I have a Ruger 77, tang safety rifle made in 1986; it was still new in the box until I recently mounted a scope on it. I just finished prepping 100 new Privi cases, and am about to start load development, but with the current shortages of powder and bullets, I am wondering if anyone has had experience with a Ruger 7X57 of this era, and would care to share some pointers. I’m running low on IMR 4350, but have plenty of Alliant RL-17, and RL-19. I do have one pound of the IMR 4350 left, and will use it as a last resort.

I intend to try two bullets, as it’s what I have available. I have Nosler 175 gr Partitions and Hornady 139 gr Interlocks. In searching the forum, I came across a recommendation of 52 gr of RL-19 for a 140 gr BT bullet. I intended to use 46 gr of IMR 4350 for the 175 gr Partitions, but with the powder situation, I’m looking for alternatives.

I understand these rifles tend to be throated for the 175 gr bullets; any constructive information would be much appreciated.

CJWinWA,

I just passed that same rifle on to my grandson. MINE IS ONE GREAT SHOOTING RUGER.

I strongly suggest you try Hodgdon H414 powder. That is my powder of choice for all bullet weights in that caliber in that gun.

the hornady interlocks and rl-19 is what i use.
start at 50 grs and work up to 52.
i stopped just over 51.

See if you can find a couple of ordinary boxes of Federal 175 RN ammo. Shoot that as a bench mark.
Try your 175 Noslers first and forget the 139 grain Hornadys especially if they are boat tails.
If you want to use Hornadys find some 154 grn or 175 grn and it is better if they are RN.

7X57 rifles have long throats and benefit from use of longer bullets.
My recommendations come from having a 7X57 M77 tang safety rifle and a M95 Chilean Mauser.

Thanks for the suggestions.

As luck would have it, I just acquired a M77R (tang safety) in 7x57. Before getting the gun, I noted several threads on the Ruger forums that suggested that these guns had a fast twist (1-8.5" or so) and long throat. Most all agreed that the 170-175gr loadings were best suited for this gun.
Haven't had a chance to shoot this 7x57, but hope to do so soon. Also hoping to find a load that is something other than the anemic commercial 175gr loadings and similar anemic loads in the various loading manuals. Surely the newer 7x57s should be capable of more, even the +P stuff.

The publishers of the load manuals publish loads suitable for some ancient, often suspect, rifles such as the 1893 and 1895 Mausers. The case has more volume than the 7-08 and modern rifles are capable of handling higher pressure and velocity safely. That said I find my favorite load in my 7x57 is 49.5grs of H4350 behind a Sierra 140gr flatbase bullet. It is pleasant and accurate and deadly and gets about 2800fps. I just haven't felt a need to hotrod the old soldier.

Jerry Liles

Anyone used Graf's 7x57 brass?

quote:

Anyone used Graf's 7x57 brass?

I bought some and had an issue with the head being a touch large. Didn't fit the shell holder and bolt face. Sent it back.

European manufactured 7X57 brass will have the standard dimensions designed by Mauser and often requires a different shell holder.
If you use that larger shell holder on US made brass it will pull the rims off cases in a FL sizer die - especially a really tight die like those made by Lyman.

I wouldn't have minded swapping shell holders. Altering the bolt face on my MKX was the issue.

it's not the bolt face it's the extractor.

quote:

it's not the bolt face it's the extractor.

You are probably correct. When I saw it didn't fit the shell holder and forced the extractor out away from the bolt I simply sent it back.

Doubt my comment will be of use to you, but own a Ruger 77 tang safety in 7x57. However, I had my Ruger rebarreled to 7x57 with a 1/10" twist barrel.

Best accuracy I've obtained is with 139 gr Hornady sst bullets and 47.5 gr. Ramshot Hunter powder. Hunter is very similiar to H4831 in burn rate.

Got this from the folks at Ramshot a few weeks ago. Note that they are using the CIP pressure standard. They will also be adding loads later this summer per the email I got.

Caliber: 7x57 Mauser.

Barrel length: 24”

Pressure spec: <56565 Psi/3900 Bar (CIP) original

Powder: Ramshot – BIG GAME®. (1st Choice)

Bullet weight: 100-110 grains.

Start load: 47.7 grains (2975 - 3075 Fps)

Maximum load: 53.0 grains (3275 – 3375 Fps).

Bullet weight: 120 grains.

Start load: 45.0 grains (2700 - 2800 Fps)

Maximum load: 50.0 grains (3000 – 3100 Fps).

Bullet weight: 130 grains.

Start load: 43.7 grains (2575 - 2675 Fps)

Maximum load: 48.5 grains (2875 – 2975 Fps)

Bullet weight: 139/140 grains.

Start load: 42.0 grains (ca 2550 Fps)

Maximum load: 47.0 grains (ca 2900 Fps)

Bullet weight: 150-154 grains.

Start load: 40.8 grains (ca 2450 Fps)

Maximum load: 46.0 grains (ca 2800 Fps).

Bullet weight: 160 grains.

Start load: 40.5 grains (2350 – 2450 Fps)

Maximum load: 45.0 grains (2600 – 2700 Fps).

Bullet weight: 175 grains.

Start load: 39.6 grains (2300 – 2400 Fps)

Maximum load: 44.0 grains (2500 – 2600 Fps).



Powder: Ramshot – HUNTER®.

Bullet weight: 120 grains.

Start load: 48.6 grains (ca 2780 Fps)

Maximum load: 54.0 grains (ca 3140 Fps). LD ca 106%

Bullet weight: 140 grains.

Start load: 46.8 grains (ca 2600 Fps)

Maximum load: 52.0 grains (ca 2950 Fps). LD ca 102%

Bullet weight: 150-154 grains.

Start load: 43.7 grains (ca 2450 Fps)

Maximum load: 49.5 grains (ca 2750 Fps).

Bullet weight: 160 grains.

Start load: 43.7 grains (ca 2375 Fps)

Maximum load: 48.50 grains (ca 2675 Fps).

Bullet weight: 175 grains

Start load: 42.0 grains (ca 2300 Fps)

Maximum load: 47.0 grains (ca 2650 Fps).LD ca 99%



NOTES:

It’ important to note that SAFETY is our prime concern therefore we strongly recommend.

1. ALWAYS BEGIN LOADING AT THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM “START” LOAD and develop loads in 2% increments towards the MAXIMUM load.

2. If possible, measure the velocity and correlate with our data.

Hey 2Barrels, thank you for that info. Great stuff there that's going to get printed for my notes.

In other news, I really like about 50.0 gr. of H4350 under a 145gr Speer HC BT. I was clocking nearly 2900fps with that load from a Ruger #1 and accuracy was in the category of "stupid good" - 3/4" groups at 100.

I also really liked Hunter with the 175gr. Hornady RN. I recall getting around 2550 - 2600fps. Accuracy was in the 1" range. Same load with some old 175gr Magtips grouped even better, in the 3/4" group range. It was good enough for me to think "screw this, we're done now."

Anyway, the 7x57 is superb all the way around.

I had one many years ago. I shot the Speer 160 in it with great results. Inch and 1/2 gun and killed very well. I was using 4350 then but today I would be using H414 or Ramshot Big Game. You can get to 2700 fps I would think.
Change that to a 160 Nosler Partition and you have a very nice anything in NA rifle.
Good hunting!

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

Anyone used Graf's 7x57 brass?

I bought some and had an issue with the head being a touch large. Didn't fit the shell holder and bolt face. Sent it back.

Interestingly enough, I just acquried some Hornady 7x57 once fired brass and have a similar problem with the case not fitting in the shell hold or bolt face. Closer examination shows that the extractor groove is not as deep as other brass I have on hand (Fed, Rem).

In my tang safety Ruger 77 in 7x57, my best groups were with 175 Hornady RN bullets, seated over stout loads of either IMR 4350 or RL19. My rifle had a long throat, and my most consistent results came with an OAL of 3.15". This length with that bullet was established with a Stoney Point and not too long in my rifle; YMMV.

I'll be loading for the M77 (tang safety) as well. My bullet of choice is the 160 TSX. Did some 'fitting' last night and found that a COAL of 3.060" is where the TSX touches the lands in this gun. My starting loads will be with a COAL of 3.010" with the 160 TSX over some Big Game.

I just completed my first round of testing with the rifle, and I think I’ve found a good start. 175gr Speer DeepCurl bullet, Prvi case, Winchester LR primer, 45gr of IMR 4350, OAL length 2.94" 1.5 inch five shot group at 100 yards. I’ll tinker with RL-19 and see how it works, just because I have a bunch of it, but this is a good start. Speer shows this to be just a bit over 2500 FPS, and I have no way to conform it myself.

Glad you are on the way with a classic rifle.
I also shoot Privi brass and ammo in my Ruger No. 1.
The 175 factory load is excellent and accurate but there is really nothing in the lower 48 that needs a 175 gr bullet anymore. Bullets have improved so much that a 7x57 can be an "almost 270" with 130 gr bullets, even faster than the 7mm08. With your short barrel a medium burner like Varget can probably get 2800 fps with a 130.

Most loading data is built around the old soft 95 Mausers, so a chrongraph is a must have. (Chronys are cheap). Great cartridge and like the 6.5x55 is underrated.
If you want to see what your rifle will do get some Berger 168 gr Match VLD Target bullets and make bug holes in the paper.
Good shooting !

My wife's tang safety Ruger model 77 7 x 57 absolutely hated any light bullet. It clover leafs these "cheap" 173 grain Sellier & Bellot. I bought her 500 rounds worth (on sale at one time for $13.00/box) because I figured I couldn't load rounds any cheaper and have them shoot the 3/4 MOA she was shooting with these factory loads.

In Africa every animal she hit was a through and through and died pretty much right there.

Sellier & Bellot 173 grain

I chrono'd them at a fairly consistent 2450 FPS.



Reedbuck at 254 yards with the same bullet

You are right, S&B also makes great ammo. I have a tang safe 77 35 Whelen that doesn't always toss out the Remington brand 35 Whelen empties. Pulls em' out and leaves them sitting between the rails. S&B 06 brass rims are just a skosh larger, neck em' up to 35 and then work perfectly.

If you stick with the Hornady 175 grain round nose bullets, you will probably be pleased. I prefer RL-22 over RL-19 for this application.

quote:

Originally posted by 390ish:
If you stick with the Hornady 175 grain round nose bullets, you will probably be pleased. I prefer RL-22 over RL-19 for this application.

I'm stuck with s few pounds of 19, and less than one pound of 22, the 22 I use for another cartridge, so until I can obtain more 22, 19 is it.

50gr of reloder 19 and the 140gr Barnes TSX bullets shoots great for me. My action is an 1895 mauser.

I had a BSA Hunter in 7x57 for which i loaded the Speer 145gr bullet ahead of 45.0grs IMR 4320 for a consistent MV of 2864fps, duplicating the factory load for the 7mm-08.

I did shoot some Winchester 175gr through it and while it was accurate these rounds just did not kill as emphatically as the 145gr or Hornady 139gr with same charge of 4320 powder.

As a matter of interest my chrony notes show the 110gr Norma factory load gave 3045fps, their 150gr load 2780fps while the 155gr Sako factory load gave a low 2425fps all in the 24" barrel of the BSA.

Obviously the BSA was throated to take the 175gr bullet but I just loaded to the Norma factory OAL for their 150gr when loading the 139gr and 145gr bullets. All were very accurate.