7x57 - the grand cartridge dedicated reloading thread, - let's help each other! :)
- Thread starter Scipio
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Scipio
Well-Known Member
Hello @BWH .-) well i very much appreciate the input non the less, and a variation of opinions is exactly what will hopefully make this thread a useful reference point for many different 7x57 users in the future
a 120 grn 7 mm copper going at 3046 is some package! how are you finding it, in the field?
I have only fairly recenlty worked up the load. I tend to use a different rifle for the roe at home as the 7x57 doesnt have a moderator on, but hope to use it in scotland later in the year on some hinds. It is a new load to be able to use copper in anticipation of the changes ahead. I previously used 140 gr lead bullets.
Scipio
Well-Known Member
We're in the same boat my friend, as I too am being forced into reloading coppers due to new legislation. We perhaps just have acces to different powders.
But tbh i am kind of seeing this as a pretty cool chance and adventure to learn new skills, and having to learn to use a different type of bullet too. So it's not all bad either.
And hopefully, not to be forgotten, we're helping both man and nature going to non leads as well. So onwards and upwards, and all of that, and basically making the 7x57 into a 270 in terms of the velocities a deer suited bullet is fired at, is kind of cool too ,-) Well, if you have the barrel length for it, which i dont. lol.
But Best of luck in the field, and let us know how the load fairs out there!
all the real life info we can put back into this thread will be useful for others .-)
Scipio
Well-Known Member
- joking aside, i just like being able to talk to guys at the gun shop selling me the powder, and knowing that i can most likely always get more of it, fairly quickly and easily. And these days, i'd prefer it to be european too, and even better Nordic. .-)
Motard
Well-Known Member
Here a table with commercial ammo weights and speeds. Something may helps deciding how much worth pushing your's reloaded rounds. Personally I find very interesting the last column with trajectory (long barrell, best weather conditions etc. apart) stated from manufactures. A fall between 30 and 50 cm @ 300mt make the venerable Paul Mauser q very actual cartridge
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Scipio
Well-Known Member
Actually, i must correct myself a bit here,
- the problem with powder shipping fees in Denmark arnt the sellers as such, one of which you kindly linked, but rather the rules for how powder must be transported by shipping companies, when inside of the country. For example a kilo of Viht N150 here is about 130 euro in the stores, but you'll then have to the pay 65 or so euro for the "special transport", if you are having it delivered. This obviously makes picking it up oneself quite opportune, if you are lucky enough to have a decent store near you.
Thanks as always @Motard, that is very kind .-) And yes, the good old 7 still has it! In fact she might be one of the better suited cartridges for the age of non lead projectiles with the typical long throat of the 7x57 chambers, the relatively fast twist of the barrels, the long neck of the x57 cartridge and a good powder capacity for most hunting ranges with the bullets one is likely to use. And it has a glorious history too, so what is not to like!
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
I’ve got 7x57 brass in the tumbler as I type tomorrow load 150gn ttsx 45gn H4350 should give me 2540 fps ave speed giving me 2014 fps @250m that’s enough speed for expansion
That’s plenty far enough for me
That’s plenty far enough for me
Scipio
Well-Known Member
Sounds goodI’ve got 7x57 brass in the tumbler as I type tomorrow load 150gn ttsx 45gn H4350 should give me 2540 fps ave speed giving me 2014 fps @250m that’s enough speed for expansion
That’s plenty far enough for me
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Just a matter of checking Zero and off we pop
That took all of five rounds to develop that load, that now will be my load until I call it a day, none of this chopping and changing lark unless of course I have to change powder or projector until then….. start again
That took all of five rounds to develop that load, that now will be my load until I call it a day, none of this chopping and changing lark unless of course I have to change powder or projector until then….. start again
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Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Scipio
Well-Known Member
looks hunting ready!
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Yep it will do, I’m no longer fussy about chasing thelooks hunting ready!
clover leaf, 1” or less will do nicely. As for seating depths with barnes both 120gn and the 150gn 3.00” seems to be the magic numember
Scipio
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the advice and input @Norfolk Deer Search
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Apologies OAL @3.00”Yep it will do, I’m no longer fussy about chasing the
As for seating depths with barnes both 120gn and the 150gn 3.00” seems to be the magic numember
kingstonandy
Well-Known Member
I've been shooting and loading 7x57 for nearly 20 years. Personally I favour a heavy bullet.
I am currently using 162gr ELD-X and Vit N550. When I am forced to move away from lead I will probably go to the heavier TTSX bullets as I have found they work well in other calibres.
I am currently using 162gr ELD-X and Vit N550. When I am forced to move away from lead I will probably go to the heavier TTSX bullets as I have found they work well in other calibres.
harrygrey382
Well-Known Member
Bit late to the party here, I’m not sure how relevant my experiences are as it’s all old school powders and lead based projectiles…
So my go to load for the last year (iron sights out to 150m, 1:8.5 25.5” barrel) is 44gr ADI 2209 (H4350) behind a 154gr round nose for 2550fps. Kills ok, although limited expansion on goats, fallow and roos I suspect due to the interlocks being quite tough. I use this to fire form a huge haul of previously-fired-in-an-unknown-rifle RWS brass for my scoped rifle (chamber cut with the same reamer and set to same headspace). I’ve killed in the region of 30 -40 animals with it.
38.5gr 2209 behind 162gr ELD-M for 2250 fps (1:8 25.5” barrel). Developed so my 13 y/o could comfortably shoot deer with it, recoil in the 4.5kg rifle is really mild. Accuracy is ok - I shot a 2” group at 300m but I suspect that isn’t truly representative, it’s more like a 1.5MOA load. But I shot a roo at 280m and it hit to POA so it’s good enough. The ELDM’s reliably expand down to 1800fps so this should be lethal to 350m. Geovids and a S&B Klassik with BDC turret gives it legs.
Also 46gr 2206 behind that ELDM gives me 2700fps, GRL puts it at 53.5k psi so still pretty mild. Gives me 5 shots touching at 100m, but I haven’t used it in anger yet. Currently all my testing with the 162 ELDM has been at 3.230” OAL - could go longer but there wouldn’t be enough bullet bearing surface.
IF I wanted the velocity I’d work up to 49gr 2209 - GRL has this at 2875 fps and 65k psi at 45°C with my calibrated parameters. I don’t think I’d be shooting if it’s that hot - at 20°C it’s 2840 fps and 62k psi, all well within good metallurgy Mauser 98 and modern barrel pressure limits.
I see no reason to turn to any other cartridge with versatility like this.
So my go to load for the last year (iron sights out to 150m, 1:8.5 25.5” barrel) is 44gr ADI 2209 (H4350) behind a 154gr round nose for 2550fps. Kills ok, although limited expansion on goats, fallow and roos I suspect due to the interlocks being quite tough. I use this to fire form a huge haul of previously-fired-in-an-unknown-rifle RWS brass for my scoped rifle (chamber cut with the same reamer and set to same headspace). I’ve killed in the region of 30 -40 animals with it.
38.5gr 2209 behind 162gr ELD-M for 2250 fps (1:8 25.5” barrel). Developed so my 13 y/o could comfortably shoot deer with it, recoil in the 4.5kg rifle is really mild. Accuracy is ok - I shot a 2” group at 300m but I suspect that isn’t truly representative, it’s more like a 1.5MOA load. But I shot a roo at 280m and it hit to POA so it’s good enough. The ELDM’s reliably expand down to 1800fps so this should be lethal to 350m. Geovids and a S&B Klassik with BDC turret gives it legs.
Also 46gr 2206 behind that ELDM gives me 2700fps, GRL puts it at 53.5k psi so still pretty mild. Gives me 5 shots touching at 100m, but I haven’t used it in anger yet. Currently all my testing with the 162 ELDM has been at 3.230” OAL - could go longer but there wouldn’t be enough bullet bearing surface.
IF I wanted the velocity I’d work up to 49gr 2209 - GRL has this at 2875 fps and 65k psi at 45°C with my calibrated parameters. I don’t think I’d be shooting if it’s that hot - at 20°C it’s 2840 fps and 62k psi, all well within good metallurgy Mauser 98 and modern barrel pressure limits.
I see no reason to turn to any other cartridge with versatility like this.
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
A recent article from the US Shooting Times. Doesn’t say anything that we don’t already know. Some useful load data, albeit mostly US Powders.
www.shootingtimes.com
The Top Reasons to Own a Classic 7x57 Mauser - Shooting Times
The author thinks everyone should own at least one 7X57mm Mauser Rifle.
www.shootingtimes.com
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