So I have a partial box of handloads from the older gentlemen i bought the gun from, new brass and 140 grain bullets using RL 19 powder was his recipe, with this powder shortage etc. going on I have H4895 and H414, as a starting point, go to the charts for the RL 19 and estimate velocity, then try to duplicate that velocity with the powders I have available, is this a logical approach or has the turkey got my mind sleepy? LOL

You will never know the velocity without a chronograph only guess work. The powders you have will work fine in the 7mm with H-414 probably giving you the highest velocity. Begin with starting loads and work up looking for the best accuracy or until you reach maximum loads listed.

I run the 140 gr. Nosler ballistic Tip at 2800 FPS in my Winchester M70 Featherweight with 22" barrel. The load was worked up during the summer when temps were well over 100 degrees. (105 to 10 on average) The load was the Nosler BT, Winchester brass and standard primer.

Powder was 47.0 gr. of W760. W760 and H414 are the same powder, just different packaging. The load has prover safe in the M70 and in a Ruger #1 A, However it has shown to be too hot in a custom Mauser I have. My suggestion is start at about 45 gr. and work up in half grain increments. FWIW, at 47.5 gr. bolt lift started showing slight stickiness on opening.

Accuracy in the M70 runs .75" on average and about .85" in the #1.

Paul B.

Previous owner provided paperwork on the reloads saying 49 grains of the Rl 19, so I was gonna start at about 45 grains of the H414, and see what happens, I am not a guy who likes everything hot unless you have to get there to get it to shoot right, If it is accurate at 45 there's will it will be, nothing on the receiving end will ever know the difference in a couple hundred fps. Recently I seen what a subsonic 200 grain bullet did to a whitetail out of a .308, it is not all about speed LOL If the charts are close throwing out the other variables it appears 47 - 47.5 grains of H414 would be similar to his load, but I am going to work up to that. Thanks all for all the help and ideas.

FWIW I always had great luck in the 7x57 with 4895...also FWIW I wouldn't shoot anyone else reloads on a dare or a bet...Ive seen too many mistakes...wayyyyyyyy too many.


I worked at the LGS for 22 years and we dealt in used guns, and many came in with hand loads. We made it a point to NEVER let anyone have them. In 22 years of pulling bullets and dismantling these loads I honest-to-god never, EVER, found a complete box where all the shells actually had powder in them!

Agree about not shooting handloads by others.

I got some .257 R ammo from Gunner500. He had traded his Robert’s, had surplus ammo, 100 gr TTSX over H-100V, which is a fav load of mine and his. So I bought his ammo and shoot it without reservation. But that’s the exception. Gunner know his stuff. This load, as he describes it, is a “little buzzsaw”, and he’s right. It’s accurate and deadly.

DF

On the 4895 load in the 7MM, where is a good starting point, I have that too on hand too.

Get your point on others handloads.

You're pretty safe with 38-40 grains in a modern rifle and shooting 140s

With IMR 4895, both the Ruger and the Model 70 FWT works real well with 44 grains of powder with a 139 Hornady or a 140 Ballistic Tip....

just passin that on....

I wouldn’t shoot another persons reloads. Pull the bullets, resize, start over.

When in doubt...Hodgdon has data listed for their powders along with Winchester and IMR online. Great reference tool and easy to use.

Reloading Data Center

Wait a minute...you're going to shoot the donor? That way lies madness...enjoy that Kar, looks like a nice rifle.

I have another donor action so i just took a right turn and will shoot this one a bit and see, the only reason i considered donoring it was how nice the wood was, and the fit and finish of this gun, I have dies, bullets, new primed brass, and friends with reloaders so I might just give it chance to impress me before the barrel wrench is applied.

I like the H/IMR 4350's in the 7x57.

I like AA2700 and Hornady 154 SP.

When push comes to shove, I'm really getting to like RL17 in the7x57. Results have been interesting. I'll pass on data at this point as I'm still experimenting with it and the 150 gr. Partition. I'll just say I'm quite close to duplicating the Remington .280 Rem. load in factory form.
Paul B.

Ya gotta consider the source. How many have custom ammo loaded. I load hunting ammo for buds, one’s been to Africa with great reports on the ammo. They shoot my reloads without reservation. I develop loads for their specific rifles.

I agree generally, am very cautious, but won’t make a blanket statement. But there aren’t many, though, that I’d trust.

DF

Be very interested to see that loading, thanks to all for the input.

I keep my reloads simple. I have had excellent results with IMR 4831 in 7 x 57, 243 & 30-06. 150 gr Nosler BT in the 7mm, 100gr Sierra SP in the 243 and 180gr Sierra SP in 30-06