Ruger no1 7x57

[DGY]

So I just got a new to me Ruger no1 RSI in 7x57, what is your best load? I have H4350, IMR4064, IMR4166, RL19, H4895… bullets 175gr accubond, Hornady 175gr SP, old stock Hornady 175gr Speer point and 175gr round nose…
I know the action can take it so I wouldn’t mind a load that would give me something around 2600-2700 fps… I could go with a lighter bullet, but kind of like the heavier stuff!
What do you think?

 

[Potashminer]

I bought a Ruger #1 new in 2014 - was not an RSI - was a 1A - I found after trying 140, 150 and 160 Partitions - I settled on RL-19 powder with 150 Partition - I took many dozen mule deer and white tail with that one - was wearing a Leupold M8- 4x and M8-6x at various times.

The loading that I settled on was 51.0 grains RL-19 powder for those 150 Partition - most of the time that I checked on my Shooting Chrony, was about 2,800 fps. I have no clue if that is a "hot" loading or not - worked very well in that rifle. Your Mileage Might Vary ...

 

[DGY]

Sweet! That sounds perfect! Now I need to find some nosler partition!

 

[nowarningshot]

Unless your really pushing over max, don't think your going to get that type of velocity out of 175gr bullets. A better range would be 120-160. That action is really strong, and most data will be lawyer proofed for old weak actions.

 

[dgradinaru]

I run 48 grains of imr 4350 in a #1A. Over the chronograph it was doing 2600 fps with Hornady Interlocks 175gr bullets. This rifle has taken many game between its original owner who was a hunting mentor for my brother and I. Since I got it it has accounted for a couple bucks. A white tail and Mule buck. Both one shot a piece.

 

[DGY]

I run 48 grains of imr 4350 in a #1A. Over the chronograph it was doing 2600 fps with Hornady Interlocks 175gr bullets. This rifle has taken many game between its original owner who was a hunting mentor for my brother and I. Since I got it it has accounted for a couple bucks. A white tail and Mule buck. Both one shot a piece.

Now we’re talking!

 

[65cutlass]

So I just got a new to me Ruger no1 RSI in 7x57, what is your best load? I have H4350, IMR4064, IMR4166, RL19, H4895… bullets 175gr accubond, Hornady 175gr SP, old stock Hornady 175gr Speer point and 175gr round nose…
I know the action can take it so I wouldn’t mind a load that would give me something around 2600-2700 fps… I could go with a lighter bullet, but kind of like the heavier stuff!
What do you think?

Any pictures of your new RSI?

 

[DGY]

I can’t post pictures hahaha! It is a nice one with nice wood! And a really nice trigger for a no1!

 

[9.3mauser]

I haven't used any of those powders. I've tried IMR 4350, W760, H4831 with 175 gr. bullets, and now using Staball 6.5. Staball seems to give the highest velocities but I've only tried it with a couple of bullet weights. W760 was my favourite previously.

2700 seems optimistic with a 175 gr bullet, especially so in a short barrel, 2600 is probably achievable.

 

[DGY]

2600 in 20” barrel with 175 gr bullets would make me happy!!

 

[vmax204]

I've got a M77 RSI in 275 Rigby and with the 18 1/2" barrel I hunt with 160 gr. partitions just to keep the velocity up. I lose a lot with the shorter barrel and the 175 gr. bullets I can't get over 2500 fps with IMR 4350. I am getting 2590 fps with 160 gr. partitions and IMR 4350 which does an excellent job in the accuracy department. I have tried a lot of different powders but the best results were IMR 4350.

 

[DGY]

Good to know! So maybe I should expect similar result with H4350?!?!
But first I need to find 160gn partition bullets! I want that rifle to be caribou and sheep gun!

 

[hunter89]

Good to know! So maybe I should expect similar result with H4350?!?!
But first I need to find 160gn partition bullets! I want that rifle to be caribou and sheep gun!

For sheep and caribou i would just go with 140's .I have shot lots of the above and even a couple moose with these.They worked great but i was using a 7mm-08.But see what the rifle likes and go from there.

 

[DGY]

Thanks! I guess I also have to see what I can find lol Hougen’s are pretty low in everything right now!

 

[Potashminer]

I have no clue how fussy you are - I about went nuts trying to pick "best" in Nosler book - after I bought the 1A in 2004 - so it looks like 30 caliber 165 and 180 Partitions - like from 308 Win or 30-06 - are about same as 140 and 160 in 7x57 - so with your shorter barrel, maybe not going to get everything possible that a 24" Mauser 98 might. I did get a box of each of 140, 150 and 160 grain to try - might have been only in my mind, but convinced myself that my load with 150 Partitions was "better" than what I got with the others - YMMV. So I stayed with that one - had a string of 12 or 13 one shot kills on Sask white tail and mule deer with that - until I tangled with a particular mule deer buck - chit happens, I learned - as per the Nosler Manual, I used Max loading of RL-19, because I could get it then. Not certain what your choice is now??

 

[DGY]

I need to see if I can find some lighter bullets, 150-160 would be great! Maybe some mono in the 150 would work great!?!?

 

[Andy]

I have been hunting with a sporterized Brazilian Mauser for several years and use a 175 Gr Hornady RN at an OAL of 3.150" which is a much longer OAL than "normal". The throat is so long in that gun that 140's and even 160's sit a quarter inch from the rifling when the bullet base is seated at the bottom of the neck.

I use 7mm-08 loads with confidence, and in fact have been using Max Loads as Starting Loads, because:

1. it's a strong action and most 7X57 loads are limited to about 53K psi, while 7mm-08 can go as high as 60K psi;
2. the 7X57 has slightly greater case capacity than the 7mm-08, and in fact the brass I use (old but good Imperial) has 2-3 grs more capacity than the Remington and Winchester I have, so there's about a 5 gr increase there - more than a 7mm-08 AI would have; and
3. with that very long throat, I gain even more case capacity.

I have been using 53.5 grs of H4831SC and get a bit over 2500 fps in a 20" barrel. Primer pockets last 5-6 firings (6-7 total as it was once-fired when I bought it).

At least #1 and #2 would apply to anyone with a Ruger #1. If you like 175's, you could run a throater in your Ruger #1 and gain the advantage of my Point #3. With your 24" barrel, 2600+ fps should be within reach with Re19, Superformance or 4831.

 

[DGY]

Thanks Andy, but the rifle being an RSI it is only 20” barrel!

 

[Andy]

Thanks Andy, but the rifle being an RSI it is only 20” barrel!

If you want 2600-2700 fps with 175 gr bullets in a 20" barrel at sane pressures, I suggest you rechamber it to 280 or 280 AI.

Or use a lighter bullet.

 

[Potashminer]

7x57 to 280 Rem - I was advised on CGN that might not actually work - it sure looked tempting to try, and I read that John Barsness had that done successfully in a Ruger #1, but his article did not give details how that was accomplished. 7x57 chamber shoulder may not clean up at that point of 7x57 shoulder along a 280 Rem body, without setting back the barrel, some. Also, 7x57 has larger outside of case neck compared to 280 Rem and 280 Rem AI, so, again might not clean up without set back? So I never did try to have that done. I do not think there is a similar shoulder issue with 280AI with 40 degree shoulders, but still may have neck diameter issue. I did not look at SAAMI chamber drawings to verify - only going by the cartridge drawings shown in Nosler 9 manual, and I do know that chamber dimensions are usually some thousandths larger than the cartridge dimensions.

I do note that the Nosler 9 shows max velocities for various powders and 175 grain bullets, in 280 Rem - 2,626 fps to 2,760 fps, but looks like they got that from a 26" Lilja barrel. For 280 AI, showing from 2,717 fps though to 2,903 with various powders and 175 grain bullets - from a 24" H-S Prec. barrel. Their loadings for 7x57 and various powders with 175 grain bullets, get 2,376 fps through to 2,574 fps - with 22" Lilja barrel.