Real World 7x57 Load - Results are in with pics!

Mount Sweetness

Mount Sweetness

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Southern Ontario
Here it is boys, finally able to present to you the finished product. Thanks guys for the tips, you know who you are. Hope this will be of help to the 7mm Mauser crowd....as always work up and be safe.

Rifle: Husqvarna 4100 in 7x57
Scope: Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40
Distance: 100 yards
3 shot group from prone position, cheap Gun Grip shooting vise.

http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss142/sweetman8763/?action=view&current=IMGP4375.jpg

Bullet: 7mm Hornady Interlock 139gr BTSP #2825
Powder: 49.2gr of Winchester 760
Primer: CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum
Brass: Remington
OAL: 3.1in

Velocity: Estimated 2900 fps
3 Shot Group: .827in (two in same hole, one high)

http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss142/sweetman8763/?action=view&current=IMGP4374.jpg

This was my most accurate load for this gun and to boot it shot a full 3.5 inches higher than both the factory Winchester 145gr Power-point and the Remington 140gr Core-Lokt. Factory ammo is so sad for this classic, a slap in the face for a great cartridge. For all the talk on the 7mm-08, I'll keep the old 7x57...

This will be my main Whitetail rig this fall, hope to report back on terminal performance.

Couldn't be any happier with this round, Absolutely Thrilled!

See links for pictures, thanks again guys!
 
M S
I too am part of the 7x57 and 6.6x55 fan club and I'm heading to the range tomorrow with some 120gr Speers with IMR 4831.
Just wondering why you only shot one group with this load? FS
 
FS,
I watched the groups tighten and tighten as I worked up towards 49gr. I had pretty much settled on 49gr which showed solid 1in groups, then I loaded up some with 49.2 and things got better not worse....I determined that it was as far as I needed to go. I have 10 more rounds loaded ready to dial in the scope and confirm.
 
That is also a really decent load for moose and elk. Good for you MS. The pressure generated by that load, is considered acceptable for the old 93 Mausers as well. According to the Lyman manual, it only generates around 40,000 psi. If you felt like it, you could even bump it up a bit. Then again, why fix what isn't broken.

That load, has been a mainstay for years, it closely duplicates the pressures and velocities used in Brazilian military loads. I haven't had a problem, with accuracy or pressures in everything from 93s with 1-7 1/2 twist to custom rifles with 1-9 twists.

It is a great stand by for any 7x57. It is also a great starting point.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
Purple....how many grains of 760 and what OAL? Curious
Click to expand...

I've used up to 50 gr W760 in a Rem M700 Classic, a Rem M700 Mountain Rifle and a sporterized M98 Mauser. The Lyman 48th Edition notes 39,700 CUP with 49gr W760 and this weight bullet-a fairly low pressure load. OAL depends on the throat of the individual rifle, but I've used 3.010 with good accuracy.
 
I have a Reminton 700 Classic in 7x57 and have used 760 in it with the 140 [50.0 gr]. This load produces good accuracy and 2840 fps in my rifle. An even better load is 54 grains of NORMA MRP for an honest 2920 fps. I would approach this load from below cautiously, and use only in Winchester brass. Remington brass is quite a bit heavier in this chambering, and will develop higher pressures. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Good to know that I still have some room in there, safe and accurate.

This is truly an incredible round for the handloader, you really get a lot of it...I'd highly recommend this as a cartridge to get into.
 
The 7x57 is a classic deer ctg just as it is, so folks shouldn't try to stretch it into being a .280 Rem or something more. I've shot a number of deer with both ctgs and they all fell over about the same.
 
I posted some of my own 7X57 data a while back. I shoot a Savage 110, 24" barrel. I used Winchester magnum primers, ppc brass and 140 grain Accubonds. I chrony'ed every shot and this is what I found. Now I did not use the Win760 powder but H414 and IMR 4350. Velocites are an average of 3 shots and most groups were about an inch or better. I am going to hunt with the load 47 grains IMR 4350 as this group was really tight.

IMR 4350

47 gr - 2745 fps
47.5 gr - 2801 fps
48 gr - 2823 fps

H414

47 gr - 2695 fps
47.5gr - 2746 fps
48gr - 2754 fps
 
bearhunter said:
jacky, not trying to be a smart ass but if you used H414, you used W760. They are virtually the same powder.
Click to expand...

Yes I recall you saying that before, hence the reason why I posted my results. I thought Mount Sweetness would be interested as I chrony'ed all my loads and we both used virtually the same powder.

I was not that impressed with the H414 and I was told it is temperature sensitive. The loads I worked up with it were no better than IMR4350.

Also as Purple stated earlier I too have increased my COL to 3.08
 
I've done quite a bit of load development for 139/140gr bullets in three 7x57 rifles and found that all of W760, H414, IMR 4350 and IMR 4320 ( you don't hear much about this one any more) are excellent choices. IMR 4064 is worth a try too.

You will find that best accuracy comes towards the higher end of velocity in the 7x57. The 139/140gr bullet @ 2800fps from the muzzle is excellent for deer. If one wants more velocity with this bullet, then consider the .280 Rem or one of the many 7mm magnums.

I used to hunt mulies with a couple of guys who were using the 7mmSTW with 140gr Nosler BTs. They were pushing 3400fps with 78gr of powder while I was shooting the same bullet in the 7x57 at 2800fps with 28-30gr less powder and a lot less sound and fury. They always seemed a bit surprised to see my deer fall over about the same as theirs-and with a lot less wasted meat.
 
I just recently got my Savage 110 WLE in 7X57. It say "one of one thousand" on it. Apparently in 1992 Savage made 1000 of these in 7X57. It has a 24" barrel that has a 1 in 91/2 inch twist. It is the first Savag I have own and I am very impressed. I took it out when I first got it and shot some 140 grain Rem. Cor Lok's through it and they grouped into 1". I had some "fun" getting the scope mounted though. After messing around I found Burris makes bases ( weaver does too but I am not a fan) and I had to use Leupold extension rings. I mounted a VXII 3X9X40 and I plan on hunting Whitetail this year with it. My other 7mm is a Tikka M685 Deluxe in 7mm Rem Mag and it is a real tack driver with my handloads.
 
Got the scope locked in, 2" high at 100 yards, ready to hunt!

.6" groups today, happy happy

Jacky, your Savage sounds interesting...any chance we could get a picture or two? How did you land that gem??
 
I put a WTB here on the forum for a 7X57 bolt action, non-military rifle. I got loads of crap offered, one so-so winchester and then "Huntingfamily" who lives close by offered the Savage. I took it. The gun is light weight, nice wood, 24" barrel ( which is something I wanted) and in great shape. It is pure awesome. Here are a couple of pics although I am no photographer.

sav001.jpg


sav005.jpg
 
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