Hey guys, I've just have to share this...I am preparing for a hunt in Kwa-Zulu Natal province of RSA, and I had pretty much settled on the load for my rifle in which I would take and that is a 160gr Nosler Partition with 42.0 grains of Reloader 15. The PH I am hunting with stated that there could be some long shots as we hunt the Midlands of KZN for reedbuck. So I figured I would see if the 160 gr Nosler Accubonds would shoot to the same POI as the Partitions. If so, I would bring some along for the longish shots. So I again loaded up some RP brass with 42.0gr of Reloader 15 and the 160gr Accubonds.



The target is at 100 yards and they do shoot pretty much to the same POI. I was very pleasently surprised to see that the Accubonds shoot so darn well in this rifle.

The other specifics; Rifle 1971 manufactured Ruger 77, RP brass, CCI-200 primers, 3.100 OAL. I have gone as high as 44.0 grains of Reloader 15 in this rifle and that was too hot so have settled on 42.0 grains as max for this rifle and 160 grain bullets.

two questions:
1. Why not use the accubonds for everything?....they shoot great!

2. What velocity are you getting with that load? I went to Alliants site and the fastest powder they show is RL-19.....so I wasn't able to get a handle on the velocity.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, how did you settle on using RL15? Are You using a short barrel? roger

I agree with Vapdog. This is a no brainer. The Accubond performs just as good as the Partition on game. Use the Accubonds.

What great performance with the Accubonds.

That pic is exactly what I have come to expect when comparing any bullet to the Partitions...
a much tighter group. One of the main reasons I like TSX's, performance on game and targets.

With the velocity of the 7x57, the Accubonds will work just fine.

Vapo,
I have yet to chrono this load so velocity is not available at this time. When I do I will post the results.
Bartsche
For years, with my other 7x57 and the first few months I owned this Ruger, most of my loads were with H414 which has proven to be very good. And with it I attained 2690 fps with 160gr Nosler Partitions. The barrel on my Ruger is a standard 22". Why Reloader 15?...I seemed to be loading all my other medium bore, medium capacity cases with Reloader 15, like 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, 375 Ruger and 416 Rem Mag, I guess I considered the 7x57 in the same bore:case capacity realm. And I was experimenting.

I may switch all my partition loads to the Accubonds, I just have taken much game with the Nosler Partitions, I have extreme confidence int he bullet and its effectiveness on game. I understand that the Accubonds basically work in the same manner as Partition and my testing has shown equal weight retention on recovered bullets (65-75%). I most likely will switch to the Accubonds for simplicity sake.

BigBullet

I used 200 grain Accubonds in my 338-06 the first time I went to Africa and they worked perfectly on Zebra,Kudu,Warthog,Impalla and Baboon.
As a rule I would say Accubonds are more accurate than the partitions.

Cheers Neale.

Just put one round(160 gr Nosler Accubond with 42.0 grains Relaoder 15) over the chronograph and obtained 2587 fps measured velocity 15 feet from the muzzle. So just about 2600fps muzzle velocity. This is 90fps slower then my best H414 loads. Still I am very pleased with this load and IMO,for the 7x57 is very good.

keep in mind that if your shooting out past 200 yards theres no guarantee that even if they shot to the same point of aim at a 100 yards they will at long range. You should at least check it.

Hi BigBullet,

I am useing a 7x57 since 1970. Also have a .375 and a .308 W. For these last two, R15 is one of the best powders in existence. But not, in my experience, in the 7x57 and 160 grs bullet, also my favorite all around weight in the 7mm Mauser. I think any 4831, R19 or R22 should be the best powders for your Ruger in 7x57. All 7x57 Rugers made in the years like yours have very long throats, like the European 7x57 barrels. And having, also, a long magazine, you can load your cartridges at 3,2 or 3,3" OAL and be aut of the land for at leas 0,4". You must measure this in your rifle. So, with that slower powders you would get at least 2700 / 2750 fps with totally normal pressures.

Good luck!

PH

with a 140 and rl-19 i easily get 2850 fps.
no fuss no strain a 160 could get these velocities also.
2650 is good enough for decent down range ballistics and is the number i hit in my 7.65 argie and 7.7x58 with 150's and just over 2400 with 170's
this provides enough oomph down range for the bullet to do it's job and enough velocity to keep the rounds from shooting like a 45/70 trajectory wise.

If you want high velocity you should try Hodgdon 414. For many years I have reloaded the Mauser with it. In my rifles I have worked with Relaoder 19, H4381, IMR 4350, IMR4831. And if you want top velocity and good accuracy it is normally excellent. With H414 I have gotten over 2800 fps with 139 Hornadys in one 7x57 and 2875 in the other.

If I wanted higher velocity out of 7mm bore I would be shooting my 280(and I did consider bringing it instead). I try yo keep the 7x57's as a lighter recoiling light rifle. I guess what I tried to show here is something different and possibly new that is outside the normal range of reloading SOP. For interest sake.

I have used the 140gr NAB out of my 7x57 with excellent results. Enjoy your hunt!

Perry