7x57 subsonic load data
- Thread starter Wardy456
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JL Grendel
Well-Known Member
I have been playing with 7.62x39 subsonic, using 110g hollow points and unique powder with a wad in the case. I have found the thinner jacket on the lighter projectiles better for expansion. I messed around with subsonic in my 6.5 Grendel using 140g game Kings and found they struggle to stabilise.
Case capacity is going to be your issue with the 7x57 you may want to look at using a wadding material.
Case capacity is going to be your issue with the 7x57 you may want to look at using a wadding material.
JL Grendel
Well-Known Member
With the amount of powder being used for a sub sonic load you will struggle to "blow up the gun" I would agree there is that risk with normal powder loads.
JL Grendel
Well-Known Member
I think you will struggle with that weight as the only options are the match Kings really. I would try the 100gr varminter as they have a thin jacket.
You can blow up a gun with a few thousandths of neck in the leade with light loads of Unique, or a cast bullet that is too large. Powder charge has little to do with it.
But that aside
The real danger with say, Dacron wadding, is compression behind the bullet. I shot US Cast Bullet Assn bench rest and a tuft of dacron to keep the powder "in place" was used by many competitors. There were several instances of rung necks -the chamber would develop a bulge in the neck area requiring barrel work. This was traced to the use of wadding behind the bullet by H.P.White Labs. The practice was dropped by most. Some people carried on cherishing this 'special accuracy technique' held over from the 1960's. Many did fine and never had a problem. You probably won't either, but it's a real thing and it's out there. FWIW. ~Muir
There is no "starting charge" of Trail Boss. Go to Hodgdon's site and follow the instructions as to how to determine the starting charge for your chosen bullet and seating depth.
Do the work. ~Muir
Yes, Trail Boss works equally well it seems over a large range of loads / fill-ratios giving a steady and mostly linear rise in pressures / MVs. That's its USP alongside its 'fluffy' nature that bulks up in cases like 45 Colt that have too much capacity for powder puff loads of conventional pistol powders and therefore risk double or even triple charges with their low fill-ratios.
I can't comment on 7X57mm. I used it a fair bit in 444 Marlin and used loads that went from less than two-thirds fill to compressed. It was really well-mannered throughout and took a case-full, in fact compressed charge, to just push a (I think, but memory may be wrong) 230gn Berry's electro-plated bullet up to just below supersonic levels c. 1,100 fps. These loads shot very nicely at 100 yards and MV spreads were small. As @Muir says, don't use a 'filler'. With this powder, there is no need given its exceptionally low density, and there are risks in using fillers.
From Hodgdon's site.
"Listed below we show a few examples of rifle loads throughout the Reloading Data Center, but the fun doesn't stop there. If you don't see Trail Boss data for your favorite cartridge we have a formula for developing loads for all cartridges and it's simple to follow. This formula may be used in both rifle and pistol applications: 1) Find where the base of the bullet to be loaded is located in the case and make a mark on the outside of the case at this location. Then fill the case to that mark with Trail Boss, pour into the scale pan and weigh. This is your maximum load. Pressures will be below the maximum allowed for this cartridge and perfectly safe to use! 2) Take 70% of this powder charge weight (multiply the maximum load from step 1 by .7), and that is your starting load. 3) Start with this beginning load and work up to your maximum charge, all the while searching for the most accurate reduced load. Once found, the fun begins!"
So, based on your bullet and seating depth, there is no concrete starting charge. Like I said, you need to do the work. ~Muir
"Listed below we show a few examples of rifle loads throughout the Reloading Data Center, but the fun doesn't stop there. If you don't see Trail Boss data for your favorite cartridge we have a formula for developing loads for all cartridges and it's simple to follow. This formula may be used in both rifle and pistol applications: 1) Find where the base of the bullet to be loaded is located in the case and make a mark on the outside of the case at this location. Then fill the case to that mark with Trail Boss, pour into the scale pan and weigh. This is your maximum load. Pressures will be below the maximum allowed for this cartridge and perfectly safe to use! 2) Take 70% of this powder charge weight (multiply the maximum load from step 1 by .7), and that is your starting load. 3) Start with this beginning load and work up to your maximum charge, all the while searching for the most accurate reduced load. Once found, the fun begins!"
So, based on your bullet and seating depth, there is no concrete starting charge. Like I said, you need to do the work. ~Muir
The now withdrawn 175gn Hornady RNSP. I've no idea how well it expands at low velocities, or for that matter at any velocity as I used it to duplicate the ballistics of the original 173gn military RNFMJ load at 2,295 fps from a 29.3" barrel M1895 Mauser. The pic of the right shows 175 Hornady handload, 1950s' or 60's factory Kynoch 175gn cartridge and current 170gn (?) PPU factory FMJ target round.
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JL: And how is it you shoot two of my favorite cartridges??? Are you a closet American???
~MuirI still have 6 boxes of these! I have loaded these to 1900 fps for use in a 1901 Remington Rolling Block rifle. It killed a whitetail but I believe the bullet tumbled more than expanded. ~Muir
JL Grendel
Well-Known Member
I just appreciate the good cartridgesJL: And how is it you shoot two of my favorite cartridges??? Are you a closet American???
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
I came onto this site :- 7x57 Mauser Loads--Reduced
If I understand what you're asking, you want to shoot 140 grain jacketed bullets with reduced recoil? That's easily done with H4895. Just look up the load data on the Hodgdon website for 7x57 and find the MAX charge of H4895 they recommend. Multiply this number by .60 (60%) and you'll get a starting charge for a reduced recoil "Youth" load.
Personally, I would drop down in weight to a 120 or 130 grain bullet (if you can find any?) Speer always publishes a reduced load for each cartridge in their manual. I believe Accurate Arms lists some reduced loads, too.
If I understand what you're asking, you want to shoot 140 grain jacketed bullets with reduced recoil? That's easily done with H4895. Just look up the load data on the Hodgdon website for 7x57 and find the MAX charge of H4895 they recommend. Multiply this number by .60 (60%) and you'll get a starting charge for a reduced recoil "Youth" load.
Personally, I would drop down in weight to a 120 or 130 grain bullet (if you can find any?) Speer always publishes a reduced load for each cartridge in their manual. I believe Accurate Arms lists some reduced loads, too.
Obviously a person of good taste.I just appreciate the good cartridges
Shot anything with them yet? I've take deer with my CZ's ~Muir
JL Grendel
Well-Known Member
Hahaha I couldn't comment on that. Yes had the Grendel for years and clocked up a good number of deer with it. The 39 I've not hadong both are Howa's.
Not to hijack a thread, but I've always thought the Grendel to be nearly the perfect cartridge for UK species -especially handloaded. My CZ American Grendel throws 120 Sierras to the north end of 2600 fps without breathing hard. Great for deer.
Good work on your part. Try the X39. The Hornady 123 grain SP is a sure killer at around 2550 fps. ~Muir
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