I've been meaning to try Ramshot Hunter in my 7x57 Mauser for heavier bullets like a 160 partition or the 175 Horn. IL.

The Rifle: Ruger #1, 7x57 (Speed Hammer installed, trigger polished). Scope: Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x42.

The Targets:



Load data and comments:

*First off, Ramshot didn't have any load data in their guide. I used 7mm-08 mid-pack data to start with and worked up in 1gr. increments. Given that this is a long-load 3.06 oal), I used split the difference on .280 Rem vs. 7mm-08 as the max load. I felt this should be a reasonable estimate given the long loading and larger case capacity of the 7x57 case vs. the .308.

OAL: 3.06" for all loads.
R-P for all Brass.
CCI LR Primers.
Ruger #1, 22" BBL
3-shot groups.
70 degree temps.


160gr. Nosler Partition.

46.0: 2,520 fps. (2507, 2491, 2540)
47.0: 2,555 fps. (2544, 2567, 2563)
48.0: 2,610 (2674, 2583, 2571 - not sure about that first shot...glitch? Quite possible I read the chrony wrong and it should have been 2574...)
49.0: 2,650 (2665, 2643, 2632)
50.0: 2,675 (* only 2 shots registered: 2654, 2700)


175 Horn. IL

46.0: 2,420 fps (2413, 2416, 2428)
47.0: 2,450 (2452, 2452, 2450)
48.0: 2,515 (2508, 2526, 2513)
49.0: 2,555 (2538, 2560, 2547)
50.0: 2,575 (2556, 2581, 2604)


The primers all look great, not flattened and no cratering. Non-resized case stretch is non-existent (mic'ed them all) with all cases measuring exactly the same length, +/- .005".


Only in retrospect, I found a Nosler #6 loading manual: for 160 gr. Partitions, it lists 46.0 as being the max load. Barnes gave 48.0 but that was with similar weight TSX's.


So, the data should be considered "warm" and definitely should NOT be used in any older rifles. In fact, (covering my own ass here) this data should be considered "experimental" and you should all work up your own loads to your own rifles!

BTW, accuracy was very good overall. Most loads grouped at or under 1".