7mm Mauser 160 PT and RL19

[SJB358]

I have wanted to work with my son's 7mm and the 160 PT's for awhile. I finally got out to try the loads I had on hand. I wanted to see what RL19 would do before I pushed on to something else, and it seems like it should be fine.

51 (2715, 2705, 2691)

51.5 (2750, 2745, 2742)

The rifle seems to like that combo a bunch and 2750 or so with the 160 PT is pretty danged good out of that rifle. I am sure I could monkey around to get more speed from one powder or another, but I don't think it would matter in the end anyhow. I am going to take it back out shortly and retry my results and see if they repeat.

I knew there were a few on here looking at the new Featherweights from Winchester, and man, with a 26" barrel on it, you would be nibbling on a 280's heels.

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

Looks like you fond Utopia with that load.
If you want more speed, I would say go with the 150 gr PT.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

That is 30-06/180 gr ballistics right there! You're done unless you want an LRAB load..... :twisted:

 

[SJB358]

Scotty,

Looks like you fond Utopia with that load.
If you want more speed, I would say go with the 150 gr PT.

JD338

I thought of that some Jim. I don't have any of the 150 PT's, so I might have to keep an eye out for some of them.

That is 30-06/180 gr ballistics right there! You're done unless you want an LRAB load..... :twisted:

You are kinda reading my mind Fotis. I have ran the numbers on the 150 ABLR, and it seems like even at 2800, it would be very effective out at longer ranges.. I am looking forward to trying them when they hit the streets, that is for sure.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

That's great velocity from a 7x57! That's top end for everything in that class of cartridge (270Win, 7mm-08, 280Rem). There's nothing in the lower-48 that wouldn't succumb to that load with-in 350 yds. I would repeat for accuracy validation and start work on another load. Your son is set.

 

[DrMike]

That is very good velocity and fine accuracy out of that rifle. Frankly, I would hunt that load any day here in BC.

 

[Guy Miner]

Nice. I really like the group you got with 51.5 grains of RL-19 and those 160 Partitions. That's a great combination. Honestly, I'd take that for mule deer, elk or black bear. Looks like a great load for your son's rifle!

Worth noting for others though, that 47.5 is max according to Nosler's manual, for the 7mm Mauser & 160's.

Congrats! Guy

 

[SJB358]

Nice. I really like the group you got with 51.5 grains of RL-19 and those 160 Partitions. That's a great combination. Honestly, I'd take that for mule deer, elk or black bear. Looks like a great load for your son's rifle!

Worth noting for others though, that 47.5 is max according to Nosler's manual, for the 7mm Mauser & 160's.

Congrats! Guy

Very true Guy, I should have annotated that as well. It is developed using QL software and a chronograph. The load is being shot in a M70, so I felt safe pushing into the 60K range. No issues with brass or primers either.

Nosler is very good at giving excellent loads, but in the 7x57 they are a tad soft, but what you say is right, use caution when pushing above book loads.

Here is my data I used for the work though.

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser
Bullet : .284, 160, Nosler PART SP 16327
Useable Case Capaci: 52.348 grain H2O = 3.399 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-19

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 96 46.35 2481 2187 43170 10130 92.9 1.297
-09.0 97 46.87 2510 2238 44626 10261 93.4 1.277
-08.0 98 47.38 2539 2289 46135 10390 93.9 1.258
-07.0 99 47.90 2567 2342 47698 10515 94.4 1.238
-06.0 100 48.41 2596 2395 49317 10637 94.9 1.219
-05.0 101 48.93 2625 2448 50996 10756 95.4 1.200
-04.0 102 49.44 2654 2503 52737 10872 95.8 1.182
-03.0 104 49.96 2683 2558 54543 10984 96.2 1.164
-02.0 105 50.47 2712 2613 56417 11092 96.6 1.146 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 106 50.99 2741 2669 58361 11197 97.0 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 51.50 2770 2726 60382 11297 97.4 1.112 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 108 52.02 2799 2784 62479 11393 97.7 1.095 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 109 52.53 2828 2842 64658 11485 98.0 1.078 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 110 53.05 2857 2900 66923 11572 98.3 1.062 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 111 53.56 2886 2960 69278 11655 98.6 1.046 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 112 54.08 2915 3020 71728 11733 98.8 1.030 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 51.50 2906 3000 72612 11184 99.9 1.030 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 51.50 2591 2384 49276 10828 90.6 1.216


You aren't kidding about that load being excellent. I wouldn't sweat hunting anything short of something dangerous with that load, and MAN, it is SO pleasant to shoot off the bench. Plus, it doesn't hurt it seems to shoot pretty much everything pretty well. It is getting cleaned up a little right now and I will retest as soon as I can.

 

[nvbroncrider]

I knew there were a few on here looking at the new Featherweights from Winchester, and man, with a 26" barrel on it, you would be nibbling on a 280's heels.

You can stop any time buddy!!

 

[SJB358]

Ha, never.. Not in me!

I am really looking forward to getting back out with this rifle and seeing if the load repeats.

Also, have you tried RL19 in your Swede? Might be a good one with the heavier bullets? Seems to really work decent in the 7mm Mauser..

 

[Hegland]

Good work, man. Those Virginia whitetails will tremble at the sound of your son's footsteps!

To be honest, with results like that I'd have thought you would clamor out after one of those new Featherweights for your own!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would be very happy and pleased with the groups and muzzle velocity of the 7mm Mauser which Scotty was able to attain. Being able to launch a 160 Partition at 2700 is truly excellent velocity for that bullet in the 7mm Mauser.

 

[SJB358]

Should be headed out in a few hours to see if I can repeat anything and get an average speed for them.

I'll be very happy if that 160 repeats. Seems like a do it all load to me.

I think I would like to have a 280 Featherweight, like my boys 7mm. Be a good packing rifle.

 

[Polaris]

I used a load with nearly identical ballistics in my 280 rem for many years. It will penetrate a 200+ lb heavy boned Northwoods whitetail stem to stern at close range while still having adequet expansion on better angles and longer ranges.

I swithced to a 145 speer only because I am changing the application of my .280 rem to more of a strictly open country, long range rifle with the completion of my 8X57mm sporter for use in the woods.

With those results, I wouldn't change a thing. FYI, I got nearly identical ballistics with the Speer 160 SP for use as a less expensive practice bullet.

 

[onesonek]

Scotty,

Looks like you fond Utopia with that load.
If you want more speed, I would say go with the 150 gr PT.

JD338

I thought of that some Jim. I don't have any of the 150 PT's, so I might have to keep an eye out for some of them.

That is 30-06/180 gr ballistics right there! You're done unless you want an LRAB load..... :twisted:

You are kinda reading my mind Fotis. I have ran the numbers on the 150 ABLR, and it seems like even at 2800, it would be very effective out at longer ranges.. I am looking forward to trying them when they hit the streets, that is for sure.

Yep, yep and yep.

Makes a difference on data from the older Mauser's compared to what a modern production receiver, without a doubt.
If I'm not mistaken, I think it was P.O. Ackley's favortie improved parents as well.
Just saying there's ways around the original Mauser rifle pressure constraints.
The new to LRAB will give new life into many of these modest rounds imo.

 

[Oldtrader3]

With a BC of .456 and at 2800 fps, the 7mm Mauser should be a screaming load even for small elk and such.

 

[onesonek]

I agree Charlie, that it would. And even a good sized bull I would, within certain limitations imo.

 

[akhunter]

I knew there were a few on here looking at the new Featherweights from Winchester, and man, with a 26" barrel on it, you would be nibbling on a 280's heels.

Indeed. I wonder if I can expect mine before fall hunting season shows up? :mrgreen: I'm still thinking that I will have the barrel chopped down some. Nonetheless, 160gr Partitions will be the bullet I will try first.

 

[SJB358]

I knew there were a few on here looking at the new Featherweights from Winchester, and man, with a 26" barrel on it, you would be nibbling on a 280's heels.

Indeed. I wonder if I can expect mine before fall hunting season shows up? :mrgreen: I'm still thinking that I will have the barrel chopped down some. Nonetheless, 160gr Partitions will be the bullet I will try first.

Either way, that 160 will move out in a 22" barrel, at least fast enough for me. Looking forward to see these other FWT's hit the market.. Should be pretty slick rifles.

 

[DrMike]

Indeed. I wonder if I can expect mine before fall hunting season shows up? :mrgreen: I'm still thinking that I will have the barrel chopped down some. Nonetheless, 160gr Partitions will be the bullet I will try first.

I'm with you on the anticipation. I'll likely leave mine at factory length, however. I have a Featherweight 280 with a 22 inch barrel when trekking through the bush. The 7X57 can stay as it is for me.