Powders for 175gr bullets in 7X57

F. Vaccaro

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I'm not looking for specific load data, I have several good loading manuals for that. I'd like to know what powders have given great accuracy with 175gr bullets in your 7X57s aka .275 Rigby.
Thanks!
 
Believe it or not, I had a load with IMR-3031 and 175 Winchester Power Points going 2350 fps at the muzzle that shot less than one inch at 100 yards. I never used it on our deer fearing the bullet would not expand properly on such light game.
 
I would try H1000. Very stable in all conditions. From over 95 degrees down to 30’s
 
I recently shot some really good groups, perhaps best, with Norma URP powder, with 150 gr bullets. Havent tried it with the heavies.
URP has a burn rate somewhere between N204 and MRP, according to a post I saw on another forum, the poster had asked Norma about it.
With my testing it is definitely slower than the burn rate charts show it to be, closer to IMR 4350.
URP is getting a lot of use around here, in several calibers.
 
Ken Waters lists 4831, 4350, 4320 and 4895--as well as RL 21--as giving the best results.
 
From all these different powder recommendations it appears the old 7x57 original military loading is not real fussy as to what powder you use. It just goes on doing the job it has always done for 130 years or so. Ya gotta love the 7x57.
 
Yes, a cartridge design that works well with most powders and most reasonable bullet weights. My go to load for 150gr bullets is 2500 fps with Varget or 4064. My go to load for 175 gr bullets is 2300 fps with Reloader 19 or H4350.
 
A while back I pulled down a Bell era original DWM factory round dated 1913 to scavenge the 173 gr FMJ RN bullet for a penetration test. IIRC the case was loaded to about 90-95% density and the powder looked to be a very normal extruded type. It was dark gray color and showed no signs of "rust" or deterioration. I have no idea of the specific designation, but the kernels looked to be about the size and dimensions of current IMR 4320. I have no doubt it would have fired normally and yielded close to the 2300 fps standard velocity for that round when manufactured. Likely the ammo had been stored in ideal conditions for the past 100+ years. Just a side story to the theme of the thread. :)
 
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