7x57 reloading advice with Vitavouri N150

[Stalker62]

... his granddaughter to use the rifle and it will go to her when she gets her FAC.

@Heym SR20

Nice.

As it should be.

 

[Motard]

In my experience 7x57 (at least the R cal wich I have in a very light Haenel kipplauf) doesn't ask for max speed but prefers mild to mid loads where it shows absolute precision and predictability. My current loads are 42,3 gr N150 for Nosler Ballistic Tip and 42,7 for Nosler Accubond. Those two rounds are totally equivalent on paper up to 200 meters but, due to the nature of BT pills (way fragiles and prones to fragment), I had downgraded it a little for hunting close to mid range.Have took countless roebucks and a chamois too up to 360 meters. Preferred round for boars is the AccuNond. I have also a hunting load for max flattness and speed with 120gr BarnesTTX (solid cooper) and 45-47,5 gr of N550. Hope it helpes. Mind related loads ar just for example and every one must develope his own at personal risk.

 

[Wiggo]

In my experience 7x57 (at least the R cal wich I have in a very light Haenel kipplauf) doesn't ask for max speed but prefers mild to mid loads where it shows absolute precision and predictability. My current loads are 42,3 gr N150 for Nosler Ballistic Tip and 42,7 for Nosler Accubond. Those two rounds are totally equivalent on paper up to 200 meters but, due to the nature of BT pills (way fragiles and prones to fragment), I had downgraded it a little for hunting close to mid range.Have took countless roebucks and a chamois too up to 360 meters. Preferred round for boars is the AccuNond. I have also a hunting load for max flattness and speed with 120gr BarnesTTX (solid cooper) and 45-47,5 gr of N550. Hope it helpes. Mind related loads ar just for example and every one must develope his own at personal risk.

Thank you. It's my hope to find a load that is the most accurate shooting at steel silhouettes out to about 300m. Are the ballistic tip and accubond 140gr?

 

[Motard]

yes both, sorry not having specified in previous post. Probably if You workout t6he best the load BT would be more accurate than AB but not shure about. As soon as the load showed to be repetitive and consistent I stopped testing. Speeds are in the 790-800 range for both but reaches 897 with maximum charge 46,5 (not worth to me) .

 

[Wiggo]

Many thanks, All the forum learned experience is invaluable.

 

[Motard]

 

[Scipio]

Congratulations on joining the 7x57 club. It's a phenomenal performing cartridge that is well suited to N150 powder with bullets around 130 to 140grains in weight. I am getting 3000fps with 130gr Sierra Match King bullets using 47gr of N150 in my 1955 BSA Hunter chambered in 7x57. It's accurate, mild recoiling and doesn't cause pressure signs or split cases. So I reckon you will be able to work up a nice N150 load gradually as per the usual step by step process for your 7x57.

Hello HandB, would you also use N150, or a powder with similar characteristics, if you were loading for a shorter barrel, or would you perhaps go for a slightly quicker burning powder?

 

[HandB]

Hello HandB, would you also use N150, or a powder with similar characteristics, if you were loading for a shorter barrel, or would you perhaps go for a slightly quicker burning powder?

Yes I get good results with N150 in relatively short barrels. My BSA in 7x57 has fairly short barrel at 23 inches long and I also successfully use N150 in my 18 inch barrel ..308 Sauer 202 Hardwood. I guess N140 may also be ok but each rifle is different so you should always work up gradually in your rifles as per the standard procedures for reloading.

 

[Scipio]

Yes I get good results with N150 in relatively short barrels. My BSA in 7x57 has fairly short barrel at 23 inches long and I also successfully use N150 in my 18 inch barrel ..308 Sauer 202 Hardwood. I guess N140 may also be ok but each rifle is different so you should always work up gradually in your rifles as per the standard procedures for reloading.

Cheers Handb! - And I'll of course be careful and use correct procedure.
I've just started to read the Norma reloading manual, and whilst they write very kindly about The 7x57 and have pretty Strong modern loads for it too, I suspect the manual is a few years old, as they have very little data for monos in it.

Good Luck to @Wiggo with the N150 loads
Wiggo if you'd like I can post a pic of the suggested Norma loads in here, and how their powders burn rates compares to your N150

 

[Wiggo]

Cheers Handb! - And I'll of course be careful and use correct procedure.
I've just started to read the Norma reloading manual, and whilst they write very kindly about The 7x57 and have pretty Strong modern loads for it too, I suspect the manual is a few years old, as they have very little data for monos in it.

Good Luck to @Wiggo with the N150 loads
Wiggo if you'd like I can post a pic of the suggested Norma loads in here, and how their powders burn rates compares to your N150

That is very generous of you Scipius, thank you!

 

[Motard]

Molto generoso da parte tua, Scipius, grazie!

Being loads developed for mauser action would suggest in a single shot rifle not raising over 4% less than maximum.
https://www.norma-ammunition.com/it-it/reloading-data/7x57-mauser

 

[Scipio]

Lads is it me messing things up or is the procedure for uploading pics different between DMs and posting in the forum threads?
Because I seem to be able to upload photos directly from my phone to here, but not to a DM?

 

[Scipio]

Ah, i've just made some checks between the book and the site, and their on site public 7x57 loads, seems to be same as the book Loads, so here you go @Wiggo :

7x57 MAUSER | Reloading Data for hand loading ammunition

Powder burn-chart: Reloading Data | Data for handloading with every caliber

I think it's the same data as Motard also kindly linked above, but i couldnt open that link, so i reposted it. Do also read Normas own comments to the burn rate chart.

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

As has been said before Paul Mauser got it right first time with 7x57. It was a much better cartridge than the 303 used by the British or the 30-40 Krag as used by the Americans. The Brits developed their own 7mm with the Enfield P14 Mauser type rifle, but WW1 got in the way so it was shelved and P14s were quickly adapted to 303.

The Americans didn’t want to pay royalties to Mauser so made the Springfield rifle with the 30-03 cartridge, which was updated to the 30-06 in 1906 with a 165 gn spitzer bullet.

After WW2 the Brits tried again to adopt a 7mm in the EN2. Politics got in the way and Nato forced the adoption of the 7.62 Nato in the SLR / FN FAL.

The 7x57 has always had a pretty fast twist - usually 1 in 8.5”. It can stabilise long for calibre bullets. With a 130 to 140gn monolithic and modern powders in a good strong action you can approach 3,000 fps if you want. 100 years ago the 275 Rigby High Velocity was doing 2,800 fps with a 140gn bullet.

It’s a very pleasant cartridge to shoot. There is recoil, but it’s a shove rather than a snap. And they just seem to work well and pretty unfussy. I am confident with mine that I can take a mix of different brands of ammo and they will all hit close enough to point of aim that any deer will regret have spent quite so much at work rather than living life to the full.

I have had a 275 Rigby for the last 10 odd years. It was made for a good friend’s father in the 1970’s and shot many deer on his highland estate. It then came to me to look after and keep it in good shape, and I have shot plenty with it. Over the last year or so I have been his granddaughter to use the rifle and it will go to her when she gets her FAC.

I am starting to think of a replacement - it will be another 7x57, but I want to build something on a proper left handed controlled round feed mauser type action.

Hi there great story of the classic 7x57 round. Not quite what you are looking for but there's a true left hand Mauser Titan 7x57 in Game and Country at Selkirk reasonable condition £400 Ono's .
Free days Roe Buck stalk on sale.

 

[Mr. Gain]

I mean,
View attachment 393288

I love it when an old thread revives good memories! That was just what my evening needed.


Reminded me I must pop into the garage for a bit of reloading.