Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Modern data for the 7X57?

Looking at the specs on the 7-08, it is SAAMI rated at 61000 psi. The 7X57 is held to 51000 psi. Shouldn't a new/modern rifle be able to run the 7X57 to 61000? What might I be missing? Is data available? +P loadings?
P.S. I understand the caveats about high pressure rounds in older rifles.

I'm thinking it may be difficult to find published load data which shows loads that exceed SAAMI MAP.

The liability and the threat of litigation see to this.

That said, I know of at least one person who claims he handloads his 7x57 to equal 7RM FACTORY velocities.

You may wish to PM Atkinsonhunting here.

My Hodgdon book has a double set of numbers. One is specified "heavy loads for Ruger only". It doesn't post any pressure numbers however.

This is going out on a bit of limb but I think one could figure on loading the 7X57 with the same bullets to the same speeds achieved with the 7mm-08. All the usual caveats apply , of course- same components, similar barrel lengths, etc. In �Loads That Work�, John Barsness basically says that the same loads the work for the 7mm-08 work for the 7X57 in modern rifles.

That�s how I plan to treat my soon to come 7X57. If a manual shows X grains of powder with Y weight, brand and style of bullet gives 2800 fps in the 7mm-08 then I will load the 7X57 to that velocity and call it good.

Check out Speer's website. Also, Nosler's latest manual runs them up there.

My measurements in my rifle... yours will be different:

Rem brass, CCI200 primer.

50.5 grains H4350, 150 grain Nos BT, 3.230" COAL, 2864 FPS, 56.6 KPSI
48.5 grains H4350, 162 Horn BTSP, 3.190 COAL, 2732 FPS, 54 KPSI
51 grains RL19, 162 Horn BTSP, 3.190 COAL, 2762 FPS, 56.1 KPSI
52.5 grains RL22, 160 Nos AccB, 3.290" COAL, 2736 FPS, 55.5 KPSI

There is absolutely nothing wrong with running 7x57 at 58 KPSI in a modern rifle in good condition.

According to Atkinson, unless you own a BRNO 21 or 22 you can not achieve 7RM velocities. Plus I would not push a 7x57, rather, buy a 7RM.

If I use a drop tube, I can get 50/51 grains of H4831 into a Winchester/Olin case without compressing it and top it with either a 140 grain BT or Partition. That is an accurate, flat shooting, combination in a variety of Marlin, Mauser, Remington, Ruger, and Winchester/USRA rifles that I've tried it in.

NOTE: 50/51 grains of H4831 won't fit into any Remington cases that I've tried and if you could get it to fit, it would certainly be a compressed load that might cause pressure issues for you.

Jeff

My idea of Hell is having to use a drop tube to reload. Why not try a little faster powder? Or H414? "I think" H414 is what Ray uses to achieve his ballistics. That and his long throated mausers.

Thanks, guys. You have pretty much affirmed what I was thinking. I just acquired a NULA, and was looking at the disparity between 7mm/08 loads, and the 7X57. I figure to run 7mm/08 loads on down, depending on where the accuracy/velocity come together. I haven't even decided what bullet weight I want to shoot. got a bit of figgerin' left to do, but it will likely become my go-to rifle. I love this stuff!
Oh, and BTW, I don't want anywhere near 7 mag ballistics from this 5 1/2 pound (scoped) rifle!

Hornady's 4th edition reload manual lists loads that are beyond what SAAMI wants for the 7mm Mauser...due to the old rifles...

using their data, I run a 175 grainer at 2650 fps MV out of a 22 inch barrel in both a Ruger and Model 70... using Remington Brass..

the manual says I should expect 2400 fps or so...instead of the 2650 I get... but the brass has gone 10 reloads and still had tight primer pockets so I call it good...

I have used both Rem and PMC brass with their load data in Manual edition 4... no problems..

Denton's are pretty much the same as mine, also checked with a pressure trace. There is a significant increase in case capacity with Win. brass in this caliber, so you have to adjust the load accordingly. No problems getting 2950 with 140, 2850 150, 2750 160, in a 22 in. barreled Ruger. I have shot thousands like this, I'm still waiting to throw away brass for a loose primer pocket, and I have tested some 160's as fast as 2817 fps, but at 64000 psi, so never saw a future in that for 50 fps.

Atkinson was mentioned earlier. I jotted down some loads he quoted using H-414, but he did not indicate grains.

130 grain - 3200 fps
150 grain - 3123 fps
160 grain - 2916 fps
175 grain - 2700 fps

I know Ray had a really long throat Czeck BRNO rifle, but do these velocities give anyone but me heartburn?

I recall some guys back in the 80's really pouring the coal to the 7x57 with Norma 205,and getting vels like that, but I don't know how comfy I would be with a 7x57 that equals or beats a 280AI...

If those velocities showed up on my chrono it would not give me heartburn, maybe a cold sweat.

Bob, a lot of loads and velocities I read about in here gives me heartburn. Especially since you have newbies coming in here that will grab that data as a starting point.

I only run 120's (GS) for 3235fps over 51gn BL-C2 and Fed 215's and 160 Woodleighs at 2700fps over 47gn H4350 and WLR.
A 1908 DWM action with 25in x 9in barrel. Will cover anything I am ever likely to need from a general hunting rifle.

Von Gruff.

stillbeeman: I get what you're saying.

VonGruff: 2700 with 160's seems about right to me.

Something like this has been said a few thousand times here, but.

I can understand seeking reasonable high velocity for a given cartridge. I don't understand trying to make a given cartridge perform like a faster cartridge using the same bullet.

Not meant to challenge the OP, because it is reasonable to load a 7x57 in a modern rifle a bit faster than loads shown for rifles in weaker actions.

Even I look at those velocities and scratch my head.

Mule Deer did a write up on loading for the 7x57. Gave the top "normal" velocities for each bullet weight. Loading to a "max velocity" rather than a book max powder charge is how I load everything anyway.