7x57 bullet choices

[Milan]

FWIW, for reference, Hendershots' says the 7mm 170 grain Oryx bullet performs well at 7X57mm velocities.

https://hendershots.net/product/275-rigby-extreme-custom-ammo/

If you look at Norma factory ammo, not all 7X57mm European loads are the same. The 2640 fps muzzle velocity Norma publishes for its 7X57mm ammo loaded with the 156 grain Oryx projectile is about the same muzzle velocity PPU & S&B publish for their 7X57mm ammo loaded with 139 - 140 grain projectiles.

Yes. It's looking like Hawk bullets or NP and Oryx for me. I did notice RWS velocities same with heavier bullets as those of S&B, PPU and American made ammo. It's good to know Norma also has slightly powerful ammo. I do like Norma factory ammo. Have not tried RWS yet. Maybe it's time. Again, I think in the 7x57 I'm not looking for more punch, just slightly flatter trajectory/more MPBR.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Milan,

I don't understand your focus on a RNSP whith a lot of exposed lead, a form or shape factor, instead of a PERFORMANSE one!
I am not trying to push, or sell!, the Nosler Partition bullet but, after use MANY type of 154 to 177 (yes, the TIG 177 grs), y couldn't find nothing better for your goal or needs, than that N.P 175 grs.
Having said this, I would give a try to the heavy Nosler Accubond Long Range 7 mm bullet. If I remember well, there is a 168 gr one. This bullet should be GREAT for the 7x57 at 2650 f/s because is, like the NP, soft enough and strong enough to expands at low velocities and also penetrates at high velocities or very short range.

Good lucky in your search!!

CF

 

[Milan]

Clodo,
I think you misunderstand...my focus on shape is desire to test if the RNSP works any worse or better than the other shapes. So performance is why I want bonded or thicker jacket one. I have an old rifle, using old cartridge design and I would like to see how the original old, long, RNSP bullets shoot out of it. I want them to be a bit tougher and I want to shoot them a bit faster than the current factory offerings because most agree that those are on the light side. That's all. An experiment really.

I know the new bullet designs fly better, stay together better and retain weight better than most of the old. So, if I just need to pick something that works, I have my choices covered. I can use 139 gr bullets and shoot flatter farther than original loads, I can use 156 to 162 gr bullets of good design to still shoot flatter than original and yet hit hard. But I'm also one of those old school folks that does not believe everything new is so much better and I also know that non-lead bullets like TSX, as great as they are, have been pushed because some idiots made an agenda to rid us of all lead. I love the monolithics but I don't want to see lead gone either. I for one never saw a problem with lead (be it leaded gasoline or lead bullets). Or even lead paint...lead dishes and house paint loaded with lead and babies licking it, well maybe I'm glad to see that gone.

So I wonder if I can push old school shaped bullet a bit faster than what is offered to match or slightly better the original intent and see if it gives me all the performance I need. 7x57 is new to me in terms of shooting/hunting use and I would like to learn more about it first hand. But I also do not hunt enough to try everything. So I just want to compare the light bullets I already tried to some mid weights and some old school design but pushed properly not to leave them disadvantaged.

Hope this makes some sense at least. It is hard to explain. If a friend asked me what to use for hunting, I would not say 7x57 due to it not being common around here anymore anyway. I would tell him 30-06, .280, .270. 7-08 or even some of the magnums. 300 WM will do all the hunting people like me ever do and it will do it very easily. But it is noisier and does have more recoil, etc. so I still tend to pick non-magnums and especially for new hunters/shooters. If a guy like me, more of a shooter and collector who hunts (than the other way around), asked what to use, I might recommend 7x57 to help keep the cartridge alive. If a friend who already has a 7x57 came and asked what bullets to use, I would steer him to someone who has hunted with this cartridge more than I have, but would not hesitate to still recommend NP or Oryx in the middle weights. The RNSP thing is strictly for my learning benefit and desire to test that particular combination.

But please do not fret, for my handloads to try, hopefully this winter, the mid weight and heavy NP as well as the Oryx and some other ones (162gr A-Max and maybe some Accubond or TSX/TTSX or similar) will get loaded. Then I still have to see what shoots well out of the barrel. So none of the suggestions have gone unnoticed or ignored and are really appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Milan,

Sorry! I didn't wanted to be rude! And thank you very much for your detailed post, putting very clear your goal!
Would be I t

 

[Milan]

Hi Milan,

Sorry! I didn't wanted to be rude! And thank you very much for your detailed post, putting very clear your goal!
Would be I t

I did not think your post was rude, nor did I take it as such. But figured my questions could confuse people so I thought I'd clarify. Any corrections of my opinions on the bullets are welcome as they are just that, opinions.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Milan,

Good luck!

CF

 

[HWL]

RWS 11,2g/173gr H-Mantel was my choice in 7x57R for a long time.

Always an exit hole and you could "eat to the hole"....

HWL

 

[rookhawk]

The Barnes 140gr is a hell of a bullet. My son used it last weekend on a deer and it made a 7mm entrance wound and a 1" exit wound with a clean pass through. I'd wager that 50% of its energy still remained. (shot from a 7x64 so it has a bit more gusto than a 7x57...but close enough)

If I were to hunt elk or to use it for game in Africa, that 140gr barnes is the perfect nexus of deep penetration, expansion, and flat shooting.

On the other hand, I've used the 175gr nosler partition in my 7x57 for DOZENS of african and north American animals. It works but the jacket separation and fragmentation is not 100% predictable or ideal. It was the best they had in 1970, it isn't the best any longer. (and the 175gr drops like a mortar round) As I mentioned in a prior post, the Swift A-frame deserves serious consideration also.

 

[bruce moulds]

good experiment milan.
nothing worse than unanswered questions.
bruce,

 

[Milan]

good experiment milan.
nothing worse than unanswered questions.
bruce,

LOL...I'm the worst. It is funny what I tend to try to know and how I dismiss other knowledge. Maybe I should forget this and instead try to learn a new language. Probably more valuable knowledge.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

This firm deals with ammunition component sales outside the USA as well as inside the USA. I obtained 7mm 156 grain Norma Oryx bullets from these folks.

http://www.reloadinginternational.com/index.php

 

[Velo Dog]

I lament the ever increasing death bellow of, wood framed canvas back packs, round nose bullets and bamboo fly rods.

 

[Milan]

This firm deals with ammunition component sales outside the USA as well as inside the USA. I obtained 7mm 156 grain Norma Oryx bullets from these folks.

http://www.reloadinginternational.com/index.php

Thanks Mr. Zorg.

 

[steve white]

I picked up my 7x57 mauser this week after waiting for the licence since September. I have spent a lot of time thinking about it and i have decided on the 162gr hornady interlock as a "all round" hunting/ competition load. I don't like the the idea of multiple loads for a rifle. I believe in one load and learning that loads trajectory inside and out. I like the high BC and SD of the bullet and suspect it would hold up well at moderate velocity. The rifle is going to stand for a long time. I have a few other projects going on.

I am not a Hornady fan on African game--have had costly bullet failures...hope you have better luck but not optimistic you will...

 

[Milan]

Hmmm...can't believe how old this thread is and I'm still fiddling with the 7. I loaded some Accubonds only to find out most of my higher-end loads showed absolutely no pressure signs and yet raised velocity quite a bit from the North American factory loads. Did not even shoot them all. Will reload some more and see what I can get. But these Accubonds are expensive "test" bullets so may try something else first.
@Mr. Zorg, I lost the above link (actually I take notes on everything but then seem to misplace the notes - I should have been an absent-minded professor) and I guess it is not permitted. What was the company you mentioned? Maybe you can PM me the link or mention the company name here. I was also going to get some solids but I guess Woodleigh burned down.

 

[sestoppelman]

Mr Zorg has not been around for quite a while, I dont know why.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Clodo,
I think you misunderstand...my focus on shape is desire to test if the RNSP works any worse or better than the other shapes. So performance is why I want bonded or thicker jacket one. I have an old rifle, using old cartridge design and I would like to see how the original old, long, RNSP bullets shoot out of it. I want them to be a bit tougher and I want to shoot them a bit faster than the current factory offerings because most agree that those are on the light side. That's all. An experiment really.

I know the new bullet designs fly better, stay together better and retain weight better than most of the old. So, if I just need to pick something that works, I have my choices covered. I can use 139 gr bullets and shoot flatter farther than original loads, I can use 156 to 162 gr bullets of good design to still shoot flatter than original and yet hit hard. But I'm also one of those old school folks that does not believe everything new is so much better and I also know that non-lead bullets like TSX, as great as they are, have been pushed because some idiots made an agenda to rid us of all lead. I love the monolithics but I don't want to see lead gone either. I for one never saw a problem with lead (be it leaded gasoline or lead bullets). Or even lead paint...lead dishes and house paint loaded with lead and babies licking it, well maybe I'm glad to see that gone.

So I wonder if I can push old school shaped bullet a bit faster than what is offered to match or slightly better the original intent and see if it gives me all the performance I need. 7x57 is new to me in terms of shooting/hunting use and I would like to learn more about it first hand. But I also do not hunt enough to try everything. So I just want to compare the light bullets I already tried to some mid weights and some old school design but pushed properly not to leave them disadvantaged.

Hope this makes some sense at least. It is hard to explain. If a friend asked me what to use for hunting, I would not say 7x57 due to it not being common around here anymore anyway. I would tell him 30-06, .280, .270. 7-08 or even some of the magnums. 300 WM will do all the hunting people like me ever do and it will do it very easily. But it is noisier and does have more recoil, etc. so I still tend to pick non-magnums and especially for new hunters/shooters. If a guy like me, more of a shooter and collector who hunts (than the other way around), asked what to use, I might recommend 7x57 to help keep the cartridge alive. If a friend who already has a 7x57 came and asked what bullets to use, I would steer him to someone who has hunted with this cartridge more than I have, but would not hesitate to still recommend NP or Oryx in the middle weights. The RNSP thing is strictly for my learning benefit and desire to test that particular combination.

But please do not fret, for my handloads to try, hopefully this winter, the mid weight and heavy NP as well as the Oryx and some other ones (162gr A-Max and maybe some Accubond or TSX/TTSX or similar) will get loaded. Then I still have to see what shoots well out of the barrel. So none of the suggestions have gone unnoticed or ignored and are really appreciated.

Many thanks.

Older style bullets worked just fine in 3250 fps 300 mag handloads (as well as normal velocity factory loadings in nearly every caliber.) The only thing that's changed is needing to sell the "next greatest thing" year after year! You mention the 757 AI. That is a FANTASTIC cartridge. One of PO Ackley's best. The twist rate is very important in 757s...some of the older bbls won't stabilize the >140 gr bullets (and that's the starting point for good performance on PG-sized stuff.) With the modest velocity achieved in the std 757, you'll find the "old-school" bullets will generally perform better. Many of the newer, "premium" bullets will not expand properly below certain velocities (i.e. it will not resemble the pretty marketing campaign pics on the box!) Good luck. Have fun. Great cartridge! Heavy for caliber is suggested, although the 140 NPTs or even premiums will perform well in the AI version at distance. 'Have dropped deer in their tracks with the 140 NPs at 300 yds (and those older-style (not RN but PSP or SP) bullets generally group well out to 400-450 yds.) If you prefer RNs, the trajectory will suffer at distance, but the terminal performance will be good at modest range. 150s-170s will perform best (higher SD for good penetration, even at lower Vs.)

 

[C.W. Richter]

*I once shot a zebra in Zim at 250 yds using a 3000 fps 160 gr Hdy RNSP in 6.5 WSM. The bullet expanded a bit too much/fragmented/came to a screeching halt and didn't penetrate all that well. Threw in a 160 gr Woodleigh PSP and dropped it with a finishing shot at 150. The RNs are good at std velocities and modest range. There is something to say about the 2,450-2,750 fps cartridges and older-style bullets performing well at modest range in the African bush. (the aforementioned 3250 fps example was using lead tipped BTSP and PSP bullets, but my son used a PHs 3006 and 300 mag with 220 gr RNSP bullets at 2450-2650ish fps to good effect to cull Oryx and collect meat for the village.) You'll experience same w/ the 170ish gr RN bullets in 757 (2300-2400 fps in std and 2700-2800 fps in the AI version which is just perfect!)

 

[Milan]

*I once shot a zebra in Zim at 250 yds using a 3000 fps 160 gr Hdy RNSP in 6.5 WSM. The bullet expanded a bit too much/fragmented/came to a screeching halt and didn't penetrate all that well. Threw in a 160 gr Woodleigh PSP and dropped it with a finishing shot at 150. The RNs are good at std velocities and modest range. There is something to say about the 2,450-2,750 fps cartridges and older-style bullets performing well at modest range in the African bush. (the aforementioned 3250 fps example was using lead tipped BTSP and PSP bullets, but my son used a PHs 3006 and 300 mag with 220 gr RNSP bullets at 2450-2650ish fps to good effect to cull Oryx and collect meat for the village.) You'll experience same w/ the 170ish gr RN bullets in 757 (2300-2400 fps in std and 2700-2800 fps in the AI version which is just perfect!)

Well according to Nosler's manual, with IMR 4350 I was supposed to get 2622 at 46gr and 2730 at 48gr with 160gr NP and 150gr ABLR respectively. Their test barrel was 22". Mine is 24 with the usual 1:8.6" twist. I was getting 200 - 222 fps less velocity with both. I may have a slow barrel but that seems quite a bit slower. No pressure signs though. Maybe I will try different powder. But even according to them the IMR4350 was the most accurate powder tested. I wanted to try the NP as it is popular here for deer, moose and elk but also wanted to try the ABLR as it would give me more effective range with even the 7x57 mild velocities, opening up at 1300fps or more. In the bush I do not care as distances are short. But in the prairies, 300m+ is not unusual, and quite common. I'd prefer the 160gr ABLR but could not find any at the time.

The North American (Federal, Winchester, Remington) and PPU factory ammo with 175gr bullets is clocking at 1900-2100 fps brand depending. S&B only slightly faster. Norma and RWS are king in factory loadings and bullets used (156gr Oryx and RWS ID Classic and H-mantel).

So if I could get 175gr at 2450-2500 or so, 150-160gr at 2650-2700 and 139gr at 2850-2900, I would not be complaining.

 

[rookhawk]

I am not a Hornady fan on African game--have had costly bullet failures...hope you have better luck but not optimistic you will...

It’s taken me quite awhile to come around to “new things” but I’m here to proudly proclaim that the 140gr Barnes ttsx is THE bullet for 7mms.

I used heavy for caliber 175gr cup and core bullets for a long time in 7x57 and 7x64, but the Barnes has some advantages. It’s all copper, so its flat shooting as a 140gr, but it has The volume of a 180gr lead core bullet for greater expansion.

The gold standard in African softs is still probably the swift a-frame, but I wouldn’t feel the need to use them in calibers less than 375hh.