I'm about to reload some 7X57's in the coming weeks. I like the BC on the Barnes tipped TSX in 160 grain and I'm looking for a powder recommendation. Got a pet load you could share? CB

47g of Imr 4350 w/ a 160g(NAB) does well in my Ruger #1.

My wife's loves 140gr accubonds and RL19

Texas Killartist: I'll add them to the list. Thanks. Did you seat the accubonds close to the lands?

Thanks Paul. Do you recall how many grains?

Max charge of H-4831 often works well with 160s.

Thanks. Trying to find some locally. My .270 likes the same powder.

I shoot 160 gr Accubonds with 42.0 gr R-15 @ 2600 fps. One hole 100 yard groups out my tang safety M77.

quote:

Thanks Paul. Do you recall how many grains?

Her bullet is seated out and the load is above Nosler book max.

I use the Nosler (magic marker) seating method. I put together a 'dummy round' w/ the bullet seated long. Color the bullet w/ a magic marker. Try and chamber the dummy. The magic marker will show 'witness marks' when the bullet touches the lands. Progressively seat the bullet deeper until it is .010-.020 ( or is it .0010-.0020) off the lands. My #1 allows for long col cartridges.(3.115) if my memory is correct.
Sierra 140g over 49g of Imr 4350 also shot great.
My little #1 did not like the Hornady light mag 139 g or the Sierra load w/ the 140g TBBC. Good enough to kill a Nilgai at close range , but not nearly as accurate as the Sierras or NABs. (I'm a bit anal a/b my handloads).

TK I'm a huge fan of proper seating close to the lands. My .270 shoots 1/4 MOA and much of the improvement came from proper seating. The throat was not very long.
About long throats, I just re-seated an ORYX 156 in my Blaser K95 7x57 and the bullet is way out to where I don't feel comfortable with the bullet out that far. So I got some really long TSX's on the way in 175. The twist for this barrel is 8.66" so seems like the longer heavier bullets should a good match.
Here's the Oryx out touching the lands. OAL is 3.11
So, gentlemen, bullet too far out or acceptable?

BTW, the original Oryx length is 2.90".

If you have about 1 caliber of neck bearing surface and it fits in the mag box and functions then go for it.

I want my cartridges loaded ( like I want my dogs and GF). Function over form. It's great if they can look good and work, but they have to work first.
IF that cartridge works in your rifle, just shoot it and be happy.
SAMMI lengths are for the masses buying factory loaded cartridges for factory guns (in theory).
Load your cartridges for your gun.

The one caliber of bearing surface is just an old wives legend; many cartridges can't be loaded that way. Anyway, as long as your bullet feeds and doesn't fall out, it is fine. I have a very long throated 257 Ruger and I load it with 1/8ths inch of bullet in the case. But, doing that, you create a new cartridge with more case capacity, so you can add more powder and get more velocity. My 257 shoots as fast as a 25-06, easily. If you use standard data, you will lose velocity; I am sure you know that.

The one caliber bearing surface in the case neck isn't an unbreakable rule and it can't be accomplished with all ammunition but it is a good suggestion for mechanically sound and reliable ammunition. I try to abide by the "rule" for any load that is going to see some hard use, as in semiautomatic rifles, or that must function reliably at all times. It is a rule I apply to hunting ammunition. I know a long throated chamber like many or most 7x57s can present a problem trying to seat the shorter bullets for best accuracy, but I would suggest trying it. My 7x57 does fine with the rule and Hornady or Sierra 139 and 140 gr flat base bullets despite the long throat. Doesn't do so well with the BT versions though.

Jerry Liles

Texas Killartist Loading for my gun is the idea right down to fire-formed cases.

dpcd. Even though the high seated bullet I showed is seated by around .30" (good enough) The Oryx are already slow. So, I bet they'll be slower with the bullet backed out. Since my goal is make a 300 yard shooter out of this rifle, my money is on the 175's in FF neck-sized cases.

Jerry. I may plink a few long seated Oryx to see if the high seated bullet will offset the extra space in the case just because I want to know..... But, either I'll use the factory ones that shoot an inch for PA woods or work up a load for longer range like out west. I can always use my .270 if this home grown recipe with 175's doesn't pan out. The .270 shoots 1/4MOA.

Ive not tried any Barnes bullets, but W-760 or H-414 is good stuff in a 7X57.

H-4350

Thanks everybody. Now to find one of the following locally. H4350 H4831 IMR4350.

Looked at Water's Pet loads last nite. I think you can/could use H414 or W760 also to accomplish your goal.

Yes, they will be slow when you seat bullets out; that is why you add more powder.

This is why I have a custom ground reamer for 7X57 so I can use 140 grainers which would never get close to the throat in a "normal" 7mm chamber which is made for 175s.

I know you were looking to use a 160 gr bullet and such a weight would be a good choice, especially if in elk country. For deer, though, I really find I like the 139gr Hornady or 140gr Sierra with 49.5grs of H4350. The load is pleasant, accurate, and delivers about 2800fps. It is perfectly adequate for up to 300yds for deer. I also find the flatbase bullets seem to work better in the long throat than the boat tail versions and the difference in drop at 300yds is minute.

Jerry Liles

quote:

The one caliber of bearing surface is just an old wives legend; many cartridges can't be loaded that way

You are 100% correct it sure isn't a "requirement" I do shoot for it if possible.

Yep there are even factory cartridges like the 300wmag that won't allow it because of it's short neck.

I can't imagine a hunting rifle with only 1/8" bearing. I've used it on target/single shot target rifles. I've found that going too short leaves me open to the bullet getting moved off center but by all means use what works.

I think the take away from these comments is the SAAMI OAL is not cast in stone. Load to fit your rifle. If you share the same loads between two rifles then you will need to load for the shortest. Sometimes the mag box will be the limiting factor not the chamber.

Easy to imagine; I have a Ruger 257 with a very long throat, I got it in 1980, it was old then, and have hunted with it since. In order to get anywhere close to the throat, 100 grainers and even 120s are in the case only 1/8th inch. I use the extra case capacity for more powder and more velocity. It fits into the mag of the long action. And the bullets don't fall out. I will post a pic tomorrow. And I do have other 257s for which I have to load shorter ammo so it is like having two different 257s.
I tend not to follow "rules" unless not doing so will kill me. Which ain't happened yet.

Got all the components. Just waiting on the dies.

I prefer a little bit more speed out of my 7x57 so I shoot the 140 TTSX.

Mac. What is your barrel twist?

My recent experience:

I have a long throated 7x57 commercial mouser action with a military barrel that I am loading for. I am loading 140grn sierra Pro Hunters for deer,IMR 4350, R-P brass, cci primers. At 3.1 OAL they have slightly more than 1/8" in the case but less than a calibers length and look like custombolts photo.... and they are still FAR from the lands. The most accurate load was at 2760FPS. Some more testing and tinkering is needed, but at least I have something to shoot with next month.

Just shot some 175 grain Partitions using H-4831. (ooops, not TSX's) I'm on the right track. Next is 1/2 grain increments. My goal is 1/4 inch 3 shot groups, plenty accurate for 300 yard shots. Thanks for all the input.

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
I'm about to reload some 7X57's in the coming weeks. I like the BC on the Barnes tipped TSX in 160 grain and I'm looking for a powder recommendation. Got a pet load you could share? CB

My Remington 700 7x57 shoots the 140 Nosler Partition at 2830 fps with 49 grains of IMR 4350, this load shoots into 3/8ths of an inch at 100 yds.
The Blacktail deer I shot with this load never took a step after the shot with full pass through, the 139 Hornady with the same load is very deadly and accurate.