I think I have my load for , mule deer with my 7x57.
Rifle is a large ring FN military action with a slim 24 inch tube. It has a 3x9 Leupold VX freedom.
Last weekend Shot it quite a bit and was very happy with the Sierra 140 grain Flat base, My go to powder for the cartridge is H-414, And i usually start at about 48 grains. So last week,i had loads starting at 48 and up to 50, grs. And got good groups with all. 50 grains gave my slightly flat primers and 3070 fps.
So since its wet and cold out today, i reloaded, last weeks cases with 48.5 Grains, And the same Flat base Sierra. I got a little closer to the lands with a coal of 3.135. .010 closer than last time.
I would be surprised if this load does not shoot lights out in my old girl. I would be happy as hell if it gives me even 2950 fps.
I need to put a new pad on it, the old ventilated red one has shrunk up, and LOP is just a hare short.
I Might spend some money on her after next hunting season. 3 position Safety , might cut and crown at 22 inches but only if it seems clumsy hunting.
This is a great deer rifle...

I`ve been playing with mine too. I`ve used h414 with the 140`s but have found in mine, RL-17 worked better..accuracy/velocity.
So this past week I loaded some 162 ELD-M using, again RL-17 46 grains, with the bullet seated at 3.225 OAL. Shoots excellent. I`ve a 25.5x9TR Schelin barrel on a 98. With the high BC, if I can get 2750-2800fps out of it, bullet stays SS over 1200 yrds. Carries good energy out past 400 too. Tomorrow looks like temps will be in the 20`s. Going to try to get it chronied. I put a three position on mine a few years back..really like it.
Good luck.

Sounds like you are having fun - and I can see why! The 7x57 is a great cartridge. Just passing on my experience - I am always careful maxing out H-414 / W760 in the winter time. When things heat up in the summer, pressures can cross that line. The one and only time (knock on wood) I blew a primer that was the case. Maxed out a 7x57 with W760 in January. Come June - POP! I was bummed because accuracy and velocity was strong, but it helped me accept that for me anyway, losing a few feet per second, or even 100 fps didn't matter a bunch. Plus, I got to keep playing with more recipes and that 7x57! Happy shooting to you!

That's some sound advice. I usually do my load work ups in the summer. It gets just a tad hot here in southern Arizona. The big problem is waiting for the barrel to cool. I generally work with four or five rifles at a time giving the last one shot time to cool down. Loads are retested when it cools down and I've not seen any large change on performance or accuracy. I only hunt elk these days and temps have been as low as +4*F. The load killed the elk just fine.
Paul B.