Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Loads for 7x57

Great info. Just loaded up some 140gr BT's and RL19 for the M70 FWT 7x57. Looking forward to seeing what the little 7 can do. It is going to be my son's rifle once load work is done, but what a nice case to load for with the long neck. First time loading for a 7x57, so it was a pretty cool experience. Scotty

"I reckon that Mr Mauser got it about right all those years ago."

I think you're right.

Beretzs. About the only thing you might have to look out for is those 7x57 cases tend to stretch. I load for three 7x57 rifles and I have to check case length just about every time I resize I notice that Ken Waters in one of his Pet Loads articles on the 7x57 commented on case stretching as well. other than that, it's one of my favorite rounds to play with.
Paul B.

PJ,

The case stretching may well be caused by overly large chambers. Varying chamber dimensions in some rifles can cause that.

On the other hand, mine(3 of them, a NULA, and 2 Ruger #1's), do not have the problem.

Steve

You're lucky. You might be right regarding most factory chambers but my FN Mauser custom was barreled and chambered to match grade standards by a very anal gunsmith. The guy is one hell of a perfectionist and the three barrel jobs he's done for my are all sub-MOA accurate. Even that tight chambered Mauser will strch cases although not quite as fast as the M70 Featherweight and Ruger #1A.
Paul B.

I haven't played with the heavier 7mm bullets. My Ruger standard MkII likes the "Barsness load" of H4350 and Hornady 139 grain SPBT. 50 grains of H4350 is pushing 2960 fps out of my barrel in very nice sub 3/4 inch groups. I stopped with that. Deer and hogs have been the only game taken with this load. I have not recovered a bullet yet, but I haven't taken any quartering too shots with it.

I bought some 160's and 175's to play with but our local range was shut down for safety reasons in August so never got to work them out. Will get on it again this spring.

Hi E_b

Me too use 154 to 175 grs bullets in my two 7x57s. I load for this cartridge since 1972...I prefer the 7x57 in a good Mauser 98 and a European type barrel than any 7x64 !! Having had a nice 7x64 for many years...
With 160 grs bullets I use 4350 (any), R19 and R22. By the way, the Alliant R series the only powders we have here right now. But anyway this two have been, for me, the best powders for 160/175 grs bullets. In my rifles, Mausers, I can reach around 2750 f/s with 160 grs and 2650 with 175 grs bullets without ANY signs of dangerous pressure and very good case life, 7 reloads at least.

Good luck

PH

In three different 7x57s I have run the gamut of bullet weights and in this small sample three bullets stand out with good accuracy and velocity. 115 grain Speer Hollow Point, 154 grain Interlock and 160 grain Nosler Partition.

115 grain Speer 48-48.5 grains IMR 4320 3100 fps

154 grain Interlock 48-49 grains H4350 2800 fps

160 grain Nosler PT 47-48 grains H4350 2650 fps

For what ever reason I could not get the 140 grain TTSX to group until recently I tried IMR 4320. For those that want to sling a Barnes bullet try 44 grains IMR4320 for about 2860 fps.

I'm using 48gr of H4831 and the 154 Hornady bullet. Don't know how fast, but it kills good as far as i wish to shoot. I have used this load in several rifles for over 35 years and it always groups very well and kills double dead.

I started loading the 7x57 back in 1972 when Ruger made their first run of M77's in that caliber. At the time, reloading components were sometimes hard to get and 7x57 cases were particularly tough to come by. I reformed a bunch of .30-06 brass in a RCBS trim die,annealed and inside reamed the necks. At the time, I was into using only one load in each of the rifles I had on hand. I found that 139/140 grain bullets over 48 grains of H414 worked well in the reformed cartridges, even reformed military as well as the few commercial 7x57 cases I could get my hands on.It was my standard load for years.You can put in a couple more grains of powder for a bit more velocity, but the case life with that load was phenominal.

That is great intel guys, thanks for all the load data. I have a batch of 140 BT's loaded with RL19 right now. Going to break the barrel in with them. After that, I have 140 ET's, 140 BT's, 160 PT and AB's and 175 PT. I also have a bunch of 145 Grand Slams and 145 Speer BT's. Seems like I am in the right area for powder, but I will mess with it a little as time goes on. My main objective is to get a good working load for my son, as it is his rifle.

175 Speer Grand slams, IMR-4350, w/ a CCI-250 in RP cases have been real sweet in my old '09 argie.

Gunner

I also run a 120gn GS Custom over 51gn BL-C2, Fed LRM primer, Graff (fitted) brass for 3235fps and excellent accuracy.

Von Gruff.