Modern 7x57 Mauser Velocities, etc.

[Arctic97]

I load Barnes 150gr TSX for my daughter's 7x57. Velocity is 2520fps measured about 10' from barrel.
She has killed a lot of critters with that load. It is a stock, Ruger model 77 with a 22" barrel. Here is a pic taken last November in Zim. Taken with one frontal shot at 165 yards. Also see pic of recovered bullet below....

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I personally believe that 170-177Gr bullets at a modest velocity of 2440 FPS is the ticket for optimal 7x57mm Mauser performance. That’s the velocity I accomplish out of the 23’’ barrel of my Churchill Gun Makers Model Deluxe. And it serves me just fine. When I first purchased my 7x57mm Mauser in 1989, I used the old Winchester Super X 175Gr soft point factory loading in it (unfortunately discontinued in 1988). Absolutely magnificent cartridges with the bullets featuring the big blue round noses (plenty of lead showing at the tips) and the 2440 FPS velocity. Those cartridges really set the bar for what I came to expect from this caliber. My most recent purchase of 7x57mm Mauser cartridges this year , was 100 rounds produced by Hendershots Custom Loaders by loading the 175Gr Nosler Partition soft point to 2440 FPS. Basically emulating the old Winchester Super X factory load (but with an even superior bullet design).

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi,

As I told before, I use the 7mm Mauser since 1972. At first I used only the few factory 175 grs Remchester cartridges I got, with published 2400 or so velocity.
Because the almost non existent cartridges for it here, I started my handloader career.
The first bullets I found were the excelent Hornadys 154 Spire Point, pre-Interlock. Very good results in wild boar, brocket deer and red deer.
After that, finally, I could get a variety of bullets. My favorites for big game and the ones I mostly used were the GEEAT Nosler Partition 160 grs at 2700/2750 f/s and 175 grs at 2600/2650 f/s, and the also GREAT RWS H-Mantel 173 grs from factory cartridges at 2550 f/s, (the ABSOLUTE BEST FACTORY AMMO I EVER USED), and my handloads at those 2650 f/s.
They remains my favorites.
Anyway, a year ago I got some boxes of BARNES LRX 145 grs. I developed a totally safe load at 2850 f/s with outstanding accuracy! I have not used on game yet but testing them in some mediums, seems to be a serious candidate all around "modern" hunting bullets for my beloved cartridge!

 

[PerH]

I personally believe that 170-177Gr bullets at a modest velocity of 2440 FPS is the ticket for optimal 7x57mm Mauser performance. That’s the velocity I accomplish out of the 23’’ barrel of my Churchill Gun Makers Model Deluxe. And it serves me just fine. When I first purchased my 7x57mm Mauser in 1989, I used the old Winchester Super X 175Gr soft point factory loading in it (unfortunately discontinued in 1988). Absolutely magnificent cartridges with the bullets featuring the big blue round noses (plenty of lead showing at the tips) and the 2440 FPS velocity. Those cartridges really set the bar for what I came to expect from this caliber. My most recent purchase of 7x57mm Mauser cartridges this year , was 100 rounds produced by Hendershots Custom Loaders by loading the 175Gr Nosler Partition soft point to 2440 FPS. Basically emulating the old Winchester Super X factory load (but with an even superior bullet design).
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TIG 7x57 11,5g/177grs

Höchste Präzision in jedem Lauf. Treffsicher. Tag für Tag. Seit 1919. Ideal für die Jagd im heimischen Revier! Das BRENNEKE TIG® ist berühmt für seinen optimalen Laufdurchgang. Ein Klassiker, der sich auf Frischlinge oder Rehwild bewährt. Das weiche Zweikern-Teilzerlegungsgeschoss mit...

www.brenneke-ammunition.de

One to search for shoots good in most rifles and good jungle bullet . Can handle the largest stags and in a pinch European bison .

Needless to say a great wild boar option also .

 

[PerH]

Leadfree

TAG 7x57 10,4g/160grs

Ultimative Schockwirkung im universellen Einsatz Ein starkes Stück. Der Drückjagd-Profi mit hoher Augenblickswirkung. Überzeugt durch ultimative Schockwirkung im universellen Einsatz: TAG®, das bleifreie BRENNEKE Teilzerlegungsgeschoss aus hochreinem Kupfer.

www.brenneke-ammunition.de

 

[Old3Toe]

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

Your project sounds great. Hope this helps.... My three 7x57's (20", 22", 24") all share the same hand loaded ammunition: Hornady 162gr ELDm, H4350, Norma brass.

Now in a marvelous coincidence, the 20" & 24" barrels both shoot that load with stunning accuracy at the very same speed; 2650fps. As for the 22" gun, its aperture sights are regulated perfectly for this round too. I've just never shot it over a chronograph. Yet this same loading is beyond accurate and capable enough for anything I'll ever do, with or without iron sights.

Best of luck!

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Bill,

How about your TIKKA 7-08 proyect?

 

[LeonSam]

I have a Musgrave with a 24" barrel.

With PPU brass, 49 grains of H-4350, Federal Gold Medal Match primers and 145 grain Speer boat tails, I am getting 2840 fps. In limited testing, I am getting about 1 MOA

 

[Bill J H]

Gentlemen (and Gentle Ladies, if any of them replied);

First, thanks for all the input. I got back from Colorado trout fishing (we did great) and picture taking, then did a couple of days turnaround and went to north-central Kansas for a few days of dove hunting. I know several ranchers and farmers up there, so I have access to a great deal of land. Man - the dove were THICK. The weather was excellent and we had a great few days of dove hunting.

Now to the Tikka 7mm-08 project:

While I was gone the following arrived - Rifle, Woox Wildman Stock, Mountain Tactical Long Action (LA) Bolt Stop, Tikka OEM LA magazine, Talley 1" Lightweight (low) scope mounts, and 100 count Alpha Munitions Brass. I also received Hornady 175gr SP Interlocks, 162gr BTSP Interlocks, 139gr BTSP Interlocks, and some Nosler 150gr Partitions.

Rifle is a Tikka T3x Lite, Blued, 22.4" threaded barrel. Total weight is 6lbs, 6oz of which the action and bolt weigh 4lbs 5oz.

Woox Wildman Stock - The stock is of great quality, fit and finish. Also the LOP is easily adjustable with spacers. The only drawback - it weighs 3lbs, 5oz; I wish it were lighter...by about a pound, as it makes the rifle weigh 7lb 10oz without my scope. I'm torn as to whether to use the much lighter OEM stock or go with the Woox - decisions...decisions...

I mounted a Swarovski Z3 3-10 on it for now as I develop loads.

Using my Hornady OAL gauge I noted the following measurements for when the lands were CONTACTED: 175gr IL 2.877, 162gr IL 2.866, 150gr NOS PT 2.855, 139gr IL 2.849.

Of note, my Tikka SA magazine measures a tight 2.846, this magazine would have not let me get to (actually very near) the lands. The Tikka LA magazine measures 3.381 which is a lot more than I need.

Replacing the Tikka SA Bolt stop with the Mountain Tactical LA Bolt stop took about 3 minutes.

For load development, I'm gonna jump right in the deep end with the 175gr ILs. I'll use my old standby Varget with CCI 200 LR primers. Varget has never let me down regarding accuracy, although, there are some other powders that might give a tad more velocity. I'll ladder test it and see what happens. Since I'm seating the bullet several thousandths further out than the Hornady ballisticians, I should have increased powder capacity before I begin to see pressure signs. I stress should as one never knows until you test

I'll give a report with pictures in a few days in the event anyone is interested.

 

[Bill J H]

Gents;

Since any future posts regarding this project are more centered on load development and observations, I created a new thread on the Reloading forum under "7mm-08: Tikka T3x Project".

If anyone is interested in how it turns out, updates will be on that thread.