Modern 7x57 Mauser Velocities, etc.

[Bill J H]

Gents;

Summary: I'm wanting some real-world, proven data, regarding modern loadings in 7x57s (I don't need your pet load specific data, just velocities at specific bullet weights and accuracy attained). I don't have a 7x57, so I can't work up loads, however, I'm 99% certain the AH crowd has a strong grasp on some 7x57 data. The limitations on factory 7x57 Mauser loadings (lower pressure) will result in slower velocities, but some of you hand-loaders have no doubt upped the pressure since its safe in modern guns.

Questions:

*** What are you velocities with your given projectile weights?
*** What length barrel are you using to attain said velocities?

Any data is greatly appreciated...

Reason: I needed a new project, so I bought a project gun that I want to tinker with. I will do a great deal of testing to see what length of bullets it will stabilize and what velocities I can safely achieve, and still maintain great accuracy. In the end, I want to see how it truly compares to modern loads in a 7x57. Someone might ask, "Why not just buy a 7x57?" Answer: It wouldn't be the project I want to play with.

It seems a lot of the old 7x57s used a 1 in 8.5" twist and certainly stabilized the 173 and 175 grain bullets. Also, it seems most were 24" or 22" barrels. Being a "longer-than-a-short-action", this provides ample powder capacity.

My project gun is a Tikka T3x, 7mm-08, 22", with a 1 in 9" twist; mathematically, it should stabilize the 175gr Interlock and shorter bullets (I'll find out if thats correct). All Tikkas are built on a LA and use a bolt stop to regulate stroke, additionally, all their mags are interchangeable, so one can use a LA mag if needed. I own several Tikkas because I love their accuracy and usability and all of them are somewhat long-throated, thus COAL limitations are reached due to mag length well before hitting the lands. If this new gun is true to its kin, I'll be able to seat the longer bullets further out thus maintaining powder capacity, I can adjust mag and stroke length as needed, and ladder test the heck out of this thing to determine pressure thresholds

 

[AckleyHunter]

I am getting 2800 fps with 6.5 staball using book data. The pressure listed is below 50,000, so still low pressure. 150 gr eldx and 24 inch barrel.

Mine has a 1:10 twist, so 150 is the highest I was going to go for pointy bullets. I would assume 175 grand slams or partitions would shoot fine.

 

[Sideshow]

Not sure what velocities Im getting but have gotten great results accuracy wise with 47grains of IMR 4451 and a Hornady 139gr interlocks


Its a 1.9 twist 23in barrel. Yes not the usual powder but its all that was available at the time and needs must.

 

[mauser98]

In a Ruger #1 with 175gr Hornady interlocks i was getting just shy of 2600 fps with a 22 inch barrel.
In a Zastava M70 with 160gr, 2700 fps and 2800 fps with a 150gr ballistic tips, 22 inch barrel. Powder in all three loads were with IMR 4350.

 

[MS 9x56]

I own a commercial Mauser 98 proofed in 1938 with a 26” barrel. With my handloads I am getting 2860 fps with 140 grain roundnose soft points and 2525fps with 175 grain roundnose soft points. I get 1.5-2 inch groups at 100 yards with peep sights with 140 grain and 2.5-3” with the 175 grain. Due to being fitted for claw mounts I have not put a scope on it yet. I doubt I could get much better results with a scope at that distance. As for performance on game the 140 grain on deer are one and done. For hogs I use the 175 grain with pretty much the same results. I have yet to recover a slug with either. You will not regret getting a 7x57.

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

I get 2700FPS using 150gr Accubombs and Ballistic Tips using IMR4350.
They shoot the same in my rifle so I use the BT in for impala sized game and Accubombs for the bigger stuff.
Never saw the point in loading a heavier bullet than 160gr, 150gr works just fine for me.

Typically should be able to get the same velocity that you'd get with 7mm-08 for a given bullet weight.

 

[Rare Breed]

Gents;

Summary: I'm wanting some real-world, proven data, regarding modern loadings in 7x57s (I don't need your pet load specific data, just velocities at specific bullet weights and accuracy attained). I don't have a 7x57, so I can't work up loads, however, I'm 99% certain the AH crowd has a strong grasp on some 7x57 data. The limitations on factory 7x57 Mauser loadings (lower pressure) will result in slower velocities, but some of you hand-loaders have no doubt upped the pressure since its safe in modern guns.

Questions:

*** What are you velocities with your given projectile weights?
*** What length barrel are you using to attain said velocities?

Any data is greatly appreciated...

Reason: I needed a new project, so I bought a project gun that I want to tinker with. I will do a great deal of testing to see what length of bullets it will stabilize and what velocities I can safely achieve, and still maintain great accuracy. In the end, I want to see how it truly compares to modern loads in a 7x57. Someone might ask, "Why not just buy a 7x57?" Answer: It wouldn't be the project I want to play with.

It seems a lot of the old 7x57s used a 1 in 8.5" twist and certainly stabilized the 173 and 175 grain bullets. Also, it seems most were 24" or 22" barrels. Being a "longer-than-a-short-action", this provides ample powder capacity.

My project gun is a Tikka T3x, 7mm-08, 22", with a 1 in 9" twist; mathematically, it should stabilize the 175gr Interlock and shorter bullets (I'll find out if thats correct). All Tikkas are built on a LA and use a bolt stop to regulate stroke, additionally, all their mags are interchangeable, so one can use a LA mag if needed. I own several Tikkas because I love their accuracy and usability and all of them are somewhat long-throated, thus COAL limitations are reached due to mag length well before hitting the lands. If this new gun is true to its kin, I'll be able to seat the longer bullets further out thus maintaining powder capacity, I can adjust mag and stroke length as needed, and ladder test the heck out of this thing to determine pressure thresholds

my 140 grain is 2800 FPS. 170 grain 2600 FPS averages through my chronometer I am shooting a 275 Rigby which is the same round

 

[Cowboybart]

If you are going to ream your 7-08 to 7x57, you'll need to go to the Ackley version to clean up the old chamber. If you are just stretching the length of the 7 08, then no worries.
Speed #14 has high pressure 7x57 loads in it. Also try Speer's website. Sorry I'm 250 miles away from my data, this is all I can remember.

 

[Joker12]

In my Ruger#1A using IMR4831 and Hornady 154gr interlocks I get good accuracy and 2725 fps. That bullet has the same SD as a 30cal 180gr bullet. Its like a slightly smaller '06.

 

[rookhawk]

I'm lazy, I use heavy for caliber bullets and Reloder powder. I can't remember if its RL15 or RL19. Most books show this as the most accurate load for the 150-165-175 grain bullets. It's also the most accurate at starting velocities, so it takes no load development.

I never chase velocity, I just focus on an accurate load and obsess over the quality of bullet. Speed is irrelevant to the killing efficacy of a 7x57, its not really how the caliber works. (versus say a .22-250 where "speed kills")

 

[Bill J H]

Thanks for all the input so far. I’ll be off the net for a few days fishing the high country in Colorado, but again, thanks for the input.

 

[MS 9x56]

Good luck with the cutthroats.

 

[Bill J H]

Thanks. Cutts and some Browns - should be fun

 

[MS 9x56]

Thanks. Cutts and some Browns - should be fun

My son with a brown trout from western NY. New York doesn’t have the mountains of Colorado but we do have some great fishing.

 

[Bill J H]

That trout would eat the trout I catch in the Conejos River…mostly.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Bill,
I am a 7x57 user since 1972. Love the cartridge in M98 Mauser standard lenght.
My Mauser has the std barrel twist of 1:220 mm (1:8,66"). Good for ALL bullet weights from 139 to the heaviest/longest ones.
I have used (without knowing then who was...) John Barsness guideline: aim to reach certain muzzle velocities with each bullet weight with a correct powder adjusting the charge for each particular rifle:
Mauser M98 60 cm (23,6") barrel lenght
139/140 grs 2850 f/s any 4350
150 grs 2750/2800 f/s any 4350-R19
160/162 grs 2700/2750 f/s any 4350-R19
173/175/177 grs 2600/2650 f/s R19-R22

 

[Sideshow]

I'm lazy, I use heavy for caliber bullets and Reloder powder. I can't remember if its RL15 or RL19. Most books show this as the most accurate load for the 150-165-175 grain bullets. It's also the most accurate at starting velocities, so it takes no load development.

I never chase velocity, I just focus on an accurate load and obsess over the quality of bullet. Speed is irrelevant to the killing efficacy of a 7x57, its not really how the caliber works. (versus say a .22-250 where "speed kills")

Yep that’s about it……

 

[Sideshow]

View attachment 709686
My son with a brown trout from western NY. New York doesn’t have the mountains of Colorado but we do have some great fishing.

Mouse eater right there… maybe a few Squirrels too lol

 

[rookhawk]

View attachment 709686
My son with a brown trout from western NY. New York doesn’t have the mountains of Colorado but we do have some great fishing.

While I can’t compare local conditions to that beast of a Brown, if any member is passing through Western WI and the Twin Cities, stop on by. I have a half mile of private beat on the best brown trout stream in WI. A good fly fisherman will limit on Browns with dry flies from the vantage of my deck.

 

[thoma018]

That trout would eat the trout I catch in the Conejos River…mostly.

I've fished that river and you're right....but the trout are beautiful and so wild!!