Seems like we have threads on good loads for the 30-06 and .308. How about we have one for the 7x57 Mauser?
Paul B.

Thats easy, any good 160gn bullet (I use the Woodleigh) and a good dose of H4350 with WLR gets me 2700fps.
120gn GSC and BL-C2 with Fed 215 gets out at 3237fps.
This covers all bases with this great all round cartridge.

Von Gruff.

my 7x57 loves N203 with 150 gr bullets


Ed

49 grains of RL19 with the 160gr Sierra GameKing produced 2733 fps with pretty good accuracy.

50 gr of IMR-4350 in a Winchester Western Case a Federal 210 primer or what you have and top it off with a 140 gr Nosler Partition. Or if your barrel likes a heavier bullet, I have such a rifle, then 48 gr of IMR 4350 and a 160 gr Speer or Nosler Partition. Killed a lot of game with both those loads.

Mine loves the 140 NP over IMR 4350 or RL19.

again, 40 grains of IMr 3031 with a 139 to 175 grain bullet...

mv will be between 2650 fps to 2750 fps...

will prove to be accurate in a shot out barrel...

More of the same; 50 gr H4350 with a 140 Accubomb.

I have never chronographed a powder that out performed 760/H414 in this cartridge. Interesting that it is not mentioned yet. Hang on, I just did.

JW

AussieGunWriter, Do you mean in velocity, accuracy or both? Thanks, Troy.

Both. My current rifle is a 40 years old Rigby Mauser .275 and also the most accurate one I have used, but apart from that, the velocity is highest of all powders in weights from 140 - 175 grains.

JW

H-414 shoots best in nmy 7x57's with 140 gn Nosler Partitions and Fed 210 primers. 47.0 gns of H-414 shoots well, but I'd drop a few grains and work up with a new rifle.

Mine loves IMR-4350 and Accurate 3100 with just about any bullet from 130 to 175 grains.

Lets keep this thread going please, any one use IMR 4320 or RS Big Game?

I've used IMR-4320 with 130's and 140's with no complaints.

52.0gr of RL19 IS WHERE IT'S AT W/THE 7X57(140gr BT)

A few years ago I chased 130 grain 270 Win. ballistics using IMR 4320 with a 130 grain Speer Hot-Cor and used the powder with 115 grain Speer HP for a surprisingly accurate varmint load.

I'll add to the corpse thread.

139 hornady or 140 sierra PH (forgive me, ingwe), 46-48 g of H4350. nuff said.

I used to use 760/414 in the 7x57, and it did provide outstanding velocities with good accuracy--in what might be called normal temperature ranges. But eventually I found it didn't work nearly as well in real cold or heat, proving too erratic.

Eventually, like many people who've posted here, I settled on H4350, which is MUCH more tractable across a wide range of temperatures. But another problem with the 7x57 is that throat length is all over the place in different rifles. I've owned rifles that could take over 50 grains with 140-grain bullets without the slightest sign of distress, and others that couldn't take 47 grains.

Consequently I just advise using enough H4350 to reach a certain velocity level, and leaving it at that. Of course, velocity will vary depending on barrel length, but 50 fps can be added to 24" barrels or subtracted in 20" barrels from the following suggestions for 22" barrels:

120's: 3150
140's: 2900
150's: 2800
160's: 2700
175's: 2600

Ramshot Hunter also appears to be a pretty good choice, and is a little slower than H4350 so might be capable of more zip, especially since it's a ball powder so more can fit in the case. It certainly works great in the 7mm-08. But I haven't used Hunter enough with all bullet weights to come to a firm conclusion yet--except it's noticeably more consistent in varying temperatures than 760/414, and burns a lot cleaner as well.

I'd only add that 2800 fps. works very well out past 400 yds. with the 140 gr. Nosler Partition. I used 49 grs. of IMR 4350 in WW cases for my old Ruger tang safety rifle.
I recall that 44 grs. of IMR 4320 worked very well with the Hornady 139 gr. bullet. E

That is the load I used for the 140 Sierra PH for 2755 fps.

They've about covered everything in my reloading notes. You can't go wrong with IMR or H4350 although my guns are a bit more accurate with R19. Recently had really good results with 49 grains of IMR4007ssc and Nosler 120 gr. ballistic tips. Also worked well with 140's and it's available.

As JB mentioned, throats can vary greatly with this round. My original 1958 vintage Brno ZG47 takes 50.5 grains of H4350 to make 2800 fps with either 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip or Partition.

52 grains will get 2900 with a 139 Hornady Interbond.

Agreed ...760 has been a heart break for me because while velocities were really good and accuracy excellent, the stuff dumped a lot of velocity in temps around 20 degrees. I stopped using it in the 30/06 and 375H&H so never tried it in the 7x57.I suppose in consistent temps it would work great but I don't have that where I shoot and hunt.

My last 7x57 was a Rem Mountain rifle that stacked bullets and doted on 51 gr RL19 and the 140 Partition for about 2840 or so fps.

R-P brass
175 gr. Speer GS or Partition
48 gr. H-4350
CCI-250
COL 3.100"
2700 fps

24" barreled DWM Mauser in 7X57mm, unreal speed, accuracy and penetration, this old Mauser rifle is a very well mannered killer.

Gunner

W-W brass
160 gr Accubond or Deep Curl
50 gr H4831
CCI BR2

Use in modern rifle only.

On our trip to Africa last year my youngest son, age 14, took all manner of critters up through kudu and wildebeest using the 160 gr AB behind 47 grs of IMR4350. All good.

I never experienced hunting in cold temperatures until I immigrated to the US so found the temperature instability comments fascinating.

In Oz, Winter is generally n the 40-50's until the sum warms the day with only an isolated day here and there requiring outer garments. You could hunt most of the year in a dinner suit and be over dressed literally, so the powder variances were not apparent unless you hunted in summer months, which we seldom did, because of the snakes.

I did experience some higher pressure when using 760 in hotter weather but put it down to working too close to max rather than pressure fluctuations so generally backed off a little on subsequent loadings. (Never missed an animal that would indicate a POA shift in the field)

The US and Europe has greater temperature swings so it is a great experience to have to relearn and adjust thinking when handloading.

I have much more than a lifetimes supply of bullets and way too many powders but see great scope to select a minimal amount of powders and a few hand picked bullets for a given cartridge. With the 7x57, my newest rifle likes H4350 and generates great velocities in the bullet weights I have tried it.

In previous 7x57's I have owned or tested, H4350 was seldom in the top velocity range with medium burners like Rel 15 through 760 powders generating the highest velocities for most bullet weights.

The chamber dimensions and their variance cannot be overstated.

This cartridge delivers way above its diminutive size would indicate because of the ease of use for the average rifleman and the terrific range of hunting bullets available that are capable of tailoring to 98% of the worlds game, especially if the user is a hunter.

My current intent, is to load it with bullets in the 150-175gn range, as it prefers. If I want flatter trajectory, the .289A1 and 7mm Remington are sitting beside it in the safe and would be selected based on the possible ranges that may be encountered.

The .280A1 of the three, is on shaky ground as velocities are equaled by the .30/06 I actually prefer and the 7mm Remington is not in any way, inferior to it.

The 7x57, always pleases and so far, has never been inadequate nor inappropriate to any hunting where I have carried it.
John

I'm intending to compare TAC and exterminator and pos 17, to H4350, just to see.

My Featherweight uses the same load of 4064, with a 140 grain Ballistic Tip.. the 22 inch barrel yields 2800 fps...

Pretty darn accurate to boot...and highly capable...

IMR4350 and 139 Grain Hornady Interlock bullets. I use these on pronghorn and it would make a great load for deer too. Usually Pronghorn season is not too cold, sometimes as warm as 70 degrees. (For cold weather shooting I like my 280 Rem w/ 154 grain Hornady Interlock bullets and H4831SC powder. This load is good for white deer, mule deer and larger species of the deer family.) I have not worked up a load for the 7x57 for deer where hunting could easily be 20 below. With the new temperature tolerant IMR powders, I'd bet that a person could find a good "all temperature" powder to go with my favored 139 Grain Hornady 7mm bullets. I stay away from ball powders for hunting but like ball powders for target shooting where I'm certain the temperature is likely shirt sleeve temp's.

Only for use in strong actions, not small ring military Mausers, Remington Rolling Blocks, or any similar actions.

For deer, any 139 or 140 grain bullet ahead of 42.5 grains of H4895.

For bigger/heavier game, the 160 grain Partition ahead of 38 grains of H4895.

I just finished setting up a load for my Brno ZKK 600.
Settled on 175 Speer Mag-Tips over IMR 7828. I'm getting 2425 fps and 2" groups at 200 meters. The Brno's got a really long throat, I had to seat the bullets at 3.160" C.O.A.L to get them 0.030 off the lands.

I have some Speer 175 gr. Deep Curls on hand as well. To get them out to the rifling, I'll have to seat them at 3.310" C.O.A.L.to get to the rifling. Good thing the Brno's got a long magazine box.

It's going to be my moose rifle this fall if I get a draw.

I fear that you will find TAC & X-Terminator too fast, but RL17 ought to be good.

I used RL15 when playing with 120's.

RL17 has been working really well for me with 140's and 150's.

Rel 15 works well with 160's as well.
John

H-414 is the huckleberry in my 7x57. Works well with 120 grain bullets up to 154's. I haven't tried it with anything heavier.

H-450 was very accurate with 170 grain bullets. But that powder I found to be very temp sensitive. Pressure really spiked during summer temps.

Dan

My limited work with Reloder 17 was unsatisfactory in 7x57 and 140s. But I did not push much passed a educated guess starting load and never got back to it. In my other guns 17 worked better as it reached max. pressure and fuller loading density. I do wanna go back and restart testing it. But am trying to get rid of other components that have worked in the past

44 grains of IMR 4895 or 4064 with a 140 grain Ballistic Tip or 139 grain Hornady SP, yield 2800 fps MV out of my Model 70 Featherweight.... and is accurate enough that it must think it is a varmint rifle...

Tag. I don't want to lose this thread. Any chance of making it a sticky?

I second the motion to make it a sticky.
Paul B.

I third the motion, all in favor say aye!

AYE!

AYE!
Paul B.

In my Winchester Featherweight,it'sIMR-4350 with a 160 gr Sierra GK. Getting an average of 2710 fps from a 22" barrel. In the CZ it's H-4831 and a 160 gr Nosler Partition. IIRC that load is in the 2750+ range from a (almost) 24" barrel. The CZ I can seat the heavier bullets out to 3.330". With the lighter bullets well....





I don't use the above load,backed off a little bit and get better accuracy. Not that there is anything wrong with the group in the pic.

Thanks for the mention of Speer's Deep Curl bullets. I had an email exchange from one of the techs at Speer and he mention in passing to use only the data published on Speer's website for the Deep Curl bullets. When I asked why he said that those bullets act differently from a normal C&C so it's best to stay with data published specifically for them. I just thought they were a regular bonded bullet, and reloading manuals put out by folks like Hornady and Nosler don't make a distinction between their bonded and C&C bullets. What are y'all's thoughts about the tech's advice?

Thanks.

Rev,

I think it is wise to do as they suggest, the Deep Curls construction (plated jacket) is much different from C&C or other bondeds.

I followed the data Speer provided designated for "Modern Strong Action Only" which maxes at 51 gr. Happily it coincided with the load I had already worked up for the NABs which came from an old issue of Handloader, also for modern rifles.

Interestingly, IIRC the Poobah has said he uses the same powder charge with 160 TSX's which is either a case of great minds thinking alike or fools seldom differing, probably the latter.

I agree. If there is anything unique about it, better safe than sorry.

49 grs. of IMR4350 with a 160 Speer Hot-Cor and 50 grs. with a 150 BT have shot well in my Winchester Featherweight.

160 chronoed just a hair over 2700
150 chronoed just a hair over 2800

Just picked up some 140 gr. VLD's.
Started with 48 H-4350,got 2775 into a 3 shot 1/2".
Couldn't believe it.
I might be done,or may still try to get to 2850 or so.

Mike

Tag

+1

This matches my experience as well, just bear in mind that it may take a lot more than any book shows to get these normal velocities in a long throated rifle. I have been tempted to try Hunter as well, but I have probably 15 pounds of H414, so....haven't yet. It takes 50 grains in mine to get 2750 with a 160 partition in mine, as an example. 52 with 140 TTSX

Hello MD,

Agree! Those velocities/bullet weights matches very accurately my findings after 40 years reloading the 7x57.

Best Regards

PH

Tag

From Elkhunternm:

Here's the load.

IMR-4350 46.0 grains
Winchester Large Rifle primer
160 gr Sierra Game King
R-P case
Average is 2710 fps from a 22" barrel.

Man, I hate to lose this thread. Why no sticky??

Thanks Rev.

It's in a sticky here,
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9661493/all/Campfire_Pet_Loads

Up top of the forum.
Mike

Outstanding!

Thanks

RM

Rumor has it you have a new killing machine in 7x57....

You mean this old thing?

Who talked you into that rag?

Rev, nice to see some fresh blooms, it's 12 degrees here now!-Muddy

Jim Corbett came to me in a dream....

I always did whatever Jim told me to.....

Specially when it comes to cats in the house!-Muddy

Nice.

Not a 7x57 but,it's a killer.








[img]http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/elkhunterinnm/th_IMG_2782.mp4[/img]

Yeah, I saw the video!

Mule Deer's recipe for long range - 400 yard - 7x57 loads (posted on the Magnificent 7x57 thread)
-----------------------------
Have done that with a couple of loads:

The Nosler 140 Tip and 50.0 grains of IMR4350. This was in a "red pad" Ruger No. 1A with the typical very long throat of older Ruger 7x57's, and would be a pretty hot load in some rifles. Muzzle velocity was around 2850 fps.

The Sierra 160 GameKing and 46.0 grains of H4350. This was in my Kilimanjaro custom rifle, which has a minimal throat, so probably wouldn't be too hot in many rifles. Muzzle velocity is right around 2700 fps.
_________________________
John

"OUCH"

I heard that...

DF

Very Freudian..........

Now, be nice, Poobs...

DF

I sighted my old Brno 21H in at 200 yds with the 139 gr Horn. SST over 45 grs of H4350 and two shots went into 1" at 200yds.

Don,

What about statistical probability and the confidence value of a two shot group?

DF

Forget that and dumb Don. One shot groups are where its at. ALL of my rifles are sub .5 moa.....

Being you mentioned it, my .223 shoots a smaller one shot group than my .45-70. Gotta be a more accurate round...

DF

Does anyone have any data using Vectan powder? I sometimes see that around for a decent price.

Is this "the" Ingwe 7x57?
Is this possible?

It needed a new home where it would get a change of diet and some exercise.

Good eye Aussie....



The ultimate consummate hunting rifle in the ultimate consummate cartridge. There is only one, and the good Reverend is its steward now....

DF,

The one shot goal is to prove that the rifle stays sighted in.

Game can be taken with a single shot.

I'm currently running 51.5gr H4350 with 139SP Hornadys in a Mod 70 Featherweight. Velocity is @2870.

Tom,
It was and is, a noted and treasured rifle. I am sure Rev Mike will take good care of it, but I worry that you are thinning excessively?
John

If you don't own a 7x57, you can't be a Grand Poobah...no way.

Poobah emeritus?

Poobah ontheouts

I've already put it to work.

I have it on good authority that it likes 150gn Nosler BT's and 160gn Barnes TSX's when you get angry.
John

I'm already a Professor Emeritus....


I can't handle anymore emerituses....


But I have a stable full of .223AIs

( Awesome Ingwe)



That'll have to do.

No Poobah, who is going to lead the merry band now?

Norma case
CCI BR-2
51,7gr Norma URP
140 NBT 3.07"

Un-beatable in my Blaser K95! (Actually, it is a 7x57R)

Whatcha gonna do when you want to go deer hunting?

That poor old rifle....suffering on a December day.

Looks like you are hunting in Callaway Gardens!


Thanks for the pic!

Rev, Are you sure there is enough sighting equip. on that rifle for those ranges/-Muddy

Muddy, I think there's still room to add a Rigby aperture sight on the striker. What do you think?

It does look a bit like Calloway Gardens. No pigs on my side tonight, but BIL took one of the "oatmeal" ones I saw the other evening: 89 pounds on the scale. He'll eat well.

Anyone have a pet load for Hornady's 154 grain Spire Point?

Ruger 77 "tanger" 22" bbl, 154 grain SP Interlock, 48-49 grains H4350, 2750-2775 fps.

It has accounted for several Mule deer and a couple Elk and I only caught one...

There we go!

49 grains of IMR-4350 is great in my '98 and it also likes 50 grains of MR-3100 but, it's about 150 fps slower.

I would be happy with the recipe above (or something really close) for thr rest of my days - if I still had my 7x57 that is. If you can't get the 154 to fly well with this recipe, W760 might do the trick for you. I have found that W760 can be very accurate, BUT, also very temperature sensitive. Work up loads in the heat of the summer and sight in during the fall and all should be good.

I'm actually going through the process tomorrow. I'm using Norma Brass CCI LR Primers and beginning low with 43gn of 4350/2209. Going up in .5 grain increments to 45grains with the 154gn Interlock. I know I could begin higher, but it's a new rifle so I'll do some shoot and clean stuff before I get really into it. I'm also working up a load for some 160gn Woodleigh Protected Points using 4831sc/2213sc.
I'll let you know how it goes. The rifle is a Zastava M70 with a 24inch barrel.
JD

So far 44.5gn 4350 is an accuracy node. At 45gn there was a shotgun like pattern. By the look of the cases I'll have no problem getting to at least 47gn. The 160gn Woodleigh thing ended badly, the cartridges "somehow" were dropped and the box flew open. Result all the carefully arranged loads got intermingled.

Longjohn,I write the powder charge on the case to avoid that very situation.

Lesson learned Elkhunter,
Damn frustrating that sort of thing but another of the less unfortunate misadventures of reloading. I pulled all the bullets when I got home and started again. The 154gn load shot OK but I only got to 45gn 4350. The one below that was 44.5gn and it shot well. I'm going to experiment with Varget as well, but that Hornady interlock shoots very nicely.

Never tried VarGet in my 7mm Mauser,had good luck with H-4831 with 160's.

Good to see this thread has been revived. I settled on H4350 due to the extensive work done by Mule Deer. But Varget might be interesting to try as an experiment with my Fwt. S.G. 7x57.

Never tried VarGet as either IMR or H-4350 or H-4831 always worked for my rifles.

My M-70 prefers 140 gr bullets. The two best powders in my rifle are H-4350 and RL-19.

RL-17 did well with 120 gr bullets for me.

I have one of those as well. It should like the heavier bullets as the twist is 1:220mm (1:866). I pushed a tight patch through mine to confirm it.

Hi Rev, I'm looking forward to a long happy association with this rifle. I also have a .222 with a Zastava barrel and action in one of Boyd's walnut stocks. The barrels on these rifles are amazing. Both mine only need a few patches to get them clean. I'm going to do a bit more work with the 160gn Woodleigh bullet and 4831sc. I also believe that to own a 7x57 in anything other than a controlled round feed action is close to heresy.
Cheers,
John

"I also believe that to own a 7x57 in anything other than a controlled round feed action is close to heresy."

I'm not sure I can quite agree with that statement. Granted, my custom 7x57 is on a proper 98 Mauser action with a proper European stock and that's cool. But would a Ruger #1A single shot stalking type rifle be heresy???? I have one and absolutely love it.
Come to think of it, my Winchester M70 FWT 7x57 just happens to be a push feed and I'll say this; there are no flies on that one. Matter of fact I probably carry that one a lot more that the other two these days. It's accurate, reliable and weighs less than the other two. What's not to like?
Paul B.

Going a bit tongue in cheek on that one PJ. Of course there's nothing wrong with a push feed, I just have this purist streak in me that like things to be in sync. This means that as the 7x57 and many like it were bred from Mauser ie; controlled round feed actions they feel more "right", but maybe that's just me. It was possibly inspired by that luverly looking rifle the Rev is caring for.
By the way I can see great merit in that Ruger.

Which one is that?

I understand completely. Note that when I had a custom built, it was on a 98 Mauser action. Nice 23" barrel and a European style stock with proper schnable as found on many German sporters of the pre-war era. Most of my rifles are on controlled feed actions and all my customs are on Mauser actions. I know what's good.
Paul B.

Ruger No 1's are very much controlled round feed to a point. When ambient temps drop to teens and below with frozen fingers the control becomes somewhat suspect.

I managed a couple of 3 shot groups under and inch this morning with the Zastava. One was with 48gn 4350 and a 154gn Interlock, the other was with 47.5gn 4350 and a 139gn SST. The MV on the 154gn load was around 2,650fps and no sign of pressure.

The one in the gardens.

Ah. The one that is "full African"? That's the Ingwe Special. Look closely and you'll see that it's actually an XTR, meaning that it's a push feed. But it does shoot!

I'm happy to hear that your Zastava shoots the 154s into little groups. Which 4350 are you using (IMR or H)? What's the rest of the recipe? That moderate MV and wouldn't be bad for our southern deer.

A push feed rifle with a classic African furniture. Well, as long as it shoots. Most of the deer near me are Fallow, and I only shoot to fill my freezer. There's some big hogs though that could benefit from a 7x57 encounter. There are also some good sized Red deer not far away, but the 270 can handle them. My powder is the Australian made ADI 2209. Apparently we sell it to Hogden and they re-badge it as H4350.

Yes, those big hogs will fall to the old 7x57 round, even one launched from an Africanized push feed.

That's a nice hog Mike, we get them like that as well. You must have belted that one in the cover behind you by the look of the drag marks. I have some 60gn Woodleigh protected points I intend to try on some of them.
Cheers
John

Obviously I meant 160gn Protected points. Just loaded a few to try out with 48.5gn 2213sc/H4831sc

Looks like I've found a pretty good load for my Zastava 7mm. So far the 139gn Hornady SST is looking really good with 49gn H4350/ADI2209, Norma brass and a CCI LR primer. Average MV over just 3 rounds was 2,764fps and a .6" group at 100. The 160gn Woodleigh's are not too shabby either with 48.5gn H4831sc. This rifle is almost too easy to load for!

Anyone have any good reduced loads using 100-110 grain bullets and 5744?

tag for reference, Thanks everyone

how about 4198?

30 grains of either Hodgdon or IMRs...

RL 7 can also be substituted...same 30 grain charge.

I'll keep that recipe in my book, but don't have any of it on my shelf. But I do have a pound of 5744.

Sounds just like a Cajun!!! LOL

I just found the formula for finding a reduced load using 5744. Basically it's fill the the case with powder until you reach the bottom of a seated bullet. Weigh that charge and multiply by .4. That's the charge. I did that with a fired Hornady .275 case and pushed in a 100 grain Sierra hollow point, loaded to Sierra's recommended COL: 2.875 inches. That gave me 52.6 grains of powder, for a 5744 charge of 21.04 grains. Since the information I have from Accurate shows min and max loads for a 120 grain bullet at 22.4 and 27.5 grains (2000-2275 fps), I think I'll settle on 23.5 grains to start and see how it shoots. The average spread between min and max for all loads provided by Accurate is about 4.5 grains, so they'll be a little wiggle room for accuracy. If nothing else, these should be fun to shoot when getting a little trigger time on the range.

Rev,

The main reason I don't like using 5744.. and the only reason, it that it comes with a relatively LOUD retort, compared to the other powders when the load is reduced...

I've used it when training younger kids.. Boy Scout Age..

it being cheaper than 5744 is just a bonus...

just passing it on... if that doesn't matter....then you're good to go..

I have used 30 grains of 5744 in my Ruger in 7 x 57, and it was accurate enough... but that was only with 110 and 115 grain Speer HPs...

Thanks, SF. I did not know that. I know a reduced charge of H4895 gives a hollow boom, sort of like shooting in a long tube. If the 5744 is bothersome I'll give 4198 a try. Any helpful formula for knowing how low a starting charge can be, as with H4895?

Not going to read the whole thread but somewhere between 46 and 50 grains of H4350 and a 139 or 154 grain Interlock is magic on deer.

Fifty grains of 4350 for the 139SST and 48.5 for 154Interlock, not excessively quick but very accurate.
JD

H414 / 760 is the best powder I have ever used in my 7x57. Very accurate. Haven't really worried about the velocity since I bought it for the lack of recoil.

[quote=Seafire]Rev,

The main reason I don't like using 5744.. and the only reason, it that it comes with a relatively LOUD retort, compared to the other powders when the load is reduced...

[quote]

SF:

Boy you are right. I loaded 24.3 grains of 5744 behind a 100gr Sierra HP and a CCI 200 primer. It's a pretty accurate load and I even took a little porker with it just to see how it worked on light game. It was a complete pass-through, with the exit wound being about the size of a quarter. But the report is every bit as loud as a full charge. As a matter of fact, I couldn't tell the difference between it and a factory 140 grain Hornady Custom. The only difference is that the recoil is virtually nil. I don't mind the noise but if the 4198 is quieter and cheaper, what's not to like?

Mike,

I work a lot with boys, via Scouts and I am the only rifle merit badge counselor within our local district...

started playing with the old Speer Manual for reduced loads a long time ago.... and worked up from there...

In about any caliber, I sorta settled on 30 grains of 4198, with all ( just in some cases with real heavy bullets) cases from 243 to 30/06...

RL 7 is also a good substitute or 33 grains of H 322...

IMR 4895 is a great substitute for H 4895 loads... it is as accurate, without all of the idiosyncrasies of H4895...

As your hog also showed, typical varmint bullets with these charges/loads are moving at decent enough velocity, (without too much velocity) to allow these bullets to perform pretty reliably on deer sized game...

Minimal to zero recoil also gives a new or young shooter the confidence to do good shot placement....

Second largest blacktail I have taken here in Oregon, was 210 lbs on the hoof...( when the average is more like 100 to 120 lbs.. the latter being a bigger one)... it was taken with my Model 70, in 7mm Mauser... with a Speer 115 grain HP....

Shot placement was a piece of cake.... and the 115 grain Speer disintegrated within....after plowing a big valley right down the middle of his heart...

I hunt at 30/30 ranges ( as I call them) here locally... 1/2 mile from the house...30/30 speeds is about all one really needs...hence why I also carry these loads often...

dropped a few deer in my yard late season, several years...

Live on one acre in a wooded community....and these sort of loads come in real handy there also...

also allows a lot of trigger time at the range for a reduced cost, and a lot less wear and tear on the rifle barrel...

read an article ( long ago lost and forgotten)... that spoke of barrel life... I remember it stating that the average barrel life on a 30/30 was 20,000 rounds... due to the low powder charge... don't know if that is correct, but I know its a lot more than many cartridges...

and if someone wants to make reduced loads easy as possible...just take 30/30 data for say a 150 grain bullet... start a little lower and work up.. as long as one's bullet doesn't exceed 150 grains.. you are pretty safe...

not scientific, but its worked in my guns... using one's head and working up a little...but 2200 to 2400 fps with about any but the real premium bullets, seems to work pretty darn well at 250 yds or under...

cast bullet manuals are also your friend...older ones seem to have more choices on readily available mid burn rate and quicker powders...

I am in possession of a 1974 Ruger 77 that is a bit lose of bore. I does not group great , but has a knack for dropping the first shot cold bore on a 1.5 inch orange dot every single time.
I load a 160 gr nosler ahead of IMR 4831, 160 gr sierra bt with same , a 140 gr. nosler partition with H414, and the super plain vanilla load of 48 grs of IMR 4350 with a 150 gr. CoreLokt for 2650 fps.
The last load is the only one I have ever used on game, but killed a raghorn bull at 150 yds. like it was a bigger gun............

I'm getting 2,544fps with a Woodleigh Protected Point bullet with 45.5gn H4350 Norma brass and a CCI LR primer. There's no pressure signs so I'm going up to 46gn to see if I can top 2,600fps. Accuracy is OK 3 shots in under an inch at 100m for the most part.

51gr of reloder 19 with the TSX 140gr bullet

I ran across this last night. I looks as if Ramshot is providing some updated/modern reloading data.

-------------------------

Since we do not have any specific lab tested data on this caliber, we can provide you with some guideline, based on calculations and information from other sources.

Caliber: 7x57 Mauser.
Barrel length: 24”
Pressure spec: <56565 Psi/3900 Bar (CIP) original


Powder: Ramshot – BIG GAME®. (1st Choice)

Bullet weight: 100-110 grains.
Start load: 47.7 grains (2975 - 3075 Fps)
Maximum load: 53.0 grains (3275 – 3375 Fps).

Bullet weight: 120 grains.
Start load: 45.0 grains (2700 - 2800 Fps)
Maximum load: 50.0 grains (3000 – 3100 Fps).

Bullet weight: 130 grains.
Start load: 43.7 grains (2575 - 2675 Fps)
Maximum load: 48.5 grains (2875 – 2975 Fps).

Bullet weight: 139/140 grains.
Start load: 42.0 grains (ca 2550 Fps)
Maximum load: 47.0 grains (ca 2900 Fps).

Bullet weight: 150-154 grains.
Start load: 40.8 grains (ca 2450 Fps)
Maximum load: 46.0 grains (ca 2800 Fps).

Bullet weight: 160 grains.
Start load: 40.5 grains (2350 – 2450 Fps)
Maximum load: 45.0 grains (2600 – 2700 Fps).

Bullet weight: 175 grains.
Start load: 39.6 grains (2300 – 2400 Fps)
Maximum load: 44.0 grains (2500 – 2600 Fps).


Powder: Ramshot – HUNTER®.

Bullet weight: 120 grains.
Start load: 48.6 grains (ca 2780 Fps).
Maximum load: 54.0 grains (ca 3140 Fps). LD ca 106%

Bullet weight: 140 grains.
Start load: 46.8 grains (ca 2600 Fps)
Maximum load: 52.0 grains (ca 2950 Fps). LD ca 102%

Bullet weight: 150-154 grains.
Start load: 43.7 grains (ca 2450 Fps)
Maximum load: 49.5 grains (ca 2750 Fps).

Bullet weight: 160 grains.
Start load: 43.7 grains (ca 2375 Fps)
Maximum load: 48.50 grains (ca 2675 Fps).

Bullet weight: 175 grains
Start load: 42.0 grains (ca 2300 Fps)
Maximum load: 47.0 grains (ca 2650 Fps).LD ca 99%

I've got my load for the 160gn Woodleigh at 46gn H4350. I'm getting 2,579.4fps out of a 24inch barrel. With the Hornady 154gn Interlock and 48.5gn H4350 it's 2.680fps.
I also have a new stock in the African pattern English walnut on way.

Anybody mentione 50 gr H4350 and a 140 gr AB? Might work.

Started out using AA4350 under 160 grain Speers and Sierra bullets. Worked great and killed everything no problem! My barrel is only 19 inches long but throat length lets me load out to 3.16 with most bullets I used 46.0 grains. Then I starting buying 150 grain Ballistic Tips from the Shooters pro shop and came into a supply of WC852 surplus powder. Worked up to 48.0 grains and used this load under both the 140 gr. Partitions and the 150 gr. Ballistic Tips. My guess is that the velocity is somewhere between 2600 and 2700 fps but this load has taken many deer and far more feral hogs with ease. I built this rifle in 1993 and just this year put it on the backup rack so I could burn up some of the .308 diameter bullets I have. The rifle is still finely accurate and a pleasure to shoot. It will be back on line, I loaded every piece of brass I have for it before I put it into the safe.

46 grains of WC-852 gives me 2648 fps with a 140 grain bullet in my 22" M.98.

Going to use this load in my CZ 550 7x57.

175 gr Nosler Partition,51.0 grs of VV N-165,Winchester Large Rifle primer. Getting an average of 2600 fps from the 23.6" barrel and groups are just under an inch.

Nice!

Sorta light for those big NM jackwabbits, maybe with a head shot... wink

DF

Stunt shooting.

When I hear "stunt shooter", I think of Ingwe and his deer whacking .223AI...

But, up against your main wabbit gun, that .460, this one definitely fills the bill for a stunt shooter...

DF

Yup,it does!

Does anyone have any good loads with the new(ish) IMR Enduron powders?

Does anyone have any loads ( have actually used them) for 0-10 degree cold weather? I like to hunt late season elk/mule deer cows and does. Our weather that time of year ( Dec to first part of February) can be -4 to 35 degree, depending on the storms we get. I'm looking at 150-175gr loads...I'll be using either Norma or RWS cases. Rifle is 22" Mod 700 Classic.

Rephrased; what was the "coldest temp" you either (a) killed game with your load and/or (b) you tested it for speed/accuracy?

From my experience 50 gr of ADI ar2209 gives (depending on rifle) between 2700 fps and 2800 fps with a 150 gr Core-lokt and is a pleasure to shoot...51 gr will shake your teeth.

ADI Powder equivalents

As per usual work up loads for your particular rifle.

Not from a 7x57 but two years ago I killed a cow elk with a 30-06 using W760 powder. Load was worked up at roughly 100* here in Tucson and the elk was killed in New Mexico as 6* above zero. It was maybe 10* at the Whittington Range at Raton when I checked zero prior yo the hunt and point of impact was unchanged.
I've done several hunt on the same ranch in NM using a .35 Whelen with Re15 powder, and a .270 and .300 Win, Mag. that using WMR powder (long discontinued) when tested at the range showed no change of impact. The whelen was used in the taking of five elk. The .270 and .300 Mag. were back up rifles.
Paul B.

Thanks Brother PJ! I've tested R15 in my old 35 WAI down to single digits at the range and there was absolutely 'zero" change of any kind. I "did" see some loss of velocity in a 760 .280 load, but zero was unaffected out to 200yds. When it gets super cold my eyes start watering and I can't shoot well beyond 200 unless conditions are right ( dryer, no wind,etc). Thanks again Pard.

Just scored a 24" barrel, express-sighted, Ruger No.1-A in .275 Rigby on GunBroker. This will be my first 7x57, or any 7mm for that matter. While awaiting delivery, I've been thinking about what I should feed it. I have prior experience owning No.1s in .223 to .375 Ouch & Ouch, so I'm familiar with most of the No.1's traits and how to deal with them. As I have some IMR 4350 on hand, I'm drawn to RevMike's suggested 46 grains of it under a 160 grain Sierra GK. I also understand that Ruger 7x57 throats tend to be longish. I would most appreciate any other observations, suggestions or recommendations you all might have.

Do you own a chronograph? If so,work up to no higher than 2700 fps with the 160 gr Sierra.

Thanks, Ken.

Got a chronograph. My aging Nosler Reloading Guide Number Four says 46 max. is most accurate for their 160 Partition and about 2622 fps from 22" barrel, so maybe I will see 2650, more or less.


Steve

In reality, no animal will ever know if the 7mm 160 grain bullet that killed it had a MV of 2,550, 2,600, 2,650 or 2,700 fps.

Sure, it may make a difference in terms of trajectory, but if you want a flat shooting non-magnum 7mm for longer ranges, try a .280 or a .280 AI.

The great virtue of the 7x57 in my admittedly limited experience with it is light recoil, good accuracy and the ability to shoot 160-175 grain bullets at "reasonable" ranges.

That's actually Mule Deer's load. I've been messing around with medium velocity (2200-2400) 175-grain Deep Curls lately since I have about 600 to load and shoot.

Within the range of speeds you list, I will happily accept the load which proves to be most accurate. If the shot goes precisely where I direct it, at even 2,400 fps MV, I'll still be stuffing the freezer. The thing is, sometimes the best accuracy with a particular bullet and powder combination comes at the higher end of the speed range, depending on its preferred load density, but certainly not always.

Steve

How's that been working out for you?

Steve

With a 24" barrel you should get close to 2700 fps. I always figure 25 fps per inch of barrel.

Steve,two books to buy...
1) The latest Nosler reloading manual

2) John Barsness book "The Big Book of Gun Gack: The Hunter's Guide to Handloading Smokeless Rifle Cartridges.

Here is the link to John Barsness's website...
http://www.riflesandrecipes.com

[/quote]
With a 24" barrel you should get close to 2700 fps. I always figure 25 fps per inch of barrel.

Steve,two books to buy...
1) The latest Nosler reloading manual

2) John Barsness book "The Big Book of Gun Gack: The Hunter's Guide to Handloading Smokeless Rifle Cartridges.

Here is the link to John Barsness's website...
http://www.riflesandrecipes.com
[/quote]

Again, thanks, Ken.

Steve

You're welcome,Steve.

Not bad, actually. Even with the spread in velocity they all shoot more or less to the same POA at 100 yards, and the quick twist in the M98 (Zastava) has no problem stabilizing them. I have even loaded some practice loads using the same bullet and 36 grains of H4350 (.5 grains under Speer's published minimum) that I haven't chronographed but figure to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 2100 fps. They too shoot to about the same point of aim, just a tad lower. I have thought about seeing how they will perform on a pig at that velocity, but I haven't seen any when I've had that particular load and rifle with me. On the other end of the spectrum, Speer lists 48 grains of Hunter for 2550 fps. and I'm pretty sure that would perform flawlessly on anything I'm going to shoot. But for the most part, about the only thing I'm using those bullets for at this point is range and field practice.

I also have 600 160-grain Deep Curls to start working with as well. Those will primarily be used in my M70 as hunting loads.

Thanks

Tag

Deer season just ended here.... sadly no bucks seen when out hunting.. saw a few grazing in people's back yards in town..

most of the season I was carry a Model 70 Featherweight....

139 grain Hornady SP, propelled with 44 grains of 4064... MV was right at 2800 fps...

accurate as hell out of that Model 70....tight little groups over at the range...

switched the scope from a Leupold 3 x 9, with the regular factory reticle
to one with a German Heavy Number One reticle, to be more Euro to fit the caliber...

I just did a load work up with the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slams. At 46.5 gr. of H4350 no signs of pressure in my FN custom Mauser which is weird. This rifle usually shows high pressure even with milder loads and this load is a half grain over the max in the latest Speer manual. That last load did a .375" group measured outside to outside. I knew the gun was accurate but this has to be a fluke. I didn't have time to set up the chronograph for the shoot so velocity is at best a guess. I loaded up some more with that load and the Good Lord a willin' and the weather cooperates, I'll get to the range and see if the accuracy is still good and check velocity with the Chrony.
Paul B.

My Venezuelan carbine with short throat likes 40g of R#15, 140g Nosler ballistic tip, and cci 200,. 3x9 scope with some wind. I really don't know how hard I can push this FN mauser, even though it was made between wars. I have not even bedded it or free-floated the barrel, honed trigger. The gun was an auction find where it had been professionally drilled and tapped, bent bolt. This short little rifle is 1" at 100, 2" at 200, and 3" at 300,140g Nosler BT or Accubonds. This load kills hogs and deer well.

Tried RL 26 in my 7 X 57 with 160 Gr bullets lousy accuracy and velocity was lo, seems way to slow of powder in my 7 X 57. Based on limited testing.

Tag

Well the custom 7x57 has been retired for the duration while I consider what to do with it. I'm thinking there's a problem with the chamber but not sure what.

I have decided that the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slam/H4350 combo is probably a losing proposition in both rifles. (M70 and the Mauser)

I decided to try Rl17 and the 150 gr. Nosler Partition in the M70 FWT and may have come onto Nirvana. I loaded up six different charges of Rl17 starting with 47.0 grains and going up in half grain interval up to 49.5 grains. Results are as follows.

1. 47.0 gr. 2710 FPS avg 26 FPS ES one inch perfect equilateral triangle.

2. 47.5 gr. 2751 FPS avg 19 FPS ES group triangular .375"x1.0"

3. 48.0 gr. 2743 FPS avg 30 FPS ES group triangular .25"x 1.375" *

4. 48.5 gr. 2847 FPS avg 39 FPS ES Group .75x .002" (002." estimated as it's just one slightly enlarged hole.)*

5. 49.0 gr. 2883 FPS One shot fired.

6. 49.5 gr. 2910 FPS One shot fired.

*No pressure signs whatsoever on any of the loads. Primers all have nice rounded edges on brass that have been reloaded several times already with pocket while not very loose are still not as tight as new brass. Even case head and pressure ring measurements show little signs of pressure.
However, I'm a firm believer in that powders are designed to burn within high and low parameters and that pressure/velocity increase is relatively linear within those parameters. Any change either a large increase, no change in velocity or even a drop in speed is an indicator that one has reached the top parameter for the powder in question. Note the change from load #2 to load #3. Even load #4 is slower than Load #2 although not by much and then load #5 had a large jump from only one shot. The same from load #6. Both #5 and #6 are at load levels found in the .280 Remington.

Final decision is I'll go with load #1. It sufficiently fast enough and certainly accurate enough to be minute of cow elk.
If anyone wants to try Rl17 in the 7x57, I'm thinking I started a bit too high. Probably should have started at around 45.0 gr. and worked up from there.

For spits and grins I also took the .280 Remington out for spin using 57.8 gr. WMR (Winchester Magnum Rifle powder and the 160 gr. Speer old style two core Grand Slams that were so troublesome in the 7x57's. Muzzle velocity was 2907 FPS with an ES of 79 FPS. I fired two three shot strings for .75" both times. Maybe I ought to take that one elk hunting.

Paul B.

I got good accuracy with a best group of .738" using the 160gn Accubond over 51gn of Rel 26 for a velocity of 2602fps, not fast, but getting up there and certainly adequate.

Will be back on my stand soon carrying the 7x57 Super Grade loaded with 120gn TTSX's over 53gn of 760 for 3054fps which records groups in the .630" to .715" range todate.

John

Speer just posted some modern data. The pdf sheets are supposed to be in the upcoming manual (#15). Among a number of new powders listed for heavier bullets is Alliant Power Pro 4000-MR. Has anyone used that yet?

I'm loading 49gn H4350 with 140gn Partitions for 2820 fps in my Number 1 (22" brl). I'm very happy with that load.

How about. "Pet low meat loss loads"

All interesting info for me as a newbie to a 7x57. Much to consider but if most won't get all stressed about it, I've questions.

Mods, feel free to wipe out anything undesirable that I may post.

While I know everyone feels broadside ribcage shots ruin little meat but, believe me, after processing over 3000 whitetail in my life when I had my shop for such.........that's not always the case. Others feel rib meat is something less than desirable but being old school (and old) I waste nothing unless bloodshot.

My next deer will put me in the triple digits (not a brag, just making it clear I'm not in any way inexperienced) but I've only taken a FEW with a centerfire. My weapon of choice for 4 plus decades was a 54 cal black powder rifle, recurve or longbow.

Center fire rifles are not new to me either. I've had dozens and loaded for them starting at age 16. 50 years ago. However the ONLY deer I've taken with a centerfire was a .358 caliber wildcat. Only a couple years ago did my state allow standard deer rifle rounds and those past couple years I was incapable of going at all, let alone finance a rifle and loading gear once again. All of it went South when the bottom fell out from under my feet physically and financially.

But..........I'M BACK. Slow but able and I've GOT QUESTIONS on the bullets and velocities mentioned.

The old "cup and core" 358 Speer 180s were seriously "bang flop" deadly............but lord a' mercy if you hit bone! ARGGHH! I'm talking fist sized entry caverns (Hole ......just don't seem appropriate. lol) even with the bullet continuing on and being lethal.
I've always ASSUMED that the higher velocity (and normally lighter bullets, regardless of construction) create the most 'SPLAT' effect, jellies the most meat and creates the most meat loss.

With this assumption in my mind for the 7x57, I've already settled on the fact I'm going to shoot 160-175 grain bullets. Months of studying load data from every source I could find (Mule Deer's too) I've a solid grasp on what is what with the mighty and old 7mm Mauser BUT the majority of the posts concentrating on the 150(ish) and lighter bullet weights has me scratching my chin........a little.

PART of what may be different for me compared to most is even though I've ONE spot where I can set up and 'no other hunter with any brains would sit here!' is the general opinion of a few friends but I CAN get 300 yard shots. In other areas I can, and have, shot deer at 30 FEET, and not just a few (and NOT from a treestand) so........I've QUESTIONS about what kind of SPLAT I'm going to have on a whitetail with this round at any CLOSE ranges. It's not like I'm going to wait for the deer to go away a bit. I go into "full auto mode" when a shot appears. (old habits die hard.)

Talk to me about (photos????? Are they allowed?) the entry/exit holes in deer/elk/whatever.......and the ranges, bullets used and velocity on contact estimation???? Asking a lot, I know.

Some look upon "meat hunters" with disdain these days. If such offends anyone of this esteemed group please consider one simple fact:

If not for those of past generations whom started all this for the SINGLE reason of acquiring meat for loved ones and themselves....this would not be the grand sport it is today.....at least IMHO.

Oh yes! A fine older buck is much appreciated, admired and looked upon with more pride than I should, but such is not the yardstick that measures if I have a "successful season" .....or not.

The LOVE of the hunt is my first reason to do so, but believe me, I've sat in front of the wood burner contemplating the question of "Would I still hunt deer if I didn't love venison?".........After decades of asking myself this.........I still do not have a concrete reply.

Just........FWIW, and only my opinion, like bullets, all venison is not equal. After the statement above on the number of deer (and some elk) Ive butchered I've "cold hard rules" that MUST be followed or the quality of the meat will suffer.........badly. I CAN say (and am a bit proud, sorry) to say I've fed venison to extended family members "who cannot stand deer!" who ranted over the meat.......and REFUSED to accept it was the deer in the photo hanging on the wall. I've spend 3 decades on the subject and feel I have it cornered.
I'd rather eat venison I've handled from day one to table..........than the best porterhouse the grocery store can produce.

THIS is the reason I give lots of thought to not only accuracy and effectiveness but what kind of disaster is left to butcher around and why "SO FAR" I'm looking at possibly two loads for my own use as long at the point of impact isn't radically different. Slower (2400?) for "woods rounds" and my best "loaded to the gills" rounds with bullets that will open up down range for "out in the field" (which is literally where I'll be sitting , LOL)

Not intending to start any debate, but I've noticed mentioning within several "African hunting" forums the practice of "head or neck shots". for meat animals.
I simply find it curious that such is considered an approved practice in one country.........yet often (and often heatedly) chastised in yet another country.. I seriously can see both sides of that "discussion" but let's not discuss that HERE. Another thread perhaps should the subject be undecided but I'm 90 percent positive I know where most hunters stand on it.

So..........for now. Opinions on your choice of bullet's viability if .........up close and personal OR at what ranges you have found them to be both effective., but not causing undue meat loss.

For those that could care less, I will fight for your right to see it that way. I only ask that I am allowed the same respect.

I'd post a photo of my "new to me" 1981 Remington 700 Classic in 7x57" but......it looks like all the classics (and posting a photo looks difficult, LOL) Besides, most would toss their cookies if they saw what scope I have on it until I make a decision on which better one I'll buy when I can.

God Bless
and thank you in advance for any replies.

This is the last deer I killed with my 7x57. Range was 28 yards, shot through both shoulders leaving a quarter size exit wound, and he made a dash of 25 yards. Bullet was a Hornady 139 gr. with a MV of 2553 fps.
entrance


exit

Steve692:

A lot of guys shoot 150-grains down, I generally shoot 150-grains up in several different 7x57s. There are a couple of reasons for that, not the least of which is good penetration with a slower moving bullet. I don't hot-rod any of my loads, and inside 200 yards (self-imposed limit) I get good results with bullet weights from 150- to 160-grains at about 2500 fps. When I go up to 175-grains, I drop the velocity to about 2300 fps, matching the old "classic" load upon which the 7x57's reputation was built. One benefit of the 150- to 160-grain loads is that they all shoot to more or less the same point of aim at 100 yards, so I don't have to worry about sighting in for the different loads from any of the guns in which I use them. I use the 175-grain loads only in a Zastava M98 with a 1:866 inch twist. It's not the prettiest rifle that I own, but it is certainly one of, if not the, most accurate.

As for terminal performance, I too would classify myself as a meat hunter. I'm generally on our lease at lease once per week, and when the mood strikes I usually come home with a little porker for the pot. Because of the terrain, the shots are generally short - well under 100 yards - and I almost always try for a CNS shot, since I pig that runs even 50 yards is a lost animal in the dense scrub. Just about any bullet that hits the hard skull of a pig is going to do massive damage, but with a stout bullet, if I shoot for the spine instead, the lower velocity keeps any meat damage to a minimum, especially with the "bonded" (really, plated) Deep Curl bullets that I like to use. They expand well, but don't seem to come apart.

I don't know if any of this helps, but the bottom line of my own experience is that a good, heavy, slow-moving bullet will do everything I ask it to with minimal meat damage...just as it always has.

Just my $.02.

RM

Both replies are great info. Pretty much what I expected on meat bullet velocities but just with bullets a bit lighter than I'd have grabbed at first.
It will be a fun time for me to work loads later this summer and just see how much POI changes bullet weight to bullet weight and altering velocities.

"Custom hand loaded hunting rounds". Ya gotta love this sport and all the options one can entertain.

I'm sure there will be a learning curve for this old goat but since I've got a 100 yard section of yard beginning 20 yards from my back porch........I'm sure I'll figure something out and improve on it as experiences teach me.

EXCITED for deer season to come around. It don't feel like my first time.........but dang close!

Thanks!
God Bless
Steve

Well, I've been playing with the 7x57 off and on since about 1973. In better than 60 years of deer hunting, I've only lost two, both shot with the 7x57.

First one was with a neat customized 1893 Mauser. Whoever built it like the 275 Rigby style and that's what the rifle looked like. At the time i lived in a small Nevada cow town and the only ammo the local hardware store had was the 175 gr. round nose by Federal. I shot a deer about 8 in the morning, shot maybe 75 yards and the deer took off. The wife and I looked for that deer until it was too dark to see anymore. I found what the coyotes had left by the birds. That deer had run over 200 yards from where it was shot. Years later I chronographed that ammo in a different rifle (Winchester M70 Featherweight) and found velocity was only 2000 FPS, nowhere near the advertised 2400 FPS. I sectioned a couple of bullets and think the jackets were way too thick for the velocity. Cause of the loss most likely poor bullet selection and too low a velocity.

Second loss was an eating size Desert Mule Deer shot about 50 miles north of Wilcox Arizona. Shot was about 100 yards and the hit was a solid right behind the shoulder as I sow red at the point of impact. The deer left the the herd which ran up hill while the one I shot ran down into a gully. To get to where the deer ran down I first had to go up to the top of a ridge to look down into the gully for the deer. On the way up my foot turned one way on the loose rocky ground and the rest of me went the other way. No more right knee. This deer was shot with the 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, early version which was supposed to be on the fragile side moving out at 2800 FPS. I believe the bullet hit a bone on impact. My son in law and his son refused to go find the deer preferring to carry me off the hill and to the hospital in Wilcox. The knee only hurt when I tried to stand or walk so I could have sat on the hill till they found the deer. I haven't hunted with them since.

So much for the tales of woe. You'd think I'd give up on the 7x57 but not yet. These days I no longer hunt deer, only elk. I hunt a private ranch and have had so far 100 percent success rate although last year almost came to a bust. One elk with a 30-06 and 6 with the .35 Whelen. This year I'm probably courting disaster but I think I'll be using one of my 7x57's at least one day on the hunt. One load I'm considering is the 150 gr. Nosler partition at 2700 FPS using Re17, Winchester brass and WLR primer. Another consideration will be seeing what I can work up with the 160 gr. Speer hot Core. Seems the late great Jack O'Connor and his wife liked that bullet and the lady took almost all her big game in the world with the 7x57 and that Speer bullet. I've used the 165 gr. Speer HC bullet in several rifles chambered to the .308 Win. and meat damage was not bad I've shot deer with that bullet at 2550 FPS MV (Long story) from 35 feet to 250 yards and deer died. A bit messy if a shoulder was hit but nowhere near as bad as when from a Sierra. You should be able to reach about 2600 FPS with the 160 gr. Speer using one of the 4350's. I'm going to try and work with Re17 as it worked so well with the 150 gr. bullet.
Paul B.

Paul:

I've had good results with Big Game under a 150-grain Hot-Cor. Yes, I know: the Hot-Cor skips from 145 to 160 grains, but I bought a bunch of pulled 150-grain bullets from Rocky Mountain Reloading, and when I asked what they were, the answer was "Federal" - which, everyone confirmed, is a propriety Hot-Cor. Whether made by Speer or someone else, they are very accurate in my rifles over 41.2 grains of Big Game (Prvi PPU case, WLR primer) for a very mild 2500 or so fps (interpolated from Ramshot data, not chronographed). That isn't screaming velocity, but inside of 150 yards they are plenty effective and they shoot well under an inch at 100 yards. They're easy shooting for practice as well.

Mike

I suspect if you start with a pound of something in the 4350 burn rate class and a box of 160 grain Partitions you'll get to where you want to be without much fuss.

low meat loss, at close range?

30 grains of 4198....or RL 7

about any 120 to 140 grain bullet in 7mm....

or 154 or 175 gr RN if you can find them.

same with old 139 gr FN Hornady...

My personal use... 115 grain HP Speer....

PJ, the last elk I took with the 7x57 was with a 150 NP at slightly over 2700 fps with total penetration. I don't think you'll court disaster at all with that load.

At what approximate range, Joe?

thanks in advance
God Bless
Steve

Steve, the range was approximately 35 yards. Most of my hunting is close range in thick brush.

Yehaaaaa! I bet that was a tad more than " a little exciting"! I know I'm close to stroke level on whitetail when I've gotten 10 yard shots with any kind of weapon.

I think an elk at 35 would probably push me over the hump.

Keep in mind I've seen exactly seven elk in my life in two hunts. All were cows at 20 yards going 800 mph down the mountain side.

I'll openly admit I'm envious of all who live in elk or moose country and are able to hunt them annually.
Thanks
God Bless
Steve

Last elk hunt I was on was pretty exciting. Very near the place I killed the one at 35 yards, I bungled into a whole herd at roughly the same distance, certainly not over 50 yards. They were coming over a rise and I had heard them approaching, so I brought my rifle to my shoulder to prevent excessive movement in case there was a shooter among them. Lead cow comes up broadside, stopped, and stared at me. Cows and calves go by down the mountain which seemed to take hours and then, horns, lots of horns appear on the other side of lead cow! I now got into shooting position just waiting for bull to walk past the cow as the others had done. Waiting, waiting, waiting, seems to be hours but, was only seconds. And then, bull takes a step forward and.......the cow does too, and they walk together down the mountain and I didn't have a shot! So, they disappear and I unshoulder my rifle, the adrenaline kicks in and I start shaking like a dog trying to pass a peach seed. I had to sit down until it subsided and the thought passed through my mind that a fellow could have a heart attack pursuing a love. All of my hunts have been wonderful, whether my tag was filled or not but, this one stands out in my memory.

I just received my Ruger M77 Hawkeye RSI 275 Rigby. The 7x57 caliber is new to me but had been diligent in my research to establish some basic guidelines of where to start and what to expect from this cartridge. To begin with I am at a bit of a disadvantage as my rifle only has an 18 1/2" barrel. I had pre loaded a bunch of ammunition to sight in and test when the rifle arrived and yesterday I spent the day at the range with these results at 110 yds.

Remington Brass
Win. L/R Primer
120 gr. Hornady SP
Varget
OAL 3.025

After sighting the scope I shot 7 strings of 5 starting at 38 gr. up to 45 gr. of Varget. I found this powder to work very well with the lighter bullets in my 6.5x55 and results were more than satisfying with the 7x57.
The best group was 0.62" with 43 gr Varget and an average velocity of 2672. That will do nicely for 120 gr.

My next experimenting will be 150 and 160 gr. bullets with IMR4350 . I will post results when I get a chance to get out again.

For Pronghorns I've used 139 grain Hornadys in a 700 Classic. Don't recall the load. Do recall it was 1+MOA - 5 shots.

Here is a little porker (exit wound side) that I took early last evening from about 40 yards. The load is:

Bullet: 175-gr Deep Curl
Powder: 43.0 grains Ramshot Hunter
Primer: WLR
Case: Prvi PPU
COAL: 3.065" (SAAMI)
Velocity: 2300+/-

It's nothing fancy but it works.



I shot this little fellow a few weeks ago with the same load. You can see a bit of lung protruding from the exit wound. The distance was just a tad under 150 yards (laser-ranged).
[/img]

This is the old Zastava M98 with the 1:866" twist that shoots those long, heavy Deep Curls so well.

Here is the last one I shot with a 7x57, last year. Shot at about 20 yards. This is the entrance hole. I was shooting federal 140gr blue box.



Here is the exit. Deer ran 50 yards after the shot.



The only other deer I shot was a big buck at 90 yards. It was a speer 145gr hot core. Not much expansion on that one. That deer ran 30 yards with a hole in his heart.

I like the caliber. I'd love to get my 154gr RN load tuned up. I'd use that mostly.

Tag for RL 17 loads

I've been playing with Ramshot Hunter with the 120's working up to max per the latest Nosler manual. Results have been impressive accuracy wise with most groups being MOA or less at 100 yrds. I've settled on .5 grains below book max getting a five shot mean of 2980 fps with a 22" factory barrel and CCI 200 primer.. No need for me to push it any for hunting TX deer and hogs.

Interestingly the SD on five shot strings have consistently been 3 or below which for me is off the charts. Generally I smile when I get it to 10 and below.. Yes I know low SD has yet to kill and animal and higher SD doesn't necessarily mean you will get worse groups but it does give you a good consistency metric.

Since I haven't made any changes to my brass prep or loading routine I'll need to give credit to the cartridge/powder combo and will try Hunter in other appropriate cartridges. The fact that Big Game and Hunter meter like water also make life good.

Question - I often read that mag primers are a good choice with Big Game. Does anyone know if the same holds true with Hunter?

Mule Deer can answer this better than me, but I haven’t found the need for magnum primers with either Big Game or Hunter in 7x57 loads. It may have something to do with the fact that the charges aren’t huge - all less than 50 grains - but again, John can give a better answer.

Not about Ramshot powders but on the same subject matter, I send email to Hodgdon and they sent me info that "They never use magnum primers in "308 size range" cartridges.......regardless of the powder".

I was specifically asking about H380 but their answer was all inclusive, regardless of the powder burn rate or form.

Took me a little by surprise..

God Bless
Steve

That's normally my inclination, as well. Still, switching to magnum primers in a 7-08 with Big Game gave me much tighter groups than standard primers did.

It's a good thing we reloaders actually like to tinker.

FC

In full agreement, FC. I'm guilty of trying about everything that I'm told "don't work the best" and I've ended up with some great loads that I refuse to talk about because I'll get told I'm dong it "wrong". lol

Like the H380 for some lighter bullet loads. Never worried about "temperature sensitivity" 40 years ago......still don't.
Still keep shooting stuff.

God Bless
Steve

The old man at the LGS told me the same thing last spring. He's forgot more about reloading than I'll ever know. So, Im gonna take his word for it.

I just acquired a Ruger M77 RSI in 275 Rigby. Since it only has an 18 1/2" barrel, would it be more efficient to use a faster burning powder? From all my manuals and everything I have been reading, the 4350 powders seem to be a good choice and something I have available but I can't find anything regarding the shorter barrel length. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will be using 150 gr. bullets.

Depends on what you mean by "efficient," whichever powder gives the most velocity in a 22" will give the most velocity in the 18.5". But some faster powders might give less flash or blast. Some of the newer ones designed for military usage are low flash.

Bullet: 175-grain RNSP
Powder: 43.0 grains Ramshot Hunter
Primer: WLR
Case: Prvi
COL: 3.025"

Not chronographed but I estimate right around 2300 fps. Shoots just over 1/2 inch group at 100 yards (three-shot group) in a Zastava Mauser...and kills porkers dead.

Whose bullet, Rev?

That's a good question! I bought 500 from Rocky Mountain Reloading. They were pulled from Federal loads, so unless Federal makes their own RNSP I expect they might be Hornady.

I sent an email to Federal, Nov 12, before buying a box off GB. (Some listed again too BTW)

Federal's (copied and pasted) reply to" Is the 175gr RN an in house bullet or made by ??? "question was:

"Steve:

This is a Hornady bullet.

Thanks"

I'm not sure if its the SAME bullet as Hornady sold but at least they made it. I kind of assumed it was the same though.

Just info FWIW

God bless
Steve

Thanks Rev and Steve.

That's good information!

Thanks, Steve.

RM

Glad I had info that was of interest.

I've got 154 RN, 170gr RN Sierras and 175gr RN now. Found fair deals on them.
Still on the lookout for some Remington SPCL 165s which they dont advertise as RN but they sure look like it to me. Four boxes popped up on the auction but only really wanting one and deciding getting my truck fixed was a higher priority, I let them go. Some are around but, holy moly.......I dont want them for asking price. LOL. I have some pre-Interlock 154gr Spire points with a hugely different ogive from anything current. Curious how they will shoot too. Short little buggers. Look like they were ran through a pencil sharpener lol. To date the RN bullets shoot best but 175 grain Core Lokts arent bad.

I haven't tried the Ramshot powders and been using RL-17 the most but IMR4064 and 3031 have been pretty decent too.

Thinking on picking up some MRP for spring test runs in different weight bullets. Looks good.........on paper, lol. 2300fps with the big boys will do all I'll every need but I like to play just to see where max is. Retirement is like that.........yeah it is.

I need to get a different chrono. Sold mine then wished I hadnt. I can tell you RL17 will push the 154s to screaming velocities, at least IMHO.

My 700 Classic does NOT like bullets under 150 grain. 120gr BT look like I was shooting 00 buckshot, not a rifle. lol

Always interested in the loads other hunters use. I appreciate the info you provide here, Rev.
God Bless
Steve

tag

Another resurrected 7mm Mauser thread. Just got my Mod. 70 XTR today in 7x57 - the iron sighted model. G162XXXX

Has anyone tried the Shooter's World 4350 yet?

Haven't tried the 4350 yet but, Long Rifle is great in 7x57 and 7x64 using 139 and 154 bullets.

I have two very accurate loads in my M70 Featherweight pushfeed and my M70 SG Featherweight crf using the wonderful 139gr Hornady Interlock flatbase. 44gr of IMR 4320 or 49gr of IMR 4350. Coin toss as to which one is more accurate on any given day. Don't know the velocities but guessing somewhere around 2775 - 2800 fps.

Smitty, you should be very close to 2,800 with that load of IMR4350. I'm getting that velocity out of my 24inch barrel and the 139gn SST with 50gn H4350. I found that the SST can shed the jacket however. I shot a Fallow deer once and the jacket fell on the ground as I was taking the hide off. The core must have just kept going because they was not much of an exit wound.

My Winchester XTR only likes this load and I've tried a bunch.

I got 60 Sellier and Bellott cases recently because I didn't want to hock one of my kids to get more Norma brass. The S&B brass looks Ok but is a good 2-3grains heavier than the Norma. I also found the normal 308 size shellholder was too small for the S&B stuff so had to get a no10 holder from Lee. I'm getting some 140gn Woodleigh protected points to use on hogs. Those bullets are well constructed and Woodleigh tell me they'll be fine for bigger deer as well. I also had to trim all those cases. The rifle is a Zastava that has been restocked, glass bedded and the action smoothed up. The barrels on these things are great, but the rest of Zastava's machining could use some improvement.

A friend of mine is having his m17 re-barrelled to 7x57 Rimmed. My Woodleigh Bullets hand book says the cartridge should be loaded a bit lighter than the rimless version due to the cartridge being designed to operate in break open rifles. Without going too crazy I think the M17 action could handle some reasonable pressure, although it was designed for the 303 British. Apparently the bolt face will handle the rimmed cartridge without modification.

I asked this up on the campfire room and got no response of that PPU brass was good stuff. Maybe I'll get more repose from those of us that shoot the 7x57.

"I never heard of the stuff. I snagged 5 boxes of 7x57 Mauser for a good price. Seems it's made in Australia according to Grafs and ain't cheap. Brass is PPU and the bullet is a 120 gr. all copper like the Barnes. Has anybody used it" Grafs was short on info and couldn't find an advertised speed or other pertinent data. They talk a good game but sparse on data. Grafs has them on sale for $9.95 a box of ten Ten? yeah, ten. Normal price is 29.95 for that box of ten. Thing is if it's all that good I might spring for another 100 rounds.Bullet is all copper and have what appears to be skiving down the sides to aid expansion, three skives equally around the bullet. Hey! I don't know what else to call 'em OK? I got that ammo plus a box of 156 gr. Norma Oryx for $40 and that included shipping. I can always just use the brass. Tried the PPU in a RCBS #3 shellholder and it worked just fine,
Paul B.

I saw that advertised at Graf's, did an internet search, and nothing other than Graf's came up. Let us know how it shoots, especially if you run it over a chronograph. I'm having a hard time figuring out how those things are worth $30/10, regular price, but that's just me.

Yeah, they seem to be awfully proud of that stuff. I figure at the price I paid which included shipping didn't hurt me and I'd still end up with reloadable brass..
Paul B.

My XTR used to love 175 grain NPTs and IMR 4895

It also REALLY loved 160 gr. TSX...

Ingwe, once everything dries out and the wind dies down a bit I'll let you know how it does with 160-gr NPTs and both IMR4350 and Hunter.

I've found Prvi brass to be pretty good, actually. I have some that are on their seventh or eighth round. The primer pockets are still tight and no neck splits. I do, though, anneal them using John's candle method after about the third time.

Mike, while this is not a full power loading, I have a cast bullet load that runs about 2000, maybe 2100 FPS with a 270 gr. bullet from a Ruger #1H in .375 H&H. I use that load when I practice doing a rapid reload. I neck size for four shooting sessions and full length on the fifth run with that brass. I anneal the necks at the time I full length size. Bras has been reloaded 20 times so far and still going strong.
Paul B.

Didn’t see much mention of RL19.....Might have missed it though.


RL19 and a 150g NBT has been working in my Ruger .275.



300 movie plot

That Ruger is a very nice rifle. I was a bit p-ssed that we didn't get them out here. There were a few of us wanting them but the Ruger importer wouldn't bring any in.

I use PPU brass for a couple of my rifles, actually 3. 223, 7x57 and 280 I have had good success with it, it is priced right and seems reload good. I forgot I also use it for the 7x57AI.

Back in the early 80's when I bought my push feed Model 70 Featherweight, I also bought 150 rounds of R-P 7x57 brass. I can't find it anywhere now, nor can I find any other R-P head stamp brass. Has Remington quit selling brass? I used to shoot 140 grain Partitions with IMR 4350, but have now switched to 160 grainers and 47.0 grains of H4350. This rifle really likes that load and shoots 3 rounds into an inch if I do my part.

Available at Midway. Product # 143497.

Tag

Check out the RL17 data in the latest Speer manual. I worked up to their max load in my M70 FWT push feed and saw no problems. According to the manual 2650 and change FPS. I shot three shot groups with two touching and one about .75" out of the group. It did that with most of the loads and I think playing with the seating depth will bring the odd shot out back into the group. I've had excellent results with RL17 and the 150 gr. Nosler Partition in the M70 FWT. Either load should work just fine to take an elk.
Paul B.

Anyone run 120gr NBT's in theirs? Mine can make tiny groups with them. It seems sacrilege to use those bullets in that cartridge though.

Haven't tried anything that light in my No. 1. It seems to like heavier pills.

I’ve been running 48 grains of H4350 behind a 154 grain SST for quite a few years. Out of my Ruger M77 it puts them in the same hole at 100 yards off the bags when I do my part @ 2700+ish FPS. Before the SST I used the 154 gr Spire Point and I even have a few hundred of the old 154 grain Hornady round nose bullets and those 2 shot just as well as the SST, I just like the SST better on deer. I have only had bang flops with this load. That’s a pretty hot load, I’ve taken it as high as 50 grains (worked up slow) but didn’t see any real advantages on the paper or chrony. anyone who reads this please work up accordingly (assuming you have a modern action, if not consult your reloading manual).

I load 140gr Rem CL, 50gr of H4350, and a WLR primer in RP brass. My Manlicher MCA likes this load.

I'm with much of the crowd - H4350 is where to start powder-wise, but after shooting 139, 140, 150, 154 and 160gr bullets, the semi-odd-ball 145gr Speer is the one that really stood head and shoulders above the rest in my rifle.

Take a look in the latest Speer manual. They show some very good velocities with several powders but I've been working in the dark, so to speak with RL17 and getting some very good speed with that one. Speer #15 has data using RL17 and it seems my loads were not all that far off. Works great in a Winchester M70 and I'll soon be doing a serious test with a custom Mauser that shows high pressure signs way before the M70 or Ruger #1A. I'll be making those loads later today once it warms up a but. It's a tad chilly in the AM and there's no source of heat on the shed where I do my reloading. I'll probably use the 160 gr. Speer hot core as I'd like to use that rifle on an elk hunt.
Paul B.

PS: Maybe this thread should be made into a sticky. It keeps on keepin' on. What say you?
PB

[quote=Ky221]Didn’t see much mention of RL19.....Might have missed it though.


RL19 and a 150g NBT has been working in my Ruger .275.


I like the retro looks of that rig.

This thread, with years of 7x57 stuff, no mention of Dennis Hall's "hotrod" article. He had an old M-77 tanger, reportedly with a loose chamber.

Don't try this at home...

Here's the link: https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl66partial.pdf

DF

It already is, under the Campfire Pet Loads forum.

Where is the Pet Loads Forum?

Fourth sticky from the top on the Big Game reloading forum.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...s/9661493/campfire-pet-loads#Post9661493

Wow..I must be really stupid...I can't find a Big Game Reloading forum either....




I did however get there with DFs link....though could have never found it without..

Actually #6 from the top.

Click on the link I posted above and you're there.

Paste that in your bookmarks.

DF

Thanks! I too have been shooting a Ruger African in .275 Rigby with a 1560 gr.NBT five kills thus far. Stellar performance from the bullet...here is a Sika from last week...

Heavy bullet, there Ingwe..

I'm guessing 150 NBT?

DF.

I always like a heavy bullet in that cartridge but the Ruger just DID NOT like 175s....


But yeah, you are right...its a 150 NBT....Ive had a little too much cough syrup today.......

Got some of that crud, myself.

Hope you get right before Santa comes.

You know, he's making a list... Maybe a couple of lists. Don't want to be on his ___list...

Merry Christmas.

DF

Nice stika, Ingwe. What powder are you using behind the 150 NBT? If you already said, I've missed it.

We have a deer in Australia called the Sambar. It's a native of the Himalayan foothills of India and is roughly the size of an Elk. There's a good population of them in the high country in our Southern State of Victoria. We had planned a trip down there this year, but the bush fires have killed a lot of them so the trip may not happen. I had developed a nice load with Sellier & Bellott brass, 48gn H4350 and a 140gn Woodleigh Protected Point bullet. So until the place settles down that load may have to be content with stopping some pigs a friend of mine has a problem with.

First time poster.

I just bought my first 7x57 after years of reading about its merits. I have most of those surrounding the 7's, 243, 250 sav, 6.5x55, 300 sav, '06 and 300 Win so have a number of powders etc to choose from. I bought a half case of Prvi Partizan 139 grain SP ammo for first shooting and once fired brass. Nice price at SGA! The rifle is a pretty Mexican 1947, model 36 action, nicely figured probably Fajen stock, unknown 24" barrel maker stamped only 7x57, a nice Timney trigger with side safety, a 1995-6 Leupold VARIX-II 2-7 scope and the stock is glass bedded at recoil lug and front of forend to give some upward pressure, also sling swivel studs. The barrel had a touch of light bore rust that came out with the first brass brush and Hoppe's. Military bolt cut off and swept down & back, new bolt handle welded in place, nicely done.
My only question is how much pressure will this Mexican (I believe small ring) action take. I don't need to make this rifle a barn burner as I have others that can do that but I'll start low with probably IMR 4350 and a Barnes TTSX in 139-149 gr. I like those bullets in my 300 and '06 very much. Need to check the rifling twist and free bore once I have once fired cases, bullets and have checked magazine length and 0.050" off the lands OAL.
Any suggestions on other starting points or cautions?

Wow, this thread is ancient, but very informative none the less. I agree with VonGruff that a 160 grain bullet and a healthy dose of H4350 is the way to go. I'm shooting 47.0 grains of H4350 with a 160 grain Partition in R-P cases and WLR primers. I shoot a 1952 vintage FN Mauser 98 with factory 24" barrel and an early 1980's Redfield 3-9 scope. 5 shots typically go into a group that can be covered with a quarter at 100 yards. I need to chronograph this load to see what the fps is, but anywhere near 2700 fps will be awesome for anything I'll ever hunt. It's my favorite rifle and the one I grab if I'm hunting mule deer, elk, antelope or if I ever draw a moose tag, that too. Ought to be about perfect for baited black bears in Idaho too where I'll be moving when I retire in 2 years. Long live the 7mm Mauser!!!!

Utahunter,

It will work fine on moose. A few years ago I used a 7x57 to take a pretty big Alberta bull using the 160-grain North Fork, but the 160 Partition will work just as well. Have used a variety of 156-160 grain bullets in the 7x57, all started at around 2650-2700 and ranging in construction from the Sierra GameKing to Barnes TSX, and there really isn't a vast difference in how they perform, due to the moderate muzzle velocity. Which is of course the reason the 7x57 acquired such a good reputation with the bullets of over a century ago.

Mule Deer, thanks for the response. I tried 160 grain Speer Hot Cores before the Partitions, but couldn't get the Speers to group worth a hoot. I think they'd have been a fine bullet at 7X57 velocities, but "patterned" more than grouped. I'm talking 3"+ at 100 yds. Sure happy with the Partitions and also use them in my 270 Win and 25-06. Those rifles usually stay in the safe though. P.S. I lived in Helena briefly in 2012-2013. Always ben a fan of your writing and hoped I'd run into you at Capital Sports, but alas, my bad luck. It would have been a pleasure to say "Hi". I was a member of the Prickly Pear Gun Club and have shot in Townsend too with a buddy of mine from Montana City who is a member of Broadwater Gun Club. Good times, for sure. Take care and shoot straight.

Thanks!

Kind of odd you didn't run into each other at Capital Sports. Am generally in there at least once a week--but usually during afternoon when most folks are working....

I find those powders to be temperature sensitive.

My 7X57 worked great on my Alaskan moose!

Huntr, all I can say is WOW!!!!! What an incredible bull. We have some large Shiras moose here in Utah. If I ever draw a tag, I plan on using my FN Mauser 7X57 with 160 grain Partitions. I've applied for 21 years now and still no luck.

Nice! Do you remember the load? If you've already posted it I couldn't find it. Thanks.

Rem. brass
CCI primers
48.5gr's of H4350
139gr Barnes LRX

Thanks.

DF: that doesn't look like a factory pad. Did you have it added?

Any suggestions for loads using 175 gr RN at original 7x57 velocities?
Just bought some Hawk bullets and want to try them at that level.
Thanks
GreggH

That is a fabulous looking rifle.

TAG

I guess that would depend on game. My 7x57 is a Remington 700 Classic.

I probably have shot more 139 grain Hornady Interlocks in my 7x57 that any other bullet (Whitetail deer and Pronghorn).

The second most used bullet would be the 140 grain partition (Whitetail and Mule Deer). 50.9 grains of IMR4350 with WLR primers and WW brass for both of these bullets. I have not yet switched to H4350 in the 7x57 - probably will when I burn up my last 8 pounder.

The third most used load is 48 grains of IMR4320 behind 120 grain Sierra (varmint load).

I happen to have only WW brass for the 7x57, though I'm not as picky regarding brass manufactures other shooters seem to be.

Heck yeah, 45gr H or IMR 4350, same powders I've used before and since in 7x57 loads with 175gr Hornady round nosed bullets, just found a bag I put up in new Norma brass over 25 years ago, slip of paper read 2407 fps.

43.5 gr IMR 4350, 175-gr RN, WLR, Prvi brass, .010 off the lands: 3/8 inch at 100 yards in a 1909 Argentine. I haven't chronographed it but figure it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 2450-2500 fps. Pictures or it didn't happen. Kills meat pigs dead.

Mike, there's a video you might get a kick out of. Google youtube sabotti mercury 7x57. It's more a commercial for the Sabotti Mercury rifle in in 7x57 along with S&B ammo but the guy doing "lecture" admits he's trying to bring back the 7x57 as a cartridge of interest in Europe. Going there also links you up to other 7x57 videos.
Paul B.

Holy cow! Me trying to figure out what this guy is saying is like me trying to figure out what Stick is writing: I'm sure there's a lot of good information, but it's a lot of work and interpretation to ferret it out!

Thanks for the link.

I concur. I have to give it my full, undivided attention but I still like it.

I thought you'd enjoy it. Nice thing is it gave other links to 7x57 videos. I kind o like the looks of that Sabotti Mercury too. I wonder who imports them?
Paul B.

I intend putting my seven to work around April/ May this year on a hunt down south in the State of Victoria chasing Sambar Deer. These animals are roughly the size of an Elk, but I'm mainly after some venison so I'll go after the younger ones. The load I'm looking at is 50gn H4350, a 140gn Woodleigh Protected Point, CCI primer and Norma brass. The Woodleigh is well constructed bullet that should handle the job well. In any case they're made in Australia, and I want to support local business. It should be getting a bit cold down there by then,

I have the same load for 154gn SST's in my seven. I reckon it would be a great load for Elk. I'm using Norma brass.

Gunner,

This is an older post from last year, so don't know if you'll see this, but...

got this from an older Hornady Manual. for the 175 RN if you want more ooomph and velocity, and unbelievable accuracy, especially out of an old 7 x 57 that has a real generous chamber... the magical load is 40 grains of 3031..... MV thru my chronograph with both a Ruger 77 Mk 2 and a Model 70 Featherweight with that load, 2650 fps.

My Ruger was horrible with anything, like 5 inch groups at 100 yds were the best it would do... was going to pull the barrel and turn it into a 6mm Remington.
Saw that load in the manual, thought I hadn't used that, so I'd give it a try.. I was astounded, as It gave a smaller than half inch group. Reloaded some more ammo, and tried it at the range, and paying a little more attention, I got a smaller group. Was blown away when I chronographed it....

With all bullet weights, that charge of 40 grains of 3031, made that rifle think it was a varmint rifle.... anything else, and I tried a lot of powders, the groups rivaled a Stevie Wonder with a sling shot....

I've had others PM me and tell me that load worked wonders in their 7 Mausers also...

Just passing it on... hope this finds you well my friend....

I was loading for my cousin a few days ago and was using 140 rem core lok bullets. Best I could get was about a 10" pattern. Tried 4 different powders, 2 different primers and no change. So I started again where I began which was cci200, 50gr H4350 and this time used 140gr nosler bt
ended up with a 3/4" group and was repeated. The rifle sure didn't like the remington bullet.
Rifle is a Win70fwt

LOL, i did miss this post old Buddy, these loads were put up long ago from my 'Smith wagging his finger at me cautioning against loading an old Mauser rifle he just checked out for me with max loads, i'm my custom '09 DWM Mauser, i load 48gr of either IMR or H-4350 under old style Speer Grand Slams and Partitions to 2700 fps, the rifle is a 60's ish custom build, it's medium heavy 24" barrel and Jaeger trigger are a pure pleasure to shoot and hunt with, the rifle weighs near 9.5lbs all up, it's old 3-9x42mm Leupold held firmly in Buehler rings and bases is turning purple, that is okay, it's one of the most accurate pure hunting rifles i've ever owned/shot.

Your rifle isn't the only one. Years ago I bought a box of 500 Remington 150 grain .284" coreloks and tried to get them to shoot in 2 different 7x57's. 4 to 6" was about the best they would do and then a fellow by the handle of Seafire suggested I use 40 grains of IMR-3031. I gave it a try and the groups shrank to 1 1/4 to 1 1/2". Don't know why but, it worked for me.

Glad I'm not alone Joe, I have 3031 but didn't think of trying it but maybe if I'd heard this earlier I probably would have for sure.

Gents:

Speer has posted updated load information, and two of the powders they're listing - with pretty velocities, I might add - are Alliant Power Pro 2000 and Power Pro 4000. Have any of you used them? PP 4000 seems to be a little more available right now than most of the other 7x57 go-to powders. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried it yet and what the results have been.

Thanks

RM

Ben shooting a couple of loads using 160gr NP and 175gr NP over a slightly compressed charge of H4831SC (?) that either Ingwe or Jorge posted a few years ago in either this forum or the Africa forum. I'd have dig out the load data before I'd stand by the powder being H4831SC.

Last year I found a Winchester FWT push feed 7x57, I think is out of the first batch that were built in the early 70's after the old plant was reopened under new ownership. I am looking for reliable close to max load info, for deer/hog kill shots out to 250+ yards using 140 gr's initially but also have several 100ct's box's of 150/154/160gr bullets, with enough 7mm bullet's all total to wait out the shortages we have now. Back then common Roberts ammo was almost only RP round nose bullets, but they were short ranged and only had average accuracy. Now days I keep seeing 7-08 data being touted but am uncomfortable at those pressures in this "Put it in My Will" keeper kind of a rifle.,,,common thinking at my age of 77.

Back then I was working for a large general merchandise wholesaler in Dallas as the local Sales Dallas Rep + north to the Oklahoma border & east to Louisiana & south to Waco, with other reps around the state . We had received the 1st delivery's of 5 shippers master carton's of 5 guns each, only in 5 calibers, as this same 7x57 rifle I have now. Back then I was able to get a 257roberts at our net cost when no one else wanted it. I almost shot the barrel out of it over the next 10+ years as it was the most accurate untuned rifle I'd ever shot at that time, FWIW back then 257 ammo was as scarce in Robert's as it is now....and why I finally got into reloading regularly to begin with.
Ron

Two things: The Model 70 is perfectly capable of handling Weatherby magnum pressures, generally about the top end of commercial rounds. Also the 7x57 has a bit larger case than the 7-08 and hence the 7-08 data will produce less pressure than it would in its home case.

That sounds like a great alternative to the load books info, as they are all written for older 7x57's with pressure at safe levels I suspect. Thanks for the insight. This is gonna be fun for sure.
I also have a Tikka 6.5x55 that was bought to start to shoot again couple years ago after a botched shoulder surgery severely limited use of my right shoulder until recently . I assume I can use the same info from a 260 or 6.5CM, as illustrated by the John Barsness quote above. If so that will open that door too. Thanks again.
Ron

Tag

140gr Nosler Partition, WW brass, CCI 200, 51gr of RL19, 2725 fps from a 22” barrel:

thanks, im trying new loads in a new rifle

Is that a 6x36 on that Featherweight?

Me too.
In the 80's I carried a Model 70 I bought new in 1981 and noticed the increased heat in the barrel with fewer shots while culling feral goats but it was around 100 degrees so didn't think much more about it because we were culling and no shots missed. In the 90's doing the same thing, I carried a John Rigby & Sons .275 Rigby with the same loads and never noticed the same issue with that rifle.

I'd forgotten about the whole thing until JB brought it up on here a few years back. I still use 760 in the 7x57 even today (a little less powder better aids accuracy in my current Super Grade) as the US is a cooler continent that Oz.

I get consistently higher velocities, meaning the potential of the case volume and under MOA accuracy. I like it and never cared an iota about the dirty barrel claims. 760 also works very well is an awful lot of cartridges so I always have it on hand.

I think Winchester hit a home run with this design. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for my bucks, the Featherweight is the most popular in my safe. Have a .30/06, 7x57 and 280 A!. All with decent wood.

More aptly termed a "Gentleman's Weapon" as H&H used to call them.

AGW, I agree most heartily. I have the FWT in .257 Roberts and 7x57. Keeping my eyes open for a .280 Rem.
Paul B.

I'm having an older push feed Mod 70 FWT rebarreled with a Shilen #2 9" twist in 7x57. I have tried four different factory chambered rifles ( 7mm Mauser) 3 were FWTS and 1 was a Mod 700 Classic...all pitiful shooters. I finally rustled up a good looking FWT and will have it tricked out. I like longer barrels so will leave this one at 24". I "should" be able to get small groups out of this thing then! ha I like the heavier for caliber bullets, 150-160. I will try the 120 TTSX (as I have some) and see how it likes them. But, just wanted to remark on the Mod 70 FWTs handling. For me, its a great stalking rifle. Slim, trim not really heavy and points like a shotgun! I like the "more open wrist" of the FWT because of my big hands. My B-14 Hunter ( Mod 700 Clone) in 300WM is another great rifle. I believe its synthetic stock helps with recoil. To me its like shooting a 30-06. It also has a more open writs than a Mod 700. A rifle that fits you, that you love to handle on a walk in the woods...is pure joy!

I hit by chance a load that shoots just under 1/2 inch for a 3 shot group at 100 yards.
My problem is that I don’t have access to a chronograph and cannot find any listed estimated MV for the 120 Barnes TTSX with 51 grains of R-19 powder. I’m just guessing the MV is some where around 2700 to 2800.
The rifle is a 7X57 model 700 classic limited edition. This is the most accurate load I have had for this gun
If anyone could help his Old Man out on this , it would b greatly appreciated.

I don't use RL19, but I do use H4350, and I have chrono'd loads using 50gn of that powder behind a 140gn SST getting around 2,800fps. So I'd say you would have to be close to 3,000fps with a 120gn bullet. MY rifle has a 24inch barrel, which is ideal for the 7x57. Not sure about the Rem 700 barrel.

It's nine years later and I still like 160's and H4831.

And the negatives were? I have run H414 in my Mauser 7x57 for decades and never had any noticeable issues. What issues would this powder exhibit?

H414 powder, i have a near lifetime supply, have you loaded 140 grain gamekings ever with that powder?

I think a lot would depend on where one lives. I do most of of my load work up in Tucson's very hot summers. Any load that proves safe at 110* will work safely at 4 above zero. One of my loads runs the 165 gr. Accubond over W760 at 2880 in my 30-06. At the NRA's Whittington Center I experience no change in point of impact at 4 above zero. The next morning at 14 above I took a shot at a nice fat cow elk and that was the end of that hunt. Most of my hunts however have been in Nevada and Norther AZ and temps were not quite that low. It's never been a problem for me using W760/H414. AS I will find some way to check my sights the day before the hunt, should I find a change in POI, I'll just readjust my sights accordingly.
PJ

I took advice from JB (thanks very much!) and worked up to maximum velocity using 7-08 data. This worked very well indeed and produced some excellent loads.
145 LRX - 51.0 gn StaBALL 6.5 - 2938 fps
150 Nosler BT - 49.0 gn 4451 - 2754 fps
150 Nosler BT - 54.0 gn Reloder 26 - 2870 fps

All loads used Hornady brass, 210 primers and were fired from a 22" barreled Model 70 of 2014 vintage.
All loads produced groups of 0.8" at 100 yd.

These are not starting loads. Maximum velocity published data should be approached only with the aid of a chronograph since throat dimensions, and corresponding pressures, vary greatly in individual rifles.

The above loads are save in my rifle. If you assume they will be fine in yours without carefully working up you are nuts!

Cheers,
Walt

My wife shoots A Rem 700 in 7x57 and she DOES NOT like heavy recoil. I worked up a load with the 120 gr Nosler BT that has superb accuracy and kills WT's like a lightning bolt. Thanks

Anybody use any of the old hornady 175 gr roundnose bullets. I bought some reloading stuff from an older guy and found 2 boxes of them.

Tested some one time, with a MV of down to 1800 fps. There was a large mazanita tree I used as a back stop at 100 yds.

Was surprised to see that they penetrated the tree and exited out the back... plowing thru 18 to 19 inches of hard wood.
the exit hole, had wood pealed like a banana peel, 10 to 12 inches on each side of the exit hole.

Good reason I am a big fan of sectional density.

I have about 250 left of 400 that I bought. All of my 7x57s shoot them very well, and they really hammer the feral pigs I shoot them into. At the ranges I shoot, almost always inside of about 125 yards with less than 50 being the norm, I have never been able to catch one: all pass-throughs. My load is 43.5 grains of IMR-4350, Prvi case, WLR primer. I've never shot the load over a chronograph - I need to do that - but would guess that it's in the 2400+/- fps range. I know three shots is statistically meaningless, but this group is 100 yards from a M1909 Argentine Mauser with a 24 inch barrel of unknown make.



That's less that 1/2 inch CTC.

Here's the old rifle. The others shoot the same bullet with similar results. The impact on game is generally pretty impressive.

Looks like a good one Rev!

I just grabbed a Cabelas 7x57 M70 for myself. My son has the XTR in the 7x57 and I didn’t think it was fair he has the only one. I hope my new one shoots near as good as his.

Those are really pretty rifles and tend to shoot very well. Mine shoots factory Core-Lokts almost the same as the old Argentine shoots handloaded 175s. If I remember right, Winchester made 250 for Cabela's and 250 as a special run. They're exactly the same with the exception of the floorplate engraving. They're getting harder to find; enjoy it!

I plan too. Had a few fellas looking out for me and managed to snag one for a decent price. Would've preferred the none Cabelas floorplate, but I won't complain too loudly. I have a S&B 6x42 that should go nicely on top of it.

My Cabela's M70 with a young sow. This is the rifle that shoots 140-gr. factory Core-Lokts very well. I have some 150-gr. Core-Lokts and Nosler Partitions: hopefully it will shoot them as accurately as it does the 140s.

That’s a great looking rifle.

Thanks. It gets the job done.

WOW! That is a sweet looking rifle, Rev!

I have an 83 year old mauser custom made 98 with half octagon half round 26 inch barrel. Before I started reloading I bought some 175 grain Remington corelocs , 139 grain privilege partisan, and 140 grain Sellier & Bellot. The 175 grain shot solid 2" groups with open sights The 139 grain Privilege about the same but 3inches to the right. The S&B shot 1 1/4" group 2" above the 175 grain loan. That was better than I expected with my old eyes and open sights. I took a whitetail with the S&B round nose load through the heart at 40 yards. Complete pass through that completely destroyed the heart. Now my go to load. This was my first time using S&B ammo but it won't be my last.

I have a quantity of Varget that I need to find a use for. I thought I'd give it a run behind some 139gn SST's I like. Anyone used Varget in the seven?

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.

+
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.

In the 1983 catalog they list it as 1-8 1/4"