Hello, I am new to the forum, I am a young hobby gunsmith and sometimes my ideas get out of hand, I have a 1903/14/27 mannlicher-schoenauer action that I anticipate to chamber in 7x57ai 17.5" barrel and I have 2 questions. Firstly, I know given the barrel length I will lose some velocity, but what are some loads that I can load to get started and what powders do you recommend. Right now I'm a little limited, l have Accurate 3100 and from what I have seen it will push 150 grains close to 2650 at 50250 psi in 24 inch barrel. I'm looking to use 130 grain bullets and stay under 55000 psi, what are my options with 3100 or should I look into getting a different powder? In addition to this I have not found a straight answer online wether this action can handle modern pressure, it was made in the late 1920s for the greek military but at the same time they were made commercially in 30-06 which specs at 60000 psi so I assume I would be more than safe at 55000?
7x57ai mannlicher-schoenauer
- Thread starter djs987
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salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,771
- 7,760
Welcome aboard. I’m one of several 7x57 fans here; however, mine is a ruger #1 so I’ll load her quite a bit hotter than you should I would think. I’ve had good luck with H4350, Rl 17 and R26. H4350 or IMR 4064 should work well for you. I am unfamiliar with 3100.
3100 is pretty similar to H4831. I think you’ll be very slow with that and probably a touch unbalanced with a 130 in that case. I’d look at 7-08 data for what they recommend for 130’s.
I’d be in the 4064, 4895, SB6.5, Big Game and similar range to get what you can from that short of a barrel.
I’d be in the 4064, 4895, SB6.5, Big Game and similar range to get what you can from that short of a barrel.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thank you guys for giving me an idea of where to start, I probably should have went a little longer on the barrel but too late now lol, I wanted something handy in the woods. What do you say as far as chamber pressure, my original goal as mentioned was to try to stay at or below 55000 but if the action can handle more I will likely load hotter. I guess what I am trying to say is do you think it is safe to load to modern pressure or keep it lighter, also is there a way to calculate/a place to find information on chamber pressure?
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 833
- 200
I have a friend who had a M1903 6.5x54MSch & he rechambered to 7x57 - NOT Ai... it works - sort of, but the bolt face is slightly different to the 6.5x54 cartridge & ejection of spent case is somewhat frustrating! My friend is a well known gunsmith here in UK & tho' he lives with the frustration, he acknowledges it's a pain in the ass. Anyway, he's done it for better or worse. Check very carefully before you go ahead. I think I'd be dubious about modern pressures in the old MSch actions.
Your 17.5" barrel sounds like it's a 'Stutzen' (Full Stock) carbine usually with an 18" barrel.. I have 2 MSch M1903 rifles - one is a stutzen & the 18" barrel is fine with MV with the 6.5x54MSch cartridge. These rifles were used in the early 1900's in Arica on big game by some well known hunters of the time. Also later when Rigby introduced the .275 (7x57)
I had the shot out barrel on my M1903(Half stock) replaced with a Krieger barrel here in UK to the exact same chambering of 6.5x54MSch & it's superbly accurate. The gunsmith profiled the new Krieger barrel alongside my original barrel & did a great job. Didn't have to make any changes to the rifle stock.
Personally, I'd love to own a MSch 7x57 (.275Rigby) but they're like rocking horse shit to find a decent one.
Good luck
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salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,771
- 7,760
Ok, I am going to use “rocking horse S***” next time I go to our local hardware store that never has what I need.
