7x57R loads

[7mm-Shooter]

I found this forum by looking for 7x57R and 8x60S loads, and finding several posts here on the 7x57R in drillings.
These are old posts, so I am apparently unable to ask questions, so i will ask here.

I have a J.P. Sauer & Sohn 7x57R - 20 gauge combination gun. I have been trying factory loads
S&B 139 gr
S&B 175 gr
Hornady 162-gr SST
Norma 150-gr spitzer flat base
RWS 154-gr SPT

I am working on loads for all those weights, plus the 120-gr Sierra and Nosler BT, and would like to share experiences with others.

Thank you.

[harry mac]

Depending on the age of the gun, it will have been set up to shoot one particular load. If it's an old one I think it's usually the 175grn load. If you can't find specific data for 7x57R, use load data for 303, 174/180grn bullets to start and see how you get on.

[activeviii]

Just remember to load a combi with 10% less powder than anything you find on line.

NJC110381 is one to ask as he has/had a 7x57R combi.

[7mm-Shooter]

I have tried the S&B 173-gr ammunition at 25 and 50 yards, and gotten it centered up, now moving out to 100 and 200 yards.
The rifle has 2 leaves on it, which fold down into the rib.

I loaded up some mild 120-gr loads at about 2,800 fps, and did not have good groups. If I find an accurate hunting load with the 120-gr Hornady, I will see what the 120-gr Nosler Ballistic Tip does. This bullet is outstanding form a 7mm-08 carbine, but these have a 1:10 rate of twist, whereas the 7x57R is much faster spin.

The third load I shot was a handload of 139-gr Hornady flat base Interlocks, at about 2,600 fps. Groups were okay.

I am loading it up a little hotter with the 120 and 139, and a load with the 154-gr Hornady flat base, which I found several other Sauer owners using. It shoots well from my .280 Remington, at about 2900 fps and 0.75 inch groups, and from my 7mm-08. The 7x57R, with less pressure, should still make them shoot, with its 27-inch barrel. I am going to try a slower powder for this.

My other handload is going to be a 160-gr Sierra, a long bullet with RL-22.

I obtained some Hornady 162-gr SST ammunition at a cheap price and will shoot it. If it does not shoot well enough, I will pull the bullets and try them in my 7x64 and 280 Remington rifles, and load a 150-gr Sierra on top of the Hornady powder.

I have found with the 7x64, 8x57, 8x60, that you have to push the lighter bullets at enough speed to stabilize them and get accuracy.

Thanks for the replies. I will report back. Good advice about the .303 loads. I love those rifles, and the 174-gr .303 at 2,450 fps is so much like the 7x57R at the same speed.

[activeviii]

I guess I'm lucky as I have a few hundred 120gn s+b to get down my 12/7x57r before I gave to load and a number of 140gn hornady. As it is only good for one shot before the barrel heats up an pulls the bullet, there is little point in trying to get a tight grouping. As long as mine shoots within 2" at 100 then that's a heart shot on fallow which is what my combi gun is for.

[7mm-Shooter]

I think this heating was my problem in initial attempts to find loads which shoot to the sights.

So I have been going back and shooting it and letting it totally cool off between shots. Right now I am shooting:
173-gr S&B ammo - I have it centered up now and shooting small groups about 5 inches high at 100 yards.
162-gr Hornady SST ammo
Norma 156-gr Oryx ammo
139-gr RN bullets pulled from their 7x64 ammo and reloaded into 7x57R over 38.0 grains of H-4895.
120-gr Sierra and 120-gr Nosler BT loaded over 38.0 gr of H-4895.
154-gr Hornady RN loaded over 40.0 grains of RL-19 and 39.0 grains of IMR-4350

My Sauer has the bases for claw mounts, so if I can get a few different loads shooting well and near the same point at 100 yards, I my invest in some rings, mount a scope, and try to really fine tune some loads. Right now, I just want it to be shooting one or two loads to the sights so i can take it hunting.

I keep searching the Internet for other JP Sauer owners of combination guns and drillings, to see what loads are working for them.

[activeviii]

I have quick release one piece and a little 1.5-5x20 scope. works very well for 100meters and as its for a shotgun the eye relief is good.