7mm Mauser - Even better with age!

[SJB358]

Guys, I was goofing around a little yesterday morning, checking over some Quickload data, and wanted to see if there was anything else I haven't really looked at for the 7mm Mauser. I have a bunch of 140 AB's and and have run them with RL19, which netted around 2750 with a near max load. While pretty decent, I thought there was more to be had. Well, I looked at my bench and realized I had a partial pound of RL17 on the bench. I bought it for use in my old 25-06 and to try it out in a few others. Nothing really ever popped, so it has sat on the bench.

Here was the profile I ran.

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 140, Nosler AccuBond 59992
Useable Case Capaci: 53.992 grain H2O = 3.506 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.180 inch = 80.77 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63000 psi, or 434 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

120 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Somchem S365 107.9 53.4 3.46 3010 100.0 63000 10959 1.037 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 110.0 57.1 3.70 3010 97.5 59186 12598 1.055 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 105.4 54.2 3.51 2992 98.9 63000 11632 1.036 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 97.0 50.6 3.28 2989 100.0 63000 11091 1.026 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 99.5 52.4 3.39 2985 98.2 63000 11606 1.039 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 99.5 52.4 3.39 2985 98.2 63000 11606 1.039 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 109.9 54.7 3.54 2982 96.7 63000 11778 1.032 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 104.9 51.7 3.35 2977 99.7 63000 11246 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 105.0 51.7 3.35 2977 99.7 63000 11243 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 108.9 53.9 3.49 2976 96.4 63000 11659 1.027 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 101.9 51.8 3.36 2976 99.7 63000 11372 1.047 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 109.0 51.9 3.36 2975 99.7 63000 11233 1.056 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 110.0 56.2 3.64 2970 94.2 60375 12122 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 97.9 50.3 3.26 2960 100.0 63000 10859 1.043 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 98.0 50.4 3.26 2959 100.0 63000 10844 1.043 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 110.0 54.7 3.55 2956 96.4 61729 11622 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 110.0 52.4 3.40 2956 99.8 62764 11008 1.052 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 107.4 53.5 3.46 2955 96.3 63000 11428 1.034 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 107.4 53.5 3.46 2955 96.3 63000 11428 1.034 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 104.0 53.5 3.46 2955 96.3 63000 11428 1.034 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 94.5 47.1 3.05 2947 100.0 63000 10748 1.051 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 110.0 55.3 3.59 2944 97.5 62636 11317 1.052 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 107.8 51.9 3.36 2944 100.0 63000 10380 1.040 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 104.9 53.0 3.44 2938 97.9 63000 11138 1.045 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 95.3 47.5 3.08 2938 99.9 63000 10708 1.051 ! Near Maximum !

Seeing as RL17 was near the top with an uncompressed load, I figured I would give it a whirl..

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 140, Nosler AccuBond 59992
Useable Case Capaci: 53.992 grain H2O = 3.506 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.180 inch = 80.77 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

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 86 45.00 2671 2218 44048 10213 97.9 1.209
-09.0 87 45.50 2699 2265 45460 10315 98.3 1.191
-08.0 88 46.00 2728 2313 46916 10412 98.6 1.174
-07.0 89 46.50 2756 2362 48423 10505 98.8 1.157
-06.0 90 47.00 2785 2411 49976 10593 99.1 1.140
-05.0 91 47.50 2813 2460 51584 10677 99.3 1.123
-04.0 92 48.00 2842 2510 53244 10756 99.5 1.107
-03.0 93 48.50 2870 2560 54959 10830 99.6 1.091
-02.0 94 49.00 2898 2610 56733 10900 99.7 1.076 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 95 49.50 2926 2661 58566 10964 99.8 1.060 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 96 50.00 2954 2712 60463 11023 99.9 1.045 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 97 50.50 2981 2763 62424 11077 100.0 1.031 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 98 51.00 3009 2815 64450 11125 100.0 1.016 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 99 51.50 3037 2867 66556 11170 100.0 1.002 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 100 52.00 3064 2919 68711 11213 100.0 0.988 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 101 52.50 3091 2971 70984 11255 100.0 0.974 !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 96 50.00 3067 2924 72097 10600 100.0 0.974 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 96 50.00 2787 2415 49928 11038 96.3 1.139


Seeing 2900's with the 7mm seems like a stretch, but I figured I would give it a try.

So I loaded up a series of 4 load sets, 47, 48, 49 and 50 grains with Winchester brass, CCIBR2's and 140 AB's loaded to 3.160" which is about .020" off the rifling in this rifle.

47 grains (2742, 2784, 2735, 2733)



48 grains (2804, 2811, 2818, 2774)



49 grains (2848, 2870, 2863, 2857)



50 grains (2959, 2937, 2915, 2937)



Again, these were all shot at 138 yards, still haven't made my target stands yet, or really fixed up my little range yet, but for now, I think I am okay.

I am pretty sure I will be able to close in the groups with some seating depth adjustment, as the 140 BT's shoot much better in this rifle, seated deeper as well, but the speeds I was getting way pretty awesome. Really makes that 7mm Mauser a player in my mind. I have always liked the cartridge alot, but man, this gives it a real shot in the arm.

It is a trim and light hunting rifle, with very light recoil. Alot to like about the little feller! After seeing how well this rifle does, it really gets me juiced to get one of my own SC made 7mm Mausers....

 

[DrMike]

The 7 Mauser is an excellent cartridge and is sadly underrated by many shooters. I suspect they are unfamiliar with the sweet seven, or they are suffering from magnumitis. As an aside, I have frequently witnessed some serious misspellings of the Mauser in postings on some sites. My favourite is the fellow that continually talked about wanting a 7mm Mouser. I giggled uncontrollably at the thought of either such a small rifle or at the vision of such massive rodents. Heck, I'd even like to find a 7mm Mouser. Alas, they seem to be fairly rare. :mrgreen:

 

[duckcreekdick]

I would suggest due caution trying to tweak another 100-150 fps out of the 7mm Mauser case. The cartridge is what it is and that has been quite good enough in the game fields for over a century.

 

[SJB358]

I would suggest due caution trying to tweak another 100-150 fps out of the 7mm Mauser case. The cartridge is what it is and that has been quite good enough in the game fields for over a century.

Noted, thank you for the heads up DCD.. I guess my thoughts are the 6mm Rem is the same case, as is the 257 Roberts. I will try to take some pictures of the cases, and primers, but I can see no signs of running it hard, and 60K isn't especially tough on brass that I can tell.

I did order up some Norma cases for the rifle, as Winchester stuff is pretty hard to get and there was a decent sale at Sinclairs for them.

You are right though, the extra 100-150FPS isn't needed everywhere, and keeping them at 2750 would have been fine as well, but I wanted a little extra if it was there for my son if he is going to hunt elk with the rifle. It pushes the energy up a little more, and flattens out the trajectory a touch. Energy being the priority.

I will keep working with the rifle and report anything and everything I get out of it. I will be happy to be in the mid 2800's to low 2900's though.

That long neck and long mag box really do give the 7mm Mouser (HA) the ability to run pretty well.

 

[FOTIS]

In a modern rifle I have loaded it to 62K psi with no issues. Remember they do NOT make weaker brass on purpose for the 7mm mauser.

 

[Guy Miner]

GREAT looking rifle Scotty, and what a classic in 7mm.

That's an excellent all-around rifle right there...

 

[SJB358]

In a modern rifle I have loaded it to 62K psi with no issues. Remember they do NOT make weaker brass on purpose for the 7mm mauser.

Hey buddy. Good to hear from you. Yeah, your thoughts on the brass are my own as well. Not trying to smoke brass either, I am too cheap, and like to get as many loads as I can out of the brass, while still utilizing it for what it is.

Headed down stairs to load up some varying seating depths. Pretty excited to see what it does with that.

 

[PJGunner]

I have one of those rifles and I love it. I also have a Ruger #1A and a custom Mauser in 7x57.
I was looking at this portion of the data you posted:

Hodgdon H414 99.5 52.4 3.39 2985 98.2 63000 11606 1.039 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 99.5 52.4 3.39 2985 98.2 63000 11606 1.039 ! Near Maximum !

I've been working with W760 and the 140 gr. Ballistic tips and at 49.0 gr. of that powder I get 2800 FPS and some small change but at 50 gr. the load is way too hot for the M70.
It is OK in the #1 but will lock up the bolt in the Mauser. One thing is when I do load work ups, I do them in the summer and around he that can mean 110 in the shade and there ain't any shade. :roll: I'll be watching your resluts with great interest.
Paul B.

 

[JD338]

In a modern rifle I have loaded it to 62K psi with no issues. Remember they do NOT make weaker brass on purpose for the 7mm mauser.

+1 to what Fotis said.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I have one of those rifles and I love it. I also have a Ruger #1A and a custom Mauser in 7x57.
I was looking at this portion of the data you posted:

Hodgdon H414 99.5 52.4 3.39 2985 98.2 63000 11606 1.039 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 99.5 52.4 3.39 2985 98.2 63000 11606 1.039 ! Near Maximum !

I've been working with W760 and the 140 gr. Ballistic tips and at 49.0 gr. of that powder I get 2800 FPS and some small change but at 50 gr. the load is way too hot for the M70.
It is OK in the #1 but will lock up the bolt in the Mauser. One thing is when I do load work ups, I do them in the summer and around he that can mean 110 in the shade and there ain't any shade. :roll: I'll be watching your resluts with great interest.
Paul B.

Paul, 760 or 414 was going to next or might still be next, as it looks pretty good as well. I will for sure keep you posted on how it goes. I found no signs of overpressure at all. Primers were in great shape and everything looked like it was supposed to.

I just finished in the loading room and loaded from 3.160 down to 3.10". Hope to find a node the 140 AB likes in that range. I have high hopes for it.

 

[onesonek]

In a modern rifle I have loaded it to 62K psi with no issues. Remember they do NOT make weaker brass on purpose for the 7mm mauser.

Agreed Fotis, and it is indeed underrated!
Oh yeah,,,very beautiful rifle there Scotty. I'm in envy!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Scotty, very super looking rifle. Your son should be proud of that one! He should be able to take most American game with it for all of his life and pass it one to his kids, as I am doing now.

 

[jason miller]

Very nice rifle. Keep us posted. I'm interested to see where you end up.

Any idea what she could run a 175 Partition up to? Seems with that long neck, a long bullet could be both nostalgiac and effective...

 

[SJB358]

Very nice rifle. Keep us posted. I'm interested to see where you end up.

Any idea what she could run a 175 Partition up to? Seems with that long neck, a long bullet could be both nostalgiac and effective...

I think 2400-2500 would be pretty much in the ballpark with the rifle. I ran some old factory Remington 175 grain RN's through the chrono when I first got the rifle and they went across the screens at about 2350. I am pretty sure those could be amped up a little without pushing on it to hard.

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady RN 2855
Useable Case Capaci: 52.837 grain H2O = 3.431 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350

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 90 42.89 2338 2124 43860 9497 96.0 1.359
-09.0 91 43.36 2363 2169 45204 9603 96.4 1.340
-08.0 92 43.84 2387 2214 46589 9707 96.8 1.322
-07.0 93 44.31 2411 2260 48014 9808 97.1 1.303
-06.0 94 44.79 2436 2306 49483 9907 97.4 1.285
-05.0 95 45.27 2460 2352 50996 10002 97.7 1.267
-04.0 96 45.74 2485 2399 52555 10095 98.0 1.249
-03.0 97 46.22 2509 2446 54162 10184 98.3 1.232
-02.0 98 46.70 2533 2493 55818 10271 98.5 1.215 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 99 47.17 2557 2541 57524 10354 98.7 1.199 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 100 47.65 2582 2590 59284 10434 98.9 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 101 48.13 2606 2638 61098 10510 99.1 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 102 48.60 2630 2687 62969 10583 99.3 1.151 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 103 49.08 2654 2736 64899 10652 99.5 1.135 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 104 49.56 2678 2786 66890 10718 99.6 1.120 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 105 50.03 2702 2836 68945 10780 99.7 1.105 !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 100 47.65 2684 2799 69536 10156 100.0 1.105 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 47.65 2441 2315 49213 10240 94.1 1.284


Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady RN 2855
Useable Case Capaci: 52.837 grain H2O = 3.431 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 92 45.00 2370 2182 42593 10223 94.5 1.366
-09.0 93 45.50 2396 2232 43980 10349 95.0 1.345
-08.0 94 46.00 2423 2281 45416 10472 95.4 1.325
-07.0 95 46.50 2450 2332 46899 10592 95.8 1.306
-06.0 96 47.00 2476 2383 48435 10709 96.3 1.286
-05.0 98 47.50 2503 2434 50023 10823 96.6 1.267
-04.0 99 48.00 2529 2486 51666 10933 97.0 1.248
-03.0 100 48.50 2556 2539 53366 11039 97.4 1.230
-02.0 101 49.00 2583 2592 55127 11142 97.7 1.212
-01.0 102 49.50 2609 2645 56949 11241 98.0 1.194 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 103 50.00 2636 2699 58833 11336 98.3 1.177 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 104 50.50 2662 2754 60791 11427 98.5 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 105 51.00 2689 2809 62811 11514 98.8 1.143 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 106 51.50 2715 2865 64897 11597 99.0 1.126 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 107 52.00 2742 2921 67052 11675 99.2 1.110 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 108 52.50 2768 2977 69284 11748 99.4 1.094 !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 103 50.00 2756 2953 70377 11110 100.0 1.092 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 103 50.00 2472 2375 47993 10975 92.3 1.286


Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady RN 2855
Useable Case Capaci: 52.837 grain H2O = 3.431 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 60000 psi, or 413 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

149 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP 105.1 53.4 3.46 2730 99.5 60000 12284 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 106.7 53.1 3.44 2715 97.0 60000 12436 1.158 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 109.0 56.8 3.68 2709 97.7 60000 12270 1.149 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 109.2 56.8 3.68 2708 97.8 60000 12242 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 109.4 56.9 3.69 2708 97.7 60000 12259 1.149 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 107.1 55.5 3.59 2707 95.5 60000 12483 1.162 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 107.0 52.7 3.41 2698 98.6 60000 12023 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 107.0 52.7 3.41 2698 98.6 60000 12023 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 107.0 52.7 3.41 2698 98.6 60000 12023 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 109.9 52.9 3.43 2697 98.5 60000 12034 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 105.0 52.6 3.41 2695 97.3 60000 12008 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 105.9 52.1 3.38 2680 97.2 60000 11878 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 109.8 55.5 3.60 2668 97.3 60000 11740 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 110.0 52.1 3.37 2667 97.0 58029 11912 1.170 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 108.0 52.2 3.38 2660 96.9 60000 11626 1.167 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 103.3 50.3 3.26 2652 98.4 60000 11392 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 102.6 49.7 3.22 2651 98.3 60000 11310 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 98.8 49.7 3.22 2650 99.8 60000 11093 1.173 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 100.7 48.8 3.16 2648 100.0 60000 10304 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 110.0 53.3 3.45 2646 99.9 54109 11737 1.207
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 104.0 50.7 3.28 2646 98.4 60000 11311 1.167 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation 109.4 54.4 3.52 2645 94.9 60000 11640 1.157 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 93.2 48.0 3.11 2645 99.5 60000 11085 1.176 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 93.2 48.0 3.11 2645 99.5 60000 11085 1.176 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 90.9 46.4 3.01 2640 100.0 60000 10422 1.162 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 98.2 47.3 3.07 2630 100.0 60000 10601 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 98.2 47.3 3.07 2630 100.0 60000 10598 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 95.4 47.5 3.08 2630 100.0 60000 10735 1.185 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 102.0 47.5 3.08 2628 100.0 60000 10578 1.197 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 101.0 49.2 3.19 2627 98.2 60000 11066 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 97.8 49.2 3.19 2627 98.2 60000 11066 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 101.0 49.2 3.19 2627 98.2 60000 11066 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 108.6 51.4 3.33 2625 96.5 60000 11164 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 104.4 51.4 3.33 2625 96.5 60000 11164 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 103.5 51.0 3.30 2620 99.1 60000 10918 1.186 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 103.1 48.1 3.12 2615 100.0 60000 10379 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 91.5 46.0 2.98 2610 100.0 60000 10190 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 101.8 52.3 3.39 2609 98.2 60000 10822 1.171 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 91.7 46.1 2.99 2609 100.0 60000 10177 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 98.6 48.8 3.16 2608 99.3 60000 10699 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 109.0 52.5 3.40 2607 98.8 60000 10655 1.175 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 101.7 48.9 3.17 2597 97.3 60000 10748 1.173 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 100.9 47.5 3.08 2595 100.0 60000 9760 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 97.7 47.1 3.05 2592 99.5 60000 10502 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 100.4 47.8 3.10 2591 99.0 60000 10463 1.176 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 98.5 47.7 3.09 2590 99.1 60000 10443 1.176 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 90.5 45.1 2.92 2587 100.0 60000 10199 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 NT ~approximation 92.5 45.5 2.95 2583 99.6 60000 10162 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 108.7 50.7 3.29 2583 97.2 60000 10563 1.175 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 90.9 44.7 2.90 2579 100.0 60000 9805 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 91.1 43.6 2.83 2575 100.0 60000 9670 1.176 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 92.9 44.8 2.90 2574 100.0 60000 9724 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065 96.5 46.0 2.98 2571 99.9 60000 10107 1.193 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 95.3 45.6 2.95 2570 99.1 60000 10293 1.188 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 100.7 52.3 3.39 2570 96.5 60000 10543 1.183 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 92.3 45.6 2.96 2570 99.1 60000 10286 1.188 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 93.0 44.3 2.87 2569 100.0 60000 9727 1.198 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 110.0 53.6 3.47 2564 95.7 49026 11988 1.271
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation 94.1 45.6 2.95 2564 99.9 60000 9905 1.177 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 91.6 43.3 2.81 2560 100.0 60000 9682 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 91.9 43.3 2.81 2560 100.0 60000 9682 1.180 ! Near Maximum !

 

[PJGunner]

Back in 1973, I bought a pretty little sporter based on an 1893 Mauser in 7x57. The only ammo in the little cow town I was living in at the time was the Federal 175 gr. round nose. Shot very well in that little rifle that looked very much like a Rigby sporter. Light, and very accurate. Opening day I was out bright and early abd by 8 AM i got a shot and a nice eating size Mule Deer. At the shot the deer took off and after I looked for about an hour, drove the 5 miles home to get my eagle eyed wife to help me look for the deer. We looked until the sun went down and never did find it.
Fast forward to a few years back. I'd just bought my Winchester M70 Featherweight and still had some of that ammo left. I went to the local gun shop and bought two more boxes so I could compare that old 1973 mmo against what the fresh would do. The old ammo did a whole 2000 FPS and so did the new ammo. :shock: Some time after that John Barsness made a comment on 24 Hour campfire as I recall, might have also been in a magazine article too that when he ran some Federal 175 gr. RN ammo over the chronograph, velocity was nowhere near advertised. I pulled a coulpe of bullets one from the old ammo and one from the new and the jackets were very thick. Thinking back on that hunt that tough 175 gr. bullet probably acted more like a solid on the deer and just penciled on through.
I did go back out the next day to see if I could find that deer and did by the birds. It had traveled well over 100 yards before expiring and sad to say the coyotes did not leave much.
I have only lost two deer in over 50 years of hunting and both deer were shot with the 7x57. I can't blame the cartidges for lost deer #2. s I was climbing up the hill to where I last saw the deer, my right foot turned one way and my body turned another way and bingo,tore the cartilige out of my right knee. That was 8 years ago and I still walk with a limp. My ex-son in law and his son were on that hunt and were more concerned about carrying my fat butt off the hill than finding my deer. :x It's kind of curtailed how I hunt anymore. The really rugged places are pretty much off limits now. No matter, I do like my 7x57s, all three of them.
Paul B.

 

[SJB358]

So, I was just goofing around a little, and I looked up the BC on the new 150 ABLR. They advertise it as a .611, which is pretty danged high for a 150. I then ran a QL profile using a Sierra MK and Nosler 150 BT's. Both of those look to easily get into the mid 2800's with a few powders.. So I ran the numbers through the Hornady Ballistic's calculator, with the .611 BC..

I ended up with 1484 Ftlbs of energy retained at 525 yards, and a remaining speed of 2111FPS at 525. That is a whole lotta zip from that little case. Seems there is something to these bullets and from what I see of the 210's they look like they should be excellent bullets for big game. Either way, I am looking forward to giving them a whirl in the little 7mm. All you with the 280's and larger are going to have a blast with them.

Sorry for the long post on this, but carrying that little 7mm Mauser around is a pure joy, and I wished it were mine! My son scowls at me when he see's me sneaking it off to the range. Might have to get one of my own! HA!

 

[Hegland]

Good showing Scotty. Yep, I'd say your boy has himself an elk rifle.

Might have to get one of my own!

We'll expect pictures when you do! :grin:

 

[nvbroncrider]

Stop Scotty PLEASE!!!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Scotty, you are making me wish that I had gotten my dad's 7mm Mauser but I do have a .257 Roberts which is the Mauser case and does most of what I need it to do certainly.

 

[gerry]

The 7x57 has class, and it still performs very well by the looks of it.