7x57

[Scipio]

Good to know thank you, loads data seems to vary so much.

Hello again buddy

Well I am myself only now getting into reloading the 7x57 now, so i am sure some of the longer term 7x57 reloaders on here might know more, but i believe that a lot of the variety in strength of the 7x57 load data comes down to the age of the cartridge.
A lot of the load data that is on the weak side was developed so that it would also be safe in older actions and rifles, whereas data like the norma published one probably take an outset in loading for a modern day strength action.

I think Nosler as well, (who as i understand it in generel tend to develop load data a bit on the hot side), also produce load data for the 7x57 intended for modern strength actions. But good and safe reloading practice of course still apply, wether one is loading by older or more modern data .-)

 

[Dougal McGuire]

I have one of the Churchills built on a military surplus Mauser action in 7x57, it is very accurate and effective on hogs. It is my designated copper rifle, shooting the Sellier & Bellot 150 grain Exergy Blue load. It's in my avatar.

 

[Sikaside]

hello mate, yes i use it, and so do quite a few others on here, and i think ,most quite happily indeed.

If you reload, and have a modern strength action in your rifle, then i suggest checking out the Norma reloading data for the 7x57, which seems far from anaemic and suited for modern rifles: 7x57 MAUSER | Reloading Data for hand loading ammunition
Of course use good reloading practice, and work up loads carefully etc.

welcome to the club, and happy hunting!

Hi there, checked out the Norma reloading data, very interesting looking forward to building up a load for my 7x57.
Never used Norma powder before so I'm interested in seeing how it performs.
I used to use Varget in my .708 and it was superb, I still have over half a tube left so it will be interesting to compare the two.

 

[Scipio]

Hi there, checked out the Norma reloading data, very interesting looking forward to building up a load for my 7x57.
Never used Norma powder before so I'm interested in seeing how it performs.
I used to use Varget in my .708 and it was superb, I still have over half a tube left so it will be interesting to compare the two.

Hello again
I too shall be starting with Norma powders, so if we find something that works particularly sweet in the 7x57, let's send each other a dm
Norma has a powder burn rate chart on their site, but here is another: https://www.adiworldclass.com.au/powder-equivalents/
which seems to also include Varget.

I think i'll start with the 203B myself, but ill shoot norma a mail this week to hear what they council for 130 grn fox copper bullet, in a 20,5' barreled stutzen. Because at current their data doesnt seem to include much non lead, and i'd really like some input of theirs on this before i go and potentially buy the wrong powder. ,D

 

[Sikaside]

Hello again
I too shall be starting with Norma powders, so if we find something that works particularly sweet in the 7x57, let's send each other a dm
Norma has a powder burn rate chart on their site, but here is another: Powder equivalents
which seems to also include Varget.

I think i'll start with the 203B myself, but ill shoot norma a mail this week to hear what they council for 130 grn fox copper bullet, in a 20,5' barreled stutzen. Because at current their data doesnt seem to include much non lead, and i'd really like some input of theirs on this before i go and potentially buy the wrong powder. ,D

Yes definitely mate it's good to talk.
Yes 203b is where I'm going start, probably make a batch of both Varget and 203 and compare.
Apparently it likes 120gr which is what I used to shoot through my .708 as well as 140s both Nosler ballistic tips.
Won't be picking my rifle up until next week so bare with me.

 

[Scipio]

Yes definitely mate it's good to talk.
Yes 203b is where I'm going start, probably make a batch of both Varget and 203 and compare.
Apparently it likes 120gr which is what I used to shoot through my .708 as well as 140s both Nosler ballistic tips.
Won't be picking my rifle up until next week so bare with me.

Don't worry mate, I'm Only assembling my reloading kit now, and it likely won't be done before April, so it can be ready for roe season, which starts in may here.
so in other words, - you're wayyyy ahead of me ;D

Ps. Yep Norma seems to rate the 203b for the lighter bullets primarily, but I wonder if that also holds up for a copper bullets? Maybe it does for ones that has driving bands to relieve the increased pressure/resistance of copper vs lead ?

Ill write them to see what they say

 

[Sikaside]

Don't worry mate, I'm Only assembling my reloading kit now, and it likely won't be done before April, so it can be ready for roe season, which starts in may here.
so in other words, - you're wayyyy ahead of me ;D

Ps. Yep Norma seems to rate the 203b for the lighter bullets primarily, but I wonder if that also holds up for a copper bullets? Maybe it does for ones that has driving bands to relieve the increased pressure/resistance of copper vs lead ?

Ill write them to see what they say

I can't help you there mate, I've had no experience with non toxic reloads. I know it's going to come but I'm holding on as long as possible.
But I would be interested for future reference.

 

[Scipio]

I can't help you there mate, I've had no experience with non toxic reloads. I know it's going to come but I'm holding on as long as possible.
But I would be interested for future reference.

I'll let you know once I find out myself mate. - I need to go non lead due to legislation here in Denmark, so I'll have to sort this out soon anyways.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Why do you shoot a .708? Are there large boar near you

 

[Scipio]

Why do you shoot a .708? Are there large boar near you

Hello @Bavarianbrit , was that a question for me or someone else?
I shoot a 7x57 and 6.5x57, so no 08, but I live right on the border of south West Sweden, and they have boar.

Edit: aha, I see you were asking @Sikaside

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Hello @Bavarianbrit , was that a question for me or someone else?
I shoot a 7x57 and 6.5x57, so no 08, but I live right on the border of south West Sweden, and they have boar.

Edit: aha, I see you were asking @Sikaside

många tack.

 

[cjm1066]

1954 BSA Hunter, a lovely rifle.

 

[Scipio]

många tack.

Well done! Well I'm just on the Danish side of the border, så mange tak tilbage

 

[harrygrey382]

I’ve got two and am building a third. It’s great, and is very effective - just like pretty much every other similar cartridge. If there’s no load data 7-08 levels are generally a safe starting point (being a smaller case). It’s very advisable to use a chrony if you want to load beyond the anaemic modern data. Considering 6mm rem uses the same brass and is SAAMI specc’d to 65k psi there’s potentially a lot on the table. Here’s a good article on it.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Well done! Well I'm just on the Danish side of the border, så mange tak tilbage

2 times worked six months with Saab in Trollhattan.

 

[Heym SR20]

The 7x57 was one of the very first smokeless centrefire rifles created in the 1880’s. Paul Mauser pretty much got it correct with the 7x57.

There have been many many cartridges developed since, but for good all round use, minimal recoil and superb terminal performance a 140ish to 160ish grain bullet at 2650 to 2900fps (depending on load) out of a 7x57 is very difficult to beat.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

I've had 2 previously, a Ruger Mk2, and a Tikka actioned semi custom , currently I'm using the following in my Borden actioned 7x57:
Norma brass
Federal GM210M primer
Vit 550
Fox Classic 145Gn
Cold bore shot for check zero - Seems to work OK
View attachment 406111

Thank the lord you only put up a photo of a target.......and not the rifle itself!! I had just about cured myself from the envy