7x57 loads?

[Newtosavage]

I'm working up loads for my new 7x57 barrel and as most folks know about this round, 1) it's the ballistic twin of the 7mm-08, and 2) load data very anemic in theory to protect against the very old surplus 7x57 Mausers out there in circulation.

I know lots of folks just use 7mm-08 load data for their modern rifles. The 7x57 has a few grains more case capacity than the 7mm-08, so that should be plenty safe to do.

Any of you have some favorite 7x57 loads you'd like to share? Don't worry, I wouldn't jump straight into them with my gun. I know to work up to any load carefully.

 

[homebru.trout]

I don't load the 7x57 currently but Nosler data would be a good place to start as it tends generally to be warmer than others. Lyman manual used to distinguish between conservative and modern loads like 45-70, 7x57 etc but the version I have is several years old. The lawyers may have put an end to that practice by now. I'd say look around online in the Ruger #1 crowd as well and those are bound to be on the warm side of things.

 

[MeatMissile]

I’m shooting an M70 Featherweight in 7x57. For all bullet weights I tried, 140/150/160, I found data with the same bullet and powder in the 7mm-08 and 280. I started at the top end of 7mm-08 and ended up in the middle of the road 280 realm. I’m getting 2700 fps with a 160gr Sierra GameKing on top of a Federal case with Ramshot Hunter and CCI 200 primer.

I went with 160s because POI between the 160gr GameKing and 160gr Partition was the same. I’d use the cheaper GameKing at the range and on deer, and the Partition if I ever had to use the rifle for bigger animals.

 

[Newtosavage]

I’m shooting an M70 Featherweight in 7x57. For all bullet weights I tried, 140/150/160, I found data with the same bullet and powder in the 7mm-08 and 280. I started at the top end of 7mm-08 and ended up in the middle of the road 280 realm. I’m getting 2700 fps with a 160gr Sierra GameKing on top of a Federal case with Ramshot Hunter and CCI 200 primer.

I went with 160s because POI between the 160gr GameKing and 160gr Partition was the same. I’d use the cheaper GameKing at the range and on deer, and the Partition if I ever had to use the rifle for bigger animals.

Sound reasoning. Thanks.

I worked up my 160 Speer's over Hunter to 50 grains yesterday. That's giving me 2650 fps. - a very useful velocity. I haven't hit pressure signs yet, but I also don't intend to ask that much from this rifle so that should do just fine.

Saw my first signs of pressure with a 45 grain load of IMR 4166 under 120 Barnes TTSX's, which is 1 grain and 100 fps. more than I got from my 7mm-08.

I've read in many places to just use 7mm-08 data in modern 7x57's. So far, that has been spot-on for me.

 

[joel]

Great round the 7x57. It seems any loads that end up around 2600 fps seem to be the sweet spot overall as a good reference point.....just my opinion. I have a Ruger No. 1 in 7x57 and love it.