All rifles seem to be a tale unto themselves on reloads., my 7mm is a 20" barrel, and I think most have longer tubes.

RL-19 is my next work up powder, just haven't got around to it yet.

I don't have a chrono, so no velocity guesses on my part.

My best load is 46.5 grs of IMR-4350 and a Nosler 150 gr. partition, in my rifle this is a very accurate load. I have had very similar results with AA4350, I don't have my notes handy right now, but it is very close grain for grain to the IMR4350, with only .2 gr difference. I don't load much 140 gr or lighter bullets anymore, just for range and target use, but AA4350 or IMR4350 work well, but tops is H414; try 49 grs with 140gr Sierra or Nosler.

Don't discount H4350 either but it needs to adjusted against the other 4350 powders by 1.5 grs increase for same bullet type.

In addition to the above I have a good luck with H4895 with heavier bullets in the 160-175 gr range, and my standby 4350's. I think this is where I will work on with the RL-19 in the future though.

My experience is the 7x57 isn't real picky, I have a lot of good loads with about 1/2 dozen powders, two or three are stellar such as IMR-4350 and H414, but I think I could get quality loads from almost a dozen powders. Varget, WW-760, N140, RL-15, IMR4064 and IMR4320 are all suitable, the 7x57 is pretty cosmopolitan and I am sure I could get 1 MOA loads from any of the powders I listed. It is my favorite cartridge in that no matter what powder I have on my bench I can always work up a good load.

Hello all 7x57 Mauser Fans! What powder do you experienced
7x57 reloaders like for this cartridge in 140-160 gr bullets? I have every reloading book just about...and find
the recommendations vary quite a bit. I'm interested in the best "Pet Load"...powder recommendation.
Input, please.
Thanks, Tom

bisonland--That's about like asking the guy at Baskins Robbins what's the best flavor? Years ago,for whatever reason,I selected 4064 for 150 grain bullets in my 30-06. My gunsmith/friend and I had a discussion about it and he said hands down,4350 is THE powder. He got out his old Lyman book that showed it as THE accuracy load. I tried it,and got poor results. Think about it,how can Lyman tell you what's best for your rifle? Their older books had a listing for accuracy load and factory duplication load. They no longer have that. Don't we reload to tailor a load for OUR gun? I don't have a 7x57(think I'd like one though)but I bet 4064 would work at some point or the other.

My two 7x57 scouts like to digest Accurate 4350 with the heavier bullets. With a 19" barrel I can safely get 2400ft/sec. with 174 gr. bullets.Start at about 42 gr. I've also had good results with Accurate 2230-C ;38gr. behind the same bullet yielded a 10 shot 1" grp at 50 yds. That might not sound super great but keep in mind that was a 1 1/2 power scope and a whimpy 19" barrel.The 2230-C powder is still a great value and if you haven't already put some in stock do so; it might not be around for too long. roger

My standard load for my 2 7x57's is:

160 grain Nosler Partition
48.5gr WW 760

Averages 2717 at 12' from a 600mm barrel

49.5 grains H414 and 160 grain Nosler Partitions at 2755 fps.



BigBullet

Both of these last loads are way beyond Nosler's max. I would suggest CAUTION. The H414 load is 4.5 grains over max. Loadtech calculates a pressure in the range of 67000 using a 3.065" and 45.6grs of H414. You can reduce this a little by increasing the COL but in my opinion these loads are really stretching it.

Thanks guys..I should have mentioned I'm using the 7x57 in
a modern Mark X Mauser rifle (Zastava)...rifle is like new,
and should be a plenty strong action. Just searching for
other shooter's experiences...the Hornady Reloaders Manual
(3rd edition) showed 56.8 gr. of H450 giving 2900 fps with a 154 gr. bullet, and 55.8 gr. of H450 giving 2800 fps with
a 162 gr. bullet (22 inch barrel). I was thinking that since the cartridge is such an old one, and a lot of military mausers in it, that perhaps the loads listed would be more conservative than if one had a modern strong actioned rifle, like mine. Anyway, your input is much appreciated, Thanks and if any others have comment, pls do
Best Regards, Tom

I'm running 47 grains of reloader 19 and getting consistant sub moa groups witht he Hornady Interbond 154 grain bullet. Velocity average is 2544 fps in a 24" Douglas XX barrel.

I've tested up to 49 gr. of Reloader 19 and it averages 2667 FPS.

Also some results with H4350 and the Hornady 154 gr.:
46 gr. - 2555 fps
47 gr. - 2624 fps
48 gr. - 2694 fps
49 gr. - 2755 fps

The Re19 worked out more accurate for me at the lower velocity, since I only plan to use this for deer size game I'm happy with it. I also shoot the S&B 173 gr. load a lot in this rifle and it averages about 2400 FPS.

Nice easy load. LOadtech shows 47 grs RL 19 at 2660 and only 51625. For H4350 49 grs shows 2765 at 60,000. The RL 19 sure cause a lot less stress on everything.