Medium slow rifle powders such as IMR 4350, IMR 4064, RL-19, AA 2700, H414 and H4350 are good choices with the 139-145 grain bullets that I prefer in 7x57.īecause the 7x57 can provide enough velocity for long range shooting with 120-140 grain bullets and was designed with adequate neck length and case capacity to accommodate bullets up to 175 grains (SD. Reloaders have access to all of those as well as 100, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130 and 160-162 grain bullets.
The most popular factory loaded bullet weights are 139-145 grain, 150-156 grain and 175 grain. Such loads can drive 140 grain bullets at MV's of up to about 2800 fps, 154-160 grain bullets at about 2600 fps and 175 grain bullets at about 2575 fps. Handloaders with strong, commercially manufactured hunting rifles (FN, Mauser 98, Husqvarna, CZ, Ruger, Sako, Remington 700, and Winchester, for example) can safely load ammunition in the 50,000-52,000 cup range.
These loads remain within SAAMI or CIP guidelines. Hornady offers a 139 grain Interlock BTSP bullet at a MV of 2700 fps in their Custom line and a "Light Magnum" factory load using a 139 grain InterLock SP bullet at a MV of 2830 fps. Norma loads their 154 grain Soft Point bullet at a MV of 2625 fps and their 156 grain Oryx bullet at a MV of 2608 fps. Hotter factory loads are available, however. 7x57 factory loads are held to a maximum average pressure (MAP) of 46,000 cup in deference to the thousands of relatively weak Mauser 18 military surplus rifles that have been imported over the years. "big three" manufacturers spit out a 140 grain bullet at a MV of approximately 2660 fps or a 175 grain bullet at 2440 fps. It retains worldwide popularity and in North America hunters can choose among factory loaded ammunition from Federal, Hornady, Norma, PMC, Remington, Stars and Stripes, and Winchester, among others. Despite its status as an antique, the 7x57 still looks like, and performs like, a modern cartridge. The 7x57 is actually the cartridge that established many of the specifications that have since become the defacto standard for non-magnum calibers, such as the rimless bottleneck shape that headspaces on the shoulder and the. The War Department decided to remedy the situation. Army encountered the 7x57 cartridge and Mauser rifle in 1898 during the Spanish/American war and decided that both were dramatically superior to the then U.S. (Actually, with its shorter body and sharper shoulder, the 7x57 looks like the more modern of the two cartridges.) The U.S. The U.S.30-06 cartridge is an enlarged 7x57 and uses the same basic configuration, rim and head diameters. However, its utility as a hunting cartridge is what has kept it alive and well to the present day. The 7x57 had a long run as a service cartridge with several of the world's militaries, from its introduction in 1893 until the 1950's. Like many successful military cartridges, the 7x57 proved to be an even more outstanding hunting cartridge. The 7x57mm Mauser was developed as a military cartridge in 1892. Brace, gun maker, Eugene, Oregon" on the barrel. In a nutshell, this is how I came to own a caliber 7x57mm Mauser custom made hunting rifle with the legend, "L. I had not previously owned a rifle chambered for the 7x57 cartridge, but had long wanted to.
I, too, appreciate fine single shot rifles and classic double shotguns, areas that were also of special interest to Larry. I knew Larry and we hit it off pretty well. (Leupold, for example, featured one of Larry's elegant falling block single shot rifles in their 2004 catalog.) Larry was one of the founders of the Gun Maker's Guild and his work was nationally known, having often been featured in articles and brochures. Larry Brace, the extraordinary custom gun maker of Eugene, Oregon passed away about a year ago after a long battle with cancer. By Chuck Hawks Left side of custom Husqvarna rifle.