Thought I'd get an information sharing thread going for any 7x57 Ackley Improved shooters out there. I don't suspect there are many so being able to share info and experience is all the more helpful. So here's my entry!
I got intrigued by this calibre last year after burning out a 7RM. I started my 7 Ackley with a Tikka T3 in a 7-08 and had it rechambered to a 7x57AI, also changing out the bolt stop and mag for the long version. I believe my throat is on the short end or current 7x57 Mauser spec. My max COAL doesn't much exceed 3.2" depending on the bullet. I may consider getting the throat reamed to the longer dimension depending on what the gunsmith says. Just thought I'd throw in some of my work. I use Lee Collet dies for all my loading and a crimp die if bullet depth doesn't give good neck tension. So far, my core loads are:
52.0 gr IMR 4350, Fed 210, Dominion Brass, 140 Matrix bullet at about 2900 fps
54.0 gr H4831, Fed 210, Dominion Brass, 160 Speer DeepCore, at about 2800 fps
51.0 gr IMR4350, Fed 210, 139 SST, Dominion Brass, at about 3015 fps (some bolt stiffness on this one - but very accurate, clover leafs!)
Working on:
140 TTSX - looks like 50.0 gr RL17, Fed 210, Dominion Brass, crimped, gives 2940 fps and good groups - need to do more testing to confirm - seems to shoot at MOA. Good general hunting load.
139 GMX - using RL 19 to work up to 57 gr. Win Brass. This is a long bullet and am experiencing compression at 55 gr. Just doing MV and pressure testing at the moment. I'd like to see this as a long range sheep load given its high BC. Need to keep MV at or above 2000 fps at 500 m.
Anyway, I hope this thread finds traction. I look forward to hearing about what others are doing with this wildcat.
Cheers!
I got intrigued by this calibre last year after burning out a 7RM. I started my 7 Ackley with a Tikka T3 in a 7-08 and had it rechambered to a 7x57AI, also changing out the bolt stop and mag for the long version. I believe my throat is on the short end or current 7x57 Mauser spec. My max COAL doesn't much exceed 3.2" depending on the bullet. I may consider getting the throat reamed to the longer dimension depending on what the gunsmith says. Just thought I'd throw in some of my work. I use Lee Collet dies for all my loading and a crimp die if bullet depth doesn't give good neck tension. So far, my core loads are:
52.0 gr IMR 4350, Fed 210, Dominion Brass, 140 Matrix bullet at about 2900 fps
54.0 gr H4831, Fed 210, Dominion Brass, 160 Speer DeepCore, at about 2800 fps
51.0 gr IMR4350, Fed 210, 139 SST, Dominion Brass, at about 3015 fps (some bolt stiffness on this one - but very accurate, clover leafs!)
Working on:
140 TTSX - looks like 50.0 gr RL17, Fed 210, Dominion Brass, crimped, gives 2940 fps and good groups - need to do more testing to confirm - seems to shoot at MOA. Good general hunting load.
139 GMX - using RL 19 to work up to 57 gr. Win Brass. This is a long bullet and am experiencing compression at 55 gr. Just doing MV and pressure testing at the moment. I'd like to see this as a long range sheep load given its high BC. Need to keep MV at or above 2000 fps at 500 m.
Anyway, I hope this thread finds traction. I look forward to hearing about what others are doing with this wildcat.
Cheers!
