Full Pressure 7x57 loads

[MISportsman]

I recently found a rifle I have wanted my whole life and put it in layaway, I ruger m77 7x57. Of course all of the factory ammo is watered down to be safe in the old m93 mausers and all of the load data is the same way. Does anyone know a source for full pressure loads to bring this rifle to its full potential?

 

[AJC1]

Check the cip standard. Its the European standard like sammi.

 

[troy fairweather]

S&b but there rims are cut funny I may not work the best with the claw extractor. 139 ppu shoots just fine in my m77 and is plenty for deer if you don't reload.

 

[bihj]

Take a look at Norma and Vitavuori reloading manuals. They list some pretty hot loads.

 

[Blue68f100]

May want to pull up load data from the 70's and take a look. Most everything back then was higher.

 

[troy fairweather]

Nosler data is pretty warm, you need to load for your rifle so the max book doesn't matter to much. What bullet weight you want to use

 

[Random 8]

https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en-us/reloading-data/7x57-mauser Norma is the warmest I've found. 2900fps with a 140 grain is .280 Rem territory

 

[GooseGestapo]

I feel your pain.
Most .257Roderts data is likewise “watered down”.
I’d suggest you start with Hodgdons.com data.
One of the “4350’s” or “4831’s” will give best velocities.
re: factory loads; Yes, 2,900fps with a 140gr. bullet is quite do-able in the 7x57.
My favorite load in my Ruger #1 RSI (20”bbl) is 47.0gr of IMR4350 with a 139-140gr bullet at 3.00” OAL. It gets just under 2,800fps and punches way beyond its league.

For absolute maximums, look at maximum loads for its “kissing cousin”, the 7mm08. The “usable” case volume for the 7x57 is 3.68cc’s. It’s 3.32cc’s for the 7mm08.
So, most 7mm08 loads are safe in the 7x57 with STRONG modern actions...

My max load for my 7mm08 is actually 46.5gr of IMR4350, as that’s all I can get in the cases and still seat the bullets.
My favorite load is 47.0 of RL17 under a 139gr Hornady BtSpt. It gets 2,900fps from my Model-7 w/20”bbl.. It’s warm but not maximum.
Accuracy is what you’re looking for and will probably be about the published max loads for the weeker actions.

 

[Jim Watson]

Back in olden times, seems like every other month one of the gunzines would have an item on "7mm Mauser Loads for Strong Modern Actions."

Your problem is that nobody wants to publish pressure tested loads above SAAMI or CIP.
Lyman No 49 is interesting, they show higher velocity with loads not having pressure levels. In fact they are the same loads as shown in Lyman No 44 1967 and are heavier than Hodgdon shows now. But wait! Loads without pressure levels were shot in an 1895 Mauser. Not a "strong modern action" but it didn't blow up and it did have a 29" barrel.

 

[homers]

run a ladder test, checking for pressure. once found back off a bit or load what is suitable accurate load.

 

[denton]

The 7x57 is one of the few rounds where it pays to make your own pressure measurements, in order to get more robust performance. The following loads were worked up in my rifle, and are mostly 4-5 KPSI below a safe maximum load, and could go up a grain for a gain of about 60 FPS I think. Your rifle will be different. Use this information for reference and illustration only.

CCI200, 48.5 H4350, 162 Horn BTSP, 3.190", 2732 FPS, 54KPSI
CCI200, 51.0 RL19, 162 Horn BTSP, 3.190", 2762FPS, 56.1KPSI
CCI200, 50.5 H4350, 150 NosBT, 3.230", 2864 FPS, 56.6KPSI
CCI200, 49.0 RL22, 160 Nos AccB, 3.290", 2650 FPS, 45KPSI
CCI200, 52.5 RL22, 160 Nos AccB, 3.290", 2736 FPS, 55.5KPSI
CCI200, 48.3 H4350, 139 Horn Interlk, 3.018", 2800 FPS, mild recoil

 

[MISportsman]

The 7x57 is one of the few rounds where it pays to make your own pressure measurements, in order to get more robust performance. The following loads were worked up in my rifle, and are mostly 4-5 KPSI below a safe maximum load, and could go up a grain for a gain of about 60 FPS I think. Your rifle will be different. Use this information for reference and illustration only.

CCI200, 48.5 H4350, 162 Horn BTSP, 3.190", 2732 FPS, 54KPSI
CCI200, 51.0 RL19, 162 Horn BTSP, 3.190", 2762FPS, 56.1KPSI
CCI200, 50.5 H4350, 150 NosBT, 3.230", 2864 FPS, 56.6KPSI
CCI200, 49.0 RL22, 160 Nos AccB, 3.290", 2650 FPS, 45KPSI
CCI200, 52.5 RL22, 160 Nos AccB, 3.290", 2736 FPS, 55.5KPSI
CCI200, 48.3 H4350, 139 Horn Interlk, 3.018", 2800 FPS, mild recoil

thanks! Is federal brass any good, or is it still a little on the soft side?

 

[Patocazador]

I used Norma and Remington brass in my 7x57 before it was lost. Norma held up through 7-10 hot reloads.

 

[MISportsman]

I used Norma and Remington brass in my 7x57 before it was lost. Norma held up through 7-10 hot reloads.

I will order me a couple of boxes of the Remington then. Gives me some ammo to play with and some brass to get started with. I wish I could find some norma, they load a little warm to begin with

 

[Jim Watson]

checking for pressure

And how do you do that? "Pressure signs" in the gun?

it pays to make your own pressure measurements

Measurements? Case expansion or the rather expensive Pressure Trace DIY strain gauge?

I think I would just run it up to the top of the book, Spanish Mauser fears and all, and figure I was doing as well as Bell and the Boers.

 

[denton]

And how do you do that? "Pressure signs" in the gun?



Measurements? Case expansion or the rather expensive Pressure Trace DIY strain gauge?

I think I would just run it up to the top of the book, Spanish Mauser fears and all, and figure I was doing as well as Bell and the Boers.

PressureTrace.

 

[AJC1]

I will order me a couple of boxes of the Remington then. Gives me some ammo to play with and some brass to get started with. I wish I could find some norma, they load a little warm to begin with

I've seen a ton of norma around. They seemed to have really stepped up to help fill the market. If I found 308 I'd most likely buy 100 rounds to test and have the brass for evaluation.

 

[MISportsman]

I've seen a ton of norma around. They seemed to have really stepped up to help fill the market. If I found 308 I'd most likely buy 100 rounds to test and have the brass for evaluation.

I've seen a ton of norma in the every day calibers, but none in 7x57

 

[troy fairweather]

I've used mostly Remington and ppu, the puu holds a about 2 grains more imr 4350. I am due for a new lot of brass, don't know what I'll use next. ppu is cheap and very good but I haven't seen any loose brass in a while. Back when a box of ppu was 13-14 bucks a box it was nice to firform in my 7x75AI.

 

[denton]

thanks! Is federal brass any good, or is it still a little on the soft side?

I don't know. I've been using 7x57 Remington brass without any issues.