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benny
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Reged: 11/03/06
Posts: 33
Loc: PA, USA
Long pills for the 7x57...
      #83684 - 08/08/07 03:21 AM

Hello Gent's,

Going to try out a few different bullets in my 7x57, both 160's and 175's and was looking for some suggestions as to what are some good choices. I was thinking of both weights in Swift's A-Frame and Woodleigh protected points. In looking at ballistics charts a 160 will be within an inch or two of a 140 out to 300yds (which is further than I shoot anyway), so there doesn't seem to be much sense in moving down in weight.

I know the construction of the two bullets are quite different. Would there be much difference in performance at non-magnum velocities?

Any other bullets I should be considering?

Use would be: 160's "all arounder" for deer, pronghorn, caribou
175's elk, black bear

Gun is Ruger No. 1 RSI w/ Leo 1.5-5 VX-III

Thanks for any suggestions!

Best regards,

benny


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Kalunga
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Reged: 16/06/06
Posts: 328
Loc: Germany
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: benny]
      #83694 - 08/08/07 06:04 AM

Hi benny ! I am a firm believer in heavy bullets and used the 175 grain Speer Mag-Tip with my 7x57R exclusively. It performed very well on Foxes ( no huge exit hole so the pelts were still OK for tanning ), roe deer ( very little meat damaged ) and a really big wild boar that dropped on the spot with a smashed spine/shoulders. I can`t praise the 175 grainers too much, they just performed perfect. For elk I would use more gun. I love the 7x57 but elk deserve more gun IMHO.

Kalunga


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zimhunter
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Reged: 05/02/04
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Kalunga]
      #83695 - 08/08/07 06:11 AM

I like the 7x57 so much that the one I have is the only custom rifle I have EVER ordered built. I had it built to shoot 175gr bullets specifically and that is the ONLY bullet I use. I shoot 175gr Nosler Partitions exclusively. I used it for plains game in Zim on my last trip and it took several Kudu with no problems at all at ranges out to 250 yards.

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: zimhunter]
      #83698 - 08/08/07 07:51 AM

Possibly the best 160gr. for all heavy game could be the Barnes TS. At 2,640fps, my 7x57 BRNO put them into 5/8" at 100 meters. It is possible the 7x57 might not drive this bullet fast enough for it to be as an effective bullet as a slightly softer one, like the Partition or Hot Core. I haven't shot anything with it.
: My second choice for all-round would be a 160 to 175gr. Partition. Even a Speer Hot Core 160gr. would probably hold up well, if only driven at 2,600fps, an easy going, low pressure load for modern rifles.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Rick_R
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Reged: 03/07/03
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Loc: WV, USA
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: DarylS]
      #83767 - 09/08/07 01:27 PM

My 7x57 is an Obendorf M98 that I had Douglas put a 26" barrel on, then stocked with a light weight Fajen stock and put NECG iron sights on. I use the 160gr HotCore fueled by either W760 or H414. So far three shots for two whitetail deer, that bullet is very accurate from my rifle but you still need to aim for the right part of the deer. The two well aimed bullets worked perfectly

My rifle also likes the Barnes 160gr TSX, but I haven't shot anything with that load (yet). I think the 7x57 doesn't need a premium bullet unless you're after something really big.


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88MauSporter
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Reged: 06/06/07
Posts: 530
Loc: Alaska / Texas
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Rick_R]
      #83822 - 10/08/07 12:16 PM

I use 175 gr Hornady RN in my 7X57s. Great performer up to and including moose. I use mine in an origninal banner Mauser Model 1935 (98 action) and in a 1924 FN saddle-ring carbine. Both are fantastically accurate. If I scoped either it would prove so at much longer ranges. I use the original irons. Still shoot so much better than my eyes can use the sights. Range shooting is still around an inch 3 or 5 shot. These 175s penetrate and break bone without breaking up. I have put through deer vitals with devestation. I use 4831 or 4350 powder. Velocities are "original" factory ranges.
This cartridge made it's name in hunting history with these heavy long 175 grs. Even RN solids on Elephant!

--------------------
"A hunter should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everthing goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." 88MauSporter


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georgegibbs505
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: 88MauSporter]
      #83827 - 10/08/07 01:01 PM

My 275 Rigby has accounted for some Elephants and other various African game. The original owner never polluted it's barrel with soft point bullets and used 173gr military ammo. The 160gr that you picked should be a great killer and will do the job on elk with no problem if kit properly.The Ruger RSI is a great little rifle, my brother shot a whitetail this past season at about 280yds and it dropped in its tracks with an RSI.

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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: benny]
      #83832 - 10/08/07 01:56 PM

Benny, my son and I have used our tang-safety Ruger 7x57 on 5 elk and numbers of whitetail deer. All were shot with a handload using the Remington 150 grain PSPCL pushed to 2800 fps. Performance was excellent and we have not lossed a single game animal hit with it. We have not used this rifle on game past 200 yards and in our neck of the woods don't have much need to.

Both bullets you identify have excellent reputations in general. In fact, due to construction differences, I would tend to think at least the A-Frame would be even better than our Remington. Not having used it or the Woodleigh, like you I am curious about both, but I would tend to be most interested in the A-Frame 160 pushed pretty hard for exactly the reasons you identify. Having said that, I have about 600 of the Remingtons here and will continue to use them without hesitation till they are gone. They are cheap and allow inexpensive practice and as with all calibers, shot placement is key, and the 7x57 is easy to shoot well. We don't use this rifle for a primary rifle but more as a spare, but a spare we are totally confident in. One of the elk I shot with it was taken on a crystal clear night under bright starlight in snow from 98 long paces, I having made a 1000 meter stalk in white camouflage from the house across one of my hayfields {legally shot after dark on a depradation permit}. I mention it because for some reason that rifle has been used for some of our more memorable hunts.

Let us know what you decide to go with!

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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Rolf
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Reged: 26/02/07
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Loc: Germany, Bavaria
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: 9.3x57]
      #83839 - 10/08/07 10:53 PM

Hi Benny,

I use in my 7x57 the 140grs Ballistic Tip for roedeer, fox and crows.
On roe deer (broadside) the bullets opened up and left a nice exit wound.

Just for trying something else on the shooting range, I loaded some of the 170grs SoftPoint RN from Sierra (#1950). These bullets are precise, have a crimp cannelure and are cheap comparing to Noslers and Swifts. If the game is not too large, I would try these if you can pick your shots behind the shoulder.

Rolf


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benny
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Reged: 11/03/06
Posts: 33
Loc: PA, USA
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: benny]
      #84028 - 14/08/07 10:54 AM

Well, after talking with a very helpful gent at swift, i think i'mm going to first try the 150gr scirocco II as an "all arounder" and the 175 a-frame for up close and personal work on larger game. may try the 160 a-frame as an all-arounder depending on the scirocco results as well. thanks you all for your comments. this is the best hunting / shooting forum on the web!

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enfieldspares
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Reged: 12/07/07
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Loc: Great Britain
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: benny]
      #84188 - 18/08/07 07:34 AM

I am sure that most know that the nitro .303 MkVII loading was meant to be a "British" duplicate of the 7mm Mauser round used by the Boers against us in South Africa. Imitation being the result of lessons learned in that conflict.

A 175 grain bullet at 2,500fps would work fine! I think that both Speer and Hornady offer that weight.


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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: enfieldspares]
      #84195 - 18/08/07 10:57 AM

Quote:

I am sure that most know that the nitro .303 MkVII loading was meant to be a "British" duplicate of the 7mm Mauser round used by the Boers against us in South Africa. Imitation being the result of lessons learned in that conflict.

A 175 grain bullet at 2,500fps would work fine! I think that both Speer and Hornady offer that weight.




Actually, Frikkie van der Merwe was stuck with the same FMJRN configuration Tommy Atkins carried. The .303 spitzer pointed bullets were specifically developed to compete with German advances in the form of the 7.92x57 154 gr Spitzer of c.1905.

The .303 MKVII loading was introduced in March, 1910, then improved and standarized November, 1910. This loading was used for many years with MDT 5-2 powder {AKA in common terms; "Cordite"}. Nitrocellulose was approved May, 1916 and it also continued in production for many years under the sobriquet MKVII.z.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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Tatume
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Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: 9.3x57]
      #84218 - 18/08/07 09:32 PM

Of my many Ruger #1 rifles, the one chambered in 7x57 is the only one I can't get to shoot to my satisfaction. Five-shot groups at 100 yards run two inches. Before I bought it a friend told me that he's never seen a Ruger 7x57 rifle that shot well. Have any of you owned #1 rifles in 7x57 that shoot better than this?

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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Tatume]
      #84269 - 19/08/07 10:46 PM

Quote:

Before I bought it a friend told me that he's never seen a Ruger 7x57 rifle that shot well.




My tang safety model must be an exception. Shoots great. Not a No. 1 though and I have no experience with them.

I will say that Ruger M77MKII bedding is oftimes in my experience ATROCIOUS and needs immediate care. A dab of Acraglas gel behind the recoil lug and freefloting the barrel seems to take care of the issues. Neither of those fixes will help you directly with the No.1, except to say that the fix may be rebedding the forestock as opposed to the barrel itself being bad.

Ruger triggers are notorious for their completely unusable condition as-new. Merely fixing a BAD trigger helps so much in rifle control and hence accuracy. Are the trigger pulls on No.1's any good?

A guy can send a 77 rifle back to Ruger and request "Trigger Adjustment; Minimum Pull" and on 77's they have charged me $20 and have done pretty good work. Do NOT ask them to do a "trigger job" on the rifle or they will send it back to you with a note saying they don't do such things. Can you say "Alan Dershowitz", or "The Ghost of Johnny Cochran"???

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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Stuart
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Reged: 24/05/07
Posts: 58
Loc: Mission, B.C., Canada
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: 9.3x57]
      #84273 - 20/08/07 02:26 AM

Quote:

...One of the elk I shot with it was taken on a crystal clear night under bright starlight in snow from 98 long paces, I having made a 1000 meter stalk in white camouflage from the house across one of my hayfields...



Now that's a very nice living arrangement! Home and hunting/shooting range all in the same place. And a mild climate to boot. Life is good in the Pac. Northwest.

Stuart

--------------------
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by
smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles
who really mean it. (Mark Twain)


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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Stuart]
      #84314 - 20/08/07 10:36 PM

Thanks, it is rather a nice arrangement. Gotta be a lot of places similar I'd think up there above me in BC?

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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Stuart
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Reged: 24/05/07
Posts: 58
Loc: Mission, B.C., Canada
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: 9.3x57]
      #84321 - 21/08/07 01:16 AM

Quote:

Thanks, it is rather a nice arrangement. Gotta be a lot of places similar I'd think up there above me in BC?



Yes, especially inland a bit. But I drive down to Bellingham regularly to visit my girlfriend, who is a prof. at WWU, and have developed quite a liking for that corner of WA (quite aside from her being there!) After growing up in the hubbub of Vancouver, it's great to be living out in the country, even though I'm "only" on 10 acres. Still, it's pretty rural and I hear the bells from the Benedictne monastery on the next hill. Not too shabby.

Oops... I have now completely hijacked this thread, esp. as I don't even have a 7x57 (yet).

Stuart

--------------------
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by
smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles
who really mean it. (Mark Twain)


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georgegibbs505
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Reged: 19/01/07
Posts: 75
Loc: WV
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Stuart]
      #84407 - 22/08/07 12:06 PM

I had a pic posted on AR of my Bell owned Rigby under medium bore rifles.

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BFaucett
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Loc: Houston, Texas
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: georgegibbs505]
      #84452 - 23/08/07 02:49 AM

georgegibbs505,

With your permission, I'm going to post the photos of your rifle in this thread Gail Selby, her elephant, and Bell's .275 Rigby in the African Hunting forum here on NitroExpress. These photos, and the history of the rifle, are just too good not to share with everyone!!!

Cheers!
-Bob F.


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26516
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Tatume]
      #85153 - 05/09/07 04:30 AM

Quote:

Of my many Ruger #1 rifles, the one chambered in 7x57 is the only one I can't get to shoot to my satisfaction. Five-shot groups at 100 yards run two inches. Before I bought it a friend told me that he's never seen a Ruger 7x57 rifle that shot well. Have any of you owned #1 rifles in 7x57 that shoot better than this?



:Hi Tatume
: My Ruger #1A 22" bl. really liked 140 Nosler Partitions with 46 gr. of IMR4320 for 2,940fps in FC 7mm Mauser brass, CCI 200 shooting sub .6" at 100 meters. This is a maximum load for my rifle so start lower and work in the direction pressure signs lead you, as normal.
; 175gr. Hornady SP's shot into 1.090" @ 100 meters with 42gr. 4320, CCI 200 and using WW .257 Roberts brass.
: 175gr. Horandy RN's ran 1.2" at 100 meters with the same load.
; 175gr. Hornady RN's ran .815" with CCI 200, FC Mauser 7x57 and 42.0gr. IMR 4895 for a near max. load around 2,500fps. I would work up with H4895 and perhaps Varget to take advantage of the Expreme/type powders.
; Using WW 7x57 brass, a load of 48.0gr. Reloader #22, & CCI 250 gave the 175 Hornady RN, 1.032" at 100 meters and the same bullet with 51.0gr. H450 & CCI 250 ran 1.3", same range.
: The old style Nosler Partition 175gr. liked 51.0 H450 & CCI250 for 1.025" accuracy.
: 160gr. Nosler Partitions(new) printed 1.088" with 53.5gr. H450, CCI 250, while the old style 160 opened to 1.188" same load.
; Sorry, no chronograph data on the heavy bullets.
: My newer BRNO 7x57 really liked 160gr. TS with 51.5gr. H4831SC for over 2,60fps and sub 1/2" much of the time, with an average around 5/8".
; All groupings are 3 shot(except for the BRNO with 5 the norm) & with a 3-9X scope. 3-shot groups are plenty realistic for a single shot rifle. Some #1's are prone to double grouping and/or stringing with 5 or more shots per group. I don't know if mine did this or not, as the barrel was allowed to cool between 3-shot groups. I free-floated the #1's barrel from the fore-end hanger with the wood bedded to the hanger itself using plastic steel and epoxy putty. The putty is all that's really necessary. Too, the 1/4 rib is removed from the barrel and .010" removed from the back edge to prevent binding on the action front as the barrel heats. This, along with bedding the hanger and floating the barrel is sometimes all that's necesary to prevent double groups or stringing wiht a #1. It worked for me on 2 of them.
; Sorry for being long winded - it's just me.
: Edited for spelling mistakes - may have missed some. My fingers move slower than my aging mind - Hmmmmm.

Edited by Daryl_S (06/09/07 01:29 AM)


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Tatume
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Reged: 09/06/07
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Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: DarylS]
      #85196 - 06/09/07 12:56 AM

Hi Daryl,
Thanks for all the info. I'll try some more loads in my Ruger #1.
Take care, Tom


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Tatume]
      #85198 - 06/09/07 01:24 AM

pleasure - enjoy your #1.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Tatume
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Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: DarylS]
      #85648 - 15/09/07 05:39 AM

Hello Folks,
Thanks to Daryl_S and 9ThreeXFifty7 I was encouraged to try again to get my 7x57 Ruger #1a to shoot. Today I used Sierra 140 gr spitzer bullets with H4350 (MV 2653) to shoot a couple of three-shot groups at 100 yards. They measured 1.025 and 0.992 inches. Both groups were spread horizontally, as the wind was 10 gusting 20 mph. This is quite satisfactory. Thanks fellows.
Take care, Tom


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Long pills for the 7x57... [Re: Tatume]
      #85656 - 15/09/07 08:09 AM

Glad it's working for you. Don't discount the faster powders, especially with the light bullets. 4320 and 140gr. Nosler Partitions were actually amazing in mine.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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