Hello, I just picked up a couple rifles in 7x57 and am interested in some proven load combinations. I will be doing work-up and have lots of load books just cant get out right now and would like some info to help out. Would be interested mostly in upper pressure loads for modern M77. I have 139,145,154grain bullets now and was going to start with 100v, 4350, 4831 area of burnspeed and go from there. I have many faster and slower powders and can get others if some other combo catches my eye. Thanks
7x57 Load help for Ruger m77
- Thread starter shorttrac
- Start date
First, note the pressures by SAAMI allows for various calibres. The max pressure for the 7 mm Mauser (7x57) is 51,000, while the pressure for a 7mm-08 is 61,000.
Now, your Ruger77 is a very strongly built rifle. Does it not make sense that a Ruger 77 designed to handle the pressure of a 7mm-08 will be the identical rifle that is chambered for the 7x57? Or, a 308 Winchester which is designed for 62,000?
Does it not make sense then, that your 77 in 7x57 will safely handle just as high a pressure as the other two calibres mentioned?
The long and short of this is that no north American loading book will loadings for a 7x57 which will bring out the potential of your rifle.
SAAMI pressures. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
Now, your Ruger77 is a very strongly built rifle. Does it not make sense that a Ruger 77 designed to handle the pressure of a 7mm-08 will be the identical rifle that is chambered for the 7x57? Or, a 308 Winchester which is designed for 62,000?
Does it not make sense then, that your 77 in 7x57 will safely handle just as high a pressure as the other two calibres mentioned?
The long and short of this is that no north American loading book will loadings for a 7x57 which will bring out the potential of your rifle.
SAAMI pressures. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
H4831 has just given you a truthful insight into the bias the 7x57 has had to overcome.
I have always loaded my 7x57 rifles to the potential of the chambering, and it is an eye-opening exercise.
In your Ruger 77, [probably a 22" barrel] You should realistically see the following velocities:
140 grain bullets; 2900 - 2950 fps.
150 grain bullets; 2800 - 2850 fps.
160 grain bullets; 2700 - 2750 fps.
If your M77 is a tang-safety model, you may find it has an extraordinarily long throat, allowing bullets to be seated well out.
This of course, effectively gives more powder capacity, particularly with the heavier bullets.
Best powders for the 7x57 are: IMR 4350, RL17, RL19, RL22, IMR4831, VV N550 and N560, H4350. Probably a couple I have missed in there.
I have a smoking load in my 700 Classic so chambered, using the 140 AB and Reloder 17, but I also have a dandy with the 160 Part and RL 22.
Let us know how it works out.
Dave.
I have always loaded my 7x57 rifles to the potential of the chambering, and it is an eye-opening exercise.
In your Ruger 77, [probably a 22" barrel] You should realistically see the following velocities:
140 grain bullets; 2900 - 2950 fps.
150 grain bullets; 2800 - 2850 fps.
160 grain bullets; 2700 - 2750 fps.
If your M77 is a tang-safety model, you may find it has an extraordinarily long throat, allowing bullets to be seated well out.
This of course, effectively gives more powder capacity, particularly with the heavier bullets.
Best powders for the 7x57 are: IMR 4350, RL17, RL19, RL22, IMR4831, VV N550 and N560, H4350. Probably a couple I have missed in there.
I have a smoking load in my 700 Classic so chambered, using the 140 AB and Reloder 17, but I also have a dandy with the 160 Part and RL 22.
Let us know how it works out.
Dave.
I have loaded for the .257Roberts to its potential with good case life and it is definitely beyond book loadings which are really weak. Not looking to make the cartridge into something it isn't just want to load it to its potential. So far the Roberts looks like maximum pressure is the same 60000+psi until pockets start opening up as any other cartridge I have loaded for. My 7x57 is a tang safety model that has the 200th year of the American Liberty in gold writing on it. Really nice rifle that I got from EE for a good price. From what I can tell it is a 1977 model? Also I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye RSI stainless in 7x57 as well. Just another question I thought of, how does barrel length affect the 7x57 as the RSI is only 18.5" from what I have read? Anyway thanks for the info and I cant wait to get them out.
I have to agree with Eagleye & 4831 in all respects. I've pretty much settled on IMR 4350 & W 760 for most of my loads, except the 175 gr. do better with H4831 or RL 22. Velocity out of a 23" barrel is right in line with what Eagle quoted, and my rifle has a very long throat as well. The best data I've found was from the Hornady manual ( mine is 4th edition) and they actually used a Ruger 77 to work up the loads.
Loaded to full potential, it's nipping right at the heels of the .270, so much so I've really lost interest in owning a .270. I remember seeing that Ruger on the EE... good catch. I was tempted myself.
Loaded to full potential, it's nipping right at the heels of the .270, so much so I've really lost interest in owning a .270. I remember seeing that Ruger on the EE... good catch. I was tempted myself.
That is a twin to the Ruger 77 I owned in 7x57.
Forever regret letting it slip out of my possession.
However, the ones I have now are very good as well. My 700 "Classic" is the all-time favorite.
Cheers, Dave.
Forever regret letting it slip out of my possession.
However, the ones I have now are very good as well. My 700 "Classic" is the all-time favorite.
Cheers, Dave.
