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I found a 1lb jug, never used before. I have a modern (strong) Ruger M77 Tang Safety, so 7mm-08 pressure limits are fine.
Any Experience with Varget and 7x57 ?
- Thread starter The Kurgan
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Varget is rumored to be relabeled imr 4320. 4064 is also very close. I'm sure 3031 would work. Once you go into large projectile, slower powders like 4350 sound right, but a 175gr would probably be lawyer proofed to 303 speed/power levels.
I'm sure, as if I did it myself....., that 7 mauser reloading data is trash. It holds a gr more water capacity than a 7-08. In a modern firearm, start low and move quickly to find pressure. It can be pushed, but it's not a 7 mag, if that's what you want, just buy a 7 mag.
I'm sure, as if I did it myself....., that 7 mauser reloading data is trash. It holds a gr more water capacity than a 7-08. In a modern firearm, start low and move quickly to find pressure. It can be pushed, but it's not a 7 mag, if that's what you want, just buy a 7 mag.
Good advice. Some of the European manuals have stiffer loads for the 7x57. Ken Waters has quite a few in his books, though the data is dated. Load your bullets out as far as you can get, and work up slow, and you'll be treading on yhe heels of the 280 Rem. I have a similar Ruger 77 in 7x57 AI, and it always surprises me how well that little case does. - dan
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The following Lee ? grey papers indicate IMR4320 at 40 grains as max for 7mm-08. Perhaps I will start with 39 grains of Varget and slowly work up until I find an optimal balance of speed and accuracy. I also load 25 grains of 4227 for 2100fps'ish reduced loads. I currently have a few boxes of Hornady ELD-M 162 to try out.
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Hodgdon gives 34.5 to 37.5 gr of Varget under a 168 gr Sierra. I'd start at 34 and work my way up from there. - dan
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Fair enough. Are those for anemic 7mm Mauser loads?
What type of primer do you recommend?
Whatever LR you can find, these days. I'm not in my office so cant check the manual. I'll look when I get back. It is likely low pressure though, as it's a north american company. - dan
I was hoping to use a bunch of un-used WW760 in my 275 but to no avail. Mine will not shoot it well.
It was a bit picky on loads until I hit upon Varget with 120gr NBTs. Not exactly the classic load, but it works well.
Scope check ....
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That's shooting well. You've inspired me. Now, I just need to find some LR primers!
Kurgan, for that Ruger, start with median to maximum loads from your manual of choice for the 7-08 and work your way up.
You will need a relatively modern manual as most don't list Varget in the 7-08 listings, but it's slightly slower than IMR4064, so loads listed should be safe and that's where I would start.
If you're concerned about pressures, measure the web expansion after reloading once fired cases in your chamber and comparing the difference.
I love the 7x57 Mauser round. It's right up in the top five of my favorites.
I load the round with 51.0 grains of H414, which is basicly W760, over CCI250 primers in a 98 Mauser action with a 24 inch barrel for just over 2850fps.
This barrel has a 1-9 twist rate, which the people at Mauserwerke and the Brazilians found was ideal for the long pointy 140 grain
bullets they wanted to use and fine for heavier bullets.
I believe your Ruger has a similar twist rate.
I believe your Ruger M77 has a 22 inch barrel so it's quite feasible that you should be able to wring 2800fps out of it ''safely'' with Varget under 140 grain bullets.
You will need a relatively modern manual as most don't list Varget in the 7-08 listings, but it's slightly slower than IMR4064, so loads listed should be safe and that's where I would start.
If you're concerned about pressures, measure the web expansion after reloading once fired cases in your chamber and comparing the difference.
I love the 7x57 Mauser round. It's right up in the top five of my favorites.
I load the round with 51.0 grains of H414, which is basicly W760, over CCI250 primers in a 98 Mauser action with a 24 inch barrel for just over 2850fps.
This barrel has a 1-9 twist rate, which the people at Mauserwerke and the Brazilians found was ideal for the long pointy 140 grain
bullets they wanted to use and fine for heavier bullets.
I believe your Ruger has a similar twist rate.
I believe your Ruger M77 has a 22 inch barrel so it's quite feasible that you should be able to wring 2800fps out of it ''safely'' with Varget under 140 grain bullets.
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- Steel Town
Thanks bearhunter. That's what I will do. Unfortunately, running low on primers. This shortage is becoming a real problem here in Ontario.
Like bearhunter and others on here, I have a long and enduring respect for the 7x57.
It is severely underloaded this side of the pond, factory loads are usually quite anemic.
I have a couple of modern rifles so chambered, and have found that proper loads
really make this one shine. I favor 139/140/150 grain bullets, but have shot several
moose with the 160 partition at close to 2800 MV Very effective, think I only recovered
one bullet, the others made exit. Dave.
It is severely underloaded this side of the pond, factory loads are usually quite anemic.
I have a couple of modern rifles so chambered, and have found that proper loads
really make this one shine. I favor 139/140/150 grain bullets, but have shot several
moose with the 160 partition at close to 2800 MV Very effective, think I only recovered
one bullet, the others made exit. Dave.
- Location
- Steel Town
Just a brief update, 41 grains of Varget has been superb in my Ruger ! I'm using up the 162 grain Hornady ELD-M's and will source some more. Zero over-pressure signs and quite clean burning. I also find the Prvi brass stretches less than the S&B, and seems a tad bit softer.
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Still need to pull out the Chronometer, but I estimate they're flying around 2600 fps.
