It looks like the European maximum load pressure* for the 7x57 is about 10% higher than USA maximum load pressure**. After a long hiatus I've come back to add a couple 7x57's in my meager battery. A Classic (which I already owned), a Mountain Rifle and a Mauser. The weather has cooled down enough for me to get back to the shooting bench. I pulled out some loaded ammo of the shelf and I saw that the loads were higher than what the reloading manuals now show (quite a bit higher than the Hornady Manual loads). However, I did see one in Big Book of Gun Gack for a 7x57 Ruger #1 that was close but with H4350. The old load was a longtime favorite for the Classic, which is 50.9 grains IMR4350 and 139 grain Interlocks - I mostly used this load on Pronghorn but am considering it for white tail in a few months - no clue how I came to this load.

It sure would be nice to have a pressure gauge. But I'd like to see loads up to an equal 65,000 psi like the 270. (I noticed the Europeans load the 270 milder than the Americans.) I thought I saw manual(s) at one time that showed pressure in their pressure guns for loads listed... Maybe it was in Load data?

Comments?


*CIP 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi)
**SAAMI 351.63 MPa (51,000 psi)

You did not say what your Mauser was but my understanding that the loading in the US was less PSI because of the older Mausers.

Such as model 91,93, 95 and others. I load according to the gun that will be shooting the load.

Plus 1 ipopum, also add in the Remington Rolling Block single shot 7MMs

Remington Rolling Block military rifles made for smokelss cartridges scare me. A gun shop near where I grew up had a 1902 rolling block in 7x57 that had an action that was split nearly in half. I never knew, never asked, what caused the catastrophic failure, but it hung on the wall for all to see.

I use MD’s load of 46 gr of H 4350 under a 156 gr Norma Oryx in all 3 of mine. Ruger Hawkeye African .275 Rigby, Ruger # 1 and a CZ 550 American all shoot MOA with this load. Deer and pigs hate it.

Not to put words in M.D. mouth, but I believe he has mentioned more than a few times, the length of throat in YOUR rifle, be it long, could produce, with the same powder charge and bullet, less velocity and pressure than in mine, which could be short. I believe he also mentioned using a good chrony, and developing a load to give a particular velocity for the bullet weight used.

Apoligies to MD if I mis-remembered.

I use the process outlined in mine, works for me.

I’ve been rolling 175SGK’s and 175 Hornady RN’s out of my #1.
49.0grn. RL-22 give both about 2,500fps. I came into a lifetime supply of 175 Interlocks (pointed) a while back and will wean over to them.
A chronograph is invaluable for reloading anything and doubly so for the 7x57. My loads may well be smoking hot in your rifle, owing throat dimensions.
MD’s article from several years ago should be mandatory reading for anyone loading the grand ol’ 7 Mauser.

You have a good memory. That's exactly what I've written for loading modern 7x57s--loading to a certain velocity level for various bullet weights, due to varying throat lengths. Basically, I load 'em to 7mm-08 velocities, and often start with 7mm-08 data. Because the 7x57 has a little more powder room than the 7-08, this is a safe way to start.

Before loading I would check throat lengths. You will probably have little to no commonality between the three guns. The mauser if old at all probably has a generously sized chamber and may require you to keep brass separate. My old ruger has a huge chamber and a country mile of throat. I inherited it and deveral hundred rounds of winchester brass that will not fit in any other 7x57. I use a 160 gr nosler partition as my hunting (elk and deer) load, bhut have killed elk with 150 gr Corelokts. Lots of powders are usable in them , but the 4350s and similiar are the standard.......

Is it sacrilege to chamber a M70 in 7x57?

No, I believe that shows good sense.

Winchester didn't think so since they did it. Admittedly they are rare but about 40 years ago I handled a pre-64 factory model 70 that was pure 100% factory chambered in 7x57. At one time I had a collector books that gave the production numbers and they were not many of them chambered i 7x57.

drover

Interesting. That sounds like the way to go.

I bought a very nice looking 700 BDL chambered in 7-08 too. I have not shot it yet. First thing I did was check the bedding. Bubba is alive and actively working on rifles by the way!!! I removed the hunk of plywood Bubba glued in the fire arm, free floating the barrel. The action screws were tough to remove because they evidently were not covered completely with release agent and the bedding was through to the floor plate. I drilled out the action screw holes so the screws were free from the bedding material.The actual recoil lug was tight inside the bedding making removal of the barreled action from the stock a project. I removed the bedding material in front of the lug and beside the lug so that in the future it will come apart easier.
It will be interesting (to me) how the two 700 7x57’s compare to the 7-08. A guy has to keep busy in retirement you know.

Absolutely not. Winchester chambered the Pre 64 in both std and carbine in 7 MM Mauser. I've had both but sold the rifle but that carbine will be with me forever.

I have read where some refer to the 7MM-08 as the modern 7x57. That maybe true but just to make sure I have a couple of each. I'm retired as well Bugger I just wish there were enough components available to be able to try different things. I did load up a box of 7MM-08's yesterday using IMR 4350 and H414. Bullets were 140 grain Accubonds, Sierra Game Kings, Speer Grand Slams and 139gr Hornady Interlocks. When it stops raining I'll be at the range.

In 2014 Winchester made some Model 70 Super Grade LW in 7x57. If memory serves about 500 for Cabella's, with the first 250 marked "Cabella's", and another 160 for general distribution. I bought one at a local store in 2020. Guess they weren't flying off the shelves.

Bugger. I've been playing with the 7x57 for a while now mostly with RL17. Saw a post a few years back where a guy using RL17 in a 7x57 Winchester M70 Featherweight getting some interesting velocities and accuracy.. I contacted him and he gave his data which I used to work up my loads. First run took 140 gr. Ballistic tips to 2800 with W760. I did get to 2880 but started feeling bolt sticky lift so dropped back a grain. He'd done most of his work with RL17 so that's what I went with when I found some at the LGS. I found I could do 2880 FPS with the 150 gr. Nosler Partition in the M70 and the load also worked just fine in the Ruger #1A. The only rifle this load does not work with is a custom job using an FN action and Douglass barrel. It locks up at just about one grain above factory loads. haven't figured that one out yet.

BTW, The latest Speer and Nosler manuals show some pretty hot loads. You might find what you're looking for there.
Paul B.

If it twe’re wrong, I don’t wanna be right!

That is about as perfect looking a deer rifle as one could hope for I'd say.

Did you slug that chamber or at least invert a bullet in a case and obtain a length?

Before I purchased a chronograph I loaded for several cartridges, including the 7x57. I did not have to consult 7mm-08 data because the world is full of 7x57mm data. With that data and common sense I never blew up or damaged a gun.

7X57 Mauser References

2020 - The Big Book of Gun Gack III, John Barsness

2019 - Handloader #320, June, The Modern 7x57, John Barsness

2017 - American Hunter, February 2017, Behind the Bullet: 7x57mm Mauser, Phillip Massaro

2017 - American Rifleman, October, A Tale of Two Sevens, Craig Boddington

2015 - The Big Book of Gun Gack, John Barsness

2015 - Guns Magazine, May, The Magnificent 7x57 Mauser, John Barsness

2015 - Sporting Shooter Magazine, Handloading the 7x57 Mauser, Nick Harvey

2014 - Rifle Magazine #273, March, Ruger 7x57mm Mauser, Dave Scovill

2014 - Handloader #289, April, 7x57 Mauser Part II, Gil Sengel

2012 - African Expedition, Mauser's 7mm, Koos Barnard

2012 - Guns and Hunting - Two Decades of Thoughts on Guns and Calibers, A Tale of Two Sevens (Chapter 1). The 7x57 mm Mauser (Chapter 17). Finn Aagaard

2012 - Rifle Magazine, Fall 2012 Special Edition, 7X57mm Mauser, Dave Scovill

Rifle Magazine, Fall 2012 Special Edition, Contemporaries of the 7x57, Mike Venturino

Rifle Magazine, Fall 2012 Special Edition, The 7mm Comes Full Circle, John Haviland

Rifle Magazine, Fall 2012 Special Edition, Seven Deadly Millimeters, Ron Spomer

Rifle Magazine, Fall 2012 Special Edition, The Legacy of the 7x57, John Barsness

Rifle Magazine, Fall 2012 Special Edition, The Commercial Sevens, Mike Venturino

2010 - Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition

2010 – New Zealand Guns and Hunting, #119, July/August, The 7X57 Stalking Rifle, Garry Keown

2010 – New Zealand Guns and Hunting, #118, May/June, The 7X57 – the 7mm Mauser and the 275 Rigby,
Garry Keown

2009 – American Rifleman, November, A Perfectly Delightful Cartridge – 7x57 mm Mauser, Jim Wilson

2008 – Handloader, #252, April/May, 7x57 Mauser - The “First” 7mm, John Haviland

2007 Nosler Reloading Manual

2007 – Handloader, #246, April/May, 7x57mm Mauser – The Original 7mm, John Barsness

2004 – Handloader, #231, October/November, 7x57mm Mauser – Accolades from an admirer, Steve Gash

2003 - Rifle #205, Jan-Feb, The 7x57mm Mauser Again, Dave Scovill

2001 - Handloader #214, Dec-Jan, Semiwildcats (7x57 throats), John Barsness

2001 – Handloader, #211, June/July, 7x57mm Mauser – The grand, old 7mm, Stan Trzonec

2000 - Modern Reloading, Richard Lee

2000 – Handloader, #206, August/September, 7mm’s – The all-American standard, John Barsness

1999 – American Rifleman, February, 7x57mm Mauser in Modern Rifles, Edward A. Matunas

1996 - Hodgdon Basic Reloaders Manual

1995 – Handloader, February 1995, Modern Powders in the 7x57, Ken Waters

1995 - Sierra Rifle Reloading Manual

1995 - Speer Reloading Manual

1995 - Alliant Powder Reloaders Guide

1992 – Game Loads And Practical Ballistics For the American Hunter, (see index), Bob Hagel

1991 - Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading

1991-Guns and Ammo, 1991, 7mm Mauser…Smallbore Blockbuster!, Ross Seyfried

1991 – Rifle, #137, September/October, The 7mm Mauser, The Legend Lives on,Ludwig Olson

1990-American Rifleman, April, 1990, John Rigby & Co., Finn Aagaard

1989 – Nosler Reloading Manual, The 7x57 Mauser, Finn Aagaard

1987 - Lyman Reloading Handbook 46th Edition

1986-American Rifleman, Nov. 1986, The 7x57 Mauser, Finn Aagaard

1986-Guns, July, 1986, Know Your Hunting Cartridges: The 7mm Mauser, Ed Matunas

1985 - Handloader's Guide (StoegerPublishing), A Rebounding Cartridge -the 7mm Mauser, Stanley W. Trzoniec

1984 – Outdoor Life, March, The 7x57 Mauser, Jim Carmichael

1984 - Speer Reloading Manual

1983 – Handloader, #102, March/April, light hunting bullets in the 7x57mm, Mike Venturino

1982 – Rifle, #83, September/October, Model 70 Featherweight – 7x57mm, Bob Hagel

1982 – Handloader #95, January/February, still popular…7mm Mauser, Ken Waters

1981 - Nosler Reloading Manual

1980 - Hodgdon Data Manual No. 25

1977 – Handloader, #66, March/ April, Super velocities in ONE 7x57, Dennis Hall

1976 – Guns & Ammo, November 1976, 7x57 Mauser, Les Bowman

1974 – Gun Digest, #28, Forty Years with the Little 7mm, Jack O’Connor

1973 - Gun Digest, 27th Anniversary Edition, The Beautiful Blazers all but Forgotten , Bob Bell

1973 – Sports Afield, August, The Welterweight Rifle With The Heavyweight Punch, John Jobson

1973 – Rifle, #27, May/June, Ruger 77 7x57---, Bob Hagel

1970 – The Hunting Rifle, Big Punch in Little Case, Jack O’Connor

1968-1969 - Yours Truly (Handloader Magazine column) Loading for the 7x57, pgs. 107-110, 178-179, 184-185, Harvey Donaldson

1968 – Handloader, # 16, November/December, Cartridge of the Month, 7mm Mauser, (Staff)

1968 – Handloader, September, The 7x57 Mauser, Ken Waters

1967- Gun Digest 1967, The Mysterious Seven, Robert Sherwood

1967 - Speer Manual for Reloading Ammunition

1967 - Lyman Reloading Handbook 44th Edition

1967 - Hornady Handbook of Cartidges

1964 – The Rifle Book, The All-Around Rifle (7x57), Jack O’Connor

1961 - Outdoor Life, March, Big Punch in Little Case, Jack O'Connor

1948 – Outdoor Life, October, Arms and Ammunition – The 7mm is great stuff for most big game. Jack O’Connor

First Edition (date ?) - Lee Reloading Handbook

My 7X57 built on a 1909 Argenting Mauser action likes H414 and 140 grain Game King, another thats Ackely Improved likes IMR3031 and 160gr Accubonds and the pre64 M70 carbine favors IMR 4350 and the 140 Game King. Go figure three different rifles three different powders.

I've used 40 grains of 3031, that I got out of an older Hornady Load Manual....

I use that load, with bullet weights from 139 SP Hornadys to 175 grain RN and SP Hornadys...

I have a model 70 Featherweight that will shot virtually any load very accurately...

And then a very picky Ruger 77 Mk 2.... but the 40 grains of 3031, it shoots fantastically.

Don't know about m91 being chambered for 7 x57 but the Europeans didn't import boat loads of m93 And m95 mausers to dump in their market. Go figure?.
.mb

Dunno if there was an M91 but it wouldn't surprise me. I'm pretty sure there was an M92 and it was chambered to the 7x57. They had a magazine that hung down below the stock and loaded in the same manner as the Mannlicher-Carcano. When the M93 with internal magazine came out Spain jumped on it. Dunno if any other European countries ever used the M93 but a bunch of Latin American countries did as well as Mexico. The Boers in Africa bought a bunch of the M93 and later M95 Mausers and put them to good use against the Brits.
PJ

I'd like to see this as well. I'm not interested in turning my 7x57 into a .280, but with 65k of pressure I'm pretty sure the velocities would be close, especially with heavier bullets. Also the increased velocity would be helpful with heavier monos. Unless JB or someone knows how to calculate estimated pressure, outside of a piezo machine it doesn't look like there's any way of safely knowing. Quick Load maybe?

Here's one way: You need a trustworthy source of data that supplies pressure numbers for at least two charge weights. Consider Hodgdon's data for IMR4350 and a 150 grain Ballistic Tip. In ordered pair notation we have (charge weight in grains, CUP) pairs of (42.3, 40,200) and (45.0, 45,400). If I've done the arithmetic right that's 1926 CUP per grain in the range they tested. Suppose we want to go up to 300 Weatherby pressure, say 54,000 CUP.

54,000 - 45,400 = 8,600 CUP

8,600 CUP / (1926 CUP / grain) = 4.465 grains

Call it 4.4 to be on the small side.

45 + 4.4 = 49.4 grains is the extrapolated charge ceiling.

I'm not telling you what to do, but I know how I'd experiment.

Note: We are assuming linearity in the behavior of the powder for the pressure ranges in which we're operating.

Thanks, MM. From that I should also be able to use JB 4:1 ratio to estimate velocity, if I'm thinking right.

For the example I cited you can use Hodgdon's data again. This time instead of CUP / grain you figure fps / grain and extrapolate the fps using the new projected charge ceiling from the previous calculation.

Got it! Thank you!

If memory serves me right, weren't the guns Remington chambered in 7x57, built on SA? The SA IMHO puts a 'hamstring' on the 7x57.

I've had (still possess one) 3 rifles chambered in 7x57. An Interarms MK X, which was a long action, a Win 70 (SHOT Show Special) that was on a SA, and a Ruger 77 Tang safety which is built on a LA. Of note, the current Win 70 SA is just a tad longer that the Rem 700, and doesn't 'hamstring' the 7x57 like other SAs.

I don't think they were. There were 700s in 257 Roberts on both action lengths however.

The only factory 700 in 7x57 I've owned was a Mountain Rifle, which had the long action.

I don't know of any factory 7x57 ammo that would fit in the standard 700 short-action magazine.

I second that sentiment. Not sure why it has never been more popular with US manufacturers than it has been. The fascination with the idea that newer is better is all I can think. I would like to see Ruger add 7x57 to their All American line if not build some more 77's in it. I would buy one , .260 Remington and .250 Savage would be cartridges I would love to see more of.

Mike, I've always used a chronograph when working up load. I got some data from a fellow who used Rl17 in a Winchester M70 push feed in 7x57. As I have the same rifle I PMed him and asked for his data. He'd only worked with the 150 gr. Nosler so that's the way I went. I took my my time and started 10 % below what he called max and using .5 gr. increments slowly worked up to what I believe is max for my rifle. The load works nicely in a Ruger #1A and the M70 but has proved problematic regarding pressure i
nm the FN Mauser. It was originally chambered to the .270 Win. but I had it rebarreled to the 7x57. I'm thinking that I may have to take it to my gunsmith and have him tear it down. I got the original rifle secondhand in a trade and I'm think that when loads get up there the action will occasionally lock up, but not in the normal manner You can't just knock of the bolt handled with a 2x4 in the usual manned but have to jiggle it a bit. I'm thinking the problem might be the locking lugs may be set back. That would require a new receiver. I got the rifle from a brother in law now long since deceased.

Just a short list of the load load work as I approached the top.

Powder is RL17,Winchester brass, WLR primers, 150 gr. Nosler Partition.

1. 47.0 gr. 2710 FPS
2. 47.5 gr. 2751 FPS
3. 48.0 gr. 2799 FPS
4. 48.5 gr. 2847 FPS

Load #4 was extremely accurate but bolt lift was a bit sticky on opening. It might be OK during the temps in hunting season. I dropped back to load #3 and called it good. Both the M70 and Ruger #1 love that load.
PJ

Is that the custom that you've mentioned before? Hits pressure pretty quickly? If I ever get my hands on some RL17 I'll try that load. I have a few 150 NPTs laying around - about 250 - and that would be an outstanding pig/deer load.

Rates a Two-Cool

My Dad and his brothers used the two Hutton Rifle Ranch slide rulers, Powley Computer and Powley psi calculator until other than Dupont powders came on the market. They wanted to experiment with those powders and put money in a kitty and purchased a chronograph.

When I began loading for the 7x57 I put several bullet and powder data from several sources into a Excel spreadsheet, obtained an average and shot it over a chronograph. Then I come across Bob Hagel and Dennis Hall's data on the 7x57 that showed me I could work up to the potential of the 7x57. Results were somewhat satisfying, but found case life was not good in some cases. Backed off my loads and now I am cruising between the 7mm-08 and 280 Remington.

I've read Hagel and the article on Dennis Hall's rifle. Funny thing, shortly after that article came out I lucked into Ruger M77 that had a serial number only 5 digits higher than Halls. I tried working up to Hall's data but that rifle didn't like them at all. IIRC, Halls rifle had a slightly oversize chamber and the bore was something like .01" oversize. I'll have to dig out that article and read it again. I push a fairly stiff load in my M70 FWT and it works quite well. You can find it in my answer to Rev. Mike's post.
PJ

As close as I got to the 7x57 is an old 7x57R. I'm not a cool kid.

Don't mean to HJ BUT I had to sell my latest Mod 70 FWT in 7x57, but it was not a tack driver anyhow. I only shot some 150s up to 175RN and it was nothing to write home about. I "was" going to have it rebarreled but, a House Project took priority. I found an older Mod 78 Remington action (same as the 700 LA) and planning on having it rebarreled with a Shilen 7mm 9" Twist. My question is; Since I want to be able to only shoot 150s and 160s with a handful of 175RN, but mostly 150-160 (Partitions). (I had a 7mm08 for years and shot the lighter weights up to 139gr, but that's not what I want for this project) , "What reamer (standard 7x57 or Special Order) throat length" would give me the best options, as I really want it shoot well. Not sure if I asked the question right, but hey, I appreciate any and all help/suggestions guys!

Make up a coupla dummy rounds with the bullets you wish to use, making sure they fit the mag. well. Measure the CBO on them. There will be a difference. I set the throat dimention to the bullet I will use most often, play with seating depth when loading with the others. Has worked for me.

Is the :shape of the Lead/diameter of the throat more/less critical than the length of the throat? Again, not sure I'm communicating (asking the right questions) A Remington LA magazine length will certainly not be an issue with the old war horse, ha got plenty room there. I'm after 2800fps with the 150s and 2700 with the 160s. Not so much concerned with the 175 (well, the 175 GS would be nice to get 2500fps+. IOW, not a 280. I do plan on starting out with a 24" bbl. I'm just after those speeds but with all the accuracy Modern equipment can give me.

Personally, I look at the length of the throat..the reason for the dummy cartridges, I want to use as much of the case for powder as I can get, within reason...and stick with standard diamentions for the rest, just in case I need to fire factory stuff in a pinch.
In my 1944 98 action, loading a 162 grn. ELDM with RL17, 9 twist, 24 inch barrel, PPU brass, RP primers, CBO at 3.517 gets me 2750 fps. Excellent accuracy, no excessive pressure, on my 5th loading, anealing after each firing.

If you order a custom reamer, I`m sure whom ever would give some suggestions if asked.

Thank you sir! I am going to go with the standard reamer and longer throat. My interest in in the 150 to 175s anyhow, and I have a LA to use too. I'm going to start out with a 24" bbl too.

I have a Model 70 Featherweight, 1995, 7x57, very happy with accuracy and performance.

CJK- I have tried three Mod 70 FWTS in 7x57...oh how my heart aches from their betrayal!!! ha I just seem to get those that, obviously, others shipped off to unsuspecting guys like me! ha Oh well, I will get something that ends up being sort of light-Sporter weight and in 7x57.

Jim, A Winchester Model 70 I own shot ok but not fantastic. I got the barrel re-crowned as I chopped an inch off the length...it then shot superbly. Also, FWT barrels are usually very light profile and heat up quickly. You may need to let the barrel cool down between shots to determine the rifle's accuracy potential.

I love my 7x57. I wanted one like this from my teens. I load 140gr Rem Corelokts for it and it's plenty accurate. The Leupold "Adjusto" mount was on it when I bought it. I have a Montana sling on it.

I concur. The barrel heats up quite rapidly. Early in the morning I wait about one minute between shaots. Soon after that two minutes between shots and by the time noon comes around it 5 minutes or more between shot. Barrels cool off very slowly when it's 110 in the shade and there ain't any shade.
PJ