead on at 100 yards.

I don't see very well, so shooting that far isn't something I do often. I had the range to myself, so I tried it in case I was going to embarrass myself. I was using a Leupold VX-1 2-7, if that matters at all.

I shot two with this rifle. They both hit the bottom of the target, just punching the edge of the bottom of the paper.

It was my first time ever. Not just with this rifle. I also shot at that distance shortly after with my new M70 Extreme Weather in 30-06. That shot a bit flatter but not much. 3/4-1" maybe. I did site that dead on at 100 as well because it has a CDS Reticle in the VX-2 3-9 x 40.

It made 200 a lot easier. 200 was the furthest I've shot before yesterday. 100 seemed like a chip shot after that. I'll be doing more of it for sure!

7x is plenty for good shooting with a big game rifle at 300 yards. For range testing it really helps to make a target that is easy to line up with the reticle/magnification/distance combination in play.

With a correctly proportioned target I've shot well below moa at 300 yards with a scope whose actual magnification tops out at 3.9x. The little straight tube Leupold looks kind of funny sitting on a rifle sporting a 27" #7 contour barrel, but the combination does make a point at the range when I'm talking to folks who think you need 14x or more to take deer at 300 yards.

I don't need a big scope to take deer out that far. But it would be nice to see the squares on the target. I'll shoot some more out that far and work on it.

Exactly, deer aren't that small.

Make a target that's a big + symbol with the bars scaled to fit your reticle at 300 yards. Use a level when you hang the target too, that'll let you know if you're canting.

Assuming 2700fps with both, using a +2"@100 zero, which is flatter out at 400yds...the Woodleigh 160 or the Nosler 175PT? 7x57 of course.

I loaded 20 up last night. I'll shoot them on Saturday morning and see what we come up with.

I loaded 10 with 140gr NPT. 5 with 47 gr of IMR 4350 and 5 with 48 gr of IMR 4350. Loaded in Rem brass with Win. LR primers (hope they fire ), to a COL of 3.063. (Nosler website was 3.065)

Then I used the same powder charges with 139gr Hornady IL. Same brass and primer as well.

I have seen a lot of people stating they've put more than 50gr of IMR 4350 for this round. The Nosler book max load is 49gr of IMR 4350.

I put 49gr in the case to start and it came about 1/2 way up the case neck. So, I dumped it and started over. I checked my scale, and did it again....same results.

How are folks getting 50+ grains in the case?

Swirl pour and/or drop tube.

As MM said, drop tube. I use one those fill tubes for sand bags that works well. I have notes for 52g. Mine has a touch of throat, though

Did you happen to measure the bullet seating, Tom?

My drop tube is an old BIC pen with the guts pulled out.

Good idear, no waiting on delivery...

How do you funnel it in to BIC?

My old green RCBS funnel goes on top.

Roger.

No, but I can. I have notes from my case trim length and the COAL.

That's what mine does.

And I'm not saying I need to put that much in there. I was just curious why I couldn't even get book max in the casing.

For several small reasons I've mostly gotten away from loads that require powder compression. My drop tube doesn't get nearly as much action now.

exactly. I can shoot one of the 3, 30-06's we have if I need that much more. I just found it odd. I don't need to be doing tricks to get powder in the casings.

In my handloading history there is powder compression, and then was powder Compression...when the OAL grows in length sitting in the tray, it may be time to reconsider...

As you probably know, 7x57 throats can be all over the board. Throat/length & bullet seating certainly have an impact on pressure outcomes.

RP brass and 48 grs of H-4350 is a perfect fit with a 175 NPT or Speer Grand Slam with a c.o.a.l. of 3.100"

The three responses above are the most pertinent presented. I will point to another J Barness article where he touted 2700 as the magic muzzle velocity regarding bullet performance as well as providing reasonable trajectory. I think everyone trying to squeeze an extra 100 fps out of a hunting rifle should read it. The real lesson of the article was his pictorial comparison of the 308 loaded to approx 2700 fps to a 300 mag at longer ranges . The trajectory drop delta was not near what many would expect and imho really exposes the folly of pushing the pressure envelope trying to get an additional 100 fps out of an already adequate cartridge.

The 7x57 will propel a 140 grain bullet at 2900fps in a modern action.

It would be quite adventurous to consider many animals commonly hunted today, that that combination would be unsuited for.

Stick a 140-gr Partition in one and I doubt there'd be much in the lower 48 that couldn't be handled.