Headed to Wyoming this fall and wanted to take the single shot I built. Wanted suggestions on a good load for antelope and mule deer. Needs to shoot fairly flat, max range would be 300yds (open sights). I was thinking maybe a 120-140 grain bullets.

Thanks

Take the one that shoots the best out of your rifle. I tend to lean towards the 140 grain bullet. Either will kill what you want ot hunt just fine.

Bailey,

We're a 7x57 family, my two sons and me.
We shoot 140 grain Nosler Partitions exclusively after experimenting with other bullets. H-414 is our powder too, along with Federal 210 primers. My rifle shoots 47.0 grains of the H-414 best, and anything over 47.0 grains is too hot. However, my sons' rifles like 48.0 grains with no signs of pressure.
We've been using these loads for 20+ years with excellent killing results on Michigan Deer.
These loads deliver excellent accuracy too; three shots at 100 yards into 1/2" groups.

Don

Thanks Don,

That at least gives me a starting place. I have a friend who is going to load for me.

My rifle shoots norma 150 fmj well, doesn't like S&B 139gr ammo.

A load which shoots very well in my Blaser 7x57R which may not be ideal for the quarry you mention but it sure puts deer down out to 200 yards is.
Privi Prin cases,
CCI L/R primer,
48 grains of Rloader 22 powder.
and Hornady 175 grain RN bullets. at oal 3.105inches crimped with a Lee factory crimp die.
Hodgdon list this load as max pressure load at 46,000 cup (which might be a little high for your rifle), with a velocity of 2503fps.
This load was chronographed at 2488, 2489 and 2491 fps. Adjusted for muzzle velocity it is about 2500fps or as near as possible to the published figures.
The real good news is the it grouped into 0.4 of an inch.

The starting load is 46 grains at 2,342fps and 40,400cup which should be safe in any 7x57R.

The trajectory figures for the 48 grains load are;
30yards -0.1 inches. 100yards +1.2 inches. 150yards 0 inches. 200yards -3.1 inches.

For woods stalking, the balistics are good

I would suggest that, before you go to too much trouble working up a handload, you should try the Norma factory load with the 156 grain Oryx bullet.

These shoot very well in my rifle.

quote:

Headed to Wyoming this fall and wanted to take the single shot I built.

Single shot, 7x57R - Wow! Would you perchance have pictures you could post? I have a 'leaning' toward the '57 Mauser case. The 7x57R is high up on my 'would like to have' list. (6.5x57R would be my compromise but that's beside the point).

I run 140gr bullets in my 280 for the windy plains. Give the 140gr Nosler AB a try.

Bailey,

I think 120-140 gr. bullets would be just right for your 7x57R Antilope/Mule Deer hunt.

PM sent.

7mm 120-grain bullets are on the light side for big mulies, but the 140s are fine. In my Ruger No.1A, I get right at 3000 fps from a 140-grain bullet using WW760 powder. I started at 48 grains and worked up from there. My rifle has a long throat which permits heavier charges...

The 140! The 300 yds. with open sights, however , does not seem prudent unless you are an exceptional marksman. roger

quote:

Originally posted by Bailey Bradshaw:
Headed to Wyoming this fall and wanted to take the single shot I built. Wanted suggestions on a good load for antelope and mule deer. Needs to shoot fairly flat, max range would be 300yds (open sights). I was thinking maybe a 120-140 grain bullets.

Thanks

140 grains in front of 46-49 GR. of 414

Shooting Antelope at 300 yds with open sights will be like shooting bugs. Good luck.

Thanks for all the help.

I have a 400 yd pasture behind my shop with a range set up. I will be well practiced and know my limit on range (just anticipated I could do 300yds). I've shot 220 yds with good success at an 18" tall steel pig silhouet.