7x57 Mauser 175 grain Spire Point. Where would you start?

[Legionnaire]

So I am beginning the quest for a good load for my Ruger No. 1 RSI in 7x57 Mauser. I got a good deal on some Hornady 175 grain spire points (Interlocks) on one of the forums and began my research powders. While my various sources suggest a number of different powders suitable for 175 grain bullets, the one that appears in every manual is H414. Since I have some in hand, it sounds like a good place to start.

This is where things get interesting. I know the 7x57 Mauser has a long history, and it is not safe to load older guns to the pressures modern guns can handle. But I wasn’t expecting the variance I found in the data. All of the sources below list recipes for 175 grain jacketed bullets over H414 in 7x57. But look at the variance!

Hodgdon data: 35.0 to 37.0
Lee Precision: 35.0 to 37.0
Hornady manual: 35.3 to 42.5 grains
Lyman #49: 39.0 to 44.4
Barnes #3 manual: 40.00 to 44.00
Speer #14: 40.0 to 44.00
Hodgdon #25 section on heavy Ruger loads: 44.0 to 47.0 !!

That’s quite a spread. I’m a little leery of starting with the Hodgdon #25 data, but starting out below 40.0 grains seems excessively cautious. What do y’all think?

 

[Galil5.56]

With the very nice rifle you have, max allowed SAAMI pressures, and great powder choice, I fully agree with not going anywhere under 40 grains (I'd probably start closer to 42). Depending on need for power, I'd have no problem going to a safe 44 grain work-up, or even more if so inclined and proven safe, and accuracy holds out. The case and action can well take a lot more than 51k max SAAMI pressures IMO, as it seems the #25 data surely seems to reason and agree. FWIW, I would also go with a mag primer for the H414... Seems to really help out with fliers IME with it.

I'd also look to get some more lighter weight bullets in the future, and keep things stepped up as desired. Love the 7x57 round, and it's a shame it's not more popular than it is in newer rifles... Much like pathetic US makers 8x57 ammo, so it seems carries over to the 7x57 reloading. Can't blame them for being cautious, but man, talk about running a Ferrari never getting out of 1st gear. I'd be having that RSI singing a nice snappy tune if it were my hunting rifle. Good luck, and enjoy that fine rifle.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks. I am also going to be loading for a new-to-me 7mm-08, so was thinking heavy bullets in the 7x57 and 140s and lighter in the '08. I am leaning toward running a spread from 42.0 to 44.0 grains of H414 under the 175s in the 7x57 and see where that gets me with regard to velocity and accuracy. If all looks okay, I might push a bit higher.

 

[Galil5.56]

Thanks. I am also going to be loading for a new-to-me 7mm-08, so was thinking heavy bullets in the 7x57 and 140s and lighter in the '08. I am leaning toward running a spread from 42.0 to 44.0 grains of H414 under the 175s in the 7x57 and see where that gets me with regard to velocity and accuracy. If all looks okay, I might push a bit higher.

Sounds great, and nice to see some love for "other than 7mm mag" 7mm rounds. Boy was 7x57, and many other metric rounds WAY ahead of their time.

 

[morcey2]

I've loaded quite a bit of 7x57 with H414 although I think 145 gr was the heaviest bullet I ever used it with. The main issue I had with H414 was its temperature sensitivity. If I worked up a load in the summer, I would lose quite a bit of velocity when I shot it in the winter. Magnum primers helped, but it was still a pretty good change in velocity. I'd have to check my notes for more details.

I'm also a huge fan of 7x57.

Matt

 

[Legionnaire]

I'm open to suggestions for a better powder with heavy bullets. I have H414 and it shows up in all my data sources, but it's not the only one listed.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Reloader22 and Reloader17 are where I would start.
The only bullet weight I’ve shot in my 7x57 RSI are 139’s and 140’s.
I went with the old reliable IMR4350.
The 175’s will do better with slower burning powders. Reloader22 will give best speeds which is helpful getting expansion from the 175’s at nominal impact speeds. 1800-1900fps needed impact velocity for expansion. I’ve found accuracy to be excellent with RL22 in most uses.

Rl17 gives excellent velocities and accuracy also. A bit faster than RL22, closer to H4350.

 

[Legionnaire]

I have some RL22, so might try that, too. Lyman #49 and #50 go up to 44.4 grains of H414, so I'm going to run a test from 42.0 to 44.4 to start. I'll report back when I've had a chance to get to the range. Really busy at work at the moment.

 

[LRDGCO]

I would suggest IMR 4831. It is phenomenal in 270 Win. And while I will not counsel heading north of published maximums, despite those maximums being set with iron Remington rolling blocks and 19th century metallurgy in mind, if the Hodgdon data for heavy Ruger loads is higher, I would confidently go there given that you have one of the sexiest rifles of the last century that is also good for well over 65,000 psi.

I will also check Ken Waters Per Loads on 7x57 and revert with news from The Oracle.

 

[Bfh_auto]

H1000 gave me good results with 175s.
You could try going the other way and use 4895 or 4064. They both would work well in either 7-08 or 7x57.
Win 760/H414 is tops in velocity combined with accuracy in several of my random cartridges, so I doubt you need to go anywhere else.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'm open to suggestions for a better powder with heavy bullets. I have H414 and it shows up in all my data sources, but it's not the only one listed.

i did a quick load for my m77 one day, i think it was a speer 175 sp flat base. with h-4831 i believe i just used 46.5. loo at the lee dipper chart for approximate weight. i believe the COL was 3.100. only loaded 10 or so, but dang things shot bug holes. that always happens to me when i don't now the exact bullet. the ruger will shoot most ammo under 1.5 moa, even the ppu 139 sp shoots just over 1 moa.

 

[LRDGCO]

Apologies, I forgot to look up Pet Loads for 7x57, but quite by coincidence came across this from Jack O'Connor in "The Hunting Rifle" "Probably the best all purpose big game load is the 154 Hornady or 160 Speer, Sierra, or Nosler with 52 hrs of {IMR}4831." This was the older WWII surplus 4831 and was allegedly a bit slower than current formulation.

Hodgdon gives 40.2 grs IMR 4831 as the max, delivering a very modest 44,400 CUP. If #25 data for 4831in Rugers is higher, I would certainly cautiously explore in the direction of 43 grs...

 

[horsey300]

I'm open to suggestions for a better powder with heavy bullets. I have H414 and it shows up in all my data sources, but it's not the only one listed.

I'd take a run at i4451, I don't load your x57 but it's been a good powder for everything I've thrown it under, it's an enduron powder, so VERY temp stable, and iirc it's the enduron answer to 4064.

 

[GooseGestapo]

4451 is too fast for the 175’s in the 7x57.
IMR4831, RL19, and RL22 are much better. The newer RL23 may be worth trying, too.