New 7x57

freid

Well-Known Member
Having grown up shooting a 7x57, I've always had a soft spot for them. I've listed a few assumptions below from some research I have done on the calibre recently - please correct where necessary!

1) Factory ammo tends to be loaded quite conservatively - this is due to the age of most 7x57 actions.

2) Velocity and Energy levels for the same bullets seem to be on par with 7mm-08 (Factory ammo).

3) 7x57 has greater case capacity than the 7mm08.

Therefore, if you home loaded, and had a new 7x57, presumably you could squeeze a bit more out of it safely?

Do the reloading manuals also give conservative powder amounts for the 7x57, or do some take newer actions into consideration?

I'm thinking about a new rifle, and it would seem to make more sense to go for a 7mm08, however if I could find a new 7x57 (e.g. Blaser R93) perhaps I could get more out of it, and it would be nice to revert to the calibre.

Thanks, and I look forward to your comments.
 
You should speak to Gunner on here. Last time we spoke, he was in the market for a new 7x57 to replace his old BSA which doesn't fit him. I think he was looking at a Heym SR21, and I know he reloads for it.
 
The 7x57 has a larger case volume than the 7mm-08 so like the 308 vs 30-06 yes you can get a bit more out of it. For example

[FONT=Courier New, Courier, mono]Load 10303 in caliber 7x57 Mauser[/FONT]
LoadID10303
BulletNosler Partition
BulletWeight140 grs
PowderIMR 4350
PowderWeight49.5 grs
PrimerFederal GM 210M
Brass MakeNorma
Barrel Length24 (inches)
C.O.L3.091 (inches)
Velocity2901 fps
Group0.75 (inches by 3 shot at 100 yds)
Submitted Date5/15/2005 5:19:00 PM
Submitted Byhglass
Gun Info Custom-VZ-24. Lilja Barrel
Comment
Energy 2611 ft-lbs
TKO 15.96
OGW 718 lbs
IPSC PF 406.14
Where the 7x57 does win is on the bigger bullets - 175gn etc. But 140gn at 2650 fps is very effective.
 
Some manufacturers put out both milder, lower pressure 7x57 Mauser ammunition (140-gr at 2,660 fps) and modern loads for modern rifles.
Hornady does both, and Federal does both. Many of the European ammo makers like Norma and RWS offer loads which are more like a 7.mm-08 (140-gr at 2,800 fps from a 24 inch barrel ). They also offer some heavier bullets, like the 154-gr, 160 and 175-gr.

Heym SR20 is right about just appreciating the 7x57 with a 140-gr bullet at 2,650 fps, same as the 6.5x55 Swede. If you want 2,800, you need a 24 inch barrel and a full load. More than that, and you should be buying a 7x64mm.
 
Any GOOD USA reloading manual will actually tell you what "class" of 7x57 that the loading information is for and European reloading manuals will usually load up to current CIP safe service pressures for that cartridge. It is ONLY the USA that gets in a "hissy fit" about what is and isn't safe in older and more modern rifles.
 
Thanks to all for a properly informative thread.

I'm still working through the stock of 156-grain Norma Oryx ammo I acquired with my Drilling (7x57R), but am all set up to reload when the need arises, so find discussions of 7x57 data distinctly "appetising", even though recommended pressures for the "R" are a modicum lower.

I'm not sure what it is about the 7x57, but I really enjoy shooting it.
 
Mr. Gain,
I am still on the learning curve of dialing in my 7x57R / 20 gauge combination gun, so I enjoy gleaning the experience of others who love this cartridge.
Most of the 7x57R rifles seem to be regulated for 175 or 173 gr ammunition at 2,350 fps.
How are you finding the Norma 156-gr to shoot for you?

I am loading up some Hornady 154-gr bullets, SPT and RN, to try next, and I have some Hornady 162-gr SST ammunition to try.
 
I seem to recall that with the Hornady 139 BTSP bullet and using Vectan TU5000 powder in the 22" barrel on the BSA CF2 rifle, which is of "Modern" and strong design, it was giving 2800-2850 fps. My Chronograph results note a average velocity of 2773 fps .......................... the load was then further developed to a further grain of powder in the load charge but no chronograph was available to retest.

So depending upon the actual rifle with the 7mm Muser cartridge "Modern" performance is perfectly possible to achieve. One just has to work up carefully observing safety at all times and paying careful attention to pressure signs. Relying upon the appearance of the fired primer simply does not give any real world indication to pressures. Case expansion, at the pressure ring, however is more reliable when measured accurately.

The Hornady 139 Grn BTSP has proved to be effective on larger deer and it's the rifle and load that I used in Northern Missouri for my Whitetail Deer hunt back in 2003.
 
Most of the 7x57R rifles seem to be regulated for 175 or 173 gr ammunition at 2,350 fps. How are you finding the Norma 156-gr to shoot for you?

A good question. The Normas grouped into about 2" when I zeroed the rifle at 100m, with only two sighters and a 3-shot group being required to get it on target. A further 3 shots at 50m over the irons showed it hitting about 1" high at this range.

Since acquiring the gun 18 months ago, I've had a fox and a roe doe with it over the irons at close quarters in thick woodland (at around 10m and 15m respectively!) and another fox and a muntjac doe using the original Kahles Helia 3-9x42 scope (at around 90m and 75m respectively!). All four shots found their mark successfully.

Of course, the 7x57 is more than I need for this sort of thing, but if ever I do get the chance to take it after something bigger I want to do so with the confidence that comes from at least a modicum of previous success.
 
I want one... I want a drilling in 7x57R. But I can't find one. I just need to bide my time and comb the auction catalogues as they come through. I have decided that I can live with selling a couple of shotguns to finance it. Should the opportunity arise.
 
The 7x57 has a larger case volume than the 7mm-08 so like the 308 vs 30-06 yes you can get a bit more out of it. For example

Load 10303 in caliber 7x57 Mauser
LoadID10303
BulletNosler Partition
BulletWeight140 grs
PowderIMR 4350
PowderWeight49.5 grs
PrimerFederal GM 210M
Brass MakeNorma
Barrel Length24 (inches)
C.O.L3.091 (inches)
Velocity2901 fps
Group0.75 (inches by 3 shot at 100 yds)
Submitted Date5/15/2005 5:19:00 PM
Submitted Byhglass
Gun Info Custom-VZ-24. Lilja Barrel
Comment
Energy 2611 ft-lbs
TKO 15.96
OGW 718 lbs
IPSC PF 406.14
Where the 7x57 does win is on the bigger bullets - 175gn etc. But 140gn at 2650 fps is very effective.

Well actually there's very little in it, when comparing the 7x57 to the 7mm-08.
One 140gr load I use for my 7mm-08 out of a 24" barrel gives 2,880 ft/sec and 2,580 ft/lbs and the 160gr load I use is identical in energy.

I'm not sure that's enough to say one is better than the other, they're ballistic twins. But with the 7mm-08 getting more popular ammo is probably now easier to get than the 7x57. However either calibres are excellent.
 
49.5 grains of IMR 4350 is about 1.5 grains over max, to get another 100 fps over the 2,800 max.

The 7mm-08 might be the thing for modern rifles like the Tikka T3 Lite and Remington Model 7, but a 7x57 Mauser just cries to be put in a traditional Mauser, or at least a 1950s factory FN, Sako, Brno 21, or Husqvarna.

Griffin & Howe 7x57 on a commercial Mauser action:
griffin-howe-7x57-fugger.jpg
 
.......... a 7x57 Mauser just cries to be put in a traditional Mauser, or at least a 1950s factory FN, Sako, Brno 21, or Husqvarna.

Or a traditional single shot kiplauf. The 7x57 with it's low felt recoil is a dream to shoot in such lightweight rifles.
 
Or a traditional single shot kiplauf. The 7x57 with it's low felt recoil is a dream to shoot in such lightweight rifles.

Very true. I am playing with loads for my 7x57R combi gun now. Merkel K3, Blazer K95, and Heym are classy. Ruger No. 1A costs about 1/5 the price, and might require a little tinkering to get it grouping, but is a nice walk around rifle with good open sights, and QD ring mounts work well on the integral bases.
 
An excellent suggestion, although finding one might be a bit of a quest. The Heym certainly has that cachet of exclusivity that might be considered lacking in the offerings from other 'mainstream' manufacturers. Then again the end result would justify the time and effort put into locating one - plus it would give entry to a very select Owner's Club! ;)
 
Just waiting on delivery of Heinel Jaeger 109, have 100 RWS cone point 8 gram coming with it so should be ok for a while. However if anyone has worked a load out for 7 x 57R using a lightish bullet 9129 - 140gr) I would be extremely grateful fo a look at it.
Or a traditional single shot kiplauf. The 7x57 with it's low felt recoil is a dream to shoot in such lightweight rifles.
 
I am playing with 120, 139/140, 154, 160, and 175 grain bullets in my 7x57R combi ( regulated for 173-gr at 2380 fps ).
What kind of powder do you have on hand?

So far, with the 120 and 140 gr loads I am working on now, I have used H-4895 and Varget. W-760 (same as H-414) is next in the 140.
In a bolt action 7x57 Mauser, 4350 would give high velocities and accuracy, but if you are wanting to stay down at 40,000 CUP max, 4895, RL-15, and Varget should be the ticket.

I am also trying Hybrid 100V next trip to the range, because it has such low peak pressure that I feel working up with it, and feel it would be good in a long barrel.
 
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