Ruger M77, 7x57 Mauser - New Project Rifle - Info Request

[Bill J H]

I was headed to Weatherford, TX yesterday and stopped in a nice old gun shop along the way; I do this fairly often.

On the wall they had just hung a consigned Ruger M77 (circa 1981), tang safety, 7x57 Mauser. I got'er down and looked it over. The gun shop man knew the owner well and I got some backstory: He bought it new in 1981 and topped it with a Redfield 2x-7x Tracker scope (this scope is still on the gun). Over the years, he used it for deer, coyotes, and varmints, although he really hadn't hunted much in the last 20 years. He said the owner generally shot it a few times a year, then hunted his deer, maybe killed a coyote, then put it back in the gun cabinet. As a matter of fact he had a box of ammo that came in with the gun and if I wanted the gun, he'd throw it in. The original owner died in the last year and the family didn't hunt, so they had brought it in to sell (sad).

The gun was in very good condition; the scope clear and bright, a 1"tube affair with 33mm objective (nice and compact). It also has an old - period correct - leather sling.

It was priced amazingly low compared to what I've seen on Gunbroker, etc. I was gonna buy it for the current price and actually would have give a couple hundred more, but I still threw out the obligatory "what's their bottom dollar?" question. He said he's call and ask to be sure; they took off another $100 for a cash price, so I pulled out a few Benjamins and it was a done-deal.

The ammo is Rem 140gr PSP and the box stamp indicates it was made in 1990, the faded Gibson price tag $15.99 . He told me the son told him this was what his daddy used and they only had this box left.

I have brass and dies arriving Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to working with this rifle as I've never had a 7x57, though I've worked extensively with 7mm-08. I'll start with 175gr Hor Interlocks and see what I can do since I have a bunch of them. I'm thinking 175gr North Forks and Partitions might be next, though I'll have to order them.

I'm hoping it shoots well, but if not, I'm ready to invest some time, effort, and capital in this rifle to get it to its full potential. I told the shop owner to thank them and let them know it'll have a good home, so I'll follow through on that.

If anyone has any good load data they'd like to share, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[275r7x57]

Very nice acquisition. Enjoy.

 

[farmer_john]

I was headed to Weatherford, TX yesterday and stopped in a nice old gun shop along the way; I do this fairly often.

On the wall they had just hung a consigned Ruger M77 (circa 1981), tang safety, 7x57 Mauser. I got'er down and looked it over. The gun shop man knew the owner well and I got some backstory: He bought it new in 1981 and topped it with a Redfield 2x-7x Tracker scope (this scope is still on the gun). Over the years, he used it for deer, coyotes, and varmints, although he really hadn't hunted much in the last 20 years. He said the owner generally shot it a few times a year, then hunted his deer, maybe killed a coyote, then put it back in the gun cabinet. As a matter of fact he had a box of ammo that came in with the gun and if I wanted the gun, he'd throw it in. The original owner died in the last year and the family didn't hunt, so they had brought it in to sell (sad).

The gun was in very good condition; the scope clear and bright, a 1"tube affair with 33mm objective (nice and compact). It also has an old - period correct - leather sling.

It was priced amazingly low compared to what I've seen on Gunbroker, etc. I was gonna buy it for the current price and actually would have give a couple hundred more, but I still threw out the obligatory "what's their bottom dollar?" question. He said he's call and ask to be sure; they took off another $100 for a cash price, so I pulled out a few Benjamins and it was a done-deal.

The ammo is Rem 140gr PSP and the box stamp indicates it was made in 1990, the faded Gibson price tag $15.99 . He told me the son told him this was what his daddy used and they only had this box left.

I have brass and dies arriving Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to working with this rifle as I've never had a 7x57, though I've worked extensively with 7mm-08. I'll start with 175gr Hor Interlocks and see what I can do since I have a bunch of them. I'm thinking 175gr North Forks and Partitions might be next, though I'll have to order them.

I'm hoping it shoots well, but if not, I'm ready to invest some time, effort, and capital in this rifle to get it to its full potential. I told the shop owner to thank them and let them know it'll have a good home, so I'll follow through on that.

If anyone has any good load data they'd like to share, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Bill

I have a similar year one in 270 my grandfather gave me. Currently working on refinishing the stock.

It will be a good shooter thats for sure. Have you thought about getting the stock glass/pillar bedded?

Also if you want to make it use like what i has always done take 3 of the old rounds out and chrono them then if you like the performance you coukd load to match.

 

[Green Chile]

The tang safety era Rugers are excellent and the 7x57 is a fantastic caliber for PG and most hunting in the States. Good buy on a good gun/caliber.

 

[wswolf]

I have had excellent results using Hodgdon's StaBall 6.5 data for the 7-08 cartridge. The 7-08 has slightly less capacity than the 7x57 so pressure should be slightly lower in the 7x57.

 

[hoytcanon]

50.0 grains of RL-19 with 150/154 grain bullets and LRM primers has been the top load in every single 7X57/.275 Rigby I have shot them in.

 

[Bill J H]

Range Report: I was able to get out to our bench (in one of our pastures) this afternoon. It was clear and pretty calm.

Checked zero with first shot - low 2" and right 2". I made a scope adjustment - 2" high and dead on right to left. Made another adjustment and shot a 5-shot, 1" group. I couldn't be happier.

Ammo - 36 year old, Rem 140gr PSP.

Dies and brass will be here next Wednesday and I'll begin working on some loads.

WS Wolf - Thanks. I use StaBall 6.5 in my 7mm-08 as well and it works GREAT. It pushes my Hornady 162gr BTSP Interlocks at 2700fps. I'm about .5gr over Hornady's Book Max - no pressure signs (I saw primer flattening at a grain over max and backed off). In my gun I can seat the bullet farther out than some guns allow, so that gives me a skosh more room.

 

[Paul K]

My first new store bought was a Ruger 77 in 7X57 in 1970. They made a special run of the RSI in 7X57 some years later and I bought one them also. They both love heavy charges of W760 and a 160gr Nosler Partitions. They both prefer Remington brass.
Paul

 

[Bill J H]

Paul, did you bed yours or leave them like they came?

 

[Redfishga1]

I have the same one and it loves 140 grain ttsx. I had some made at hendershots. Pass through on both shoulders of wildebeest. I’ve wanted to try 156gr oryx

 

[Rimshot]

I am anxiously awaiting a 7x57R myself!

Heads up:
Grafs has a good deal on "factory overrun" 7mm 160gr Nosler Partitions @ $59/100. I ordered a bunch of them. Nosler prices have been nuts lately so it's nice to nab a deal. Partitions have been my favorite bullet in a lot of the milder cartridges like 6.5x55 - nice mix of low velocity expansion/frag and dependable penetration.

 

[dgr416]

There use be a pawn shop in Alaska that twice a month they sold guns fot what they bought them for from customers .I finally figured out what day to go and I got 4 rifles for 1000 bucks that were like new .Three were tang safety ruger 77 a 250 savage , a 7x57 , a 7 mm rem mag , the fourth rifle was a winchester stainless 7 mm rem mag that i traded for the same gun in 338 win mag .I only kept the ruger 77 in 7 mm rem mag .I wish i had kept the 7x57 and 250 sav .
Rugers are picky in these rifles sometimes they need a freefloating barrel and bedded reciever if they dont shoot good from the fsctory so try it out first before doing anything .My ruger 77 tang safety in 243 shoots good but I am having it rebored to 338 federal .I love the tang safety ruger 77s .

 

[Green Chile]

I have the same one and it loves 140 grain ttsx. I had some made at hendershots. Pass through on both shoulders of wildebeest. I’ve wanted to try 156gr oryx

I used a lot of 156 Oryx about 1 year ago in a 7x57 Dakota 10. Accuracy was excellent...good enough for head shots on impala for bait. I think I took 17 animals with one shot each using that bullet up to kudu size.

 

[Paul K]

Paul, did you bed yours or leave them like they came?

I did bed the 77R and that was 45 years ago. The RSI shot like a bat out of hell from the git go, left it alone.
Paul

 

[spike.t]

I used a lot of 156 Oryx about 1 year ago in a 7x57 Dakota 10. Accuracy was excellent...good enough for head shots on impala for bait. I think I took 17 animals with one shot each using that bullet up to kudu size.

Yup the factory oryx 156grn works well.....what I use here as what is in the gunshop I use....have some other heavier ones for "special occasions ".....trouble is I don't like using them as not got many and not available here..... bit dumb I know...

 

[CBH Australia]

Well done. Nice rifle and I reckon it will be fine as is.
Just work up a good load and enjoy

 

[spike.t]

Also @Bill J H should bring it here to meet its distant cousin in a 270 ultra light m77

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Is the bullet seat from the factory long enough for 175 gr bullets?

 

[Bill J H]

Spike - I’ll be hunting in RSA later this year and it might come along. I’m blessed with too many favorites to choose from

Jumbo - Unsure about the seating. I’ll check it when I get my brass. I’ve got quite a few 7mm bullets to choose from, so I’ll tinker a bit.

 

[txtrout75218]

I'm a 7-08 person and recently picked up a 7x57. We used the 7-08 on RSA this past summer with 140 grain TSX bullets on most animals, including a zebra. Quartering shot was almost a full passthrough. Bullet only needed about 1/4" for a full passthrough.

I'm planning to try the 156 Oryx in the 7x57 once I have some time to work on it. You should b able to get a higher velocity in the 7x57 since much load data is set at a lower pressure due to the concern of using it in the old 7mm military rifles such as the Remington rolling blocks, etc.

Keep us posted.