Lyman 7x57 load data

[astocks2622]

So i am beginning to work up loads for a 95 chilean mauser in 7x57. I want to use some data from the most recent Lyman manual, as it gives some of the best numbers for the 162 gr A-max.
the lyman manual states that the SAAMI max pressure is 46,000 in deference to the older mausers, & all their loads are under 46,000. I'm a bit concerned though, as several of the loads have a 2-3 grain higher max than stated in the hornady manual, for the same powder. & the hornady manual says not to use their loads in the 95 mausers due to pressure.
am I good to go using the lyman numbers, or do I run the risk of blowing up my wife's deer gun?

 

[kerreckt]

In times like this I would be prudent. Start low and work up and still have your rifle and marriage. My $0.02

 

[gwpercle]

I too have favorite, 7 x 57 model 95, I sporterized it back in the late 1960's and it fits me like no other rifle I own, that's what everyone did with old military rifles back then. And have always reloaded for it. My gun would give clover leaf groups , shooting off hand. It liked the Hornady 154 grain round nose and was a good deer getter.
I doubt 2 or 3 grains will push you over the safe limit, but why take the chance. I always have strived for accuracy, 100 or 200 fps is not going to make any difference. Hitting the kill spot will.
I have generally found the accuracy sweet spot to be the load just below the maximum load.
That 7 x 57 load I worked up for mine was the one with 38.3 grs of 3031 powder , 154 gr Hornady RN for 2500 fps.
the maximum load for 3031 was 39.8 grs at 2600 fps.
The accuracy with 38.3 @ 2500 stopped me right there, I wasn't going to push the limit for another 100 fps.
Gary

 

[astocks2622]

I'm not trying to make it a 7mm magnum, just trying to figure out what i should use as an upper limit.
Ffor the 162 A-max Lyman says that 45.5 gr of win 760 is fine in the 95, but hornady says that 44.8 is max for a modern action, & don't use their data for the 95's...
I've been shooting 139gr interlocks over 45.5 gr of 760, which is a middling load according to Lyman (49gr max.), & produces 2650 FPS in my rifle. According to hornady, my max for a 95 mauser should be around 42 gr, or about 2300 fps.
I was hoping for around 2450 with the A-max, but don't know whose data to trust...
If lyman & hornady are so dissimilar, where do I even start? And if I'm working up, & the concern is metal fatigue, what do I look for as far as pressure signs? in a normal rifle I look for sticking brass, flattened primers, & excessive case growth. not sure how to measure it here as we're more worried about rifle failure.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Hornady load data in my opinion is on the light side of things for every caliber I've looked at. Have you looked at Hodgdon.com for their data? Also my Speer #14 manual lists a 160gr bullet and Win760 as 46gr as max. They do say that their max loads reach 50,000psi

If it were me and you aren't loking to push the round I stick with 44-45gr as a Max. Just my opinion and use my opinion at your own risk.

 

[astocks2622]

hodgdon doesn't seem to like hornady. they have data for 160 gr partitions, & 140 nos bt, but not 139 or 162gr... they are keeping the pressure under 46,000, so that data looks good, but they're only calling for 42.5 gr Win 760 in the 160 gr. I know the partitions tend to run pressures up with the same powder charge when compared to other bullets of the same weight, but 3 grains? don't know. the 140gr loads are more similar to the 139gr I've been using w/ 45.5gr 760.

 

[rcmodel]

am I good to go using the lyman numbers, or do I run the risk of blowing up my wife's deer gun?

Don't worry about blowing up your wife's deer gun.

Worry about blowing up your wife!

Use the data you have, start low, and work up until you find the accuracy before you exceed the Max load.

On the other hand.
The A-Max is a target bullet, but is usable for hunting as well.
But you will never tell the difference in squeezing out that last 100 FPS when it hits a deer in the right place!

rc

 

[astocks2622]

thanks for the reminder! I'll be the one shooting while developing loads for precisely that reason (& that my wife can't handle puting 50 rds of the 7mm downrange in one day )
I will be looking for best accuracy, not max velocity. I just couldn't figure out even where to start w/ a start load when I compared the two.
I think I'll start out at 41gr of win 760, & work up from there.

 

[336A]

Just something for you to think about, in 1913 the Spanish in order to keep up with the rest of the worlds military's they updated the 7x57 with a spitzer bullet from the 173 grain RN. The new loading was a 139 grain bullet at 2789 FPS. I'm pretty sure that ammo generated more pressure than what SAAMI specifies for the 7x57 today, and there weren't mass amounts of rifles coming apart. If there were we all would be repeating those stories today. Later the 7x57 was updated again featuring a 162 grain FMJ BT at 2460 FPS.

I'm with you though in taking it easy on the old rifle and loading for accuracy first and foremost.

 

[Patocazador]

Of all the reloading manuals, Nosler loads have given me the most accurate loads. When they list "most accurate load", I find that they coincide so often with loads I developed independently that I am astounded. Usually their most accurate loads will give 1/2" 3-shot groups in my rifles.

I buy all the reloading manuals but depend most on the Nosler one.

 

[astocks2622]

uh, ok, thanks? relevance? I'm not shooting a nosler bullet (though I will be loading the 160 partition for elk later)

 

[Sunray]

Manuals being a bit different is normal. The data reflects the conditions and the firearm/universal receiver used in the tests.
2 or 3 grains difference can be as simple as a different powder lot. That 46,000 is a max pressure too. Hodgdon's site shows most loads they tested in a 1:8.75" twist 24" barrel(nothing about the actual firearm. And they don't want to get sued.) as running about 44-45,000 with only one load at 46.
Lyman tests their loads. They'll be fine.

 

[Patocazador]

uh, ok, thanks? relevance? I'm not shooting a nosler bullet (though I will be loading the 160 partition for elk later)

I like Nosler Partitions .. a lot but I certainly don't waste $$ shooting them at paper to develop loads. I use cheaper Hornady and Sierra bullets in the same weight class and the Nosler manual still works for the most accurate load the majority of the time.

 

[astocks2622]

ok, thanks for the tip.

 

[PJSprog]

Use the data you have, start low, and work up until you find the accuracy before you exceed the Max load.

I have to agree with rc. If you've reached max, you probably already missed the sweet spot.

In my original configuration '95, I found it right at the starting load using 33gr of H4895 under a 168gr Sierra ... after running the disappointment gamut with H4350.

Of course, mine is only required to kill paper.