7x57 favorite loads

[zephyr]

Just purchased a new Win mod 70 FW in 7x57 1-9.5 twist. This rifle will mostly be used for Whitetail here in New England. I'm a heavy bullet kinda shooter and now have on the bench Nosler Partitions in 150 and 160gr and a box of Hornady 150 interlocks.
Would appreciate any thoughts on loads and bullet types.
Thanks

 

[Areaonereal]

Try W 760 or H414 with magnum primer, works very well with my 7 x57, just look in the reloading manual for load data, every rifle is different.

 

[bassasdaindia]

firstly , congrats ..... truly magnificent rifle and caliber , I own a Win M70 Supergrade in 7x57 , although i reload , I reload for accuracy and not cost saving as I struggle for time to reload , so when I find a factory load that works well I stick with it .

My Rifle loves Norma Oryx 156 g

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I bought the same rifle for my youngest boy. Wanted to shoot lighter bullets to keep recoil down. IMR4350 and 140gr North Fork bonded cores killed everything from Impala to Nyala. With the lighter NF's weight retention you get the penetration of heavier traditional bullets but better flight ballistics and less recoil.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Very good choice Zephyr.
Witold

 

[Shootist43]

My old data has me using a 139 Gr bullet over 52.4 Gr. of Win. 760, velocity will be dependent on your barrel length. I like using Win. 760 because it meters very well through my Dillon 550B press. In colder climates a Magnum Primer might be a good idea to insure proper ignition. I took several nice white tails using this load. The 7x57isn't very fussy, many other powders i.e. 4895, 4350, 4064 will all give acceptable results.

 

[8x68]

Great calibre. I have four 7x57's (CZ 550FS, Win Model 70 Featherweight, Ruger MKII, and Interarms Mark X). I haven't had much of an opportunity to shoot the 7x57's (I have too many toys and want to play with them all).
Here are some of the loads that shot well in the CZ (wasn't able to chrono loads as it was raining):
W760 40.7gr's
Hornady 154gr SPPT
Primer: Win Large rifle
Case: Remington
3 shot 0.80" group at 100yds

W760 42.6gr's
Hornady 154gr SPPT
Primer: Win Large Rifle
Case: Rem
3 shot 0.80"group at 100yds

IMR 4350 41.6gr's
Hornady 154gr SPPT
Primer: WLR
Case: Rem
3 shot 0.70" group at 100yds

IMR 4350 43.4gr's Max charge
Hornady 154gr SPPT
Primer: WLR
Case: Rem
3 shot 0.60" group

H4831 46.2gr's
Hornady 154gr SPPT
Primer: WLR
Case: Rem
3 shot 0.30" group

IMR 4064 36.5gr's
Hornady 154gr SPPT
Primer: WLR
Case: Rem
Group would have been around 0.50" 2 shots were touching but I yanked the third to the right which opened it up to 1.3" GRRR

Load that shot well in the Interarms Mark X
I only shot Speer 145gr match bullets in this rifle so far.
Best load was:
IMR 4064 39grs
Speer 145 Gold Match BTHP
Primer: CCI 200
Case: Remington
5 shot 0.25" group. Avg 5 shot vel 2322fps

Hope this helps.

 

[zephyr]

Great info...
Just now receiving my re-loading components in the mail..
Many thanks for taking the time
Good Shooting

 

[Rob404]

44s of H380 with a 139Gr bullet nets 2514fps
shot with a Chilean Mauser with a Green Mountain 22" Sporter Barrel

 

[Steve Steyr]

Very nice rifle. I know you are proud to own it.
In a new, very strong rifle with modern steel such as yours, I see no reason to limit your loads to the anemic pressures and velocities of 120 years ago. It just doesn't make any sense.
Loaded to pressures which are standard today, the 7x57 treads right on the heels of the .270 Winchester.
With a healthy load of H414, my deep throated 22" Winchester Model 70 Lightweight 7x57 shoots 140 grainers at 2900 to 2960 fps and is very accurate.
With a healthy load of my older N204, 150 grainers clock 2800 to 2850 fps. I believe the newer Norma 204 is somewhat faster and the current equivalent in burning rate is RL-19 or the discontinued Winchester WXR (I bought 10# on closeout for $10/pound so I use it a lot). Again, accurate loads and higher velocities are not difficult to achieve.
With a healthy load of either my older N204 or equally old Norma MRP, 2750 fps with 160 grainers is no problem. I think RL-22, current Norma MRP, the long discontinued Winchester WMR, or H-4831SC will serve as well.
The main problem is that with the small capacity of the 7x57 case, you will need a high specific density powder (the older N204 had a specific density of .97x) if you want to up the velocity level to 21st century levels.
My brass lasts and lasts and lasts, primer pockets remain tight, and I see no signs of over-pressure. I have loaded 7x57 since I bought my first one, a Ruger 77ST, in 1974. I current own 5 rifles in my beloved caliber and have owned and sold another 4 besides the aforementioned Ruger 77ST.
It is truly a great caliber and has been used successfully world-wide for well over 120 years.

 

[nztimb]

Like most who have a 7x57, it is not the first, but of the many I have had, is the most cherished. I built it a pristine 1908 action with 9 in twist x 25 in barrel. It loves the 160gn Woodleign over 46.5gn H4350 (ADI 2209) for 2700fps and excellent accuracy.

 

[rookhawk]

I avoid handloading like the plague but completely understand the purpose and value. I had excellent results with Sellier & Bellot factory 7x57 ammo with the 175gr nosler partition. It worked on bear, kudu, zebra, 9 impala, steinbok, hyena, baboon, etc. Just an awesome round. My 23" barreled single shot chornographed them at 2437fps so it is certainly not the fastest load that could be made for this rifle but it was plenty for all my purposes. Did I mention that the S&B 175gr partition ammo is cheap? This caliber has expensive brass to begin with so buying loaded ammo and saving the brass isn't such a bad plan either?

I'd really like to get my hands on 175gr or 180gr FMJ ammunition regulated to the same POI as my 175gr partition for a wide variety of uses. (not the use Karamojo Bell had in mind!) It's on the list if I ever get back to handloading.

 

[curtism1234]

I avoid handloading like the plague but completely understand the purpose and value.

It only gets you into the black if you shoot alot or shoot oddball expensive cartridges. There is so much initial overhead involved it can be a lengthy break even time.

Any of those bullets would work fine. For whitetail in New England, you probably don't have to look past the bulk 140gr corelokt bullets though.

 

[zephyr]

Thanks all..
Have some 154gr Hornady's and 150, 160gr Nosler Partitions..
Nosler makes a 175gr Partition and Hawk makes a 175gr rn..
Will try the 160's and 150's next week..

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi,

I have, reload, and use, the 7x57 since 1972.
Today, I would say:

In a modern rifle in good condition, with 22/24 inches barrel lenght:

140 grs and any of the 4350 load from starting manual loads and stop when you reach 2900 f/s
150/154 grs, any of the 4350 and stop when reach 2800 f/s
160 grs, any 4350, R19 or R22 and stop when you reach 2700 f/s
175 grs, any 4831, R19 or R22 and stop when you reach 2600 f/s

These are, in my experience with many 7x57 plus mines, normal maximum safe loads for use everytime, everywhere.

Good luck!

 

[Steve Steyr]

I have found, in both my Winchester Model 70 Lightweight and my (now sold) Remington 700 Classic, the S&B 173 grain sharp-shoulder factory ammo was superbly accurate.
The Winchester shoots 3 and 4 shot groups into .33" to .40" often enough for me to realize it was no lucky fluke.
The Remington shot 3 and 4 shot groups into .75" to 1" the majority of the time.
As far as handloading, it usually is not a money saving proposition. Trust me on this and the fact I have enough reloading supplies to last me till I'm 125 years old.

 

[sestoppelman]

I like to shoot 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips ahead of near max charges of R19, usually very accurate and plenty of power for anything one will shoot with the round. Perfectly good deer size animal bullet. I wouldn't hunt much bigger with it. The newer made BT's are a better bullet for hunting than previous.

 

[sestoppelman]

I avoid handloading like the plague but completely understand the purpose and value. I had excellent results with Sellier & Bellot factory 7x57 ammo with the 175gr nosler partition. It worked on bear, kudu, zebra, 9 impala, steinbok, hyena, baboon, etc. Just an awesome round. My 23" barreled single shot chornographed them at 2437fps so it is certainly not the fastest load that could be made for this rifle but it was plenty for all my purposes. Did I mention that the S&B 175gr partition ammo is cheap? This caliber has expensive brass to begin with so buying loaded ammo and saving the brass isn't such a bad plan either?

I'd really like to get my hands on 175gr or 180gr FMJ ammunition regulated to the same POI as my 175gr partition for a wide variety of uses. (not the use Karamojo Bell had in mind!) It's on the list if I ever get back to handloading.

How did you manage to find S&B 7x57 factory ammo with 175 gr Nosler Partitions? Not on their website. I have only seen their SPCE or EC or whatever it is that weighs 173 gr and has the step in it.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi,

About bullets, for my own use, hunting big Wild Boar, Fallow Deer and big Red Deer, I like best the 160 and 175 grs Nosler. At 2750 and 2650 f/s respectively, very good and safe loads in my rifle with R22.
Also like the 154/175 Hornady Spire Point Interlock, great and afordable bullets, and the great 160/175 Speer Mag Tip (I think they are obsolete now but I have a lifetime supply). I am on my last RWS H-Mantel 173 grs, both bullets and factory RWS cartridges. For me, THE BEST FACTORY AMMUNITION (and bullets) I EVER USED. Period.
To select one and only bullet, for the type game and hunting I do, I think the 160 gr Nosler Partition is hard to beat. I have not used the 160 Nosler Accubond, yet, but I did with the 180 grs in the .30-06 and 260 grs in my .375 H&H. Outstanding performance in W Boars and Red Deer!!!

Good luck!

 

[rookhawk]

How did you manage to find S&B 7x57 factory ammo with 175 gr Nosler Partitions? Not on their website. I have only seen their SPCE or EC or whatever it is that weighs 173 gr and has the step in it.

Call magtech USA. Their VP of sales is a 7x57 nut and imported the euro 175gr partition ammo. They have some in stock.